February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:10 Page 3
It’s all Downhill in Canada ... ... Sgt Parker, 22 HQ & Sp Sqn (EOD)
W
ith the range sweep successfully completed it was time for the boys and girl to take
part in some Adventure Training. The OC, Maj Robinson, had secured a skiing
package for 33 of us at Trails End Camp. This was a superb and cost free opportunity for individuals to
undertake Alpine Skiing and Ski Mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies near Banff.
On the “fun bus” to Trails End, our first stop was at a small skiing village called Canmore to get
kitted out with skis, boots and poles. We finally arrived at Cochrane, where Trail End Camp is located,
after a long four hour drive. This was a lot colder and whiter than BATUS, but had a really remote
feel to it which was a shock to most of the lads expecting more time drinking in bars! After several
briefings we were all split into our groups; the better skiers were selected to participate in the more
arduous Ski Mountaineering course and the rest of us - the no or limited experience skiers - were put
on the alpine skiing course. The following morning we all expected the normally fantastic breakfast
to be supplied by our RLC colleagues. Unfortunately our chef had neglected to read his instructions
on how to set an alarm clock, and we started the day heading off to ski hungry!
Our first skiing resort was Lake Louise where the following weekend a round of the Ski
World Championships was to be held. Our instructors introduced us to the beginners’ slope.
After a morning of learning the basics, Erica the Ice Queen (our instructor) decided to take our
group onto a more challenging green route which we all were bragging about how easy it would
be. After a quick ski lift to the top of the slope, the severity became more evident … the rather
confident beginners all of a sudden went very quiet. Erica generously informed us that it should
take around four minutes to get to the bottom of the slope for an average skier. For the majority
of us, forty five minutes later … Erica was doing her best to encourage us to complete the
remaining half of the slope! The next couple of days were spent at
Sunshine Village with a much greater variety of skiing. Here, although
with a few minor casualties and dented egos, the skiers with potential
started to shine. Spr Danny “I’ll buy a crate” Benison and his new best
mate, Pte Leech, proved that they were very able skiers. Our Scottish rep,
Cpl “I hate skiing” Bickerstaff was adamant that under no circumstance
was he going to improve his skiing which led to rather amusing conversations
with Erica. Our last day was spent at Sunshine Village with a skiing
assessment which we all passed! After this mere formality, now that we
had vastly improved over the last few days … Cpl Bickerstaff quietly
admitted that he had actually enjoyed skiing more than he expected. We
were left to do a few runs on our own. This proved to be the most enjoyable
day of the week, not because the
skiing was over, but for all those
skiing non-believers - like myself -
we realised that we had actually
had a great week.
EOD) Does Canada
February 2009 Articles 3
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