A week in 4 Vallees, Switzerland

Day 1

Day 1: We had all booked our flights individually with most of our Cambridge group flying from Stansted at similar times to one another. Most of us were meeting at the airport in Geneva for the shuttle to take us to the resort. This was my first time meeting many of our group. I’d met a few people before at a house warming party back in the summer and that’s when I’d been invited to join them. It was in November that I decided to join and booked my flights, my passport arrived three days before we left.

Everyone made their flights, just, and the shuttle took us 2hrs into the Alps to the resort town of La Toumaz part of 4 Vallees Resort. We were dropped off and settled in to our chalets, enjoying a beer, game of uno, and food before heading to bed for the night.

Day 2

 I had borrowed a friend’s skis but once we got to the hire shop I was told they categorically would not work for my height and weight, they were children’s ski’s. I figured as I needed to hire something to go on the slopes I might as well go with a snowboard and boots. Logically I probably should have skied as I’ve been ice skating since I was about 8 and played roller hockey (in-lines not quads) but nope. Snowboarding was on my bucket list of things to do so I went for it. I had fun but it took a while to get the hang of it and by day 4 my muscles were giving out on me so badly I couldn’t control the board. It didn’t help that my job at the time meant jumping in and out of a van hundreds of times a night and always landing on my right leg, which has a dodgy knee.

My sweet Peruvian friend arrived on this day and reminded me that she’d paid for me to upgrade to the other chalet (with a sauna), which brought the fun task of getting my luggage and gear down from chalet 1 to chalet 3. On a snowboard or skis this takes mere minutes on the piste. However I was not at a level on my board where I could just ride down, not to mention it was icy. I ended up losing my board and having to hike down the piste hunting for it, thankfully it landed in the netting unharmed and I made it to chalet 3. That evening was spent enjoying a glass of wine followed by relaxing in the sauna. 

Day 3

I didn’t know anyone in chalet 3 except for one couple who had organised the trip, and they headed out as soon as the ski lifts opened to enjoy the first snow of the day. They’re serious snowboarders and would be gone for the entire day trekking to other villages and towns across the alps on their boards. Matt, who co-organised the trip, created this insane app called SnoPal (formerly SkiPilot). It shows you where all the routes are, the colours of the routes, gondolas, pubs, and much more. It’s how they plan their days and has everything you need in an app. I genuinely envy them and hope I’m that good one day. There was a much more relaxed vibe in chalet 3 and when my new friend got up at a similar time he made eggs and coffee, we chatted and then I headed up to the baby slope to meet another friend who was learning to snowboard. I finally started to get the hang of it when my right knee spasmed. I physically couldn’t hold the stance needed to control the board. I then landed on my bum and that was me done for the day with the slopes. I headed back to the sauna to give my knee some much needed rest and heat.

The last of our group arrived from Greece and brought some goodies with her. She was my roommate in a room I can only describe as feeling like it belonged on a train. But it worked for us as we were both tidy and slept late and woke up late.

Again we played games late, drank a bit too much, and chatted for hours.

Day 4

This day was pretty relaxed, we got up late, had breakfast and coffee and headed up to the slopes. I managed one hour before my knee said “f you” and that was it, I was done. I figured there was no point in paying to hire the gear for any more of the trip and took my gear back that day. I spent the afternoon visiting the supermarket, buying postcards and souvenirs, and writing the postcards before sending them off. I enjoyed having some time to myself and explored the town a bit more. It was mostly just restaurants, bars, hire shops, and estate agents. The views however were spectacular and the artwork on the supermarket was beautiful.

We headed up to chalet 1 and had dinner with them, drank, and played games. The walk back was spectacular, the sky was full of stars.

Day 5

This day started slow and sped by in a way I really disliked. You know those days where you feel like you’ve gotten up and next thing it’s dark? It was one of those. I got up around 11ish and had breakfast with my friends. They headed out to the slopes and I sat down outside with a blanket, coffee, and my laptop.

There was something magical about being in -7c temperatures, with snow on the mountains, and the sun shining but being warm and cosy under a blanket with a hot drink.

