How did you end up in Verbier?
Having only completed half a season (slight accident with a tree on a snow board cut it short) straight after Uni, I still felt I had some unfinished busiess in Verbier. Whilst sat in a stuffy office looking out of the window one afternoon, I finally plucked up the courage to follow my dreams and do what I wanted to do. It only took me 9 years to do it, but I’m really glad I quit my job and followed my heart.
What skis are you skiing on?
Piste – Fischer PROGRESSOR F19 TI
Off piste – Rossignol Soul 7
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Being selected for the Pub Mont Fort ice hockey team. I really missed team sports and the feeling you get after a tough game. I was totally useless at ice hockey when I arrived in Verbier but luckily I had a good friend who would spend hours practising with me on the ice during the summer and winter, eventually getting me to a decent enough standard where I could actually skate without falling over (imagine bambi on ice). It’s great fun and a fantastic way to get to know the locals. They even pass me the puck now!
Your top teaching top?
Confidence. If you can believe in your abilities and have the confidence you can do it then you definitely can. Having been a complete beginner trying to play ice hockey a couple of years ago, and seeing everyone else whizzing past me, I can empathize with new learner skiers or skiers who want to develop a particular skill area but feel they are being blocked for one reason or another. By giving someone confidence you are unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. Skiing is as much psychological as much as it is physical.
Which one is your favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
Savoleyres airport run. It is perfect for all standards of skiers. Usually well groomed, flat enough for nervous skiers, but steep enough to develop skills of more intermediate or advanced skiers.
Best restaurant?
Cabane Mont Fort for the stunning views and authentic Swiss cuisine and Restaurant Le Bois Sauvage across the Four Valleys in Hérémence for the great atmosphere and fantastic food (my best friend is the patron and Head chef!).
Where is the best place for drinks?
Fer a Cheval. Great spot for people watching and always a great atmosphere with a good mix of locals, tourists and ski instructors. Plus you get a slice of free pizza.
If your clients need to see or do only one thing while they are in Verbier what would it be according to you?
Catch a snow taxi up to Marlenaz restaurant above Patier for dinner and either sledge or walk down. Spectalular whatever the weather, amazing stargazing, and great fun, with the family or with a group of friends.
Thank you Tony and good luck with the hockey this season!
How come you ended up in Verbier?
Ask Toby!! We lived together in New Zealand in 2000 and then in 2005 Jo went to London and I came to Verbier to do some work for ES. Then Met Hannah and Paul and in 2007 and started at the Lodge. That’s it really!!
What is your choice of weapons this year?
Head Supershape Magnum for Piste/Teaching
Black-Crows Camox with touring bindings for playing
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
That’s tricky, but either have a Baby, set up a Brewery or walk across the top of Victoria Falls!
Let us know your top teaching tip?
I mainly teach kids, so my top tip is to have as much fun as possible, we play a lot of games and talk about a lot of cartoons!!
Favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
Piste de L’Ours in Veysonnaz or if loads of snow Col de Mouche
Best restaurant on the mountain?
Dahu – good hot choc and amazing selection for lunch, best pizza on the hill or Carrefour for the amazing Rosti or hotstone.
Whats your preferred watering hole?
Fer a Cheval more than likely, although maybe VinaBagnes, and definitely Loft in town, otherwise, Cantaloupe or Couloir in Chable……..
What should i not miss when in Verbier?
Visit the Brewery! Or Paragliding if good weather, sledging with kids from top of Savolyeres to La Tzoumaz, or, Snow Shoe up to a Mtn Restaurant for dinner and sledge down afterwards – Marmotte in particular.
Thank you Gareth and we hope you have a great season with loads of sleep…… (Gareth just had a baby girl).
How did you end up in Verbier?
I came to Verbier over 6 years ago to work as a ski instructor. After a career as a professional athlete with limited funding I wanted to earn a living doing what I loved.
Ski Instructing is more to me than just teaching someone to ski, it’s about offering them a lifetime experience and building a safe, fun and exciting environment for anyone and everyone to enjoy the mountains.
Your teaching top tip?
My top tip for anyone coming to the Swiss Alps is to make sure that you keep on smiling, whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier you will come across times when learning becomes difficult, yet it’s important to not stress yourself out.
People learn in different ways and as a disability and able bodied instructor I understand the importance of being adaptable and patient.
But just remember, you will be surrounded with some of the worlds most beautiful views, so when you fall over or forget to change something in your skiing we’ll be here to help you back up or change our teaching approach so that you can understand something a bit easier.
What do you ski on and why?
We have some great in resort specialists who will provide you with some well tuned rental gear but for me I used to choose an all round 170 Salomon ski that would allow me to go anywhere on the mountain. Salomon are a very versatile and forgiving ski, they are not too heavy providing a lightweight feel underfoot. They also tend to be softer allowing you to make a cleaner turn easier without having to but too much weight through the ski.
Now as I am putting a lot more power into my skiing and becoming a lot stronger, I am looking to change over to a stiffer ski, brands such as Rossignol and Head are great for this.
Anything I can’t miss when in Verbier?
Verbier is a great place to be, there’s definitely some hidden gems across the 4 Vallees to visit whilst on a ski lesson. One of my favourite spots has to be saluting the sun from the top of Mont Fort. With it’s accessible ski lifts, you are able to access this 3330m peak on foot or, for the advanced skiers, there’s some challenging unpisted terrain to ski after a hot chocolate at the peak.
Whether you choose to be guided through the Swiss Alps or want a skill-filled lesson, you’ll be sure to build up an appetite and we can definitely recommend some great restaurants wherever you are.
A favourite of mine is Le Carrefour, it’s not only accessible by foot or ski, but any level of skier can get there. It has a great selection of French, Swiss and European food and suitable for people with dietary needs too.
