A sprawling resort but fashionable nonetheless. It's one of the most famous ski resorts in Europe and is nestled in a well sheltered position that catches the sun in the heart of Switzerland's southern most Alps.
If you are going to stay try and get a place near the Medran lift. Many villas, apartments and hotesl are simply too far away and the buses can get very busy and stop at about 7pm. Grab a place near the Place Central and you won't be disappointed.
Resort Restaurants
Verbier Restaurants
Verbier has over 75 restaurants to choose from so there is a lot of variety. Here's a few you may want to try
La Marleinz La Marmotte Chez Dany
Sonalon Al Capone La Grange Le Hameau Kings Restaurant Montpellier
Nightlife..
Verbier Nightlife & Verbier Bars
Pub Mont Fort if you are young, close to the Medran. One to head to for Apres Ski
Casbah in the Farinet hotel - head down to the basement, more reasonably priced than the Farm Pub
New club - a sophisticated piano bar
Farm Club - very expensive but lively
1936 - head to the Mayentzet Chairlift, this is on the slopes below. Great location on the way back home. Sunny deck, good DH's and a BBQ
Verbier Bars with WIFI
- so take your laptop
Big Ben, Rue de Medran King's Cafe, Rue de la Poste Cilantro, Place Centrale Farinet Lounge, Place Centrale Pub Mont Fort, Chemin de la Tinte
go for swimming, ice hockey,skating, squash and curling.
There is also ice climbing, snowshoeing and paragliding Paragliding - 027 771 6818
There is a cinema which runs English versions - check with the local Tourist Office.
Accommodation
Verbier Accommodation
Verbier Hotels
Where to stay in Verbier - lack of apartments because they are all owned by the rich who don't like to rent them out. Lots of chalets used by holiday companies to choose from - check out various brochures. 5* Chalet de Adrien 771 6200 www.chalet-adrien.com - this is luxury at a price
3* Poste - 771 6681 3* Farinet 771 6626 www.hotelfarinet.com - great location Bunker at the Sports Centre - for those on a ltd budget. 0041 27 771 6602 www.thebunker.ch
The Lodge
Looking for the ultimate luxury, price no problem? Why not stay at The Lodge, it's part of Sir Richard Branson's wonderful portfolio of retreats that include Necker Island in BVI. Located near the Medran lift station this lodge has been turned into a winter playground including steam-room, gym, and ice rink. Prices start from £35K per week and more details can be found at www.virgin.com/limitededition
About The Mountain
Ski Verbier
Welcome to a vast ski are of over 400km of runs including links to Thyon, Nendaz and Veysonnaz. . The Mont Fort glacier is pretty much guaranteed snow. Verbier is very much a high mountain resort so watch the queues even on the slopes at the end of the day. OK so they call it he 4 Valleys but for manuy visitors they would prefer the large resorts in France which really link together well.
Snowboarders - There's loads of domain to explore for the freeriders with trees, wide pistes and at times some excellent powder. The 1936 Neypark at La Choux is where you should heard for, there is a good selection of rails including a wall ride, a cross Rail and a Flat up. The outstanding feature of the park is the skate style pyramid. DJ's and a chill out zone makes the day a good one. The Verbier O'Neil Xtreme contest is held here every year sponsored by Swatch. Definitely a freerider resort as well.
Advanced skiers & Boarders - Verbier attracts a hard core of skier who love the offpiste. It has some of the best and varied off piste in the world today. The Mont Fort cable car sends you to the glacier and from there head to the Tortin snow bowl with some big bumps from top to bottom.
Intermediates - Probably not the mile hungry place you would imagine but there is excellent and varied runs all around, and there are over 43 lifts sevicing over 206km of runs for you. Some slopes can get crowded - try and head over to the underused Saraleyres Areas.
Beginners Skiers - probably not a Snowbrainer first choice for beginners but enough to keep you happy before ou quickly progress. There are sunny nursery slopes just above the village centre and on Savolyres, with tree lined runs down to La Tzoumaz. Investment has been made recently with new magic carpet lifts in the Esserts beginners area.
