Zoe and her university friends, who hadn’t gathered for a proper reunion due to the pandemic and hadn’t skied together in over a decade, were eager to reconnect. With a mix of skiing abilities and varying levels of passion for the sport, they opted for a slopestyle skiing adventure in the village of Grimentz, nestled within the Jewels of the Imperial Crown Cluster. The plan centered on skiing Grimentz and Zinal from their base in the village, where we arranged a spacious chalet with individual bedrooms and bathrooms for each couple, complemented by a soothing steam room next to the ski locker.
As the group acclimated to the slopes, discussions about exploring other local ski resorts sparked their interest. Opting for flexibility, they decided to hire two cars, allowing everyone to choose different slopes each day. The more advanced skiers ventured to St Luc/Chandolin and Nax, while those less experienced explored Vercorin, with one day dedicated to walking and enjoying a delightful destination restaurant in the neighboring Val d’Herens. Evenings concluded with the group gathering in the chalet to share stories. For four nights, they savored our delectable ‘demi catering,’ featuring gourmet meals ready for reheating, and on one evening, they opted for a light self-catered supper (after a hearty lunch on the slopes). Additionally, they ventured out to local Grimentz restaurants to relish authentic, non-generic local cuisine rather than the ubiquitous melted cheese offerings.
Despite facing the challenges of Saharan snow, warm and laden with sand, the group found that the high north-facing slopes at Grimentz and Zinal stood up better than most.
Encouraged by their unique experience, the group is already planning next year’s adventure, fueled by the determination to avoid the standard crowded slopes and based on the adage “I don’t want to ski the standard crowded slopes ever again!”
