Today : Apr 17, 2025
Lifestyle
08 April 2025

Ski Trends And Watches Shine At 2025 Events

The ski season wraps up with a focus on style and sustainability while Watches and Wonders showcases playful luxury.

As the 2024-2025 ski season draws to a close, a closer look at the winter trends in ski resorts reveals a fascinating blend of performance, relaxation, and style. This year, the slopes have transformed into a vibrant runway where fashion meets function, offering skiers a unique experience.

On the slopes this winter, style has clearly taken center stage. Skiing is no longer just about performance; it has evolved into a matter of silhouette, materials, and details. Technical clothing now combines functionality with flair, featuring lighter, insulating, and flexible fabrics that accommodate every movement without sacrificing style. The result? A polished look from the first run to the last drink on the terrace.

At Club Med resorts, the skiing experience begins well before the first descent. Thanks to an enhanced partnership with Rossignol, vacationers have access to cutting-edge equipment designed to merge pleasure, safety, and comfort. Some models even incorporate a sustainable aspect, crafted from eco-friendly materials and recycled at the end of the season.

This season also highlighted ski boots equipped with Boa Fit technology, which the team experienced during their stay at Club Med Serre Chevalier. This ultra-precise tightening system makes putting on boots a quick and simple task while ensuring support and comfort. Thus, style now extends beyond just attire; it also encompasses technical choices, resulting in smooth, personalized skiing experiences.

Another significant trend this season is the growing emphasis on eco-responsibility. The movement towards green equipment is clear, with skis, snowboards, and poles made from recycled or renewable materials. The Marie Claire Snow Club has opted for Volvo hybrid and electric cars to reach the slopes, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

At the Resort Club Med Serre Chevalier, the team discovered a renovated resort designed with sustainability in mind. Inspired by alpine hamlets, the architecture blends seamlessly into the landscape, while the choice of materials, optimized insulation, and the reuse of some furniture reflect a genuine concern for environmental impact. The goal? To achieve BREEAM Very Good certification, a benchmark in sustainable construction that evaluates the environmental impact of buildings based on criteria such as energy, materials, and waste management.

For the accommodations of the G.O. (the resort staff), the ambition is even higher, aiming for BREEAM Excellent certification, a first in the Alps. Club Med is taking this initiative further by promoting short supply chains, installing water fountains inspired by local sources, and providing signage dedicated to eco-friendly actions throughout the resort.

After-ski activities have also transformed into wellness rituals this season. What used to be a pleasant moment after a day on the slopes has now become central to relaxation, with spaces designed to recharge both body and mind. Club Med resorts offer a holistic approach to well-being, allowing each guest to create their own moment of pause at their own pace.

Each resort features a spa in partnership with a renowned wellness and beauty brand, equipped with several treatment rooms to welcome skiers seeking recovery. Most resorts also offer pools, saunas, and hammams. To enhance the experience, Club Med provides the Yoga School by Heberson in several mountain resorts, offering yoga sessions tailored to altitude and individual needs—such as gentle strengthening, breathing exercises, and grounding techniques.

This is truly a return to oneself. The wellness offerings extend beyond just relaxation; they include healthy eating, fitness classes, and outdoor activities, all designed to create a balance between effort and letting go. This new way of approaching après-ski—calmer and more rejuvenating—has become as valuable as skiing itself.

Meanwhile, in Geneva, the Watches and Wonders show showcased 60 of the most influential watch brands, drawing over 50,000 visitors to the Palexpo. This year's edition revealed exciting trends in the world of horology.

One prominent trend was the resurgence of gold, particularly yellow gold, in both men's and women's watches. The distinction between the two is fading, with the term "gender-neutral" becoming increasingly common. Robust watches for women and delicate pieces for men are now both available in shiny gold. According to Chopard, "Customers are opting again for more eye-catching gold watches with gemstones," reflecting a desire to showcase wealth in a world rife with counterfeits.

Cartier is reviving its classics, reissuing models like the 1929 Tank A Guichets, while Rolex showcased its latest Land-Dweller watch in gold. Chanel is set to launch the J12 watch in September, featuring a yellow gold bracelet.

Another trend noted was the playful approach to beauty, with soft colors and whimsical shapes dominating the latest watch and jewelry collections. Chanel’s Blush Watch Capsule Collection draws inspiration from its makeup line, featuring pastel shades and playful designs. Rolex introduced lacquered dials in pastel tones of lavender, beige, and pistachio for its new Oyster Perpetual edition.

In a delightful twist, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled four new creations of the Pont des Amoureux watch, which features hand-painted landscapes and whimsical elements. Hermès, reflecting its equestrian roots, introduced playful designs, including the Rocabar de Rire watch, which features a cheeky horse that sticks out its tongue when the crown is pressed.

Sporty watches also took center stage at Watches and Wonders, with models designed for all terrains and weather conditions. High-profile athletes like Usain Bolt and Kylian Mbappé made appearances at Hublot, while Roger Federer and Lara Gut-Behrami represented Rolex. The latest Pelagos Ultra model, capable of descending to 1,000 meters, was among the highlights.

Tudor’s booth embraced a Formula 1 theme, allowing visitors to experience tire changes, while IWC showcased its partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, displaying racing cars and unveiling the Ingenieur Automatic 40, inspired by the watch worn by Brad Pitt in the upcoming action film 'F1'.

As ski resorts innovate and the watch industry embraces playful luxury, both sectors reflect a commitment to style, sustainability, and the joy of the experience.