Lift Passes for Verbier Where can you get lift tickets for Verbier / Mont Fort / La Tzoumaz and the 4 Vallees ? Buy your ski-pass online for 1-21 days and you won't have to queue for your lift tickets when you are in the resort. Go to www.esecure.ch/verbier/
Mountain Restuarants
Verbier Mountain Restaurants
There are 37 mountain restaurants at last count. We recommend the following
As Verbier is within the Valais area of the Alps in Switzerland other nearby resorts include Crans Montana ,Betteralp, Riederalp, Brig Belalp, Gorms, Nendaz, Portes Du Soleil, Saas Fee Sion Region and of course the famous and Zermatt
Ski & Snowboard Hire Shop
Verbier Ski Rental & Verbier Snowboard Rental
We recommend getting your ski hire and snowboards at Xtreme Sports in Verbier. If you book online here at Snowbrainer you can make big savings on the recommended retail price for all your winter equipment. Your equipment will be waiting for you in the shop on your arrival.
Save time and money - It's a NO BRAINER - Book Here Now!
Ski Books, Snowboard Books and Ski Holiday Information Books
Looking for some information before you go on holiday or looking for a book to read when you are there. Here's some books we recommend. They're worth a read before you head off on your winter holiday or they can make great presents for skiers and snowboarders.
Top 5 Things To Take
Easy to use Piste Maps & Ski Trails Looking for high detailed piste maps for your GPS? Snowranger sells affordable quality digital maps that are great for any ski or snowboard trip. For those of you who’ve ever wondered which run gets you back to France from the Swiss side of Portes du Soleil or you’re racing the clock to get back from a Courchevel lunch to Val Thorens before the lifts shut this is invaluable kit. No more wrestling wet paper maps with frozen fingers! There are over 500 ski resorts piste maps in Europe and North America available. Go to Snow-Forecast Snowranger Film your Mates Jumps, Tricks & Shameful Ski / Snowboard Moments. We love the JAMCAM – it’s a head camera that allows you to capture your days skiing or snowboarding on the mountain. You can rent or buy the kit so for more details head to www.jam-cam.tv If you take the JAMCAM rental service in resort they include a host to record your day. The alternative is to rent before you leave, taking the equipment to the ski resort of your choice and posting back on your return. Gift vouchers are available via the website offering an unusual Christmas or Birthday present for your ski & snowboard mad friends.
What's an easy way to carry skis? Well we found the ‘THE HANDLE’ . This nifty little device allows you to carry your skis around without causing major injury to yourself and other members of the public. It’s incredibly easy to use – no Velcro just a click buckle. It’s also light and small enough to put in your pocket. www.ski-walker.com
Reviews
Verbier has been a favourite of group for many years. Awesome skiing and snowboarding every time we go and thanks to Snowbrainer for looking after our ski hire. Great discounts saved up over £250at Xtreme Sports between the 6 of us. Will use you again next year.
By L Radford on 23/10/2009 07:50:16
We love skiing in Verbier and head over there every year pre Christmas. We’ve been lucky this year with the fantastic pre-Christmas snowfall. The scenery is breathtaking and the off piste skiing and snowboarding is incredible. Cheers Snowbrainer for sorting us out with great ski/snowboard equipment! See ya next year!
By C Henry on 28/12/2009 09:29:39
We went to Verbier on a girls ski weekend - week what a blast! I don't think I'd been to on a holiday where there were so many guys. Of course we were treated like queens and I'd thoroughly recommend the Farm Club - take some nice clothes!
Skiing was great, though we did stop a lot for hot chocolates. Booked online to get the deal for ski hire with snow-brainer and the Xtreme shop were brill. Can't wait to get back to the resort.
By Sarah H. on 11/01/2010 09:34:15
Verbier has a cult following and e have just joined the club. Awesome place with plenty of variety of slopes whilst the off-piste is just terrific. Only bugbear was the buses around resort got a little full. Xtreme Sports was as good as you said they would be so We would definately use you guys again for our ski rentals.