This lively resort has few equals in the skiing world – apart from perhaps France’s Chamonix and Jackson Hole in Wyoming, USA. Not many destinations have the huge quantity and quality of steep and rugged terrain that’s easy to access from the piste and doesn’t require a helicopter to reach. The views are fabulous, too.

There are 410 kilometres (255 miles) of slopes and the top lift rises to 3,330 metres (10,925 feet). Beginners are catered for as well – at Les Moulins and Les Esserts areas – but this is a resort that’s really best left until you’re a proficient skier or snowboarder. To help boost that proficiency, there are some fabulous ski schools here, including Warren Smith Ski Academy, New Generation, and Element Concept.

Verbier used to have a dearth of restaurants, both on and off the mountain, but that has been rectified with several recent additions. When it comes to accommodation, there are a number of fine hotels and inns, but for many people the best holiday experience here is staying in a chalet (bookings: Verbier Exclusive).

The nightlife, by the way, is every bit as good as the action on the slopes. Verbier aficionados come both to ski hard and to party hard. Après-ski choice includes the Farinet Lounge Bar, Le Rouge, and Carve at the W Verbier hotel.

The closest airport is Geneva, 163 km (101 mi.) and about a two-hour drive away.

Read more in our post The Top 6 Winter/Ski Resorts of Switzerland.


Leo-Setä