Bavaria: A Life Changing Week
7 April 2026
7 April 2026
Sixteen Lancashire Army Cadets returned from the Bavarian Alps a little taller in confidence, courage and ambition. ACCT UK grant funding helped make this life changing ski expedition possible.
Exercise Bavaria Ski Venturer 26 took place over February half-term. It gave 16 cadets and 12 adult volunteers five unforgettable days on the snow in Germany and Austria. For most, this was their first time on skis and for some, their first time travelling overseas.
Lancashire ACF draws many of its young people from areas with some of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK. Without grant funding to offset travel, accommodation, food, kit, and lift passes, this kind of expedition would be out of reach for many families. Funding meant cadet contributions stayed manageable, especially when compared with the cost of school ski trips.
One parent captured what that meant for their family…
This type of trip would not be possible due to costs for us as a family so the ability to let him have this experience is fantastic.
Cadets progressed from awkward first steps on beginner slopes to tackling long red runs with growing control and confidence. They accessed the slopes of resorts including Söllereck, Balderschwang, Ifen and Fellhorn. Working across 5 days, in three ability groups with qualified adult instructors, they earned:
One cadet summed up their journey:
Starting on day one with the beginner slopes. Learning the very basics… we built on them during the week and improved on them to eventually using them whilst we’re on the mountains… it’s pretty impressive saying we didn’t know how to ski on the Monday to going skiing down red routes on the Friday.
Another cadet reflected on just how far the whole group had come. “The progression that everyone has made throughout this week has been sensational. From learning how to sidestep up tiny little hills… to absolutely sending it down massive mountains.”
But the week was never just about skiing technique. Alongside their Snowlife awards, cadets followed the ACS 4-star Adventurous Training syllabus. This focuses on independence, responsibility and safe decision-making in challenging environments. From loading kit, to navigating busy resorts and supporting one another through nerves and tiredness, they were expected to step up.
The cadets were challenged both on and off the mountain. The aim of the trip was always to provide a challenging adventurous training experience and develop skiing skills, but what makes experiences like this important is the opportunity to develop the cadets as individuals and future leaders.
Lt Whalley, Expedition Lead
Evidence of that personal growth was everywhere. Adult volunteer Sgt Chippendale was struck by what he saw. “I was very impressed by the attitude, commitment and responsibility shown by all the cadets. They were fully committed and, in some instances, very courageous, pushing themselves well out of their comfort zones and coming out smiling and rightfully proud of themselves.”
Cadets themselves spoke about how much their self-belief had grown. One said proudly: “I am currently on a four-star [snowlife ski awards], which I say is pretty impressive, learning all the skills to get to four-star within the space of a week.” Another added: “I’ve managed to achieve a five-star [snowlife ski awards] which is absolutely brilliant considering my ski level at the start was not great.”
Parents noticed the difference, too. One wrote: “He has come back with so many fabulous stories and has grown in confidence on this trip away. He has never been skiing before. This experience has clearly had a very positive impact on him and provided him with lasting memories. He is now a fan of skiing!”
For a cadet who had struggled to find friends at school, the sense of belonging within the Army Cadets and on this expedition was especially powerful.
Where school has been problematic for him to find friends, the cadets has been fabulous and provided a structured, safe environment to grow and develop whilst helping with his growing independence.
Parent of a cadet
Crucially, the grant support behind Exercise Bavaria Ski Venturer 26 ensured that this life changing experience was not reserved for those who could afford it. Loaned resort passes from the Joint Mountain Training Service Centre and grant funding kept costs down and opened the door to cadets from every background.
A parent expressed gratitude for both funding and the adult volunteers who made the trip happen… “The whole experience has given them so many memories and life skills that they would not have had without all of your efforts.”
As Lt Whalley reflected, this expedition shows why inclusive, funded adventurous training matters so much. It proves that social and financial background should not bar a young person from accessing high-quality adventurous training or life changing opportunities and that, with targeted support, cadets from all walks of life can travel overseas, learn demanding new skills and discover just how far they can go.