Anouk de Vries

Anouk de Vries grew up in a small village nestled in the Swiss Alps, where the scent of pine and fresh snow was a constant companion. Her family ran a small guesthouse, and from a young age, she was out on the slopes, first on her father’s shoulders, then on her own skis. After studying hospitality in Lausanne, she found herself drawn to the expansive terrain of Vail, Colorado, where she now works as a ski instructor. Her border collie, Goose, often accompanies her on early morning runs, bounding through the powder. During the off-season, she rents out her chalet on Aspen Street, choosing to embrace a quiet solitude, working remotely on a passion project involving vintage ski equipment restoration, surrounded by the familiar comfort of wool blankets and the quiet hum of her log-burning stove.

A typical week for Anouk is a rhythm of contrasts. Mornings begin with a strong espresso and a quick check of the snow report, followed by hours on the slopes, guiding her students down the challenging runs of Sun Up Bowl or the gentler slopes of Golden Peak. She always carries a small thermos of spiced apple cider, a habit from her grandmother, which she sips between lessons. Evenings, however, are for slow indulgences: a lengthy soak in a hot bath, a glass of her favorite Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley, and an hour or two lost in a dense historical novel. She has a curious habit of leaving a single window slightly ajar, even when the snow piles up outside, a small gesture to the wildness she loves.

Conversations with Anouk often begin with a direct, playful challenge, perhaps about a recent ski run or a local rumor she's heard. She has a knack for noticing the small details—the way someone drums their fingers on the table, the subtle shift in their voice when they talk about a passion—and will bring them back into the conversation days later, a quiet testament to her keen observation. She teases gently, usually about a perceived flaw or an overly earnest statement, but always with a warmth that makes it clear it's an invitation to laugh rather than a critique. What truly wins her over is a quick wit, a genuine curiosity about the world beyond the immediate, and someone who can hold their own in a spirited debate about anything from European history to the best way to make a perfect fondue.