How did you end up in Verbier?
Luck and chance really, Ben a friend I worked with in New Zealand told me about Performance ski school. He had just done his first season with them and couldn’t have spoken about them with higher regard. He knew they were looking for Instructors and suggested I apply, I managed to snag a Skype interview with the guys and the rest is history.
What do you ski on?
Rossi hero slaloms 13m, Rossi hero masters 18m
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Travelling around Iceland, just go its mind blowing!
Your top teaching tip?
Confidence is key, believe in yourself! And we can help you with the rest…..!
What is your favourite restaurant?
Cabane Mont fort, chicken and chips all day! However if the weather isn’t playing ball then head to Carrefour, not much I wouldn’t recommend on their menu.
Best place for Aprés ski?
Vinabagnes terrace for an after ski chouffe in the sun is a hard spot to beat. Best place in town for Verbier people watching.
What is your favourite run?
Bruson trees on a powder day, but also very partial to some Tortin action if the bumps are big.
If i have to do one thing on my holiday in Verbier?
Take the Snow Cat taxi up to Chez Dany for dinner then sled back down, great fun for all the family!!
Thank you Will, you will see me passing you on the sled on the way down from Chez Dany!
How did you end up in verbier?
I was in New Zealand working as a ski instructor and wanted another adventure. A friend of mine who already worked in Verbier suggested I applied for a job at Performance. And it was a great suggestion it turns out!
What skis are you skiing on this season?
Head I Speed World Cup Rebels
Best thing you have ever done?
Went to school to become a ski instructor seven years ago (Yep, you can do that in Sweden). That’s has led me to have a lot of fun and do some very cool things.
What is your top teaching tip?
Focus on your downhill/outside ski, always stand on it. And don’t forget to have loads of fun when you ski.
If you have to pick one slope to ski for a whole day?
Piste de l’ours, it’s a long and wide run were you can go crazy fast if you have the run to yourself
Favourite restaurant?
On the mountain Le Dahu, best pizzas around and in town Le Caveau were you can have a great fondue.
Best place for drinks?
I like to go to the Pub Mont Fort for a couple of drinks after skiing and then head down to vina bagnes where they have a great selection of wine both on glass and bottle.
One thing you cant miss when in Verbier?
Go paragliding! It’s an incredible experience were you get views you normally don’t get on the mountain.
Thank you Linnea, hope you have a great season!
How come you ended up in Verbier?
‘Our kid’ Tony Walker managed to persuade me to give Verbier a go after I said ‘You wont catch me dead in that resort’
What is your choice of weapon?
Rossignol Hero Masters (my everyday ski due to preparing for ski exams, grew to love how stiff they were as they reward good skiing & doubt you feel as stable going fast on many other ski)
Best thing you’ve ever done?
On skis – smashing the eurotest by 2.5 seconds.
What is your best ski tip?
French coach once said ‘Always be in motion’ havnt stopped since
Favourite run in 4 Valleys?
Greppon Blanc – scares even the best.
Where should i eat when in Verbier?
Cant beat the the pisteurs lunch at Croix de coeur
Favourite watering hole?
Partial to a Chouffe at Vinabagnes
What is the one thing not to miss when in Verbier?
Go karting on Ice (according to me)
Short but precise….thank you Will!
How did you end up in Verbier?
Having holidayed in Verbier as a child, I knew I would always want to come back as an instructor; with a gentle nudge from another instructor in Australia who said to come I haven’t looked back. I love the terrain that is on offer as well as the great mix off snow places and people.
What skis are you skiing on?
Atomic Doubledeck XT
Rossignol Hero Master
Best thing you’ve ever done?
I have been very fortunate and travelled extensively by myself, with family and of course friends, however one experience that stands out more than most was a helicopter trip through the Grand Canyon at sunset, it was both unforgettable and beautiful.
Your top teaching tip?
Challenge yourself; Skiing is a mental and physical sport but don’t be frustrated if things don’t click immediately (we’re all human), skiing a superb way of seeing the mountains, exercising and having a brilliant time on holiday.
Which one is your favourite slope in the 4 Valleys?
When the snow is good, Piste de L’Ors, I love the wide open run plus the new lift has made it so much easier to use. You’ll often stumble upon races on the slope too!
And what is your favourite restaurant?
