Guide to Verbier, Swiss Alps

Verbier is a superb ski resort in the Valais region of southern Switzerland. The skiing is part of the 4 Valleys area. There is an enormous range of very challenging runs and unlimited off-piste, and lots of steep sweeping runs criss cross the mountain. It is even possible to do a tour of all Four Valleys, skiing 50 miles in a single day. Beginners might find the resort less suitable, as the availability of nursery slopes and blue runs are limited. The scenery and views around the year-round Mont Fort Glacier skiing area are among the best in the world. Verbier has a brilliant sun and snow record and artificial snow installations ensure constant good conditions. Unfortunately there can sometimes be considerable queues and the place is not cheap.

Mountain Information

	Resort Altitude	1500m
	Vertical Drop	1830 m
	Top Lift	3330 m
	Lifts	38
	Total Runs	70 (125 km)
	Longest Run	15 km
	Cross Country	28 km

Getting to Verbier

The best and cheapest way to travel to Verbier ski resort is to first find one of the many cheap flights to Geneva, Chambery or Turin. The ski resort lies at the end of a high and winding stretch of road out of Martigny, the nearest town which is 16 miles away. Geneva (97 miles) has the closest airport to Verbier, Chambery is about 120 miles away, Turin 115 miles. From Geneva, take the main railway line to Martigny and transfer to a local train for Le Châble, from there a postal bus makes the 25-minute trip to Verbier. By car, Verbier is approximately 530 miles from Calais via Reims, Dijon and Lausanne.

Accommodation in Verbier

There is a mixture of apartment blocks and wooden chalet acommodation. Many guests stay in private or rented Swiss-style chalets, but apartments can be booked locally. Chalets outnumbers hotel beds by 10 to 1, many are run by tour operators. There are some inexpensive B&B's and modest hotels in le Chable. Verbier isn't cheap, if you're on a budget you might be happier somewhere else. The only cheap accommodation in Verbier are the dormitories in The Bunker, an underground atomic bomb shelter located in the sports centre.

Nightlife and restaurants

Verbier is world class when it comes to après-ski and nightlife. The village takes on a completely new life after dark. There are plenty of pubs and bars, nightclubs and discos for everyone. Food for every taste and budget is served in Verbier's 60 or so restaurants and food outlets, with Swiss, American, Argentine, Chinese, French Gastronomic, Indian, Italian and Mexican to choose from.

Activities

The resort has an excellent sports centre and swimming pool, an ice rink and sauna. Some other activities include mountaineering, ice climbing, hang gliding, paragliding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, snow tubing and good waymarked walking trails plus an Alpine museum. There is also the fabulous Sunrise Park and halfpipe and obstacles at Mont Fort and La Chaux for snowboarders. Possible excursions are Montreux and the Roman ruins at Martigny.