Zermatt Reflection

The Zermatt trip was an amazing collection of events and fun memories. With each day having the potential to be action-packed, from skiing to evening events with the school, there was never a dull moment. 

To begin, it was so wonderful to see my family again! We were finally able to reconnect after months of being away from each other. We shared stories of the past few months, laughed over dinners together, and shredded the slopes. It felt like we had never been separated. I had the privilege of sharing a room with my brother and Jonathan, which was a blast. It was also fun seeing the parents bond with each other and start to learn more about the rest of the students at NJC. 

This was my first time skiing since last winter. Compared to skiing in Ontario, where I live, this was heaven. What struck me the most about skiing in Switzerland was how incredibly long the ski runs were. We could easily spend an hour going from the top to bottom, all the while having the hill completely clear of crowds. Back in Canada, most of my runs would be over within 3 minutes. Not to mention, everywhere I went I found a new lodge where we could sit down and enjoy some amazing food with friends and family. I think I crushed a Rӧsti dish every day for lunch. Another stunning feature was the ability to navigate across a seemingly endless series of mountains. We even had the option to make our way to Italy, which I did on two separate occasions. The skiing there was even more beautiful than on the Swiss side. The infrastructure built across Zermatt is astounding, and I was never worried about getting lost. From igloo bars to mountain-top restaurants, we were always discovering new things on the ski slopes. 

After a day of skiing, there was still never a dull moment. The school had organized a handful of fun activities for students, friends, and family to participate in. My personal favourite was the student versus parent hockey game. We laced up the skates and went head to head against our family with our friends by our side. From miracle goals to showcases of skill it was an absolute blast for those of all ages. Additionally, the school had planned out a curling event, once again for both students and parents. Cracking jokes while making an amateur effort at hurling the stone properly was definitely a new experience but one I am glad to have had. No matter what activities we got up to it was impossible to dampen our spirits. The joy from long awaited reunions coupled with hands-on experiences produced an unforgettable experience.

Thanks to the hotel and its staff, who even played fun games with us during dinner. There was one part of the hotel I loved the most. On the main floor was a spa, a wonderful collection of a pool, hot tub, cold plunge, and three sauna rooms. I found myself there every day after getting back from skiing. It was the perfect way to relax and recover from the exhaustion of the ski runs, every time I left I felt completely rejuvenated. I even challenged myself to increase my exposure to the cold plunge. Throughout the trip, I went from 1 second plunges to a 2 minute bath inside. 

So, to finish off, I want to say that this was an incredible experience and I have made so many long-lasting memories on this trip. I am immensely grateful for having the opportunity to do this alongside my family and friends.