Legends, Thrills, and a few chills - Xavier de Le Rue’s Audi experience XV, Verbier, Switzerland

Backdrop’s own Melissa Brandner glamps-out with Xavier de Le Rue during this year’s freeride & touring event, in Verbier, Switzerland

When we are young, we are asked who our heroes are, what is inspiring us to build dreams, the moonshot goals that if we are really lucky we might achieve one day. As I’ve grown up the people who inspire me have definitely changed (although David Attenborough will never loose his place on my hero list). Today, as a pro-freeride athlete, my journey has been inspired by Xavier de le Rue. An Olympian in boardercross and a 3-time freeride world champion as well as an explorer, he has travelled the world making beautiful lines in the mountains with a specialty for steep and exposed. So, when I got the phone call that I was going to get the chance to not only meet him but also freeride and camp with him on the mountain, it was definitely a moment that made me jump up and down like a kid again.

Valais and the 4 Valleys is an area that I get to explore quite often for training and competitions, but I knew that this experience would allow me to see another side of it. I love exploring Verbier because, there are so many easily accessible freeride lines that can scare the pants off of you, the Bec de Rosses for instance. This visit started with a warm welcome to the resort, a day at the W spa and feasting on a local delicacy “La Potence” at restaurant au Vieux. You are served what can only be described as a spikey baton covered in meat which is then set on fire by the waiter. Its a huge fiery spectacle, plus really delicious!

After a good nights food coma, it was time to join the Audi experience and meet Xavier. The idea behind the trip was to get a taste for some of Xavier’s favourite things, free riding, camping in the mountains and eating fondue, plus test drive one of his electric cars. Our main guide for the day was Bert, but we also had some of Verbier’s finest ski instructors, most of whom also compete in freeriding professionally.

The group was a mix of skiers and snowboarders of all levels and experience. It was a spicy start to the experience as we all headed along a narrow ridge in a white out. Drops on both sides of us, luckily the clouds made it feel a little safer and cosier. It was a bumpy and rocky ride but we all made it.

As we headed over the next valley, the clouds cleared and we got our first taste of powder literally with face shot, after face shot. I couldn’t help but scream at the top of my lungs with joy.

The whole day was full of fresh tracks and beautiful scenery, which we enjoyed while cruising on our split skis. Xavier and the guides offered support and advice and the whole group bonded really well. My favourite line of the day started with a narrow chute which opened up into a playful bowl with rollers and drops. The sun was beaming down on us making prisms in the spraying snow of every turn. I glided over to Xavier de le Rue, huge grin on his face reflecting my own.

Right in this moment life seemed unbelievable. The rest of the gang then joined us with equally cheesy grins and pure happiness! There was really no where on Earth that I would rather be In that moment.

After exhausting the powder and good weather, we set off for the camp, possibly the toughest challenge yet. We carried all of our gear plus our overnight bags, navigated across an exposed ridge with 1m visibility following each other like ants to the bottom of the climb.

Foot after foot we stepped up the ladder of footprints. I had to pause every 10 steps for breath, tired from the long day and up to 3000m in altitude. Finally the camp rose before me out of the clouds like an oasis in a sea of white and music growing ever louder. I was welcomed by a cup of warm mulled wine and danced with joy. It was time to relax and have a different kind of fun.

I headed into the dome tent and a banquet awaited me. In true Swiss style a table full of bread, cheese and cured meats.

For most of the group it was their first winter camping experience. Nestled on the mountain top at 2600m altitude were our dome tents with a bed made for royalty above the clouds, air mattresses and pillows with memory foam, blankets and winter sleeping bags plus a small camp light that glowed a warm yellow hue. Once we changed clothes and organised our gear for drying, it was back to the feast - warm creamy soup and, of course, cheese fondue.

We had some time to get to know each other on a deeper level, then were shooed out and gathered around an outdoor cinema to watch Xavier’s movie, “Of a lifetime”, about his return to Antarctica with his brother and daughter - projected onto a wall of excavated snow. That is now definitely a spot on my bucket list, and so with our heads full of dream destinations it was time to fall into that sleeping bag.

The next morning, it was up really early for avalanche training, how to plan routes, probe and shovel technique, and how to use a beacon.

From there, we headed off, with our new-found friends, all still a little sleepy from our not-so-perfect night at altitude, to play in the resort a bit, sniffing out powder turns and charging pistes all morning.

Back in the village, it was time to head to the Audi part of our Audi Experience. We gathered in the centre of Verbier with a row of brand new all-electric e-tron Audis. I am more of a snowboarder than a petrol-head, but the chance to thrash powerful Audi S6s and RS GT’s around mountain roads was definitely something that I was game for.

I got to share the drive with Mark Smyth, a car journalist, who knew all there was to know about these electric beasts, which meant that I was in for a treat.

I drove the Audi S6 e-tron first, a station wagon that could outpace most cars on the road, while carrying all your adventure gear in the back. I love station wagons for their practicality, but this was something else. So comfortable to sit in and drive, it hugged the alpine corners and the breaking was so smooth. The cup holders were just where you need them and it even had screens for the co-pilot, sorry, front passenger. The back was so spacious that I could pack for a long expedition in there and I could easily fill the car with buddies and gear.

Our next drive was a bit of cheeky fun, the Audi RS e-tron GT, a thing of beauty and a drive that was out of this world. With ‘boost buttons’ to add fake car noises, and plenty of modes for your style, you could literally take off in those bucket seats. They promised me the RS could actually fit a snowboard rack but it’d be a little trickier to be your everyday adventure partner. Not the worst bit of the whole experience was finishing up in L’Ecurie, for food and a nice hot cocoa.

This whole trip was truly was unforgettable, and I think the even crazier thing, considering this was Verbier, in Switzerland, was the bang-for-your-buck - Yes, it’s CHF 590 pp, or about £517 in today’s money - but think about it: that includes two days guiding, lift-passes, a night glamping, all-inclusive food and drink, the driving, and getting to hang out with Xavier de Le Rue.

So, how is it to actually meet the people that inspire you? When I’ve been lucky enough to do that, I’d say the experience has varied, but with Xavier de le Rue it was so reaffirming. To meet a legend in my own sport who is also a humble and kind human being was such a pleasure, he is a true role-model.

Maybe get your driving gloves on and check out the Audi Experience XVI, next year!

How to:

Tips for first-time winter campers:

Pack some down booties or camp booties - you want lots of space around your feet to keep your them warm.
Pack extra socks and foot warmers are nice to have - feet can get super cold at night.
Pack a thermos, fill it with something hot to drink in case the cold wakes you up (Ed: or, it it’s not perfectly insulating, it can serve as a hot water bottle!)
An eye mask is great to have in case the sun rises before you want to ;)

Sustainable travel in Switzerland - Public transport in Switzerland is awesome; it works, it’s on time, you get unparalleled panoramic views, and all the different modes connect seamlessly – whether by train, bus, boat or mountain railway. Point-to-point tickets start at £40 one-way, Geneva to Verbier, and Swiss Travel Passes start at £229 for three days (find out more at travelswitzerland.com).

Lift Pass - An adult one-day pass for the Verbier 4-Vallées sector is priced at CHF89 / £79.  An adult six-day pass for the Verbier 4-Vallées is priced at CHF409 / £362. Check out Verbier 4Vallées.

Restaurants: