Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 6
1 RIFLES
EX ALPEN BUGLE
As the G4 clouds thickened amidst the lead
up to 1 RIFLES’ deployment on Ex RHINO
STORM, 16 members of B Coy swapped
their eye protection and Gore-Tex trousers
for ski goggles and salopettes and fled
the brewing tempest aboard a turbulent
Ryanair flight, eager for a week of downhill
skiing. For several Riflemen, this was their
first experience of travelling abroad or even
flying. Any nerves were quickly settled by an
introduction to German culture in the form of
an airport Döner Kebab before B Coy’s finest
made haste down the Autobahn towards
Wertach and the homely Drei Muehlen Lodge.
The team travelled through the dramatic
Bavarian landscape to the Nebelhorn ski area
in Oberstdorf. For many, the first challenge
came before they had even clipped in their
skis: navigating a chairlift. As the lift climbed
above the valley floor, the usual chatter was
replaced by an unusual silence as the scale
of the mountains became clear. Day one
focussed on the fundamentals of skiing. Under
the guidance of experienced instructors,
the Riflemen learned balance, movement
on flat terrain, and navigating gentle slopes.
Unseasonably warm weather and limited snow
cover meant the beginner slopes were closed,
forcing the group onto more challenging
terrain than anticipated. Despite numerous
falls, tangled limbs and occasional disputes
with gravity, morale remained exceptionally
high under the clear blue skies and the
promise of a crisp stein.
Over the following days, confidence and
competence grew rapidly. The Riflemen
progressed from blue runs to red runs, linking
6 RIFLES The Bugle
turns and spending considerably less time
inspecting the snow up close; their efforts
rewarded with the opportunity to tackle
an icy black run down from the Nebelhorn
Summit. On Day 4, each student was tasked
with planning and leading the group down
a chosen route. Individual leadership styles
quickly emerged, with stronger skiers
coaching those who were less confident and
demonstrating the teamwork that underpins
success both on the mountain and back in
battalion life.
Thunderstorms, lightning and thick fog
on day 5 transformed the mountains and
provided an opportunity to develop resilience
Morale remained high
despite the wipeouts
Team photo at the
summit of the Nebelhorn
and decision-making in more challenging
conditions. Thankfully, the Bavarian weather
proved as changeable as ever, and clear
skies soon returned. With confidence at an
all-time high and time running short, the
Riflemen made the most of every remaining
hour on the mountain, pushed themselves
further than they thought possible, achieving
higher speeds, tackling jumps and, for some,
venturing off-piste. The transformation from
nervous beginners to capable skiers in less
than a week was remarkable.
After an exhausting but immensely
rewarding week, the group returned safely to
the UK already discussing when they might
complete their Ski Foundation 2 qualification.
Perhaps the most fitting summary came from
Rifleman Franklyn who, reflecting on the week,
simply stated: “That’s the best thing I’ve ever
done in my life.”
Lt von Kaufmann OC 6 Pl
