Tag Archives: Verbier

GTime Out

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Hello and welcome to today’s short and sweet #5aday and my last post until Thursday 21st March.

It’s #SundayTimes and I’m currently writing this while chilling, after a day’s skiing in Verbier, Switzerland.

My #5aday today is made up of the key highlights of this week’s holiday.

1. Rest and Relaxation – I’ve had a very busy past month back in London, and the mountain surroundings are the perfect environment to blow the cobwebs away.
2. Catching up with family – I’m staying with my brother until Thursday and get to spend some valuable time with my two beautiful nieces, who I haven’t seen since Christmas.
3. Skiing – Obviously this is high up the agenda although the conditions today lend themselves more to après than ski! On Thursday I then move to Crans Montana for the City Ski Championship and somehow I’ve managed to get roped into a dual and giant slalom race on Friday. Help!
4. Après-Ski – Clearly this is also on the agenda, especially from Thursday onwards. I might not be quite so refreshed come a week tomorrow!
5. Sunshine – Today has been a glorious day as you can see from the pics, so fingers crossed we’ll have some more sunshine but to be honest we could do with some more snow too.

So that’s it… I’m taking some much needed #GTime Out from my regular #5aday. I will tweet the odd pic or two though, in an effort to make everyone back home as jealous as possible!

Take care and see you back here for #GTime business as usual on Thursday 21st March.

G x

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Ski in Style

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Evening! It’s #SaturdayShopping time… With London Fashion Week comes talk of A/W13 trends to watch out for but what about looking hot this winter?

In preparation for skiing in a few weeks, tonight’s #5aday features gear to make you stand out on the slopes & ensure you ski in style.

  1. Gucci Goggles in Silver - With double lenses & special technology to stop fogging. Very regardez-moi @ £125.Gucci Goggles
  2. Sorel Joan of Arctic Boot - Non-slip, warm & waterproof can be stylish with these boots @ £155.           Sorrel boots
  3. Giro Sheer White Helmet - You can’t take safety lightly on the slopes, so protect yourself in this @ £159.99. Ski Helmet
  4. The North Face Women’s Free Thinker GTX Pant - These bright yellow trousers will help you in the bumps @ £319.99. North Face Ski Trousers
  5. The North Face Women’s Chaletta Down Jacket - Warm, windproof, waterproof AND highly wearable in blue @ £329.99.North Face Ski Jacket

5 essentials to ensure you look hot while on the slopes and during apres-ski but which will slalom its way into tonight’s #GTopSpot?

Tonight’s #SaturdayShopping #GTopSpot goes to #5 The North Face Women’s Chaletta Down Jacket - Stay warm & look cool.

G x

Ski Sunday

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Evening! Welcome to #SundayTimes & today’s #5aday #SkiSunday. In a month I head off to the Swiss Alps for skiing in Verbier & Crans Montana.

Switzerland

I’ve written a few skiing related posts before, so today’s #5aday revisits some of these to give you inspiration if planning a ski break.

  1. Powder or Party or both? What are your priorities when planning your ski holiday? Read ‘Powder or Party?’ for 5 resort suggestions.
  2. If you answered both to #1 then Verbier is ideal. Read ‘Best of Verbier’ for 5 of the best places to ski & party in Verbier.
  3. If you’re interested in going somewhere with a difference then check out these 5 picture perfect ski resorts (from Gstaad to Kicking Horse).
  4. To maximise your skiing fun & fitness, read these 5 steps for all you need to get into shape to hit the slopes.
  5. Read my final ski-inspired post – an interview with Bramble Ski’s director Colin Mayo, on the business of skiing.

All this talk of skiing is teasing me, especially as the snow is so amazing at the moment. Bring on March – only 28 sleeps to go!

Enjoy the rest of your evening & Kung Hei Fat Choy! All the best for the Chinese New Year. May the year of the snake be a prosperous one.

G x

Powder Pig

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Welcome to the #MondayMonthlyInterview when on the 1st Monday of each month, I interview someone doing interesting stuff with their life.

I have just booked my ski holiday to Switzerland for Christmas to stay with my brother who runs a ski business in Verbier & St Anton… I’m pleased to welcome Colin Mayo, co-founder of Bramble Ski as today’s interviewee, as he gets ready for the coming ski season. Bramble Ski have been offering niche luxury chalet ski experiences since 2004.

