AN INTRODUCTION TO VERBIER
Verbier is a beautiful Swiss ski town in the Valais region of Switzerland.
This resort has a huge ski Area. It is famous for it’s off piste skiing, but also has all standards of ski runs. The highest lift is Mont Fort.Well worth going to the top with views from the Matterhorn around to The Mont Blanc Massif. It can be a pretty gnarly ski down the top section so if you don’t feel comfortable ride the cable car down. Don’t feel bad lots of people do. For a strong skier, the run down is challenging, right down to the base of the Tortin lift. From there you can take a chair towards Siviez,. From Siviez chairs go up either side of the valley, towards Plan De Fu on the left, and Creppon Blanc on the right. Either side leads to a huge amount of cruisey skiing. For intermediate skiers watch out as runs are not really marked for difficulty, and sometimes a run will turn into a very steep face. Tortin is one run in this category. fFall at the top, you won’t stop till the bottom.The easy way to get to Mont Fort is to go down to a beginners area named La Chaux and take the Le Jumbo lift up to Col De Gentianes, where the top lift leaves from..The other nice cruiser area is Savoleyres which the buses around Verbier take you to.The back side is great. One more thing to keep in mind is don’t miss the last Tortin lift as it will take about four hours to get home, in a very expensive Taxi.
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SHOPPING
The best ski store in Verbier is Mountain Air; be sure to check out their website. It is best to make an appointment for their famous boot-fitting, which can be found near the W Hotel next to the Medran lift.
FOOD
As far as food on the mountains is concerned Cabin Mont Fort, which is between Mont Fort and La Chaux is a beautiful spot for lunch. Chez Odette, in Siviez is good, and there is a nice outdoor place half way up the chair on the Creppon Blanc side of the chair. On the Savoleres side “Marmotte” is a nice place. At the end of a sunny day, ski down below Les Ruinettes, which is the half way station on the Medran lifts.These are the main lifts from Verbier. Chez Dany. is a must for refreshments with the most fabulous sunset.
Regarding restaurants, when there we often eat in and go out for a drink. Generally I think that they are overpriced and not that good. Us Aussies are spoilt in the food and coffee area, and Swiss food is not as good as the mountains and the skiing.
TRANSPORT
A car is a great option, provided your accomodation has parking, as there are some amazing places in the area. If no car the Swiss trains are fast, easy, and of course on time. Catch a train to Martigny, change to the little local train to Le Chable, and from there either hop on the bus that will meet the train, or the Tele Cabine over the tracks. You can buy a ticket right to Verbier which includes the bus.
If you do have a car there are some great day trips:
1. Chamonix is an hour and a half away.The nearby St Bernard valley has some great small resorts. If it Snows heavily the top of Verbier is often closed, but there is a great little area called Vichere. two lifts and fantastic powder and tree skiing. It is safe when other areas are risky.
2. Champex Lac is a pretty little resort for a day of cruising also. Beautiful views from the top station.
3. A great trip is the little resort of Crevicole.It is on the Italian side of the St BernardTunnel.A funny little place next to the motorway, but cruisey pistes and a great off piste run. A guide is a good idea to do that one, skiing down to a beautiful old village named Saint Rhemy. A coffee at the Hotel Suisse, then a taxi back to Crevicole.There is a really really fantastic Restaurant right next to the second lift in Crevicole. Run by Isabelle, a wonderful Italian Lady and her Chef husband it is superb. Let her choose the wine, as she knows her stuff, believe me.This is my favorite restaurant anywhere. It is the stone hut right near the loading point of the second lift. Not the ones near the top of the first lift.
4. If the weather is not great, drive to Aosta, down the hill from Crevicole. An old Roman town, it has great shopping and food.
The Verbier area is one with so much to do. Enjoy it, and if you need more info email Tony at tony@snowsport.com.au
