Published 28th Jun. 2021
Reading time
The focal point of the huge Four Valleys ski area in Switzerland, Verbier might just be the perfect all-round Alpine ski resort. Sure, St Anton wins - just - in the après-ski stakes, Zermatt might be (even) prettier and Chamonix has the ultimate gnarly off-piste action, but Verbier delivers for anyone wanting extreme skiing plus extremely hard partying and extremely comfortable accommodation in beautiful surroundings. As an example of the disparate but discerning downhillers who have long known this, James Blunt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Carl Fogarty have even opened La Vache, an excellent new on-piste eatery. Read on for all the information you need to conjugate your Verbs...
At Chez Dany, a pretty chalet tucked away in the trees in the hamlet of Chambin, and reached via one of Verbier's famous itinéraires - marked but unpisted runs. Sit on the sun-soaked terrace taking in the beautiful view, delicious food (the classic croute au fromage is made of those classic alpine ingredients - bread, melted cheese and ham, topped off with a fried egg) and surprisingly good Swiss wine before weaving back down the piste to the Medran in the centre of town.
The hip dining destination is supper club Etoile Rouge, from the team behind old favourite Le Rouge. The décor is baroque bling, the food a Scandinavian/Russian mash up (try the Kamchatka crab and caviar) and the poison - naturally - a selection of vodkas and aquavits, enjoyed before the DJ cranks up the volume and the place kicks off.
Just up from the Medran, Mont Fort is the closest Verbier gets to a proper pub, and a favoured après-ski haunt.
The ultimate toss up between the old - in the form of The Farm Club, 50 years old and still going strong (some would say stronger than many of the more senoir clientele) - and the new, at Carve in the W Hotel, shiny and pretty in design and in the massed ranks on the dancefloor.
Having all the gear and no idea means instant social death in Verbier's hard-skiing circles; while it takes years to get the idea, a quick trip to Mountain Air should see you sorted for the gear, from skins to avalanche airbags.
Tackle Mont Gele. Take the cable car to the 9,900ft summit, survey the epic scene and take the plunge, either down one of the marked itinéraires, or if you rate your chances, into one of the infamous couloirs. A guide is strongly recommended.
Where you're going in a white out by seeking out the Bruson tree skiing area. Formerly a well-kept secret, a new gondola system means the area is now within easy reach and carving through the powder-filled forests is magical.
Developing a noticeable 'punter's gap', the tell-tale red rectangle of sunburn on one-week-only skiers' foreheads caused by the gap between goggles and helmet. Novices' mistake.
Rent a sledge, take the bus to the Carrefour restaurant (another goodie) and walk 20 minutes or so to La Marmotte, a cosy spot on the Savoleyres slopes. Enjoy a slap up Savoyard spread (raclette, fondue - you know the drill) and bottle of red (breaks down the cheese, blah, blah) before a sledging experience more intense than batting against the Aussies, all the way back into town.
The Freeride World Tour rolls into town from in April in the gnarly form of the Swatch Xtreme Verbier, the tour finale. See how it's done as the world's best freeride skiers and boarders attempt to master Verbier's baddest backcountry in the quest for the title of World Champ.
Another feather in Verbier's cap is its accessibility - just 2.5 hrs from Geneva Airport, which is served by BA, Swiss and Easyjet.
Beyond just its world-famous Alpine ski resorts, our curious consultants have discovered a wealth of adventures to share in Switzerland. Using first-hand experience, we can tailor your itinerary to include scenic train rides through Montreux, raclette rafting, night sledging or cooking onboard a cruise. In the lesser-known Saas-Fee, a playground for both little and large adventurers, enjoy sunny and snowy activities galore with mountain biking, walking, skiing and more. Tailor-made fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down, as our portfolio of properties ranges from slope-side spas to luxurious lakeside hotels.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Switzerland is renowned for its storybook scenery, and our Europe specialist, Arran, got to sample them for herself on a rail-focused research trip. Incredible
28th November 2023 - Switzerland
Home to the United Nations and the Red Cross, Geneva means business and that’s no less true when it comes to playing host to a weekend away. Aside from
25th May 2023 - Switzerland 24 Hours In
A view I'll never forget... Not quite what I imagined! After a short stay in Verbier last January, I decided to go to the tents that are pitched in the
28th June 2021 - Switzerland Hotels
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
