When reflecting on the past year and thinking about what I wanted to do this year, I told myself I wanted to go on more adventures. Not crazy adventures on the other side of the world, but rather meaningful adventures within train reach, with people I cherish, both to remind myself that memories can be created anywhere and to embrace a slower way of travelling. Our little snowshoe adventure to the Bostan’s mountain refuge falls into both categories.

We gathered in Geneva to spend a night together before leaving for Samoëns, in the French Alps. We walked for five hours to the refuge, blessed with the clearest blue sky and the brightest sun, which made the snow look crisp and glittering. The mountain all to ourselves, crossing the path, only a few people.

There is something hypnotic in walking in all that white. It can feel kind of hopeless at times, one peak hides another, you don’t really know when and where it ends. But there is also the thrill of making it to the top, feeling proud of what you are achieving. Being all together in the effort, helping each other, making sure everyone is okay, the caring atmosphere is reassuring and gives strength.

The reward is the landscape you’re in. None of this can be reached by car, you have to walk your way to the wonder. That makes the moment special and you want to absorb every minute of it. There’s no cell reception up there, you’re left with your eyes and thoughts, and forced to reconnect with the surrounding nature.

Suddenly when the sun starts setting, it’s show time. The snow changes colour, from white to yellow, shades of blue, orange hues. Every second, the light changes and, with the help of misty clouds, offers new landscapes that help you reach the refuge, for a well-deserved warm dinner. A time to laugh about the best and worst moments of the day, before going to bed, head full of memories.

When you spend a weekend like this, completely disconnected, but also very much connected to real life, it brings you closer to your friends. It’s a time for sharing as well as a time for reflection. There are moments when you're on your own, putting one foot in front of the other, focused, and others when you’re side by side, chatting. Those moments have one thing in common: they bring out meaningful subjects, such as what values matter most to you in life. We almost all agreed on kindness. And I truly believe we could all benefit from a little more kindness towards each other and the planet.