Hannah’s Blog | Snow Camp highlights on the Passo Tonale Residential Trip

Hi, I’m Hannah from the Midlands and over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about the impact Snow Camp has had on me. There have been a few challenges and so many highlights, which I want to share with you today.

I have so many highlights from my Snow Camp experience it’s so hard to pick just one. There would always be a smile on my face if I was on the slope falling over or when I was hanging out with everyone off the slopes. But my all time favourite moment was the karaoke night on the residential trip. Even though I did lose my voice a little it was such an amazing night. Everyone come together and the vibes were through the roof. No matter what everyone would cheer for each other and show their support. It was amazing to see everyone smiling and enjoying themselves. That night brought everyone together and that’s when I realised we were one massive family. It’s crazy to think that people I had never met before have now become some of my closest friends. I would redo the residential trip in a heartbeat just to see everyone happy and enjoying themselves.

The biggest challenge for me during my Snow Camp journey was believing in myself. I have never thought of taking up a snowsport before, but I always love trying something new. It can always be nerve racking trying a new sport that you don’t know much about! First getting on the snow and learning toe and heel edge wasn’t as hard as I thought, even though I did fall over a few times but I got back up every time and laughed it off. When it came to learning how to do turns, this is when I started to doubt myself. But I had such great instructor at the SnowDome Tamworth who continued to help me until I was able to turn, even if that meant running down with me just to guide me.

I also had a great Snow Camp leader, Cormac, who was always so supportive and would give me tips to help improve my turns. As well as the instructors and Cormac, I had my friends around me who helped me when they saw I was struggling which was so amazing. With the help from everyone around me I started to believe in myself more and pushed myself to keep working on my turns by taking in any tips I was given and I can’t thank them enough! From all the support I overcame the challenge I was facing and was able to shred through the snow in the mountains with an amazing view.

My Snow Camp journey was the best thing I have ever done! It introduced me to a new sport which I now love and will never give up. From only just learning how to put on a snowboard in the summer to coming home from a residential trip and passing my Level 1 Snowboarder Instructor course. I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to snowboard in Italy. Waking up every morning to an amazing view knowing I got to spend all day shredding through the snow and spending time with my second family.

Snow Camp has changed my life a lot, it’s shown me that no matter what you put your mind to you can do it. It has brought me closer to the friends I had when I first started, it also gave me an opportunity to meet new people. I can proudly say I have gained some amazing new friends. The Snow Camp programme has helped me build my confidence because I could be myself and no one would judge me! I’ve learnt so many amazing new skills, for example how to break down and explain different snowboarding skills and using analogies to make it more enjoyable.

Snow Camp is the BEST charity I have come across because it gives people the opportunity to come out of their comfort zone and try something new.