Crazy Ski Camp – Switzerland 2023 Edition

The hut is at a red slope. If you're a total beginner, it's not a good place. In that case, better take some classes in an indoor ski center for example, before joining the Crazy Ski Camp :)

Our hut is a charming simple mountain hut. We will sleep in a dorm. There is a toilet and there is a shower. No smoking in the house. The living area is combined with the kitchen. In and around the house, clothing is optional (faq) The hut can only be reached by ski or snowboard!

We will be in the French speaking part of the Valais province, southwest-Switzerland, not far away from the border with Italy and France. Our meeting place is conveniently right at the railway station at the start of the cable car towards our accommodation. Milano is just 4 hours away (with 2 train changes) and Lyon only 4,5 hours (also with 2 changes). Paris 6 hours by train with 2 changes; Frankfurt 7,5 hours with 3 changes and Berlin and Amsterdam are around 10-11 hours away with 3 train changes.
The other option is to offer or join a ride-share, for example through blablacar or with other Crazy Ski Camp Camp participants (faq).
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen agreement. If you can travel in any other Schengen country, you can travel in Switzerland.

There is space and time for workshop-like activities, so if you would like to share some of your knowledge or skills, feel free! Maybe you want to teach us some capoeira, do a photoshoot or make us sing the traditionals of your native culture? Just some ideas... it really can be anything. Another fun activity that we'll be doing together is... cooking! (and cleaning afterwards...)

If you are a couple, please understand that in the Crazy Ski Camp, you cannot behave like a couple. In general, the beds are allocated through a lottery (faq) and we're all sleeping in one common space. And you are expected to participate in all activities and group life as individuals and not as a couple. Yes, you will be hugging – in the numerous group hugs! So be prepared to sit each at opposite sides of the table during dinner, and accept that someone other than yourself might be giving your partner a massage of the sour muscles.

What is included/provided?
+ Accommodation
+ Breakfast
+ Simple lunch (sandwiches, leftovers of yesterday's dinner)
+ Dinner (we will cook together)
+ Coffee, tea, water, juice
+ Fun and meaningful experiences

x Snacks, fruit, energy bars, soft drinks etc.
x Sleeping bag liners or set of sheets
x Towels
x Skipass
x Gear rental, if needed

The environmental footprint of this Crazy Ski Camp is not so moderate.

• Even though our accommodation is in a more quiet corner of the ski area, the ski resort as a whole is really big
• The infrastructure for artificial snow is extensive
• Natural landscapes have been altered for ski slopes and there are many ski lifts, restaurants etc.
• In our accommodation we will only use renewable energy (with the exception of some candles)
• As we live in community, we are heating much smaller volumes of spaces then what we would need individually
• The provided food is entirely plant based. The livestock industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and destruction of nature. By sticking to plant based nutrition, we do our taste buds and our health a favour - and we do Planet Earth as a whole a favour. Check this link for more info.

• The easiest way to reduce the environmental impact of your participation is by choosing your means of transport. Come by train, or join a ride share with other participants or through blablacar or similar web sites or groups. Avoid flying. Avoid driving alone. The network of night trains in Europe is growing and growing, a great way to travel! If you need assistance in finding the best prices, please reach out to me.
• Don't buy new gear for this Crazy Ski Camp. Find second hand gear or ask around in your friends circle; maybe you can borrow. Or rent it. Also, I (Klaas) have a small stock of gear that I might be able to borrow out to you (depending on size).
• Don't buy new clothes for this Crazy Ski Camp. First of all, forget about fashion. At the Crazy Ski Camp, no one will judge you for your looks. You will enchant us with your personality. If there is a small hole in your ski pants, just patch it. If there is a piece of clothing that you really need, find it in a second hand store or at a clothes swap. Also, I (Klaas) have a small stock of clothes that I might be able to borrow out to you (depending on size).
• Don't bring synthetical soaps, shampoo with nanoplastics, etc. In general, a piece of vegan Savon de Marseille / Aleppo soap / hard soap or however you call it, will do perfectly for skin, hair and clothes.
• Stick to plant based food, don't bring or consume any diary etc.

It is probably a great idea to compensate the environmental impact of your participation by supporting a reforestation project or so. Please reach out to me if you want suggestions.