First Tracks in Verbier
20th January 2023 | James Cove, Verbier, Switzerland
Last modified on January 24th, 2023
Want to be among the first ones down the slopes? You can every Friday when first tracks is on and you have the freshly groomed slopes to yourself. It’s new for this season.
Setting an alarm for 06.45 and having to reach the main Medran lift at 07.50 is perhaps not everyone’s idea of a fun thing to do on ski holiday.
But it is.
You see Verbier waking up – with deliveries being made and shops preparing to open.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Dawn itself is a spectacular affair.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Especially when the first rays of the sun hit the peaks as we head up.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
It is an exciting feeling to meet a member of the ski patrol and head up the lifts before everyone else.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
“It’s a great time to see the sun coming up and experience early morning in the mountains,” said our ski patrol guide, Cyril Filliez.
“Then when you are on the snow you don’t have to look left or right, but just go for it on the groomed snow.”
There were the obligatory selfies and photos at the top
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
What awaits on the slopes is more than special.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
There are nine of us in the group of ‘First Trackers’ – some Dutch, a couple of Italians and the rest from the UK.
It costs 40chf with a decent breakfast thrown in.
So, what’s the skiing like?
The M25 run in Verbier is normally packed with skiers and snowboarders and is one of the resort’s busiest runs.
Not at 8.25 on a Friday morning on a First Tracks programme.
But just a few hours later…
Our two allocated runs from Attelas to Ruinettes were over all too soon as the masses head up.
I tried to resist a smug grin.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
But what awaits us was a fabulous breakfast at the restaurant at Attelas.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Complete with scrambled eggs.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
And a fabulous view.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Though I couldn’t help feeling slightly sorry for the people in the cabins who had no idea what they had missed a couple of hours earlier.
See here for further information.
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