Ski camp for the 8th grade in Ötztal
From February 28 to March 6, 2026, this year's ski camp took place for the entire grade 8 of the Joliot-Curie-Gymnasium. The destination of the trip was the Ötztal in Austria, one of the most famous winter sports regions in the Alps. The trip not only enabled us to improve our skiing skills or even learn new ones, but also to strengthen our social contacts and gain unforgettable experiences together.
The accompanying teachers - Ms Täschner, Ms Wagner, Ms Theissen, Mr Täschner, Mr Weber, Mr Drossel and Mr Berger - were responsible for organizing and supervising the students. The trip departed from the bus station in Görlitz at 8 a.m. on February 28 and was scheduled to return around 5:30 p.m. after an eventful week.
Arrival and accommodation
Our journey began punctually at 07:30 at the bus station in Görlitz. We dropped off our luggage so that it could be stowed in the coach. After a brief welcome and introduction by the accompanying teachers, we boarded the coach. The journey to Austria went smoothly, with short breaks for rest and refreshments.
Our accommodation was located at the entrance to the Ötztal valley, in the municipality of Haiming. Once we arrived at the "Aktiv Hotel Ötztal", we moved into our rooms. We carried our heavy luggage to the 4th floor. The rooms were functionally furnished and offered enough space to relax after an exhausting day of skiing. The food in the hotel was sufficient. We then received initial information about the schedule for the coming days.
Organization of the ski course
The instructors divided us into three groups according to our ability level: Beginners, advanced and experts. This division allowed for individual support and targeted training at the respective level. Each group had specific training times, with the instructors setting different priorities - from the basics of skiing for beginners to challenging techniques for experienced skiers.
Safety played a central role. Helmets, ski goggles and the correct clothing were checked and we were regularly reminded of the correct behavior on the slopes. The instructors accompanied the groups on the skis, gave tips on how to improve technique and made sure that no one was overtaxed.
Daily routine
Each day began at 6:45 am with breakfast together, followed by preparation for the day's skiing. The groups started their ski course at around 8 am.
The beginners concentrated on learning the basic techniques, such as braking correctly, cornering and getting safely onto the ski lifts. The advanced skiers worked on refining their technique, while the experts used the more challenging slopes to improve their skills.
At lunchtime, there was a long break lasting 1 hour for refreshments.
In the afternoon, the ski courses continued and the instructors also had small extra tasks to promote group cohesion. At around 3.30 p.m., we took the bus back to the "Aktiv Hotel".
In the evening, our joint evaluations and meetings took place at around 8 p.m., where we shared our experiences and received feedback.
Free time and activities
In addition to skiing, there were numerous options for leisure activities. Some went to the mini-supermarket opposite the hotel, others took advantage of the curfew to go to the soccer pitch nearby (5-minute walk).
The evening group activities were particularly popular, with games, quizzes and small competitions. These events strengthened our sense of community and created a good atmosphere after an exhausting day of skiing.
Experiences and observations
The ski camp was an instructive experience for both us and our accompanying teachers. Many beginners were able to celebrate their first successes on skis and overcome their fear of the slopes. Intermediate and advanced skiers benefited from their improvements.
The division into groups proved to be particularly effective, as each student received individual support. The instructors were able to specifically address problems and motivate the students. The organizational processes - from arrival and room allocation to the ski course - also ran smoothly.
