Verbier Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Verbier

Verbier has been ranked in 3 'Best of the Best' categories - for advanced skiers, off-piste skiing and après-ski. Voted the best of the Four Valleys domain, Verbier has access to 400km of pistes. It has an excellent sun and snow record, particularly at higher altitudes, also offering a limited amount of year-round skiing on the Mont Fort glacier. From here the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. There's a massive array of skiing throughout the area, with unlimited off-piste and great black runs for advanced skiers. There is also a specialist park for boarders. Tuition for better skiers is of the highest order, while the lift system has been constantly upgraded since 1994. The resort itself offers an excellent variety of restaurants, extremely lively nightlife and plenty for non-skiers to do.

Any disadvantages? The skiing lower down can be poor as a result of the sun. There can often be considerable queues. Prices are high, even for Switzerland and the accommodation won't be winning architectural awards any time soon.

Verbier is a superb resort, particularly for better skiers, but as the list of faults confirms, it isn't quite in the same league as some other domains - Whistler, the Trois Vallées and Val d'Isère / Tignes are all a head or more above. Nonetheless, this is a seriously good skiing venue and the views are among the best in the world.

Locality:

Verbier is justifiably famous as one of the most outstanding ski areas in Europe and lies high in a sunny, well-sheltered position in the heart of Switzerland's southern-most Alps with views of Mont Blanc to the west and the Matterhorn to the east.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 3330m (10925ft)
Lowest lift: 1500m (4921ft)
Vertical drop: 1830m (6004ft)
Number of lifts: 38
Uplift capacity: 41328 p/hr
Number of slopes: 70
Beginner: 39%
Intermediate: 42%
Expert: 19%
Total piste length: 125km
Snowboard parks: 2
Cross country: 20km

Verbier is justifiably famous as one of the most outstanding ski areas in Europe and lies high in a sunny, well-sheltered position in the heart of Switzerland's southern-most Alps with views of Mont Blanc to the west and the Matterhorn to the east.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Skiing - Night skiing: Heli skiing: Torchlit descents:

Snowboarding Snowparks: 2

Other Snow Sports Cross country: 20km Cross country equipment available: Snow shoeing: Snow shoes available: Telemark: Telemark equipment available: Sleigh rides: Skidoos:

Verbier, and the smaller resorts of Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thuyon and La Tzoumaz are all linked by one ski pass, which offers skiers and snowboarders one of the largest skiable areas in the Alps, including 255 miles (410km) of pistes of all standards. Verbier itself offers 122 miles (195km) of pistes for various levels of skiers and snowboarders. Advanced and intermediate skiers seek the resort's most famous slopes on the intimidatingly steep Mont Fort and the off-piste routes from Mont Gelé to Tortin and La Chaux. Verbier is also renowned for its vast amount of challenging off-piste skiing and demanding mogul runs, which are sought after by expert skiers and snowboarders. Beginners are also well catered for with excellent ski schools, nursery slopes in the centre of the village and a wide variety of blue (easy) runs on Savoleyres and Lac de Vaux.

The shopping in Verbier is excellent, though genearlly limited to groceries and ski wear. There are a range of boutiques and clothing stores, but most are very expensive.

A wide choice of restaurants caters to the international crowd with over 60 superb restaurants offering anything from traditional cuisine to Japanese and American fare. Rosalp and the Montpelier restaurants are well known for their award winning food, but are priced accordingly. Local specialities like fondues, raclette and rösti are served in traditional establishments like La Channe Valaisanne, Viex Valais and Le Carrefour. Vegetarians are well catered for. The main square is surrounded by cafes, patisseries and coffee shops.

Verbier has one of the wilder and more exciting nightlife scenes among the European winter ski resorts. The road running from the main ski lift to the town centre is the heart of the après ski action and there are plenty of bars and cafes around the town square. The Nelson Pub and King's Bar serve cocktails and fine wines; the Croquignolle is famous for its Long Island Iced Teas. Five nightclubs stay open and busy until 4am: Le Scotch attracts the younger crowd with happy hours and theme parties, and Big Ben is the gathering spot for teenagers. Tara Club has three bars and different music. L'Aristo and Marshal's Night Club are late night lounge bars. The Farm Club is perhaps the most famous nightspot in Verbier and is the choice for many celebrities. Regular guests keep their own bottle behind the bar and are waived past the long queue.

Besides skiing and snowboarding, Verbier also offers heliskiing, a six-mile (10km) toboggan run, ice-skating and cross-country skiing. As a top Alpine sports centre, Verbier also offers a sports and fitness centre, indoor swimming pools, curling, a climbing wall, and paragliding. It is also one of the best sites for hang gliding and parascending. Summer activities also include walking trails and superb mountain biking. The ski resort has good facilities for children of all ages.

Verbier's accommodation, restaurants and ski passes are expensive and queues for the lifts can be long during the holidays. The snow reliability is fairly good in Verbier and it's usually possible to ski down to the village, but as with all European ski resorts weather conditions are unpredictable and it is can be cloudy.

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Population: 7.489.400
Languages: German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official);
Currency: Swiss franc
Currency code: CHF
Local Times:
Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Z�rich

Country Dialling Code: +41
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Switzerland, in central Europe, is the land of the Alps. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes are certainly vast and varied. With the towering Alps, fairytale castles, forested hills, shimmering lakes, renaissance cathedrals, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's no surprise to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past 200 years.

Switzerland's peak season starts in November with the launch parties of the various ski resorts with visitors flocking into the resorts throughout the winter and Christmas season before finally hanging up the ski boots with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, the ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most of the resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.

Despite being most popular as a Ski destination, Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers mountain trails and spa resorts and in the sunny southern region of Ticino, visitors enjoy palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a variety of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 30,000 miles of forest and mountain trails throughout the country.

Switzerland's main cities include:

Zurich - Switzerland's biggest city and a major center of banking also has a thriving nightlife.
Geneva - This center of arts and culture, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is by far the international capital-- home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Geneva was the home of John Calvin during the Reformation, elevating the city to the rank of "Protestant Rome," the effects of which drive Geneva today.
Berne - The Swiss capital features an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost every street. Great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs. Check out the Einstein sites as well.
Basel - Slightly smaller than Geneva, Switzerland's third city is the traveler's gateway to the German Rhineland and Alsace.
Lausanne - While Geneva is busy being the international capital, Lausanne fills the role in most of the rest of French-speaking Switzerland. Scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws.
Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's top destination, with a gorgeous old-town and a pretty lake. The food is simply amazing.
Lucerne - Central Switzerland's main city with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic sights. It's pretty too, and though it is heavily touristed the views and museums make putting up with the crowds well worthwhile.

Verbier Travel Guide

Verbier Suitability Profile