Verbier
Ski Resort

At first glance, Verbier is a rambling collection of wooden chalets on a sun-kissed meadow 1500m up a mountainside, but despite rustic appearances the village is a purpose-built ski resort which before 1925 was little more than summer pasture. But the combination of superb skiing and easy access from Geneva Airport meant the resort grew and grew.

And so did the skiing. Verbier’s vast 4 Vallees ski area now stretches across to 8 other resorts: Nendaz, Siviez, Veysonnaz, Thyon 2000, La Tzoumaz, Les Collons, Les Masses and Bruson. (Le Chable, 700m below Verbier, does not have any ski slopes but is a vital cog in the system, with lifts linking it to both Verbier and Bruson.) It’s the largest lift-linked ski domain wholly in Switzerland, with a claimed 410km of runs, over 80 lifts and a highpoint on the Mont-Fort Glacier at 3330m. No wonder there are over a dozen ski schools and guiding companies operating from Verbier alone.

Despite all the high snowsure groomed piste available, it’s the off-piste that grabs attention. High profile competitions like Verbier Ride and O’Neill Xtreme ensure that top skiers and boarders, and lots of wannabes, come from all over the world. But there are gentle itineraries as well and Verbier is an ideal resort to try off-piste for the first time.

The apres ski starts in the bars on the slopes and slowly drifts down to the resort where it carries on into the next morning. The smartest night clubs like the Farm Club are very expensive, but there are plenty of live events where the price of admission is just a (rather pricey) beer. And there is every sort of restaurant available from Michelin star fine dining to pizzerias. Some of the lower mountain restaurants stay open at night and ferry guests to and from the resort on snowcats.

The choice of accommodation includes more than a dozen hotels and numerous apartments and chalets. Prices tend to be high in central Verbier, but are more affordable in the outskirts that are a bus ride away from the main lift, or in Le Chable and the other 4 Vallees resorts.

Recommended Hotels in Verbier

W Verbier Hotel 5-star
Chalet d’Adrien 5-star
Hotel Nevai 4-star
La Cordee des Alpes 4-star
Le Chalet de Flore 4-star
Hotel Vanessa 4-star
Central Hotel Verbier 3-star
Hotel Ermitages 3-star
Hotel Farinet 3-star
Hotel Phenix 3-star

Verbier Pros & Cons

+ Huge ski area
+ Extensive off-piste terrain
+ Improved ski lifts and snowmaking
+ New gondola from Le Chable to Bruson
+ Attractive village with sunny aspect
+ Great apres ski and nightlife
– Piste map and sign posting
– Overcrowding in some areas
– Sun-affected lower slopes
– Relatively expensive

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