Whitepod is less of a ski hill and more of a ski retreat. A tiny little outfit nestled into the Swiss Alps only a few hours by train from Geneva; Whitepod is made up of white pods on the side of the slope and a few cabins for guests. A stay here is basically an escape from it all to your own little snowy, nature adventure land.
When we headed out there, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. The Whitepod truck picked us up at the train station and drove us up the mountain. Once you arrive, if you are staying in the pods, mostly for the couple-set and romantically inclined, you can walk your way up in snowshoes only a few hundred feet away. For those staying in the main cabin-like lodge, it’s a few kilometers up the hill. If the lifts are running (they have two T-bars and a Poma just for guests) then you can take them to the lodge, otherwise it’s a beautiful and peaceful snowshoe up the mountain to your destination.
The lodge is completely serene. Little rooms of bunk beds are quaint and cozy and all the amenities are superb. The dinning room surrounds a giant open fireplace and board games can be found everywhere to entertain your group well into the night. Wonderful Swiss meals are served at the tables three times a day. The Fondue is delicious and can be accompanied by a snowshoe trip to the lodge if you are staying in the pods. The lodge at the bottom serves meals as well if you feel like skiing down for lunch and there is also a spa. Getting in a few runs and then heading for a massage = ski vacation heaven.
Whitepod is also equipped with touring equipment so you can skin your way to the top peak and ski down. When we were there it snowed and snowed and snowed. Getting up in the morning, we had some breakfast and then the staff opened up the lifts for the group of about 20 of us staying there at the time. Fresh powder all for us. Dreamy. The slopes are very intermediate and gentle. It’s a great place to play around or get your bearings as a newish skier. For the more advanced the backcountry is an easy hike away.
Often hosting groups or colleagues for team building events, Whitepod is a perfect winter escape. It would be impossible to come and not get a good workout and the whole idea of reaching your location by your own steam is just so appealing. They will even host a race for you and your friends as they have gates and timing equipment at the ready. The families, and their dogs, that run the place are incredible. Super friendly, they make you feel like you are guests in their home that is now your home as well.
I didn’t get a chance to see inside the pods, but as I understand it, from the outside anyway, they are little domes with rooms inside perfect for those wanting to cuddle the winter nights away tucked in by snow all alone on the side of a Swiss mountain. Did I mention it was romantic?
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