On 4 January 2014, 13 members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) joined TA members from four Yeomanry units on their annual snow based adventure training on Exercise Snowfox at Val d’Isere, France.

The aim of the exercise was to challenge all participants, both as individuals and as part of a team, encouraging everyone to step outside their comfort zones and improve their skills, regardless of ability. By the end of the exercise it was clear that this had been achieved, with everyone sharing their tales of triumph (and tumbles) on the slopes and expressing their enthusiasm to take part in 2015.

“We all felt that our ski technique had developed immeasurably over the course of the exercise as did our teamwork and leadership skills”

“The exercise has undoubtedly been a huge success, which all found challenging and immensely rewarding with each person having achieved their individual goals.”

The first four days of the week-long exercise focused on individual improvement with the FANYs mixing amongst other unit participants in groups of similar abilities. The FANYs ranged from complete beginner through to experienced skiers and each found their boundaries being pushed over the four days of instruction.

For our complete beginner, Louise, it proved to be far more intensive than she had expected, describing it as “both terrifying and breath taking to be on the mountains”. However with the support of the excellent Evolution instructors, she was able to master button lifts on day one, and by day three she was heading up the main chair lift. The first ride on the “scare lift” didn’t go to plan as she arrived at the top with only one ski, however Louise’s’ determination prevailed and by the end of the week the mountain presented no barriers for her.

At the other end of the experience spectrum, we had four highly experienced skiers who arrived with a desire to be pushed. Amy and Jenny joined the off-piste group who were able to enjoy a number of itinerary routes that took them far away from the lifts and other skiers. While at times the girls were required to carry their skis up the hill, it was always rewarded as the instructor had a nose for fresh powder. Emily and Anna joined the high speed, adrenaline junkie group who spent four days improving their carving on the slopes and searching out jumps to master.

“It was a brilliant exercise that pushed and improved my skiing further than I have ever had the chance before”

The remainder of the FANY group were equally well provided for within their groups, with everyone eager to share the delights of the day, and their fears for tomorrow, over dinner each night.

On the fifth day, the downhill racing took place, offering participants the opportunity to challenge themselves and test how much they have learned over the preceding four days. “The downhill competition took me well outside my comfort zone but the amazing team spirit generated by Corps members meant that it became exciting and enjoyable”

With Amy winning the ladies racing and the rest of the team setting strong times, there was cause to celebrate as the FANY A team was placed second overall in the open team competition, beating a number of strong all-male teams.

The final day on the slopes was dedicated to the orienteering competition as teams travelled across the whole ski area visiting as many checkpoints as possible within the time available. During the course of the orienteering competition, we took a long, bitterly cold ride to a lovely isolated valley high up in the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking and it was incredibly quiet and peaceful. From here a steep ascent on a black run awaited the FANY team. “We were all apprehensive about tackling a rather challenging mogul field en-route but we were determined to succeed and with a tenacious approach and excellent team-work we all encouraged each other down.” With Amy and Jenny envigilating for other regiments and Louise continuing her instruction, it was left to the remaining 10 FANYs to face the steep and icy slopes and finish in a respectable 8th place.

The enthusiasm of all the FANYs throughout the whole exercise helped ensure it was very successful and rewarding trip for everyone. We would all like to express our gratitude to the Ulysses Trust for their kind support of this exercise.