Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland

Verbier - Switzerland

Thousands of visitors return to Verbier year after year to ski hard and party hard. Never mind the expense; the heady mix of challenging skiing and alluring nightlife, both on a grand scale, is enough to convince a dedicated mass that no other resort will do.

Verbier

Verbier tourist officeTraditionally, Verbier is seen to appeal to good skiers and big spenders, but the last decade has seen tour operators enticing novices and the slightly more budget-inclined with competitively priced all-inclusive package holidays. The compact town, sunny slopes, a good ratio of beginner runs and English-speaking instructors all help to warm beginners to both the sport and the resort.

Verbier itself has grown quickly over the last 40 years, which means that in places, it has lost some of its Alpine charm and village feel. This is particularly true in high season, when traffic blocks the main roads around Place Centrale. However many of the smaller streets in resort remain scenic and peaceful.

 

Key info

Resort altitude1500m - 1500m
Highest lift3330m
Lowest lift821m
Kms of piste195kms
No of lifts92
Black pistes5%
Red pistes33%
Blue pistes33%
Green pistes0%
Snow parks3
GlacierNo
Snowmaking177

Our penny’s worth

Staying in Verbier itself can sometimes be tricky whether it’s because of lack of available beds or the often pricey rates. Le Chable (821m) further down the valley has a village-feel, cheaper accommodation as well as a fast running gondola all the way up to Verbier.

Don't leave Verbier without...

• Taking a skidoo up the mountain for dinner at Chez Dany or La Marmotte
• Splashing out on a heli-ski trip with friends
• Staying in a mountain refuge hut and getting first tracks in the morning
• Braving a tandem paraglide
• Dancing all night at the Farm Club or Cas Bah

At a glance

Nearest airportsType of resortStay inGo for a
Basel
Geneva
Sion
Zurich
Mountain townChalets
Hostels
Hotels
Independent Travel
Self-Catered
Tour operator
Week
Week+
Weekend
Good forOn the pisteChildrenFood and drink
Cross-country
Freestyle
Heli-skiing
Ski-touring
Snowboarding
British ski schools
Online lift passes
Snow sure
Creches
Babysitting
Ski schools
Apres-ski
Evening drinking
Resort dining
Vegetarian
Family friendly
Live music
Late drinking
Mountain dining
OtherOther activities
Internet access
Churches
Adrenaline fuelled
Sightseeing
Relaxation
Shopping


Verbier guidebook

Buy Guide

Verbier
Report date:30 Apr 2008
Last snowed:na
Fresh snow:cm
Lifts open:na out of 35
Snow depth
Lower slopes:0cm
Upper slopes:0cm
Piste information
On-piste:na
Off-piste:na
Resort runs:na
Snow conditions
Resort is closed for the season