European Snowsport

Outstanding, independent ski schools in Verbier, Zermatt, Nendaz, St Moritz and Chamonix

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    Archives for February 2020

    Learning to ski at 72

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    Maureen tells us about clipping into a pair of skis for the very first time at the age of seventy-two, learning with the careful guidance of an ES instructor!

    “My first reaction when skiing friends suggested I try skiing during a recent trip to Verbier was ‘Thanks, but I’ll give it a miss!’. As a child and teenager, I’d been on roller skates and ice skates, but having not done anything similar for 50+ years, I didn’t really feel I had the confidence to don a pair of skis.

    After further gentle persuasion by my friends and daughter (also a keen skier), I agreed to try it out. Maybe my daughters, grandsons and I could become a skiing family!

    The staff in Mountain Air where I rented my equipment couldn’t have been more helpful, and I was soon kitted out with boots, skis and poles, all the while being given lots of encouragement and stories of how I could soon be heli-skiing!

    When I met my instructor Colin, from European Snowsport, he was very reassuring and encouraging. He told me that he had helped his own Dad learn to ski at an ‘older age’.

    At the large beginners’ area (where the views were stunning), Colin clearly explained how to put my skis on & take them off, how to manoeuvre on the flat, how to stand properly on skis, how to slide smoothly forwards down a gentle slope, how to glide slowly using a wedge shape, and how to stop.

    I had a fabulous first ski lesson thanks to the enthusiasm and encouragement from Colin. I am considering trying it again next time I’m in Verbier, although will make sure I’m a bit fitter next time. And my two young grandsons, who are currently learning to ski, are very impressed that Granny has tried it!

    If you’re keen to try skiing and are fit, don’t let age be a barrier…”

    Thank you to Maureen Potter for the wonderful blog! If you would like to hear more about how you could get on skis for the first time, no matter what your age, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at European Snowsport. Click here to go to our contact page. 

    5 best sunny terraces for lunch in Verbier

    5 best sunny terraces for lunch in Verbier

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    It is that time of the winter when the blue skies and long days are just made for terraces. Or is it the terraces that are made for the blue skies and long days? Whichever came first, we are able to give you a Verbier insider’s view on the absolute best places to relax and enjoy some well earned time in the sun at lunch or after a hard day’s skiing. We all know Verbier is located in a sunny south facing bowl, so let’s enjoy!

    Our Verbier Lunch Choices

    La Marmotte

    Sunny Savoleyres has much to recommend it, from the quiet pistes and lovely tree skiing, to the altiport so that you can arrive directly onto the snow from your heli transfer. After you have enjoyed the unspoilt beauty of this area, strangely undiscovered by so many Verbier skiers, there is always time for lunch at La Marmotte. You can choose from a traditional menu with all the usual cheesy favourites, where you also get good service and fabulous views over the village below and valley beyond. With the new Planards piste now in place, you can ski down from here to Les Esserts and then through the Hameau area right to Le Rouge.

    Le Dahu

    Since opening a few years ago, Le Dahu has become more and more popular with the locals. The welcoming staff always take care to remember the regulars and serve food from a good fresh menu with vegetarian and vegan options. Accessible to non skiers as well as skiers, via the La Chaux Express, Le Dahu is a very popular lunch spot, and many are tempted to stay for longer. Thoughtful as always, they can lend you a hat so that you don’t need to go back onto the pistes until you are quite ready. Enjoy all of this with fabulous views over the valley and across to the French Alps beyond.

    Le Carrefour

    It is hard to think of a “top” list in Verbier that this shouldn’t feature on, so here it is again. Good food and good service, recently renovated but still charming, and well located so that both skiers and non skiers can have lunch together. The terrace is quite small so arrive early! Afterwards you can ski down into the village or rejoin the Mayentzet lift to head back onto the slopes.

    Le Chalet D’Adrien

    Located at the bottom of the Savoleyres lift you do need to take your skis off to lunch here, but trust us it is worth it, and afterwards you can head back onto the Savoleyres side of the mountain. This sunny terrace has a big drop below, and views over all of Verbier and the valley beyond. Top tip: Try the Sunday brunch where you can take your time over this very special meal before heading out ready to use up some of that energy on the slopes.

    Le Mouton Noir

    The terrace is bigger than the restaurant here, well done that designer! Custom built for skiers who enjoy their sun, with great views so that you can see the parapente flights soaring after their takeoff just below. Skiers and non skiers can lunch together here, with lift access from Medran. Easy to access and a great place to meet up for all levels of skiers.
    As a bonus, and highly recommended; take a parapente flight down afterwards with our friends from Verbier Summits.

    Tips for a Sunny Terrace Lunch

    • Reapply sunscreen before and after lunch, and don’t forget areas other than your face that haven’t seen the sun since last August.
    • Make sure your underlayers are looking good, it gets warm in the sun.
    • Drink plenty of water to avoid a headache after lunch.
    • Sounds obvious, but don’t forget your sunglasses.

    Look out for next month’s blog on the best sunny après ski locations in Verbier… 

    Verbier Switzerland : Our Resort Guide

    Skiing in the moonlight

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    On the night of a full moon in Zermatt, something very special happens. When the slopes have emptied for the day and the piste patrol have done their rounds, the piste bashers come out for their nightly undertaking of smoothing out all 200km of slopes, but the day is not yet done. For a select few the lifts begin turn again and the mountain restaurant at Rothorn opens it’s doors for a night of Fondue and wine.

    Zermatt from above and the Matterhorn by night

    Our group, a mixture of ES and Bramble staff, collected at the base of Sunnega station at 6.45pm and made the all too familiar walk up the tunnel to the waiting funicular. At European Snowsport we work closely with Bramble Ski (a luxury chalet company based all across the Alps). A small number of our instructors from the Verbier and Zermatt teams recieve extra training to become Bramble Ski Pros (BSP). When you book a holiday with Bramble you will have a BSP as your concierge and on hand ski instructor. They will help to organise your holiday on and off the slopes.

    We arrived at Sunnega and caught the gondoldas up to Rothorn. Our surroundings were clearly visible under the clear, moonlit sky. Piste bashers around the rest of resort looked like stars on the hill side, whilst the real constellations put on a show overhead.

    ES instructors Charlotte and Hanna

    The restaurant at Rothorn sits at 3100m, with a panoramic view of the valley below and of course the famous Matterhorn. We crowded inside the modern alpine style building and found our seats. After a starter platter of dried meats the fondue arrived, accompanied by some Swiss Valais white wine. We had until 10.30pm to enjoy our dinner then it was time to venture back out into the night.

    From Rothorn it’s possible to get all the way back to Zermatt in one go! The resort had prepared one perfect, long run all the way down and we enjoyed grippy corduroy snow over the 1678m height difference.

    If you have ever skied by your own moon shadow you will know that headtorches are only really needed as a backup. For us the snow was lit up silver in the glow and Zermatt gleamed down in the valley as we ski perfectly pisted runs, descending between pine trees gently swaying in the dark. On a clear night it was plenty enough to see by.

    BSP Jacob enjoying the view

    After plenty of stops to take photos we eventually all met at the bottom outside Cervo, big smiles on everyone’s faces. Easily one of the best experiences to be had as a skier in Zermatt. If you are visiting the resort this year we would highly recommend. If you would like to know more about the Rothorn moonlight ski have a look on the website here.

    Does this sounds like something would be interested in but your not sure if you are ready for the ski part yet? Why not book some lessons with an ES instructor first and they can show you around the area in daylight! Get in touch with our bookings team for more information here.

    Neill laying down some night turns…