Cross-Country Ski Camp Student Reflections 

The Ivanhoe Girls' Cross-Country Ski Camp is consistently a yearly highlight among the School’s ski community. We enjoyed one week of the Term 2 holidays skiing, training, and embracing our most competitive (and supportive) selves through races, relays, and games.

On the second night of camp, skiers participated in a competitive team trivia challenge and an even more competitive Crazy Hair Catwalk. Following a colourful display of hairspray, braids, space buns, and googly eyes, with participants strutting to a mix of Shake It Off and Gangnam Style, trivia began. 

Students and parents were split randomly into groups. Despite our efforts as Social Captains to separate students into random teams, two crafty students managed to stay together by braiding their hair together, leaving them unable to turn their heads or move too quickly for the entire evening.

The multifaceted trivia, written by the Year 10 Social Captains, took the dining hall by storm. Questions included: “What was the first successfully cloned animal?”, “Which country does Olympian Johannes Klæbo represent?”, and “Does hot or cold water freeze faster?”

Along with these general knowledge questions, groups were challenged to name pet dogs, international children’s television shows, stage animal species, movie and book quotes, and more. After nearly two hours of hard thinking, mathematical challenges, and enthusiastic shouting, the winning team, ambitiously named In First Place, emerged victorious with 83 points, earning bragging rights and a box of chocolates.

The Cross-Country Ski Camp is special for everyone involved, brought to life by lively activities, hardworking students, supportive parents, knowledgeable coaches, and, of course, a well-timed sprinkling of snow.

While the training can be intense, the camp is also one of the most inclusive and empowering communities, where everyone works together to improve, support one another, and pursue the shared goal of defeating Methodist Ladies’ College at the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships.

More than just a training camp, it is a week that brings our ski community together and leaves everyone counting down the days until the next one.

The Cross-Country Ski Social Captains
Bethan C, Year 10
Kenna B, Year 10
Ruby C, Year 10

The Ivanhoe Girls’ Cross-Country Ski Camp at Falls Creek is the highlight of our team’s calendar.

Ironically, the Ski Camp began without any snow. The first two days were spent exploring Mount Beauty, including a run around the lake and a hike through the Alpine National Park. To our surprise, we woke on Friday morning to fresh snow and the opportunity to finally hit the trails.

Our daily training sessions were followed by evening activities, including the annual trivia and games nights. My teammates and I were especially proud of persevering through a 12-kilometre ski to and from Mount McKay, where we celebrated with a photo at the summit. 

Being part of the Ivanhoe Girls’ Cross-Country Ski Team teaches resilience, confidence, and team spirit. A big thank you to all the parents, coaches, and teachers who helped create another fantastic camp experience.

Ally S, Year 9