Why we heart Club Med Val Thorens Sensations

On every one of my trips there’s always been that one moment where I stop, stare at my surroundings taking it all in (likely with my jaw on the floor) and marvel at how incredible the world is.

When I head out to the Alps, every day is one of those moments. Every. Single. Day.

This is a shot my hubby, Dagan, took from atop a ski chairlift on our last trip to Val Thorens. A fair amount of my “Wow!” moments in the Alps happen atop a chairlift with a view like this.

Why?

I don’t know if there are even words to describe it. Watching the snow fall and covering an entire village; the sheer size of those mountains covered in snow; realising how small we are in comparison to those mountains; being outdoors, sans technology, on a snow-filled mountain-top, breathing in the fresh Alpine air about to snowboard down – and at that moment, the world seems to stop and all of your worries and stresses seem to disappear. You could hear a pin drop. The clarity of the colours around you atop the mountain are piercing. It’s glorious.

A compulsory ski-goggle shot. Gabbi's brother, Michele, is the model in this shot.

A compulsory ski-goggle shot. My brother, Michele, is the model in this shot.

Something magical happens in the Alps. And it’s something you have to experience for yourself.

Last month, Carel and I experienced just that. We spent one week in Val Thorens (the highest ski resort in Europe) with Club Med South Africa as part of a pretty cool content creation and influencer project we worked with them on. While both of us had been skiing before, it was Carel’s first time in Val Thorens, and his first time doing the whole “ski thing” the all-inclusive way (which is something Club Med prides itself on – and do they have damn good reason for it!) Club Med’s Val Thorens Sensations resort was our home for the week, and we can both honestly say that we felt right at home from the moment we stepped inside.

Gabbi and Carel snap a selfie after bumping into each other on the slopes.

Carel and I snap a selfie after bumping into each other on the slopes.

We can go on to tell you about how you could literally leave your wallet at home because when Club Med say “all-inclusive” they mean all inclusive.  Your food, drinks, entertainment, ski pass, daily ski lessons, wifi – everything – all included with your package. We can tell you about the plethora of options awaiting you at every breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet at the resort. The endless supply of coffee and wine. Oh gosh the coffee and wine! We can tell you about how the resort is ski-in and ski-out where the slopes are literally at your doorstep (a Godsend for ski/boarding newbies and well-seasoned skiers alike.) Did we mention the endless supply of coffee and wine?

While all of these elements contributed toward an incredible trip, the biggest part that made the trip what it was, was the people, and the environment within which we got to mingle and network.

At CN&CO, we’re all about people and brands. Put us within a context where we are afforded the opportunity to engage with people on a personal level, whilst having fun, and magic is bound to happen! The group of people who formed part of our trip were amazing to say the least, and each brought their own unique energy to the trip.

The people

Carel Nolte, Kojo “best in his ski class” Baffoe (and one of the most interesting people you are likely to meet), Hlubi(kazi) “Kamakazi” Mboya, Kirsten Arnold (Hlubi’s other half and legend extraordinaire), Retha Mboya (Hlubi’s sister and so much fun), David “rockstar” Jacobson, Jael Jacobson (David’s wife, who got married just a month before our trip and joined us on the trip as part of their honeymoon!), Pranita Ranchhod (the loveliest lady in the world), Tatum Thomas (such a gem and so funny), Deelan “how’s your guava” Moodaley, Zaayed “legend” Minty, John and Kirsty Jutzen (one of the coolest couples you’re likely to meet and a ball of fun to spend time with. John can do one hell of a whale impression, so be sure to ask him about that if you know him…), my brother Michele Brondani (one of my favourite people in the world), and I. The 15 of us made up the group under our project, and I can honestly say that I couldn’t have picked a better bunch of people even if I had tried.

A group shot of: Deelan, Pranita, Zaayed, Jael, David, Michele and snowboard coach extraordinaire, Benat, at La Folie Douce in the French Alps.

A group shot of: Deelan, Pranita, Zaayed, Jael, David, Michele and snowboard coach extraordinaire, Benat, at La Folie Douce in the French Alps.

The environment

As much as the Club Med resort promotes socialising and networking, the sheer size of the resort means that there’s enough space to take a time out on your own if you need. Maybe you’re taking a break from skiing lessons to let your muscles recover (where their Club Med Spa by Carita will be your best friend), or maybe you’re done snowboarding for the day and are setting aside some time to get stuck into work. The resort is perfect for both business and pleasure. CN&CO is a lifestyle business, so we are quite comfortable working remotely from any corner of the globe, and setting up shop in the Club Med resort in the heart of the Alps was no different. We had access to wifi all day every day, plug points set up throughout the hotel (with the most magnificent views of the Alps, but the way. Definitely not a k*k way to spend time outside and working away of the office) and just the most chilled atmosphere. So while Carel and I were physically away from the business, we weren’t actually away from the business. In between ski and snowboarding lessons, we had ample time to sneak in some work to ensure our team and clients were happy. (You might be asking why we would work while on holiday? That’s a post for another day… It all comes down to work/life integration. That’s all we’ll say for now.)

Once your work is done, it’s time to play. Whether you want to socialise with new friends in the Jacuzzi on the Club Med balcony that’s overlooking the Alps, talk business while climbing their 10 metre high rock climbing wall, or knock back a few beers at the bar on the 4th floor, the options for entertainment and networking within the resort are endless.

Hlubi, Carel and me taking a time out in Club Med’s Jacuzzi after a busy day on the slopes.

Socialising and networking within a context like this is invaluable not just personally, but professionally too. You’d be astounded at just how much business can be done and relationships can be developed within a context such as at the Club Med Val Thorens Sensations resort – which is why we’re already counting down to heading back to the resort.

Will we be heading back for work or pleasure? As a lifestyle business, it’ll be for both.

Obviously 😉

Carel and Gabbi at Club Med Val Thorens Sensations resort.

Carel and I at Club Med Val Thorens Sensations resort.