Verbier Apres Ski Report: 9th January 2013
A Sunny Start to January as 2013 Swings Into Action
The New Year is now in full swing and with it has come some brilliant weather and quieter slopes. As the resort's Christmas week visitors head back home, a fresh group of snow-seekers have emerged and been met with blue skies and a vibrant events calendar.
With many holidaymakers returning home after a week of relentless partying, the town has become noticeably quieter. The lift queues have shortened and the pistes seem desolate compared to the bustling runs of last week. The seasonaries remain however as do those who are lucky enough to avoid the dreaded return to work, and despite being quieter, there is still that relentless buzzy atmosphere that can only be found in Verbier.
A quieter mountain does not mean a quieter events calendar however, and there has still been plenty to get your teeth stuck into in terms of nightlife and partying. Casbah remains a popular haunt for those who are keen on late night partying and rapidly becoming the seasonaires’s biggest night out of the week. Tuesday was another evening to be remembered. Never one to deny a party, those who had to work on New Year’s Eve were able to come to Casbah on Tuesday 8th January for a night of alternative post-New Year celebration. With resident decks master DJ Ratty playing some dance floor fillers, upbeat house and classic pop songs, the night was not one to be missed.
The apres ski ball has certainly not stopped rolling either. Saturday 5th January saw Edelstein perform their blend of acoustic folk at Chalet Carlsberg up on the mountain. An afternoon of sun-drenched relaxation, it was the perfect way to chill in between a hard days skiing. After two weeks of boot-stomping tunes, Waste finish their two-week stint as the house apres-ski band at The Apres-ski bar at The Farinet. Being replaced by The Dicktators, the beating heart that is Verbier’s apres ski looks to get even more exciting. Head on down from 16:00 onwards to hear the latest live music.
If you fancy a more relaxed drink whilst listening to some house music, Le Rouge is the place to go. With the added advantage of being able to ski there, it’s a popular place for people of all ages. A live DJ spins tracks everyday and there’s a happy hour (and a half) between 15:00 and 16:30. If the weather holds, there’s a balcony and terrace to catch the last of the day’s rays, and even if the clouds do decide to close in there is outdoor cover and heating to keep you warm and dry. With its vibrant yet classy atmosphere, it’s a great way to end your ski day in style.
If you fancy indulging in a bit of culture this week, head to the Nanuq Gallery to experience Verbier Star Trails Photography exhibition by Philip Field. His passion for nightime photography was born in our very own 4 Valleys and extended from experiences touring and snowboarding at night. Giving the human eye the ability to detect the movement of the stars and constellations, it’s a fascinating and novel view of the night sky and runs until 11th January.
One snowsport often forgotten about in between all the skiing and snowboarding is tobogganing. Slipping your way down 10km of snow-covered mountain is a sure-fire way to get the adrenaline pumping. The run starts at Savoleyres and finishes at La Tzoumaz and you can rent a toboggan from the top of the cable-car. Costing 15 CHF per day or 12 CHF after 1pm to hire, the run itself is free for those with a lift pass.
Once again this week Verbier has not failed to provide its many residents and visitors with a variety of activities. With the promise of fresh snow at the end of the week, the powder days will come again, so in the meantime, enjoy the lively apres ski!
