Verbier Apres Ski Report: 21st February 2013

Half-term for schools in the UK has meant an influx of eager snow-seekers. Verbier has provided them with some of the best conditions the resort has seen so far this season, not to mention some pretty crazy après.

Sunday afternoon saw the celebrated boys from Cape Town – namely Goldfish – play what can only be described as a legendary set at La Vache Mountain Restaurant. Combining live saxophones, flutes and double bass with synth lines and hooky samples, they’re the closest thing you can get to perfect for an après band. As the sun came beating down on smiling faces everywhere, it was impossible not to let that feeling of mountain happiness swim through your body…

If you haven’t been there yet, it’s well worth the visit. Owned by the unlikely trio of Lawrence Dallaglio, James Blunt and Carl Fogerty, it’s also backed by food guru Heston Blumenthal. Probably the only place you can expect to see a world champion rugby player, a platinum album selling singer and arguably the best world superbike racer of all time enjoying a well deserved ski lunch, - the pedigree ownership promises a good bite to eat. With a great range of pizzas as well as some delicious pasta dishes, it’s a great place to take the kids and with prices starting at around 20CHFs it’s on the cheaper side of mountain meals. With all this amazing sunshine now is as good a time as ever to give it a try!

Waste were back in the limelight at the Aprés Bar in Farinet this week, reminding us exactly why they were chosen to open this season’s post-ski partying. Playing all our favourite tracks, be this golden oldies or contemporary classics, they had the ever-faithful après crowd gripped. Tuesday evening, despite being a little quieter in terms of numbers, saw them smash an enthralling rendition of Dire Straits Sultans of Swing, Enabling their gifted guitarist to show what he’s made of, it closed their set with style. Fingers zipped up and down the fret board as wondering eyes glared mesmerized at the displays of skills. Even His Royal Highness Prince Harry could be seen amongst the bobbing heads – a good day to choose to shine!

Valentine’s Day in the picturesque mountains was always going to be a special occasion. The town itself seemed empty at first glance, but as soon as you stepped into any of the fantastic restaurants Verbier has to offer, you found out where everyone was… For those of us who didn’t get lucky on a chairlift this Valentine’s Day, there was still plenty to do to avoid the single blues! Mixing romantic vibes with a third-wheel destroying atmosphere, the Fer a Cheval for example made sure you wouldn’t feel out of place. Numerous groups sat around the bar chatting and enjoying a glass of wine and the friendly staff made you feel right at home. Of course there were couples-a-plenty, but the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere meant that for whatever reason you were there, you were sure to enjoy yourself.

As the real-world holiday-makers begin to slip back to reality, there’s no shortage of fun to keep us bubble-existing residents busy. If your feeling starved of culture whilst up the mountain, head over to the Salle de la Comba (just past Migros when walking down hill) to see Verbier’s very own Amateur Dramatics Society perform their version of Aladdin. Doors open at 6:30pm with the show starting at 7:15pm. Tickets are 25CHF for adults and 10CHF for children and are available from T-Bar, Harold’s or Mountain Air. What’s more, its for a great cause, and proceeds go to the Annapurna Association, housing and schooling for girls in Nepal, and Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud, a foundation aimed at helping children with serious illness or accidents.

For more snow-filled fun, visit our events calendar to see what’s going on in the 4 Valleys!

Enjoy the sun-soaked slopes everyone!