Photo: Verbier St-Bernard
Verbier is one of those resorts that compromises on nothing. Our list below goes to show that this resort gets a strong tick next to every ‘need’ one might have for the perfect, luxurious alpine adventure. Whether you are a seasoned Verbier advocate, returning year on year, or considering it for the first time, our list has some of the ultimate recommendations for hitting the slopes and town of Verbier this season. And if you are short of time you can always just call our expert team and we will happily go through ideas over the phone.
Ski Schools
There are so many incredible ski schools on offer! Of the many, there are three in particular we want to highlight, primarily for their expertise and ability to cater to a range of abilities, ages and foci; Altitude, European Snowsport and Performance Verbier. Therefore whether it is booking in children for the week privately, a one-to-one session to get the ski legs back or tuition on how to get the most of the excellent and varied terrain surrounding Verbier, we can find the instructor to suit your requirements.
Off-piste
Verbier is world-renown for it's off-piste. But we would always advise booking a guide who knows the area; for safety and to ensure you find the best places at the best times of year. Our top tip for off-piste Verbier is Powder Extreme, offering lessons for newbies to the powder, but also guiding you solo or as a group to explore the legendary off-piste terrain Verbier has to offer. If talk of couloirs, adrenaline pumping steeps and cliff drops gets your blood pumping (in a good way!) then they might be the guys for you. A couple of key areas for in-the-know off-piste skiers are the backside of Mont Fort or the Attelas couloirs.
Après Ski
Well there was no debate about this going on the list! Ski down straight into chic and elegant Le Rouge Restaurant and Club, where a plethora of languages, ages, fur and gore-tex mingle together under the chilled out beats of the resident DJ, pink champagne or jägerbomb in hand. Down in the town the Farinet bar and lounge give you the choice of either crazed dancing on tables to some Swedish cover band with the open air dance floor to let off some steam (or let snowflakes in), or the separate sophisticated lounge area with super cocktails, waiting service, open fires and deliciously deep leather sofas for resting tired limbs. Then on from drinks and dancing to either The Farm Club (45 years of glamorous partying) or The W bar Carve where their strap line is “Ski all day, spin all night”.
Accommodation
There is absolutely no shortage of luxury ski chalets in Verbier. To name but a few; Chalet Norte sleeps 10-16, set over 5 floors with a swimming pool and spa area, cinema room, floor to ceiling windows and an impressive open fireplace, whilst Chalet Chouqui sleeps 18-20 with one of the largest indoor swimming pools possibly in Verbier, games room, wine cellar and 9 members of staff, to mention just a few of their key features! Why not book the opulent W hotel if it’s funky luxury you’re looking for? With 2 Michelin star chef Sergi Arola at the eponymous Arola restaurant, a large spa for a multitude of treatments and ski in, lift out location, what’s not to love?
Access
Easily accessible by train from Sion (45mins) or Geneva (2hrs), the journey should be considered part of the holiday, since it offers incredible panoramic views and a chance to relax as the train wends it’s way to its final destination Le Chable. From Le Chable you can choose a taxi or of course start your ski holiday as you mean to go on and take the bubble! Alternatively we can organise transfers from your airport arrival to your chalet or hotel door and the journey is comparatively short when considering major resorts.
Mountain Restaurants
We highly recommend planning a few leisurely lunches into your ski days to make the most of the array of options. For oven baked pizzas, Portuguese chicken in a basket and a great burger ski to La Vache at the Attelas as you head down from Les Ruinettes. Or one of our favourites on the slopes, Chez Dany, for fantastic views and good Swiss food - take a left off the cat-track running from les Ruinettes down to Médran and ski down a picturesque tree run to get there. Or for a famously good rosti Carrefour is a must, also reachable for non-skiers via the bus route 1.
The Town
Verbier itself is a quintessentially stunning Alpine village. It is not too spread out, with Place Central as it’s definite heart, and a law that no building can go beyond 5 floors; it oozes charm yet chic luxury simultaneously. It manages the very fine balance between being traditional but not ‘touristy’. Enjoy strolling through cobbled streets filled with boutiques, excellent fine dining and many luxurious spas to choose from. Top Tip: A recent addition to Verbier's impressive dining scene is Brasserie 1, located down in La Chable and offering a modern, first-class dining experience.
New Year
Verbier is one of the places to be in the Alps for NYE. With private parties in chalets and restaurants hosting families and groups. Then the whole village descends on Place Central, which should be renamed Party Central, for the countdown. A DJ keeps the atmosphere buzzing, encouraging lots of dancing, spraying of champagne and merriment that then continues through the night, with some returning back to clubs for warmer partying venues. Top tip: be sure to book ahead for access to the main clubs once midnight’s struck.
Good For Summer
Many activities are up for grabs for summer time holidays with stunning views and lush green meadows; Verbier has just as much to offer in summer as in the winter season. To be really able to appreciate the Alps in all their majesty, zoom straight off a mountain peak on a paraglider (with a guide- tandem of course!) and soar like a bird to the heights over Verbier and the mountains. The village hosts the well-known ‘Verbier festival’, which is a classical music extravaganza with many famous and influential artists. Then there’s a whole range of activities including walking, swimming, yoga, climbing, museums, visiting farms and ‘canyoning’.
Non Skiers
Whilst friends and family whoosh down the slopes searching for the perfect powder there’s plenty to keep those that don’t ski content. Once the town has been explored and nature trails hiked, there’s the Centre Sportif which hosts swimming, spa, ice rink, climbing and tennis. Then of course for adrenaline seekers there’s paragliding in between snowy peaks and husky sledding.
For more advice on Verbier or to find the perfect resort to match your needs please give us a call on +44 1993 899 420 or enquire here.
