Exchange Students Ski Trip, 2011

A Reflection on the Ski Trip We achieved our mission of having a safe and enjoyable ski trip for the Rotary inbound students at the impeccable world class ski resort: Jasper Marmot Basin. It was a great team effort from a number of tireless chaperones. Members of this team included: Mark Bell, Helene Darcel, Blair Harwood, Mimi Hui, Kris Sether, Tom Vandevalk and Maureen Whelan. Maureen, Helene and Mimi are Rotarians. The drive to Jasper and back was challenging as the road condition on parts of the highway went from tough to near impossible. Our designated driver for the van, Kris Sether, was ultra reliable in ensuring that students enjoyed the rides. Many thanks to Driving Force's Team -- not only did they give us a brand new 18-passenger van and cost discount directly from the company's President, Jeff Polovick (a Rotarian), we turned their front receptionist area into a grand central station for a good 30 minutes as Rotary students arrived for the ride to Jasper with their bags and gears. 13 Rotary students (instead of 15) were on the trip – 3 from Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden), 7 from Europe (Germany, Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland), 2 from Thailand and 1 from Ecuador. Two students had to cancel at the last minute because they could not get rides from Fort Nelson and Fort St. John to Jasper. Since we didn't have students from Grande Prairie this year, it was difficult for students from the Peace Country region to participate. Many thanks to Bernie Kreiner, another Rotarian, who gave us on the site assistance at Marmot Basin. Tom Vandevalk, a veteran officer with the RCMP, was a must-have in these types of expedition. His leadership skill was definitely inspiring as he kept students on track and the trip on schedule. I want to thank Maureen Whelan who shared many useful tips and files on managing this excursion. This trip would not have been possible without the generous contributions from Helene Darcel, Kris Sether and Mark Bell. I know the "kids", as we called the Rotary students, loved them. The two days of skiing went by fast. We all know that bits and pieces of the trip: the ski schools, the pizza party, the Jasper Aquatic Center, the nights camping at the church, the unbelievable Canadian winter (-28C in the town but -4C at top of the mountain), etc. will mark their place in the memory lane for our Rotary students. Their visit to Canada will eventually come to an end but highlights and stories of their experience will stay for a life time. Regards, Mimi Mimi Hui Coordinator of the Jan 2011 Rotary Ski Trip