Carrefour for me, the Rosti Creblet is brilliant.
Best place for drinks?
The loft for a nice relaxed drink, especially towards the end of the season on the terrace.
If your clients need to see or do only one thing while in Verbier what would it be according to you?
If conditions allow, the walk up to St Christophe, it has amazing panoramic views of Verbier and Le Chable.
Welcome to the team Alex, we are really excited about having you on board!
How did you end up in Verbier?
I did a ski season in the North of Sweden in a lovely little town called Åre and I absolutely loved it. The only problem with Sweden is that its freezing cold in the winter so I almost couldn’t feel my feet for 5 months.
After running around on the flatlands of Gothenburg that summer i missed the mountains and some deep snow! So, when I got the opportunity to go to Verbier, it was a no brainer!
The plan was to stay for one season but on my first night in Verbier, my boss said: Welcome to Verbier, you are never going to leave. I didn’t believe him then, but he was right.
What skis are you skiing on this season?
Piste: Fischer Progressor F19 TI
Offpist: Atomic Century
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Scuba Diving! I have never been a fan of swimming in the ocean, because I have no control on what’s going on underneath me! But when I was traveling in Thailand for two months I worked up some courage and signed up for an open water scuba dive course.
The world under the surface is absolutely amazing and something really special, you really feel part of the elements and nowhere will you get that close to wild animals! I did 12 dives that trip and even went on to do the advanced course!
Your top teaching tip?
Have fun on your skis!
The mountain is a great playground! Put a smile on your face and enjoy the great views (and usually the sun!) If you are practicing your ski technique, then there are loads of tips to make you a better, stronger skier and the key is to not give up when you are practicing, nothing is impossible!
But skiing Is all about having fun, so relax, smile and ski!
Your favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
The slopes in Savoleyres is great if you want to do some big fast carving turns where you use the whole piste. The ques are shorter and the snow is usually great. It also offers some fun chopped up, easy access, safe off piste.
If you pick the restaurant?
Le Dahu! in La Chaux!
The view from the terrace is stunning and their pizza is the best in Verbier. In the evening you have to go to Aiseki Sushi! Its located in Tbar right by place central, which is a great place for some drinks and a sushi plate! I´ve never had better sushi anywhere in the world!
Best place for drinks?
After a full day of skiing I like to come down and have a glass of wine in the sun at Vinabagnes. The staff is great and the place have a good atmosphere. When the sun goes down we usually hit The Loft bar, its a great hang out with some nice music and drinks.
If you’re clients need to see or do only one thing while they are in Verbier what would it be according to you?
Take the Lift to the top of Mont Fort and enjoy the amazing view!
There is some fun bump skiing down after but don’t worry, if you don’t feel like skiing down or if you came up in shoes you just take the lift down again!
And don’t forget to have a cheese fondue with some great Swiss wine on the mountain!
Thank you Elin, have a great winter and we will see you on the terrace of Vinabagnes!
How did you end up in Verbier?
Wow that’s a while ago. I met my wife race training in Tignes 10 years ago. I’d been teaching in the states and she had been working in France so I guess Switzerland was the next un explored territory and we’d heard Verbier was the best.
Weapon of choice?
On the piste Idris Renard and Line Sick Day for off the beaten track
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Now then until 6 months ago my answer would have had the words skiing and very deep powder involved. But in march I became a dad for the first time and that tops everything I’ve ever done!
What is your top teaching tip?
Being balanced over the skis is the key. It allows the joints to be free, work effectively and not tense up. If we are well balanced then this gives us confidence and allows us to enjoy the experience a lot more! There are some of the best views in the world in Verbier and skiing is an awesome sport! We need time to enjoy both…..
Favourite slope in the 4 Valleys?
Piste De l’ours over the 4 valleys. Catch it in the morning and enjoy the ride!
Favourite restaurant?
Carrefour. Rosti heaven. It’s been a favourite of mine since I first arrived in Verbier.
Where will we find you with a Guiness in your hand?
The fer a cheval en route to the bus and of course the loft (also en route to my bus) great atmosphere and people in both.
If i need to do one thing in Verbier while i´m here what should it be?
I think like people have said. Whether your a skier or not, try and get to the top of mont fort. The view is priceless. You might even see some folk walking over to zermatt!
Thank you Rich and i hope you will have an awesome season!
