The Alpine Realm: Champéry & Portes du Soleil
Taking PWDR DAYS to the Next Level
Building on the experience gained from organizing our first ski trip, PWDR DAYS expanded for 2023. A group of 55 people from across Europe gathered to create an unforgettable week in the Alps, welcoming both newcomers and returning participants.
600+ km of Slopes Across France & Switzerland
Our home base was a chalet in Champéry, Switzerland, located within Portes du Soleil—one of the largest ski areas in Europe boasting over 600 kilometers of slopes.
Sauna, Games & Constant Energy
The chalet accommodated everyone in small rooms, with plenty of communal spaces to unwind, play games, or chat. The entire house stayed active day and night:
- Active Sauna: The private sauna ran through the evenings and late into the night, serving as the go-to spot to recover from the cold.
- Lively Bar: The bar area stayed constantly filled with people talking and hanging out.
- Board Games & Werewolf: The lounges hosted countless games of Werewolf alongside a wide variety of board games.
On the Slopes: The Swiss Wall & Costume Chase
First Tracks & The Swiss Wall
With the gondola located near the chalet, early-morning groups headed out to catch the first lift and ride freshly groomed slopes. Thrill-seekers took on the legendary Swiss Wall (Pas de Chavanette), renowned as the steepest slope in Europe.
Small Groups & Rock the Pistes
Beginners learned skiing and snowboarding in small groups, progressing so quickly that they were riding alongside experienced members by the end of the week. The slopes also hosted the Rock the Pistes festival, bringing open-air concerts from well-known artists directly onto the snow.
Paragliding Over the Valley
Taking in the terrain from above, one participant took off on a tandem paraglider, enjoying panoramic aerial views across the entire ski region.
The Undie & Banana Costume Run
Our slope tradition returned in full force: more than 30 people skied down the mountain in underwear, followed by a pack of bananas chasing a man in a wedding dress. The spectacle drew cheers and laughter from onlookers across the mountain.
Chalet Nights: Kitchen Raves & Stargazing
Daily Kitchen Raves
Every evening, preparing dinner for 55 people transformed into a kitchen rave, where cooking crews blasted music and danced while preparing group meals.
Waterfall Showers & Night Walks
Non-skiing crews took to the trails on winter hikes, including showering under waterfalls. At night, groups walked out into the valley for stargazing and deep conversations under the clear alpine sky.
Reflections from the Group
“Hey guys, thank you for this awesome trip. i was really doubting If I wanted to go at all. I am so glad that i just went! I had a really fun time with all of you and i went a lot out of my comfortzone (especially with the dancing lessons). Hopefully to see some of you soon somewhere, i am totally in for that. i want to see more of europe 🌍”
“So guys we did it! We partied, played in the snow and crashed. Making loads of memories in doing so. Kitchen raves will always be my favourite. I made it home about mid day today and ngl I already miss everyone and just hearing the noise of everyone! Til next year ❤🫡”
“I went to this trip with no expectations whatsoever and it turned out to be one of the best trips of my life. I am grateful for all the wonderful people I met and for the unforgettable memories we created. I will cherish this trip forever💫”
Giving Back: Environmental Donation
Bergwaldprojekt
Surplus funds from PWDR DAYS 2023 were donated directly to regional environmental conservation.
We donated 550 € to Bergwaldprojekt to support regional afforestation and forest protection efforts around Champéry in Portes du Soleil.