Verbier

Verbier doesn’t take any prisoners; it has built its world class reputation around the incredible off piste terrain on offer as well as some of the most challenging pistes in the world. There are a decent amount of cruisy runs but these are very much in the minority.

The ski domain is called the 4 Valleys, please don’t think that it in anyway trumps the 3 valleys in terms of ski area as it doesn’t. The best skiing (by a country mile) is actually in the Verbier sector itself, by all means venture over to the others areas on offer but you will tend to find you stick to Verbier once the area has been explored.

BEGINNERS:

If you have never been skiing before then Verbier can actually work for you. There are 3 nursery slopes in and around resort level, Les Esserts, Les Moulins and Le Rouge. The latter being a blue piste with some narrow sections but it is also the only one of the 3 that is linked with the rest of the ski areas, the others independent from the ski area and best reached by bus from the village centre. There are plans to insert a track across a road to link the Essert piste with Le Rouge lift but this remains unconfirmed at this time.

INTERMEDIATES:

Verbier does have pistes that suit intermediates although they tend to most red runs. There are two areas that buck the trend, the Savoleyres ski area which is a bus ride from the town centre gives intermediates a decent selection of flattering blues and easy reds. The fact it is removed from the main ski area can be a benefit as it is generally quiet in comparison. The other area is La Chaux, a wide open bowl area that is perfect for getting your ski legs going before heading out for something a touch more challenging. The resort snow park is also based here and it is very good indeed.

EXPERTS:

Where to start? The whole area does seem geared towards skiers looking for very steep and challenging terrain. The two areas that experts flock towards are the Mont Fort and Tortin peaks. Both of which offer incredible off piste terrain and some knee juddering mogul experiences. Neither of these are for anything less than experts and the off piste terrain should only be attempted with a guide and valid winter sports insurance. There is also another smaller area called Les Brusons that up to this point was a closely guarded secret with the locals but it is now well linked to Verbier itself. Verbier didn’t need more powder fields, it had more than enough already, but that is exactly what this lift has opened up!

This is the other part of a skiing holiday that Verbier is a world-beater. In terms of après-ski there are 3 main bars that we recommend and all offer a completely different vibe. Top of the list is Le Farinet, whilst not an “on hill” bar, it is on the Place Centrale and only a 5 minute walk from the Medran lift and pistes. Le Farinet is a real après-ski event, dancing on tables, live bands and jugs of beer are the order of the day here. The other port of call is Le Rouge, a wonderful mountain restaurant and bar at the bottom of Le Rouge piste. This is a more tranquil affair, think a few glasses of beer or rose in the sun whilst listening to the DJs choice of chilled beats. Stop number 3 is the Mont Fort, probably the only reasonably priced bar left in the resort and certainly the owner of the best happy hour.

Once après-revellers have gone back to their chalets or partied themselves to a stand-still, the bars quieten down until the evening. For some after dinner drinks, again there is a wide range of possibilities. The T Bar is a loud and gregarious affair right in the Place Centrale, popular with Brits as well as seasonnaires too. The Fer A Cheval is as much a restaurant as it is a bar but a great place for a few drinks. Pub Montfort tends to come in to its own at this time and is probably the resort’s most popular spot for the evening.

For those looking to stay out till the wee hours, fear not, this is perhaps where Verbier trumps the other après-ski heavy hitters. Casbah and the Farm Club are justifiably famous night spots and well worth a visit. The latter being a real institution, a real hit with celebrities and as expensive as you might expect….

European Snow Sport: http://www.europeansnowsport.com/

Le Fantastique: http://www.lafantastique.com

New Generation: http://www.skinewgen.com/

Adrenaline International (ESI) http://adrenaline-verbier.ch/