Ski Weekend in Verbier

We are back in Geneva after another wonderful weekend in Verbier.  While there are still many ski areas that Bo and I haven’t tried yet, our favorite is Verbier. Situated in Switzerland, two hours from Geneva, the town mixes a fully integrated ski region which makes it easy to ski anywhere in the valley. In addition to wonderful slopes, Verbier also has a well known après ski scenes.

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Once again, we rented our chalet via AirBnB. It’s hard to beat a chalet that has gorgeous valley views, fireplace, full kitchen and room for 8 close friends. We’ve found that it’s far cheaper to rent via AirBnB when traveling with a group than staying at a hotel.

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We finally found some ski weekend balance, enjoying one relaxing night at home, including lounging in front of the fire, cooking dinner together and then a drink or two at Farinet Lounge.  Our home cooked feast included roasted leg of lamb, green bean salad, roasted sweet potatoes, cornbread, and birthday cake. After our baking experiment on Thursday night, Bo and I were so thrilled that both the cornbread and chocolate peanut butter cake turned out. They turned out so well that both were all weekend long by the group.

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A popular bar in the heart of Verbier, Farinet Lounge is a bit more relaxed than some of the other options while still providing dancing and music.

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When we weren’t eating and dancing, we were on the slopes enjoying the fresh powder, blue sky and sunshine. Spring skiing is my absolute favorite, no frozen fingers and wind burn, just lots of empty slopes.

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This was the first weekend when Emily and I had enough courage to go off the slopes and try our hand at moguls. Scared and overwhelmed were the first emotions that I felt but after getting some courage, I loved the new challenge. Maddie, our instructor, helped me overcome my fears and break each group of moguls into a manageable group.

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There is no better way to end a day on the slopes than with mountain views and delicious drinks from Le Rouge. One of the only après ski locations in Verbier which you can ski directly to from the slopes, Les Rouge features DJ, an outdoor balcony and delicious espresso martinis!

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Silent Saturday – Spring Ski Style

There is nothing like Spring skiing! The weather is warm enough for après ski outside, but the snow is still perfect for a full day of skiing!

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Outkast at Montreux Jazz Festival

Last night we checked another item off our Switzerland bucket list – Montreux Jazz Festival.

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A world famous music festival, in its 48th year, Montreux Jazz festival started as a three-day festival to highlight jazz artists. Now lasting two weeks, the festival includes far more genres of music than just jazz. In fact, this year’s line-up includes Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Robert Plant, Robin Thicke, Van Morrison, and Stevie Wonder. When we moved here last year we just missed the festival and it was something everything told us we had to experience this year.

The day tickets went on sale, we were surprised and excited to see Outkast on the program. Originally formed in East Point, Georgia in 1992, both Bo and I have been fans since their early days. In fact, the night Bo and I “re-met” in Athens, Georgia he was rapping ATLiens on a stage at our sorority party. Since the duo has been on hiatus since 2007 we were excited to see that Montreux was part of their 20th-anniversary music festival tour!

Last night 12 of us, including 5 of my old co-workers who are in town for global meetings, headed to Montreux via train. We arrived in time to brave the pouring rain to grab a few beers and dinner from the food and drink stands surrounding the main music area. Typically the views and atmosphere would be incredible with the lake and majestic mountains surrounding the festival but yesterday it was nothing but rain and low lying clouds.

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As we were late leaving Geneva we entered the auditorium just minutes before Outkast went on stage. We were in the general admission section which was standing room only. This worked to our advantage as when we entered the area was less than half full. We claimed our space about 15 rows from the stage before spending the next 90 minutes sweating, dancing and singing like we were back in Georgia reliving many high school and college memories.

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Their set was incredible; including:

  • B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)
  • Ms. Jackson
  • Roses
  • So Fresh, So Clean
  • Hey Ya!
  • ATLiens
  • Rosa Parks
  • Ain’t No Thang

While I later found out that some of my co-workers thought Outkast was a jazz group, since we were going to the “jazz festival” I think everyone still had a great time. The concert was perfect for a weeknight as it only lasted an hour and a half. In fact, we were back in Geneva by 12:30am, just in time to see the last five minutes of the Netherlands vs. Argentina game!

What is your favorite concert? Growing up, Outkast was especially popular in Savannah as Big Boi aka Antwan Andre Patton is from Savannah, Georgia but also went to my same high school. 

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