Eat and drink favourites in town?
After you’ve finished a hard day’s ski through the Vallees, head down to the Pub Mont Fort for a drink, with its lively local atmosphere and sun trapped balcony, you’ll definitely be able to relax and enjoy yourselves whilst the sun goes down.
If you’d like to pop out for some evening supper Verbier has some beautiful restaurants from delicious Swedish burgers at Le Shed to beautiful delicately made meals at Chalet Adrien offering a great wine list for people wanting to see what Switzerland has on offer.
The nightlife in this little Village is definitely lively, make sure you head to the centre of town we’re you’ll find a selection of bars to dance the night away.
I hope that my little insight in Verbier gets you excited for Winter and I look forward to seeing you on the slopes!
Thank you Caroline for sharing your knowledge with us!
How did you end up in Verbier?
Like a lot of British instructors I came to Verbier to work whilst training for my final instructor exams. I don’t think I intended to stay more than one season but the place kinda draws you in and the more you get to know Verbier the better it gets.
What skis are you skiing on at the moment?
On piste I mainly ski and teach on Rossignol Hero Masters. Firm and responsive! When it snows Armada JJ’s.
Best thing you’ve ever done
Probably blagging my way onto a heli trip in northern British Columbia for a free days heli-skiing. To this day I have never skied such steep slopes with such deep snow on them (outside Verbier……;).
What is your top teaching tip?
Don’t think too much! Sounds counter intuitive when your trying to learn something new but filling your head with too much information kinda clouds your natural reactions and interrupts the flow of skiing.
Favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
The L’Eteygeon itinerary off the back of Greppon Blanc. Its not the hardest itinerary but it feels like you are secluded and away from the resort when you ski it. The hike to get to it keeps a lot of people away meaning there are usually fresh tracks to be had when the other itinerary’s are turning into bumps fields.
Your favourite restaurant?
Chalet Novelly in Siviez is a great wee spot. It looks unassuming and that’s part of its charm. The food is no frills and tastes great. They also serve massive insulated mugs of vin chaud!
Best place for drinks?
Vin a Bagnes for a bit of class. You can sit here enjoying the last of the sun and watch the crowds head down from the Medran lift after a day on the slopes. Then when the sun disappears stumble down the hill to Loft for some slightly more chaotic and grubby ski bum vibes when a band or DJ are playing.
If you would recommend to see or do only one thing while they are in Verbier what would it be?
Ski in Bruson on a powder day! If your lucky enough to get a proper dump of snow, Bruson is such a great playground to explore. Its always quiet and the tree runs are endless.
Thank you Alex and we will for sure see each other at Chalet Novelly with a cup of Vin chaud in our hands!
How did you end up in Verbier?
Came for two weeks and took my level 2 exam, fell in I love with the skiing and town so I never left !
What skis are you skiing on this season?
Head Ispeed and Head Magnums
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Sky diving in New Zealand was amazing and cycling Death road in Bolivia…..tired legs but what a trip!
Your top teaching tip?
Never rush things, always try to be patient and stay relaxed.
What is your favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
Bruson Itinerary is a great run that i always enjoy.
Favourite restaurant?
Le Dahu, the terrace, the food and the speedy service.
Best place for drinks?
Pub mont fort, bit of darts or just hang out on the terrace and listen to all the stories being told.
If you only had time to do one thing in Verbier what should it be?
Whether you ski down or not, it is definitely worth taking the cable up to the top of mont fort on a bluebird day, those views are to die for.
Thank you Evie and a big welcome to the team!
How did you end up in Verbier?
When I first qualified (as an Instructor), I emailed every single ski school, (Performance weren’t around then by the way) in every single French speaking resort in Switzerland. So, completely by accident really, I guess I just got lucky!!!
What skis are you skiing on this season?
Stockli Laser SX, Faction 3.0’s
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Mmmm, not sure I could pinpoint just one thing as ‘the best’. I love to work and I love to travel, so, as long as I’m busy and ‘moving’ I’m extremely happy. Probably why I enjoy Verbier so much. Mind you, there’s always Lords. I do like Lords.
Your top teaching tip?
Be patient with yourself and, trust yourself. Skiing is a life thing, it takes time. On a slightly more technical side, when standing on your skis, try your best to keep your hips forward, as you would (stand) if you weren’t wearing skis.
Your favourite slope in the 4 valleys?
I think I’d have to agree with Olly and say the Jean-Pierre in Nendaz-a really good long red, snaking through the trees all the way to the village. I do also really enjoy Chassoure-Tortin and the different challenges/experiences it offers in just one run.
Favourite restaurant?
As I’m an only child I’m taking 2. Firstly, Carrefour. I know that’s a really ‘standard’ answer but it’s just good quality hearty mountain food and the service is pretty much spot on every time. Secondly, Chez Dany. I just love the location. I love the ski to it and the staff there are always super friendly!!!
Best place for drinks?
On the mountain, on a sunny day it has to be Chalet Novelly for me. However, if we’re in town you may occasionally catch me in Vinabagnes enjoying a nice quiet glass of red!!
If you’re clients need to see or do only one thing while they are in Verbier what would it be according to you?
If the conditions are right and you have the (ski) ability, make Col des Mines your last run of the day. Enjoy the silence as you traverse the top of Vallon D’Arby in the shade but then, as you pop over the Col to be greeted by a beautiful warm sun as it’s setting, with the whole of Verbier at your feet. It can be spectacular.
If you’re not quite at ‘that’ level yet, still take time to head to the top of Mont Fort or Mont Gele, the views are breathtaking and don’t worry, you can take the lift back down. If you a complete beginner, still take some time to head up, maybe for a nice lunch but it’s when up ‘in’ the mountains, you begin to understand why we all love them as much as we do.
Thank you Stu, hope you have a great winter!
