Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bashing stars. Yet despite its ritzy packaging, Verbier is that rare beast of a resort - all
things to all people. It swings from schnapps-fuelled debauchery to VIP lounges, bunker
hostels to design-oriented hotels, burgers to Michelin stars. Here ski bums and celebs sla-
lom in harmony on powder that is legendary.
Unlike smaller resorts, Verbier shuts down between seasons.
Activities
Something of a recreation mecca, there is an activity to suit every outdoor urge. For an
overview and on-the-ground guidance hook up with a local mountain guide at
Les Guides
de Verbier
(
027 775 33 70;
www.guideverbier.com
;
Place de Médran).
Skiing
Verbier's skiing is justifiably billed as some of Europe's finest. The resort sits at the heart
of the Quatre Vallées (Four Valleys), comprising a cool 412km of runs and 94 ski lifts. A
regional ski pass costs Sfr65 per day. Cheaper passes excluding Mont Fort are also avail-
able. The terrain is exciting and varied, with beginners on gentle slopes at
Le Rouge
and
intermediates carving long slopes at
La Chaux
. Boarders make for the latter to catch big
air on kickers and rails.
Savvy Skiing: Best Queue-Free Resorts
Valais enjoys the luxury of having it all when it comes to ski resorts: from star-studded high-flyers firmly on the
paparazzi map, such as Zermatt (
Click here
) and Verbier (
Click here
), to tiny villages down lost valleys where
you can dress as you want and don't have to queue. Oh, and ski passes don't cost the earth.
The perfect mix of big skiing and storybook charm, Bettmeralp (
Click here
) is a pearl of Swiss mountain charm
where cars are banned, kids are towed about on wooden Davos sledges and high-altitude slopes cruise breathlessly
above the Aletsch Glacier. Car-free Saas Fee (
Click here
) is posher, pricier, bigger and better known but has that
same 'go slow, real village' vibe.
Hiking
The walking here is naturally superb. From Les Ruinettes, it takes 1½ hours to ascend to
the ridge at Creblet, and down into the crater to Lac des Vaux.
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