Around 2:30 the last person woke up and wanted to go on a trip exploring somewhere. Day 5 brought some unwelcome news from home that cast a shadow and meant taking it slow. I went to one of my closest friends in the other chalet. We talked, I cried, got it all out and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Day 6

A beautiful, crisp morning, plans made and a new day had arrived. A group of us headed out early, catching the gondola’s up and over the mountains to the village of Verbier. The Mountain View’s were spectacular and the Gondola’s were so much fun, if not a bit rickety at times. It didn’t feel like it but Verbier is quite a large resort town with cafes, restaurants, shops, and the heights of luxury. The chalets are beautifully built with classy and elegant decor.

Our first stop was at an Italian café my friend had found on Google before we’d left the chalet. It was a cute little independent place, tucked away, but selling delicious home made treats. I had a muffin with my coffee and she had a quiche. It was called “La Cucina.”

We meandered up the streets of Verbier taking in the views and peaking into shop windows. After a while we stopped at another café with views of the gondola and mountains for a drink and to wait for a friend who has decided to join us. I could definitely picture myself sitting in that café and working remotely on a regular basis. The food was good and healthy, with the perfect vibes for that nomadic work/life balance. One day maybe. Sitting on the porch, blanket over my knees, enjoying the sunshine, drinking a healthy smoothie, listening to my friend talk, as the little ones at the next sofa giggled, with the mountains above. It was bliss.

A little while later our other friend arrived and we walked back into town. On our way up to the top of town we’d walked past a patisserie that sold some beautiful looking cakes. Me being the foodie I am, I just had to get one. The patisserie smelt like fresh bread with a hint of sweetness, the cashier was chatty and friendly, and then I spotted it. A beautiful apple pie lightly dusted with icing sugar. I couldn’t be selfish and buy something sweet just for me, so I bought it. The biggest apple pie in the shop, for all of us to share. It worked perfectly for everyone to have a piece, including the baby. It wasn’t too sweet nor too tart, the pastry was crisp and light. It was utter perfection.

Our last stop before heading home was in a souvenir shop, I wanted a couple of stickers, one for my helmet and as always one for my laptop. She’s slowly getting covered in them. I went with a Verbier one for my laptop and a Swiss one for my helmet. Lastly I got a t-shirt with Verbier on the back, along with some bits and pieces for family and friends.

That evening we had our usual routine of dinner, chatting, wine, and playing games followed by sauna time.

Day 7

I was very hungover and didn’t want to be alive this morning. Coffee on the balcony on my own was perfect and after taking it slow for the morning I headed down to catch a bus to another town, only to discover I needed a ticket from the office, and that was the last bus until 5:30pm. Everything shuts down between 12-2 (give or take). After chatting to the lady in the office she suggested a solo hike up the mountain, which was exactly what I needed. Armed with a map and my snow hiking boots, I headed off into the Alps on my own.

The first part of the hike meant taking the bus out of the village up to the last stop before the mountain. After a short walk, the path took me to a chalet café, which reminded me of the chalet straight out of the movie Frozen. They served a range of drinks, homemade cookies, cake, and traditional Swiss meals. A hot chocolate and homemade cookie were the perfect way to start my hike. I followed the path for a little while before following signs for the river. I cannot describe to you the level of quiet and peace that I felt on that mountain. It was pure, crisp silence, all encompassing. It was perfect. The sunshine danced through the trees as the snow crunched under foot. I walked past one group with two large dogs, and one other solo hiker. In 4hrs of hiking they were the only other walkers I saw.

The views changed and the shadows started to grow longer. As I headed back down I followed the same path but re-joined the original path at a different point, following the trail and the beautiful artwork along the way. The views were simply breath-taking and made it back down in time for the last bus back to the chalet. I rested up and went in the sauna before heading up to chalet 1 for our last group meal.

We ate good food, drank some wine and played mafia. My gorgeous friend had busted up her knee and become an invalid (at least she did it going 35mph down an alp on the last day), so she hosted mafia. We had two mafia, one doctor, and one detective. I won by ousting my teammate and killing him off. It was a class end to a great week.