Ski holidays in Ski holidays in Verbier…

The skiing in Verbier is varied and has runs to suit many standards although intermediates and experts will appreciate it the most, with some of the best off-piste and semi off-piste opportunities in the world (these include the itineraries: Vallon D'Arby, Tortin, Gentianes, Mont Fort and other notable off piste 'runs' such as the Backside of Mt Fort, Stairway to Heaven, Rock Garden, Col des Mines, Couloir des Dix, Col de la Banane, Fontanet and Creblet).

Verbier's ski domain ranges from 1500m to 3330m. From which the view extends to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. It is part of the "Four Valleys" ski area, which includes the ski resorts of Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Thyon with a total of 410km marked runs.

For beginners

Great skiers need to start somewhere, and Verbier nurtures its young and inexperienced in the heart of the village on the nursery slopes of Les Esserts before progressing to the open, tree-lined runs of Savoleyres and later, the wide open slopes of the glacier La Chaux also offers great beginner terrain with nice, easy runs which tend to soften up in the afternoon given its south facing orientation. 

Snow parks

The La Chaux Park in Verbier is, as the name implies, in the La Chaux sector directly under the Chaux Express chairlift. Kickers, rails and even an airbag feature in the Verbier park which sits in a natural sunny bowl. The park is sponsored by Swatch and features a camera system that allows visitors to have their run through the park and on the airbag filmed and then shared on line. The park is used each year as the host for Verbier Ride competition and although the park is shaped specifically for that competition it maintains a similar lay out for the rest of the season with some pretty sizable kickers and technical rails.

Off Piste

Verbier is famed for its off-piste and is known as the free ride capital of Europe. As well as being home to the notorious Mont Fort and Tortin (named as one of the world's scariest ski runs by the Daily Telegraph), Verbier is also home to routes such as Col de Gentianes, Col de Mouches, Backside Mont Fort and Stairway to Heaven. If you get bored of these then there is plenty more off piste to explore in Tzaoumaz, Savoleyres and Bruson. It is imperative that you take all the safety precautions you can, shovels and probes and beepers can be purchased or hired. Speak to lift operators prior to going off piste as they will have a better idea of what is safe and what isn’t. To be extra safe professional guides can be hired who have all the local knowledge to take you to the best spots without sacrificing safety.

Ski & Snowboard hosts

VIP SKI offer a free ski and snowboarding service to help you find your way around the Verbier 4 Valley ski area. This service is open to all skiers who feel able to tackle red runs with confidence. The service is available 3 days a week between 9.30am and 4:30pm. The hosts will find you the best snow, the best lunch stop and the quickest lifts. The meeting point for the service will be discussed when the ski host visits your chalet, if ski hosting is in demand the groups will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that our hosts are not instructors and cannot take beginners, nor will they take you off piste. All children aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult.

Cross Country Skiing

Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 22km of cross-country skiing tracks to be found in and around Verbier. The circuits are free to use and given the flat terrain on which they are laid out, are of easy level grades – mainly green and blue tracks. You will find ‘walking, Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing maps’ at the Tourist Office, alternatively lessons and guided excursions are available from the various ski schools, ask a member of staff for details.

In Verbier we provide our ski hire from No1 Sport which is a shop close by to our chalets and next to the Medran lift station.

We collect details such as ski ability, height, weight and shoe size beforehand, to ensure the team at hire shop know exactly what you’re looking for and therefore the whole fitting process is as quick and seamless as possible.

We are confident you’ll get the very best of service from the shop we have selected having used No1 Sport to sort out ski hire locally for our Verbier guests over the past 2 years.

Ski rental equipment descriptions and categories vary from resort to resort, and even from shop to shop. To make this easier we describe ski equipment as silver, gold or platinum. We would advise you book the following according to your experience and ski ability;

Silver – for complete beginners
Gold – for intermediate level
Platinum – for advanced/expert level

Possibly one of the most important aspects of a ski holiday, the lift pass is vital unless you plan to walk up the mountain before skiing down!

Pre-book your lift pass directly with us before you travel. Your lift passes will be delivered to your chalet before breakfast on the first morning, in plenty of time for you to make it up the first lift. 

There are several ski school providers in Verbier, each will offer a variety of tuition options from beginner groups to private lessons and off piste guiding, however, some may specialise in a particular area. We have listed a few of our recommended suppliers below, and highlighted those we pre-book on your behalf.

European Snow Sports +41(0)2 77 71 62 22

We can pre-book lessons on your behalf - please call us on 0208 875 1957

European Snowsport understand how valuable your holiday time is. Each instructor is committed to sharing their Their instructors will help you build confidence, understand the resort, guide you to the next level of your skiing and help make your holiday complete. Whether it’s for kids, teens or adults; for beginners, experts, mogul bashers or gentlefolk who learn-&-lunch, they offer the perfect balance of classes and instructors.

New Generation +41(0)8 44 770 47 33

British ski school popular with VIP SKI guests in other French resorts. All-green uniform. Meeting point outside Relais de Neige restaurant opposite Medran.

Ecole Suisse de Ski +41(0)2 77 75 33 63

The biggest and longest-established in Verbier, their instructors are instantly recognisable by their red uniform. Also provide experienced off-piste guides. Meeting point by red flags outside Medran or behind Medran in car park, depending on level.

Altitude +41(0)2 77 71 60 06

British ski school who have been in Verbier for over 10 years. All-blue uniform. Meeting point outside Relais de Neige restaurant opposite Medran.

Powder Extreme +41(0)2 08 123 94 83

Off-piste specialists. Green and purple uniform. Twinned with Performance Verbier ski school, recognisable by their all-orange (men) or all-pink (girls) uniform. Meeting point outside Offshore Café.