  1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I was always keen on sports & the outdoors, so ending up living & working in the mountains is not too surprising.
  2. What makes you get up in the morning/inspires you? The kids! And of course the mountains and what they have to offer each day for us and our clients.
  3. If you won the EuroMillions, what would you do? Buy our chalet and a camper van to take to Japan to spend a winter exploring their ski resorts.
  4. Who would your fantasy 5 dinner party guests be? Mallory, Tensing, Andrew Flintoff, Boris Johnson and my grandmother (father’s side) who died when my brother, sister and I were very young.
  5. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you wish you had? My smartphone, a surfboard, my down booties, a round of Raclette cheese and a Swiss Army knife.
  6. Which is your favourite ski resort? Verbier because of the extensive off-piste and touring opportunities. 7 seasons and I have only scratched the surface!
  7. Have you had any famous guests stay with Bramble? Yes, but I can’t disclose names. We’ve had ex-footballers, celebrity chefs and TV personalities.
  8. What advice do you have for anyone interested in setting up their own business? Follow your passion. You have to really love what you are doing as there will be many late nights and early mornings.
  9. What’s the future for Bramble Ski? More resorts, more luxury, more skiing…
  10. What do you think sets Bramble apart from other luxury ski experiences? The founders are still very much involved day to day and not only do we ensure we have the best properties and service, but we ensure everyones’ (including our staff) ski experience is the best.

Thanks so much to Colin for taking part in today’s  #MondayMonthlyInterview & good luck for the season. Fingers crossed for lots of snow! G x

Holiday Action

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Evening! I might just be back from holiday but I’m already thinking about planning the next one…

Continuing the theme of ‘activity-based’ holidays, today’s #ThursdayFriday column features 5 alternative action holidays to skiing.

  1. Trail Running - After my 1st trail in Paris @FitchickTori has recommended the Ice Trail Tarentaise in the Alps .
  2. Biking - Discover Verbier on a bike this summer with Lucy & Phil from Bike Verbier - Green is the new white!
  3. Walking - See stunning Scotland on the West Highland Way with @macsadventure - 95 miles over mountains & lochs.
  4. Surfing - Visit Ericeira, Portugal’s surf capital & a pretty fishing town - Good for beginners & experts alike.
  5. Yoga - For a more spiritual holiday, opt for a relaxing yoga retreat with Ashiyana Yoga in beautiful North Goa.

5 stunning locations & very different activity-based holidays to dream about… but which will be crowned King of the Mountain today?

Today’s #ThursdayFriday #GTopSpot goes to #5 Ashiyana Yoga in Goa. I’ve always wanted to visit India & this sounds like pure bliss… G x

Best of Verbier

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A few weeks ago Verbier was the #GTopSpot in my skiing feature. Fast forward & there’s now only one more sleep until I hit the slopes!

BrambleSki

I’m proud to welcome www.brambleski.com as today’s #ThursdayFriday guest columnist – recommending the best places to ski & party in Verbier…

  1. Best for on piste skiing (currently): Lac de Vaux. Check out Welove2ski’s guide - Some fun off-piste sections.
  2. Best off piste skiing: Backside of Mont Fort – check out Welove2ski’s guide - For very advanced, with a guide.
  3. Best Après-ski: LeRouge_Verbier or Farinet - Both worth experiencing. One’s messier than the other!
  4. Best Fondue & Raclette: Le Caveau - Ideal for the evenings as no sun terrace. Gets busy, so book in advance
  5. Best Clubbing: Public_Verbier or Farm Club NevaiHotel - For fun times into the very early hours!

Thanks www.brambleski.com for great advice! Bramble Ski offer niche luxury chalet ski experiences. Check out more here. G x

Skiing – Powder or Party?

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Easter is fast approaching & I’m in the midst of planning my next ski trip out to Verbier with friends (while visiting family). The ski conditions this season have been incredible, so now’s the time to get booking that last minute ski trip for Easter.

Here’s my #ThursdayFriday pick of 5 of the best places to go skiing depending on what it is you’re looking for…

  1. Verbier, Switzerland - Famous for its vast and varied on & off-piste options but also renowned for fab nightlife.
  2. 3 Valleys, France - Courchevel is playground for super-rich. Good facilities. Meribel suitable for intermediates.
  3. St Anton, Austria - Home to the best après-ski in Alps. The Mooserwirt is wild. Also good off-piste skiing.
  4. Chamonix, France - Only for advanced & hard-core. Terrain & spectacular scenery make it perfect for ski-touring.
  5. Whistler, Canada - Further afield but superb variety of terrain & controlled off-piste skiing. Big on service.

Well this is a mountainous decision but my #ThursdayFriday #GTopSpot goes to #1 Verbier, Switzerland for skiing, apres & family (who live there!).

Shout out to www.brambleski.co.uk for those looking for luxurious chalets with first-class skiing and service in Verbier and St Anton. G x