Verbier

Verbier Ski Resort

Famed for its world-class off piste terrain, vibrant night life and vast linked ski area, Verbier is quite rightly a Ski Club favourite.

The 410km of pistes extend across four valleys and are littered with classic off piste routes – such as the Tortin, the Vallon d’Arbi, Mont Fort and Mont Gelé – Verbier really is as good as it gets for expert skiers. Just be sure to grab first lifts after new snow as its reputation is not secret and the best routes track out quickly. This doesn’t mean that intermediates shouldn’t visit however, as there are plenty of on piste options spread across the mountain.

Verbier itself sprawls out over a sunny plateau and is made up mostly of smart hotels and luxury chalets so if you’re looking to visit on a budget, Le Châble or Nendaz might make better bases. Après ski in Verbier is perhaps the best in Switzerland, with the action starting on the slopes before moving later on into town.

By far the best way to make the most of the town (we meet each evening in T-Bar) and explore the slopes is with the Ski Club’s Leader Service – in resort this season between 15th December and 6th April. There is also a fantastic Ski Club Freshtracks holiday heading out on 19th January, aimed at intermediate and advanced off piste skiers.

Be sure to also check out the Ski Club’s Verbier Facebook Group to see the latest condition updates and to meet up with fellow members when you arrive.

Our Verbier Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Verbier Skiing and Snowboarding

Most of the skiing is on high, big mountain terrain above the treeline, with the off piste itineraries the undoubted highlight. For experts the choice is almost limitless, but there are some good on piste routes and the adventure to the far end of the 4 Vallées ski area is well worth the effort – just make sure first that you’re comfortable with long draglifts.

• Total Pistes: 410km
• Blue: 26%
• Red: 49%
• Black (including itineraries): 25%
• Lifts: 67
• Altitude: 821m – 3330m

For Beginners

There are sunny nursery slopes in the middle of the village, where two drag lifts and the Audi Kids Village form the main beginner area. These are well equipped with snowmaking, so despite the sun and low altitude, snow reliability can be assured. The progression to longer runs is not that straightforward, but the easy blues at La Chaux and on the back of Savoleyres are decent for the next step.

For Intermediates

The intermediate slopes in the main area are concentrated above and below Les Ruinettes, but these can get crowded at times. For quieter, but slightly shorter runs, the cruisey blues and reds around Savoleyres are a good bet. Getting around elsewhere can be time-consuming and reaching the end of the 4 Vallées network involves a lot of lift riding – but it is definitely worth it to reach the web of blues and reds between Siviez and Thyon.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

Most of Verbier’s extensive steep runs are classified as itineraries – they are marked and are avalanche controlled, but they are not maintained or patrolled – so you should not ski them alone. If open and after fresh snow these routes are spectacular, but they do become increasingly challenging as the moguls build in the days after a snowfall. When the weather is bad, the trees in Bruson are a great place to explore and catching the gondola down from town is well worth the effort. By far the best way to make the most of what is on offer is by using the Ski Club’s Leader Service or by hiring a mountain guide.

Verbier Piste Map

The Verbier piste map can be downloaded here.

Verbier Ski Pass Prices

Several options are available but we would strongly recommended buying the 4 Vallées pass to make the most of your stay &ndash. Lift pass prices are more expensive between 22nd December and 5th January and then again between 9th February and 9th March, whilst the hands-free key card costs an additional 5 CHF.

Do check with the resort’s website and make sure you order your pass online more than ten days in advance to get a 10% discount on all of the prices below. Alternatively give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.

An annual pass costs 1649 CHF but this does cover the entire area and the mountain lifts during the summer to access Verbier’s world-class bike park. The Mont4Card offers much cheaper rates to those born between 1994-2003 (600 CHF) and 2004-2011 (500 CHF). More information can be found on the resort’s website and cheaper prices are available if booked before 30th September. 

Verbier Season Dates

• Verbier opening date: 1st December 2018 (earlier weekend opening if snow conditions allow)
• Verbier closing date: 28th April 2019 (some sectors close earlier)
• Savoleyres: 8th December 2018 – 22nd April 2019
• Bruson: 15th December 2018 – 7th April 2019

For full details see the resort's website as different sectors of the resort opening and close at different times and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009.

Verbier Resort

Most of the resort spreads out from the Place Centrale and the base of the Medran gondolas, which form the buzzing hub of what is now a pretty big town. Luxury chalets and hotels extend up and down the sunny plateau – so be prepared to walk a little bit to get to the slopes or back from town in the evening. The eating out options – both on and off the slopes – are extensive but can also be slightly on the expensive side, even by Swiss standards.

For Families

The nursery slopes are very central and the ski school's facilities are good, so this is a good place to bring the little ones, especially as nanny services are aplenty. Off the slopes there is plenty to keep children busy, with the sledge run in La Tsoumaz particularly popular – it is one of the longest in the whole of Switzerland.

For Après

The Verbier après scene is as vibrant as it gets – but do try and make the most of happy hours and just be careful not to get too carried away as drinks are not cheap! The action starts on the slopes at Chalet Carlsberg and the yurts of Bar 1936 before moving on to two of the best resort bars in the Alps – Farinet and Pub Mont Fort. T-Bar is also popular with British visitors and hosts the Ski Club’s nightly social hour. If you make it out later then the famous Farm Club is the place to be seen.

How to get to Verbier

As with many Swiss resorts, getting to Verbier is easiest by train and the excellent Swiss Railway System although the final stretch must be made by bus or gondola – Geneva is the closest airport at just under three hours away. Driving from Geneva takes around two hours and numerous companies offer transfers, which is much easier than hiring a car as parking is at a premium in the resort.

• Geneva airport: 2 hours (driving) – 2.5 hours (by train)
• Zürich airport: 3 hours (driving) – 4 hours (by train)
• Basel airport: 3 hours (driving) – 4.5 hours (by train)
• Calais: approximately 10 hours driving (528 miles)

Verbier Contact Details

• Website: www.verbier.ch 
• Email: info@verbier.ch
• Telephone: +41 27 775 38 88
• Facebook: @VerbierSwitzerland 
• Instagram: verbier
• Twitter: @VerbierResorts