Verbier Apres Ski Report: 20th March 2013

There’s nothing better after a hard day’s fresh track hunting, than an evening out with friends to discuss the best run of the day. Securing prime location, Restaurant La Caveau in the Place Centrale, is a near walk from almost any location in town and promises to delight the senses with its fantastic menu of traditional offerings. Entering the barrel shaped door, the first thing that strikes you is the alluring smell of raclette and fondue. A relaxed atmosphere and friendly service puts you instantly at ease and its no wonder that this restaurant is such a favourite amongst the Verbier locals. The cold meats are a great way to share a starter and, entering high up in the fondue league tables, it’s tricky to find a better alternative for your main course than one of the exceptional local cheese dishes. Prices for fondue are around 30CHFs and believe me, it’s worth every penny!

One of the highlights this week has got to be Verbier’s third edition of the Park 9 competition. An amateur freestyle competition seeming more professional in terms of skill, the event took place at the Swatch snowpark on Saturday. A beautiful, blue sky day was the icing on the cake and ensured a bulging crowd amassed at the bottom of the black kicker to gaze in awe at the talented display of skills. Tricks included backside rodeos, 720 spins and everything else in between as the contestants fought it out tenaciously for freestyle supremacy. The event kicked off with some audacious tricks off the black jump (a kicker over 6 feet in height), and then progressed to rails, culminating in a final that saw Ski Service secure the top spot. The expression session, a run that saw the four members of each team hit the kickers in quick succession, was jaw-droppingly exciting and concluded the event in style.

Results were as follows:
1st Place: Ski Service
2nd Place: Planks
3rd Place: Thyon Central Park
4th Place: Hommies.

In terms of this week's events, once again it’s lining up to be a great week: the Swatch Freeride World Tour Finals is coming to town on a new earlier date of this Friday the 22nd March - and it’s set to blow you away. The world famous competition sees the cream of the freeride world battle it out for the top prize; both snowboarders and skiers take part and are scored by a panel of eight judges – three for snowboard and three for ski. Competitors are judging line, air and style, fluidity, control and technique and one unique score - the ‘overall impression’ – determines their final result. There’s no room for error, but how they keep their cool when hurtling down a rock infested sheer face is something to be admired, so head down to the to watch and show your support! This is the sporting event of the year, so dig out your camera, fill your rucksack up with beers and get ready to view some of the sport’s finest athletes do what they do best.

You’re bound to be buzzing after the competition, so why stop there? As usual a great days powder skiing can be celebrated with après partying, this time at The Farinet. Bringing the beach to the mountains, the Aprés Bar is hosting a beach themed, Spring Break Party. It’s a great excuse to don those board shorts you promised your mother you would need in the mountains. Music is by Waste, the fast-becoming après favourites, and it kicks off at 4pm. We all know that The Farinet know how to throw a party, so hold on to your coconuts ‘cus it’s going to get fun…

With more bluebird days set to turn the 4 Valleys into an off-piste paradise, there’s plenty to get your poles stuck into this week.

For more goings on in Verbier visit our events calendar for regular updates.