Located in the southwestern Switzerland in the Valais region, the Verbier ski resort is regarded among the largest holiday resort and ski areas in the Swiss Alps. What makes Verbier as one of the most popular winter resorts in the world is its vast area for skiing and snowboarding for all levels along with the off-piste and semi off-piste opportunities. Skiing in and around Verbier is split into four areas, Verbier, La Tzoumaz/Savoleyres, Bruson, and Mt Fort/4 Valleys, which are different from each other providing varied terrain types as per the difficulty levels.
Verbier’s ski field ranges from 1500 m to 3330 m (Mont Fort) from where you can view the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc (among the tallest Europe peaks). It is part of the Four Valleys ski area that involves the ski resorts of Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, and Thyon offering a total of 410 km runs. A ski pass permits for a skiing or snowboarding tour to the other Four Valleys ski resorts of Bruson, Evolène, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Siviez, Thyon les Collons, and Veysonnaz. Expect access to 412 km of downhill skiing and 193 individual pistes with 92 ski lifts. In Verbier itself, there are 35 lifts covering the Savoleyeres/La Tzoumaz and Bruson sectors. A standard Verbier pass makes you explore these sectors, 33 standard ski runs, two snowparks, ‘Jardin de Neige’ (flat area for small children who are learning skiing), four cross-country pistes, and two walking areas.
The off-piste itineraries that you must explore include Vallon D’Arby, Tortin, Gentianes, Mont Fort, Mont Gele, and other remarkable runs like Stairway to Heaven, Rock Garden, Col de Mines, Fontanet, and Creblet. You will be surprised to know that Verbier is among a few resorts that offer a mountain with no pistes coming down, Mt Gele. For the beginners, the slopes in the village are perfect. But, for some more adventure, enjoy the slopes atop the Savoleyres cable-car, at Lac des Vaux, and on the Mont Fort glacier amidst the best skiing and snow conditions. On the other hand, for the experts, there are options like Mont Fort, Mont Gélé, Tortin, and the 4-Valleys.
Besides groomed pistes, Verbier has marked ski trips to direct skiers and snowboarders to unbelievable off-piste terrain, mogul runs, powder pockets, steep chutes, and extreme terrain in the Alps. The region is excellent for expert skiers, fabulous for intermediate skiers, good for beginners, and superb for snowboarding.
Season
December to Early May
Statistics
- Black Runs – 5 (7 km)
- Red Runs – 20 (31 km)
- Blue Runs – 19
- Downhill pistes – 412 km
- Cross country trails – 20 km
- Ski lifts – 17
- Max vertical – 1830 m
- Highest lift – 3330 m
- Lowest piste – 1500 m
- Resort altitude – 1500 m
- Longest run – 16 km
- Terrain parks – 1
- Total runs – 100
- Beginner runs – 35
- Intermediate runs – 55
- Advanced runs – 10
- Total lifts – 95
- Chair lifts – 33
- Drag lifts – 43
- Gondolas/Cable cars – 19
- Snow cannons – Yes
- Uphill capacity – 41418
Activities
- Skiing
- Cross country skiing
- Snowboarding
- Ski mountaineering
- Snow making
- Hiking
- Ice hockey
- Squash
- Tennis
- Tobogganing
- Sledding
- Paragliding
Destinations Close to Verbier
- Econe, CH – 3.5 mi.
- Martigny, CH – 6.4 mi.
- Veysonnaz, CH – 8.9 mi.
- Sion, CH – 11 mi.
- Chesieres, CH – 16 mi.
- Champery, CH – 18 mi.
- Crans, CH – 18 mi.
- Leysin, CH – 20 mi.
- Sierre, CH – 21 mi.
- Chamonix, FR – 21 mi.
Attractions near Verbier
Bex Salt Mine is worth visiting, as it is the only active mine in Switzerland. It is located at a distance of 15.3 miles. Next, Glacier 3000 is also unique in the sense that it is the only glacier in the area. Located at a distance of 17.6 miles, it is open for skiing from October until the beginning of May.
Reaching Verbier
From Verbier, three airports within two hours drive are easily accessible. But, the nearest airport is Sion Airport that is one hour drive away.
