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A Resort Guide to Verbier

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After my ski trip to Verbier in December 2017, I’ve put together this handy resort guide to Verbier for anyone considering a trip to this glamorous Swiss ski resort.

An Introduction to Verbier

Verbier is one of Switzerland’s best-known ski resorts and the largest in the 4 Vallées ski area. With its stunning location, challenging pistes and legendary après-ski, Verbier attracts a stylish, energetic crowd. Whilst snowboarders are catered for, Verbier is a resort dominated by skiers. Both skiers and snowboarders have their pick of 80 lifts and 400km of runs and on a clear day the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Verbier town is quaint and compact with most of the bars, shops and restaurants scattering around Place Centrale (about 500m from the main gondola Médran).

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Getting There

Verbier’s closest airport is Geneva. The best way to get from Geneva to Verbier is by a pre-booked shuttle bus or private transfer, both of which would take 2 to 2.5 hours. We booked our airport transfers with AlpyBus who provided a very efficient and friendly service. They run regular mini-buses, which even had Wi-Fi! I would definitely recommend using them.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Beginners Beware

If you are planning your ski trip as a beginner, there are a few things to know about Verbier. The novice areas are very limited and are located away from the main piste access points. This means that it could take beginners a fair few days until they can access the main skiing areas via Médran (which may isolate them from the rest of their group). Verbier definitely isn’t the most beginner-friendly resort I have visited, but it’s certainly not impossible for beginners to learn here. Lessons are on offer for people who have never even stepped into a ski boot. If you need to find a good ski school in Verbier, I would recommend New Generation Ski School.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Where to Stay

In terms of accommodation, private chalet hire will always be a popular choice in Verbier. However, if you fancy checking in to a cosy, yet stylish Alpine hotel, here are my two top picks

Cordée des Alpes 

Cordée des Alpes is a 4-star boutique hotel with an Alpine-chic theme running throughout. It’s home to a fine dining restaurant as well as a stunning spa complex with jaccuzi, pool, hammam and sauna. The interiors are beautiful and the service is superb. Be sure to read my full Cordée des Alpes hotel review to find out more. Book direct with code TRAVELISTA18 to receive a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival.

W Verbier 

Another hotel contender is W Verbier, which opened in December 2013. In terms of style, the W Verbier combines alpine influences with the contemporary style that the W Group is known for. The hotel features a spa, fitness centre, bar, café and indoor and outdoor pools. With an unrivalled location at the foot of the Médran cable car, a stay at the W Verbier provides the ultimate ski-in ski-out experience. Book Now.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Where to Eat 

Verbier is home to a melting-pot of restaurants which serve up a lot more than the traditional Swiss Savoyarde options. Here are some of my favourite restaurants in Verbier, all tried and tested by yours truly.

Milk Bar, Rue de Médran 2

Located just off the Place Centrale, Milk Bar is a cosy little café on top of an epic Swiss cheese shop. It’s the perfect place to hangout with a hot chocolate after a day of skiing or a great place for lunch if you’re not heading off to the mountains. Be sure to sample their sweet and savoury crepes, which are both delicious. It’s the kind of place you could relax in all day, and the service is very friendly too.

Le Caveau, Place Centrale

No Swiss ski trip is complete without trying a Cheese fondue at least once. And if you’re only going to do it once, Le Caveau is the place to go. Open the door, step behind the heavy draft curtain and you’ll immediately be hit by a heady yet heavenly waft of cheese. Indulge in one of their specialty fondues and burn it off on the slopes the next day. Being perfectly located on Place Centrale means you can’t miss it.

Mouton Noir, Médran Top Station

As well as being a popular après-ski destination, Mouton Noir is the perfect place to stop for lunch up the mountain, with a reasonably priced self-service restaurant on the ground floor and an a la carte restaurant on the first floor. Both offer outdoor terrace dining and incredible views of the valley below.

La Cordée Restaurant, Rue du Centre Sportif 24

Even if you’re not planning to stay at Cordée des Alpes, booking a table for dinner one night in La Cordée Restaurant would be a real treat. Both the food and service are at Michelin star level and the setting is relaxed, refined and stylish. If you want to treat yourself to some fine dining whilst in Verbier, this is the place to come. Non-residents are welcome.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Where to Après-Ski

Verbier is known for it’s legendary après-ski, which generally kicks off every day between 3-5pm. There are après-ski options both in the mountains and down in Verbier town. Here are some of the most popular spots that I experienced.

