Slopes, Smiles, and 300k Views: The Stanway Ski Trip 2026

The legend of the Stanway Ski Trip began on Friday the 13th, a date that proved to be anything but unlucky as we embarked on an epic 24-hour coach journey. Despite the long haul, the atmosphere stayed electric, and we pulled up to the Gasthof zur Post Maishofen ahead of schedule. We were greeted by a hotelier whose hospitality was matched only by the quality of the food, which fueled our tired legs for the week ahead. By Saturday night, the "fun-filled" part of the journey had truly kicked in, as Mr. Rivers hosted a chaotic balloon-popping challenge that saw students scrambling to complete hidden tasks lodged inside the latex. It was the perfect icebreaker before we swapped trainers for ski boots.

Sunday marked our first official day on the mountain, but not before another dose of "Rivers Entertainment." The morning featured an ego-filled quiz (we’re joking, mostly!) that was a hit with everyone and set a hilarious tone for the day. Having survived "ski fit" on Saturday, we were fully geared up and ready to face the elements. Over the next six days, the conditions were a skier's dream, ranging from heavy snow and thick powder to bursts of beautiful Alpine sunshine. The progress made was immense; by the final run, every single student had found their "ski legs" and could navigate the mountain with some semblance of control—a testament to our superb team of instructors.

Off the slopes, the evenings were just as legendary. We celebrated our successes with "Skier of the Day" awards, while the "Numpties of the Day" were forced to embrace their inner mascot by sporting a Tigger onesie or the dreaded "Achtung" bib. Our excursions took us to Cafe Mosshammer for world-class ice cream on Monday and Pizzeria Libelle on Tuesday for what was unanimously voted the best pizza of all time. Wednesday night brought us to the EKZ in Zell am See for a high-octane ice hockey match, where the speed of the game was only matched by the intensity of the on-ice scuffles.

Perhaps most impressively, the trip became a digital sensation. Our Instagram page, @stanwayski2026 , blew up throughout the week, racking up a staggering 300,000 views as people back home tuned in to watch our triumphs and tumbles. We reluctantly boarded the coach on Friday evening, leaving the fresh powder behind but carrying a mountain of memories with us. It was an absolutely amazing experience that none of us will forget any time soon.

Fun on the slopes