Ex NORDIC BLUEBELL –103 FS BN REME

What happens when you throw the REME at a big icy hill and tell them to Ski down it like the Norwegian team, expecting complete novices to not fall after a few days of practise, and even looking for potential competition winning candidates? Where teamwork is forged (or frozen) in testing environments, building cohesive skills and endurance in -20 degrees?

The answer is the aptly named Exercise NORDIC BLUEBELL.

The aim of NORDIC BLUEBELL is to introduce REME officers and soldiers to Nordic Skiing, in an arduous but profoundly beautiful environment, to develop teams and build the physical ability that will enable them to compete at REME and Army Championships.

The exercise will also give participants the opportunity to gain Ski qualifications, with the aim of students returning each year to become Instructors. Prior to NORDIC BLUEBELL I had neither been to Norway nor attempted cross country skiing, but after just a week I am well versed in Nordic Ski techniques with a Level 2 proficiency certificate.

The exercise started out at Derby Army Reserve Centre (ARC) on a Thursday night, checking kit, loading the van, and of course the inevitable paperwork check before we left. Two combi vans departed with various ranks from Cfn to CSM, we picked up two more SP on route to the Euro Tunnel, which was booked for the next day. That night we stopped at St Martin’s Plain Camp to enable us to catch an early crossing. We swapped drivers every couple of hours to give everyone some experience of driving in different environments during our road trip across Europe in sun and snow. We had a planned overnight break in Sennelager and an opportunity to try some German street food whilst visiting the Paderborn Christmas market. The next phase was Sennelager to Kiel, a relatively short drive before boarding the ferry to Oslo. On the ferry we met personnel from different units travelling to the exercise and all had a great time socialising. The boat docked at 1000hrs and we departed on a beautiful 3-hour drive from Oslo to Sjusjoen.

Some of us had experienced Alpine Skiing but had never tried Nordic Skiing before, and after putting the skate skis on the difference was a massive surprise to many. They told themselves it can’t be that hard, within 100m many had already fallen over at least twice. After getting split into groups the Instructor asked what we wanted to achieve from this week, and one said they just wanted to be able to Ski, which at the time seemed near impossible for them! The next couple of sessions we were taken through some basic drills to build our confidence on the skis; a must when it feels like wearing two giant skinny clown shoes.

We progressed through the week learning the different skate techniques, Skiing through some amazing scenery with undulating terrain testing our different Ski methods. Fri afternoon the whole group setting out for a Ski at your own pace focusing on your technique, it was amazing to see how far everyone had progressed from the first day, most notably now many stayed upright! It was a great moment after we all finished, and we attended the awards evening that night where one of us won an award for having a positive attitude.

The second week we changed from skate technique to classic. For some this is much harder as it was more about technique and a lot less natural. However, for all the Jeremy Clarkson’s out there, this was a great excuse to shout POWER and brute force through the more physically demanding Ski style. This really happened to me, as I watched our Senior Permanent Staff Instructor (SPSI) stomp his way up a hill in a fast march even the Green Jackets would be proud of. It is a completely different movement to skate, and it makes you work muscle groups you never normally would. By lunch time on the Tuesday, we were feeling it and had to stretch off a couple of times. During the afternoon we went out for a Ski to put together the techniques we had learnt that morning and it was brilliant. We gained confidence going downhill, despite a few falls along the way watching each other’s mishaps brought us together as a group along with developing our teamwork by helping each other overcome obstacles. Even when the obstacles were us, normally on a blind corner, where one of more of us had “stacked it” (our term for finding the ground unexpectedly and often in groups!). On occasions it was utter carnage but hilarious at the same time.

Overall, it was a fantastic exercise, experience and some of the best parts weren’t even the Skiing. Being in a cabin with different ranks was great as we all took it in turns to cook, clean, prep skis and sitting down together for meals was always entertaining. After all it’s not every day you watch your boss cook or wash up after you! Operating in these testing conditions has made us better soldiers and improved my confidence, stamina, and resilience. Most of us would love the opportunity to go next year to continue building knowledge and experience of Skiing and would encourage anyone who hasn’t considered it too.