Pub Mont Fort, Chemin de la Tinte 10

Affectionately known as ‘The Pub’ by regulars and seasonaires, Pub Mont Fort is an après-ski staple in Verbier. It has a very casual and relaxed vibe with a large sun terrace and is conveniently located close to the bottom of theMédran cable car. You can also come here eat if you’re after some decent pub grub such as their famous burgers. Happy Hour runs from 4pm-5pm when it’s half-price on beers, wines and soft drinks.

Mouton Noir, Médran Top Station

Mouton Noir plays many hats, depending on what time of day and which month you’re visiting it. In high ski season, Mouton Noir is Verbier’s answer to La Folie Douce, with open-air DJs, live performers, table top dancing and champagne sprays. Happy Hour runs from 3pm-4pm.

Ice Cube, Médran Top Station

Nestled just 50 meters from Mouton Noir is Ice Cube, a smaller après-ski option with its own resident DJ. Ice Cube is open all day, starting with morning coffees and ending with après-ski tipples. Happy Both Mouton Noir and Ice Cube are accessible to non-skiers but they’ll need a valid lift pass to use the Médran cable car. Hour runs from 3pm-4pm.

Farinet, Place Centrale 6

Farinet Lounge Bar is one for those that want to continue their après-ski into the small hours of the night. Expect roaring log fires and live DJs every night until 2am. The fun kicks off at 4pm at the Après-Ski Bar. Both bars are part of Hotel Farinet, which is another great hotel option in Verbier.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
Things to Do Beyond Skiing

There are some great alternative activities in Verbier, but pretty much all of them are based on the snow.

Verbier Sledge Run

Verbier is home to the longest sledge run in the French part of Switzerland. Make a speedy decent down the 834 metre course and take in some amazing panoramas of the valley. Perfect for families or simply an alternative activity away from skiing. Top Tip: The sledge run is weather dependent so always check before visiting.

Dog Sledding with Ewya’s Trails

Be exhilarated on a husky dog sledding expedition. Ewya’s Trails offer experiences for 1 hour, half a day and a full day. Rates start from 160 CF per adult and 80 CF per child up to 15 years. Visit chiensdetraineau.ch more information.

Paragliding on Skis

If you fancy something that will get the adrenaline pumping, why not go paragliding in Verbier? Fly Verbier offer tandem paragliding flights which go from the top of Medran. I got to experience this during my time in Verbier and it was one of the most epic and memorable things I have ever done. Read more about it in my Paragliding in Verbier post. Visit flyverbier.ch to book.

A Resort Guide to Verbier
What to Wear

As with all ski resorts, the dress code is always casual. It’s 100% acceptable to rock up to après-ski in your ski gear and stay in it until late (or as long as your feet can put up with ski boots). If you’re able to go for a costume change, keep it casual. For a definitive packing list, be sure to check out my blog post What to Pack on a Ski Trip.

What did you think of my resort guide to Verbier? Are you planning a trip to Verbier yourself or have you visited before? If you have more tips I’d love you to add them in a comment below, or just let me know your thoughts! Jess x

My trip to Verbier was part of a collaboration with Cordée des Alpes. All views are my own. Some images supplied by the Verbier Tourist Office.

 

Comments

  1. Thanks for the post!

    Headed to Verbier in a couple weeks. Do I need to pack any shoes other than snow boots? Would there be any need for riding boots, booties, flats, etc? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Caroline! Glad you enjoyed this post. I would say to avoid riding boots as they have a smooth sole so no grip on the snow. As an alternative to snow boots, hiking boots or some boots with grip e.g. Timberland boots would be ideal for the evening if you don’t fancy getting laden down in the snow boots. Have an amazing time in Verbier, its an amazing resort. xx

      Reply

    • Thanks for your comment Mrs B! It’s definitely one of the most beautiful ski resorts I have visited, the bright blue skies did help! 🙂 x

      Reply

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