Two winter adventures. Two school groups. One unforgettable Easter break.
Over the Easter break, our students swapped the familiar heat and humidity of Hong Kong for very different climates across the world. While many of us enjoyed a restful mid-term break at home, our Prep and Senior School students laced up their boots and embraced sub-zero temperatures head-on.
Though the destinations—Switzerland and Iceland—were different, both groups returned with the same takeaways: resilience, broadened horizons, a deep appreciation for winter weather, a collection of memories that will stay with them long after the trip, and connections strengthened through shared challenges and experiences.
Here is a look back at two unforgettable Easter school trips.
Prep School Ski Trip: Verbier, Switzerland
Skiing, Snow, and Swiss Chocolate in the Alps
For our youngest adventurers, the Prep School Easter trip to Verbier, Switzerland was a true escape from the tropics. Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Verbier offered the perfect playground for fresh air, physical challenge, and alpine fun.
Learning to Ski in the Swiss Alps
The primary goal? Skiing. And our students rose to the occasion magnificently. Whether they were first-time beginners or experienced pisteurs, every child showed determination and grit. Over the course of the week, their hard work paid off as they received official ski certificates—a tangible reward for conquering snowy slopes and improving their technique day by day.
Embracing the Snow
Having left behind the warmth of Hong Kong, the students fully embraced the snow and all the joy it brought. They built snowmen, played in the fresh powder, and simply enjoyed being outside in a winter wonderland—making the most of every snowy moment.
Cultural Excursions: Olympic Museum, Cailler Chocolate Factory, and La Maison du Gruyère
The adventure also included two wonderful excursions:
- A cultural trip to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum, where students learned about the spirit of athletic excellence and international sportsmanship.
- A delicious visit to the Cailler chocolate factory, where students discovered the art of Swiss chocolate-making and — of course — enjoyed some well-earned tasting.
- On the same day, a visit to La Maison du Gruyère, where students learned how traditional Swiss cheese is made and sampled the famous Gruyère.
Evening Activities with Les Elfes
Evenings at Verbier were just as memorable as the days. Every night after dinner, the children took part in different activities run by the Les Elfes staff, including quiz and game nights, bonfires, movie nights, arts and crafts, and swimming in the heated pool. On the final evening, the group sat down together to watch a short recap video of their trip. They received their ski certificates and reminisced about their favourite memories—a perfect ending to an incredible week.
Stepping Up with Responsibility
Beyond the skiing and excursions, the trip was also a powerful lesson in independence. According to Ms Donae Buck, Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant, the students impressed staff with their maturity — keeping dorms clean through regular room checks, tidying up after meals, and getting themselves ready each morning. From serving breakfast to collecting their own ski gear, they handled it all. As Ms Buck reflected, “It was really great to see. The kids stepped up to the task and knew they needed to execute their responsibilities independently—which they did.”
Key Takeaways from the Prep School Ski Trip
From earning certificates to throwing themselves into snow-filled activities, our Prep School students returned to Hong Kong tired, happy, and already asking when they can go back.
Prep School Trip Highlights:
- Ski lessons & official ski certificates
- Snowman building and snow play
- Excursions to the Olympic Museum, Cailler chocolate factory, and La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory
- Evening activities with Les Elfes, including a final evening recap and certificate ceremony
- Building independence through daily responsibilities
Senior School Iceland Trip: Geography & Adventure
Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Resilience in the Land of Fire & Ice
While the Prep School enjoyed the Swiss Alps, our Senior School Easter trip to Iceland took students even farther north—to a landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, and raw natural power. For students accustomed to Hong Kong’s subtropical climate, stepping onto Icelandic soil was a dramatic shift in every sense.
Dealing with Travel Disruptions: A Lesson in Patience
However, the trip didn’t start smoothly. Due to poor weather, their connecting flight in Germany was cancelled. The students learned patience and adaptability early on while they waited for their new connecting flight. It was an unexpected lesson in resilience—and they passed with flying colours.
Iceland Trip Highlights: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Geothermal Wonders
Once they finally arrived in Iceland, they accomplished a remarkable amount:
- Geological Wonders: They walked between the tectonic plates, hiked volcanoes, and explored deep glacial caves.
- Water & Steam: They witnessed erupting geysers, stood in the mist of countless waterfalls, and relaxed in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.
- Urban & Educational: They toured Reykjavík, learned about sustainable geothermal power, and spent time at the Lava Centre understanding the forces that shape our planet.
The Blizzard That Became a Gift
No trip to Iceland is complete without weather, and this group got a real taste of winter. They experienced a strong snowstorm—supervised carefully to ensure safety at all times. Instead of staying bundled indoors, the students chose joy. They spent 20 minutes outside playing in the snow, embracing weather most of them had never experienced before.
No risk. No disruption. Just pure, unfiltered joy and curiosity.
Key Takeaways from the Senior School Iceland Trip
This wasn’t just a geography field trip. It was a masterclass in resilience, flexibility, and finding the upside. The students learned that cancelled flights don’t ruin a trip—they just add character to the story.
Senior School Trip Highlights:
- Hiking volcanoes and glaciers
- Walking between tectonic plates
- Exploring caves and a volcanic crater
- Geysers, waterfalls, & the Blue Lagoon
- Reykjavik city tour & geothermal power learning
- Lava Centre interactive exhibits
- Blizzard snow play
Lessons from Easter Break
What do a Swiss ski slope and an Icelandic glacier have in common? This Easter, they both became classrooms without walls.
Our Prep School students learned that falling in the snow is just part of learning to ski—and that chocolate tastes even better after a day on the slopes.
Our Senior School students learned that cancelled flights don’t ruin a trip; they just add character to the story.
Both groups built snowmen and built resilience. They earned certificates and earned memories. They faced unexpected weather—whether a snowy blizzard or simply the challenge of parallel turns—and they smiled through all of it.
Why School Travel Matters
These Easter school trips weren’t just about holidays. They were about:
- Building resilience in unfamiliar environments
- Developing adaptability when plans change
- Creating lasting memories with peers and teachers
- Experiencing geography firsthand instead of from a textbook
Well done to every student who traded their comfort zone for an adventure this Easter. And thank you to the staff who made it all possible.
From the chocolate factories of Switzerland to the tectonic plates of Iceland, you made us proud.
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