Magic Trees and Igloos

This morning we commenced a full day of Programme training - and what better way to learn than to do! First up I set off with the group on my very first Snowshoe Hike. It took a minute of two to get used to the feel of walking in the shoes but then it was fairly easy, and a whole lot of fun! We hiked over to the Magic Tree, which is a 500 year old tree that's now all hollowed out inside. You climb inside the tree and make a wish. A few of us even scrambled up the inside of the tree to get up among the branches. We then continued on through the forest and down the hill to get back to the Chalet. It's official: I really love snowshoeing! It's a much more effective way of walking over deep snow, my feet have disappeared through it countless times already, so I know!

(L-R) Eve, Karin, Rachael, Putri, Stef, Carly
After a rest and some lunch we went right back out into the snow, this time with buckets in hand and waterproof gloves on, ready for a lesson in Igloo Building! We picked our spot, drew out a circle and off we went. I took up the role of sitting on the inside of the igloo as we built it, so that I could plug all the gaps and strengthen the sides as we made the roof right over my head. After an hour of determined hard work, our beautiful igloo was complete! There was just enough space that we managed to squeeze FIVE of us inside at once; it was like a crazy game of Twister in there, with legs and arms everywhere!

Proud of our building work, we took a well earned break in the sunshine and made ourselves some yummy snowcones. First scoop some fresh snow into a cup, drizzle over cordial of your choice of flavour (Mine was lemon!) et voila! Your very own delicious icy treat! Mine tasted like a really, really nice lemon sorbet.
Refreshed and ready for our next slice of Programme action, we all grabbed a different kind of sledge and took them to Baby Chalet hill to give them all a go. We'd already tried most of them a few days earlier, but that didn't mean we weren't keen for another go!

At dinner we laughed A LOT; when comparing some of the different meanings for words in the UK and America; and when Eve did a wonderful impression of a football manager shouting at the side of the pitch!! Actually nearly cried with laughter. That evening we learned how to give the official Our Chalet guest tour. The best part of this was the bomb shelter room....but that's top secret. ;)