Leaving behind the warm weather of Saigon, our Year 9 and 10 students of BVIS, along with Mr. Twemlow, Computer Science teacher, embarked on a skiing trip and winter exploration in Japan last weekend. The trip will last from January 11th to 18th, 2024, and promises to offer the students many wonderful cultural experiences in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Upon arriving at the resort, our group quickly immersed themselves in the breathtaking natural landscape, covered in a blanket of white snow. Confident in their ski boots, our students eagerly explored the beauty of winter and created interesting works of art on the blank canvas of white snow.
For some of our students, this has been their first-time seeing snow, and the experience brought an indescribable feeling of excitement and happiness.
After a day full of energy and fun, the group gathered around a warm dinner, recharging for the exciting challenges and thrilling skiing adventures awaiting them the next day.
The second day of the trip started with excitement as the group was woken up by the unique singing voice of Mr. Twemlow. After breakfast, everyone was ready to explore Houdaigi Ski Resort, where the pristine white snow unveiled a new and breathtaking world!
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen snow—it tastes just like shaved ice!” Lyly shared cheerfully.
At the resort, students began by learning the basics of stopping and turning safely, guided by their teachers. Step by step, they built confidence and conquered their first snowy slopes. Meanwhile, another group took on the ski lifts and enjoyed exploring the resort’s stunning green trails.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly lunch, featuring fragrant Japanese curry and comforting hot chocolate.
Wrapping up a day full of energy, Lyly excitedly said, “I’ve seen incredibly unique scenery, and even the vending machines here are so interesting!” Meanwhile, Kent shared a charming thought: “It’s been a really great day, but my feet are a little sore now.”
The group returned with enthusiasm, ready for more unforgettable experiences in the days to come.
The third day of the trip started with an energetic vibe as Mr. Twemlow woke the group up with the song Wake Me Up. After a hearty breakfast, the students eagerly prepared for another day of exploring the breathtaking snowy slopes.
Under the dedicated guidance of their teachers, the students gradually mastered the techniques of stopping and turning safely. Meanwhile, those already familiar with skiing began to challenge themselves on the more advanced red slopes.
In the afternoon, the group continued their adventure with an exciting cable car ride, followed by skiing on the main slopes. Students who had grasped the basic techniques also learned additional skills such as skiing backward and navigating obstacles.
Andrew: "Riding the cable car for the first time was so much fun! My friends and I even played a snake-like game together. Though a few of us fell, everyone was in high spirits. My group made clear progress today!"
Lucas: "Skiing on the green runs with friends from BIS and BVIS was amazing. Trying out the red run was a bit challenging for me, but the joy of the experience and sharing it with everyone made it truly unforgettable!"
The highlight of Day 3 was an energetic and captivating Japanese drum performance.
The talented performers delivered an outstanding show, followed by an interactive session where our students eagerly tried their hand at drumming, filling the room with laughter and joy. Later in the evening, Lyly, Kent, Kyky, and Gia Kim cleverly crafted two snow density measuring sticks in preparation for the snowfall predicted later in the week.
The morning began with a nutritious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit before the group headed back to the ski resort to tackle new challenges. Miss Beckie and Mr Peter’s group tested their skills on the red slopes, while Sushi’s group focused on advanced techniques at the mountain’s peak.
Phuc Thien shared, “After a few practice runs together, we were allowed to ski down the slopes on our own. When Henry bumped into me, I was lucky enough to stay steady, so I could help him back up and continue skiing. Our friends from BIS said we looked like professional skiers, even though we’ve only been learning for three days!”
Sushi added excitedly, “Skiing down from the top of the mountain and pulling off a spectacular rescue was both terrifying and incredibly fun!”
In the evening, BVIS students relaxed to the sound of music and joined in some lively quiz games. According to the snow density measuring sticks, 20cm of snow had fallen in just five hours, and it was expected to continue through the night.
Tomorrow, the students will visit the larger and more challenging Kagura Ski Resort, where they’ll put all the skills they’ve learned over the past few days to the test.
The fifth day began with an incredible experience at Kagura, a renowned ski resort known for its diverse terrain.
Students started on the beginner-friendly green slopes to get warmed up before confidently advancing to the steeper and more challenging red slopes. Under the attentive guidance of their instructors, they demonstrated significant progress in their skiing skills, from mastering speed control to performing parallel skiing techniques. The clear skies added to the breathtaking scenery, creating a memorable “bluebird day.”
In the evening, the Canyon Olympics brought even more energy to the group with lively team games filled with laughter, wrapping up the Kagura adventure in high spirits.
Peter: "The slopes at Kagura were steeper and so much fun! I even tried a small ski jump. I can feel how much my skiing has improved—I’m better at controlling my body and can ski much faster now. The games tonight were amazing, and I’m so thankful to my teachers."
Jayden shared, "The new location was fantastic! There was more powder snow, longer and steeper slopes, and I’ve nailed parallel skiing on the red runs. I even managed to jump off some slopes! The games tonight were so much fun, and, of course... shoutout to Peter!"
This trip has been more than just an exploration; it has been an opportunity for BVIS students to grow, push their limits, and create unforgettable memories.
The final day was an emotional journey filled with countless memorable experiences. After a lively wake-up call from Mr. Twemlow, the group packed their belongings, expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Canyons team, and enjoyed a last breakfast amidst the stunning snowy landscape.
The journey to Tokyo continued with a series of exciting activities: exploring the bustling market and temple at Asakusa, indulging in delicious street food, and cruising along the Sumida River under clear blue skies. The group also visited Odaiba, where they admired Tokyo from the skywalk and discovered cutting-edge technology at the Miraikan Museum. To end the day, the students enjoyed shopping, savoured Japanese cuisine, and attended a prize-giving ceremony at the airport.
This past week has been an incredible experience. From conquering ski slopes to exploring Japan's rich culture and modern technology, the students have grown tremendously, becoming more confident, patient, and united.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful journey and to the students who made the trip truly special. We look forward to embarking on even more exciting adventures together in the future!