After a school ski trip was cancelled, Tia Stanbury from Somerset thought her chance to hit the slopes with a group had gone – until YFC Ski stepped in.
The Ilminster YFC member booked onto the 2025 YFC Ski trip to Les Deux Alpes, France and returned home with new friends, new skills, and a love for skiing.
“I was scared to begin with, as I thought I’d be the only one not able to ski and also because I didn’t know anyone but there were lots of other people who couldn’t ski and we were all starting at the same level,” explained Tia, 19, who enjoyed her experience so much she re-booked and went on this year’s YFC Ski to Tignes in January.
“I would 100% recommend YFC Ski to people. This year I said to my friend: ‘you have to come along, it’s really good’. I made friends from across the country and kept in touch, so it was great to be with them again on the trip this year as well.”
Tia, who works on a dairy farm, found the trip good value for money as the skiing lessons were included in the price as well as all her meals.
“I had more lessons this year as I hadn’t mastered it. I got more confident on the blue and red runs this time. You save a lot of money having the lessons included with YFC Ski than if you were to book separately,” said Tia who was also happy to have event organisers Outgoing in charge of all the arrangements.
“I’m not a very good organiser so it’s good that the Outgoing reps sort everything for you. They organised nights out, like a fancy dress Where’s Wally and the Minion Run. Socialising as a big group of you is great.”
The social side of YFC Ski is why experienced skier Stuart Brown from East Riding of Yorkshire has been on the trip for the last four years. Stuart, from Beacon YFC, was joined by six others from his county this year and says he thinks the Tignes trip was the best one yet.
“Every year has been different, but I think this year was the best all round – from the skiing to the resort. It was a good resort and a good balance of people who love skiing, like myself, to those who wanted to learn how to ski,” said Stuart who did his best to sample the 300km of pistes that the resort offered.
Apart from the white stuff, Stuart says the best part about having a winter holiday with YFC is the camaraderie.
“We like going every year as it’s a big group of people. Even if you don’t know everyone at the start, you meet people from all over the country and hear how they got into Young Farmers. The Outgoing reps help bring everyone together too and plan social events for you.”
Despite Stuart being proficient on the slopes, he recommends the trip to those who have never skied before.
“I would absolutely recommend it to others – especially those who haven’t skied before or if you haven’t many friends who want to go with you. It’s a great way to experience skiing and to learn.”
Details about YFC Ski 2027 will be shared later in the year.
