From Slopes to Showstoppers: My Hilarious Adventure at PAF Europe

Skiing, Schmoozing, and Singing: My PAF Switzerland Adventure

Picture this: A marketing manager who hasn’t skied in 17 years confidently nodding when asked if she can ski. Technically, not a lie - I could ski… nearly two decades ago. But when the opportunity arose to represent Gladstone at the Physical Activity Facilities Forum (PAF) in Andermatt, Switzerland, alongside my colleague Gemma (who, by the way, is less of a casual skier and more of an Olympic-level glide goddess), I thought - why not? Three days in the Swiss Alps, networking with the best in the industry, and escaping the kids for a bit? Count me in.

Day One: Meetings and Mild Panic

We arrived at the hotel, buzzing with excitement (and, if I’m honest, mild panic about potentially yeeting myself off a mountain). But what better way to settle the nerves than a good catch-up with peers over some Swiss food and a beer.

Wednesday morning kicked off bright and early with meetings. The event, meticulously organised by Stable Events, ran smoother than my eventual descent down the slopes. We caught up with customers, met some fantastic industry folks, and had insightful chats about all things fitness and leisure management. But while the meetings were brilliant, a small cloud of dread loomed in the distance - the skiing was coming.

Gearing Up: The Illusion of Readiness

Ditching my Aldi ski wear from 17 years ago (a true fashion relic), I opted for some sleek new salopettes, immediately feeling like a pro. We headed to the ski shop, where I was measured up for skis, boots, and, most importantly, a helmet. Safety first, because let’s face it - I was going to need it.

Hitting (or Falling on) the Slopes

The time had come. We rushed off post-meetings, geared up, and headed to the ski lift. No gentle warm-up run, no easing in - straight to the top of a blue run. Great.

As I clipped into my skis, I had a sudden realisation: ice is really slippery. (Shocking, I know.) What followed was a masterclass in non-elegant skiing. After four wipeouts, I finally threw a mini tantrum, yanked off my skis, and walked the rest of the way down.

Thankfully, my ski guru Gemma refused to let me wallow in my defeat. "If at first you don’t succeed, have a drink and try again." So we did. The second run was far smoother - no falls, no flailing limbs, just a semi-graceful descent back to the hotel. Success!

Fondue, Fire Pits, and Freezing Toes

That evening, Stable Events took us 2,222 meters up the mountain for a fondue party. Now, I should have anticipated that a mountain-top gathering in sub-zero temperatures would require sensible footwear -but no. My Doc Martens were quickly transformed into tiny ice buckets. After trudging through deep snow (not sticking to the path), mulled wine came to the rescue, and soon, all cold-related grievances were forgotten. We enjoyed an incredible night by fire pits, with fantastic food and great company. And, most importantly, we weren’t skiing back down (thank goodness for gondolas).

Day Two: Nerves and a Near-Solo Concert

Thursday morning: More skiing. More nerves, but super excited! We were on the lift by 8:30 AM, keen but slightly terrified. Sticking with the ukactive team and others, I managed to navigate a "super easy" blue run, which was, in fact, not easy. A small panic attack later, I was on my bum, sliding down in an entirely unconventional but effective manner.

Despite a few hiccups, I ended the day on a high - skiing with a huge group, nailing some blue runs (kind of), and making it back to the hotel in one piece.

The evening gala dinner was nothing short of spectacular. A Swedish entertainer with a massive trumpet provided an unexpected yet amusing soundtrack in-between courses. But as the night wound down, the atmosphere needed a little something. Now, I’m not one to let a lull ruin a party, so when I saw an unattended live microphone, I knew what had to be done. Kanye West’s "Gold Digger" might not have been the entertainer’s choice, but it was mine - and, surprisingly, the crowd’s too. Encore? Denied (microphone swiftly removed), but the energy was electric.

Final Thoughts: Will I Be Invited Back? TBD.

PAF Switzerland was a phenomenal experience - fantastic networking, incredible organisation, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Whether or not I’ll be sent back next year remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: I survived. Physically, at least. Mentally? Well, that’s still up for debate...lols...

Thank you to Stable Events, our incredible industry friends, and the entire PAF crew for an unforgettable few days. Next stop: PAF Scotland. What could possibly go wrong?