Verbier

The iconic Swiss resort of Verbier, with its world-class terrain and legendary après ski, counts among the top ski destinations in the Alps. Although quite a sizeable resort, its chalet-style architecture provides all the charm of a large mountain village.  

Compared with some Swiss resorts, Verbier is a relative newcomer to the ski scene.  Serious skiing only began here in the 1970s when it linked up with other local villages to create the nation's largest ski region - Les Quatres Vallées. Today Verbier counts among Europe's most famous resorts, best known for offering some of the world's toughest piste skiing and most exciting off-piste skiing.

Resort elevation: 1,500m (4,921ft).

Top elevation: 3,330m (10,925ft).

Base elevation: 1,400m (4,593ft).

Number of lifts: 89.

Number of runs: 78 (Quatres Vallées).

Average annual snowfall: 5.8m (19ft).

Verbier is situated in the Val de Bagnes (Bagnes valley) in southwest Switzerland, in the French-speaking part of the Valais region.

The season runs from November until April.

Verbier is the main gateway to the Quatre Vallées ski area, and its sophisticated network of cable cars and gondolas provides easy access to all 410km (255 miles) of marked runs, as well as Europe's best lift-served off-piste skiing. Queues are minimal, and its high altitude, superb grooming and snowmaking facilities means snow cover is generally excellent throughout the season, especially on the Mt-Fort glacier.        

Beginners and intermediates are well catered for with excellent ski schools, nursery slopes and some easy runs at Savoleyres and Lac des Vaux. Experienced skiers and boarders will enjoy some of Europe's steepest descents, including the infamous Mt-Fort and the Piste de l'Ours (the World Cup downhill run), as well as the demanding mogul fields, powder bowls and couloirs of vertiginous Tortin, Chassoure and Mont-Gelé (classified as unpatrolled ‘itinerary routes', though technically off-piste). 

Some ski schools offer advanced freeride clinics and heli-skiing. There is also a superb terrain park (1936 Neipark).

Winter sports enthusiasts enjoy the extensive waymarked winter hiking trails, ice rink, swimming pool, ice climbing, tobogganing, curling and year-round paragliding. Non-skiers can visit the resort's Alpine Museum (rue de la Bérarde), galleries, cinema, shops, tea rooms and spa facilities, or join in the tourist office's themed walks and visits to local sights.

Facilities for families are good, with considerable reductions on lift pass prices (children under six are free). Most ski schools offer tuition for children. The Swiss Ski School's Kids Club (chemin des Moulins) has its own drag lift and takes children from three years upwards. 

Other family facilities include nursery slopes, two 10km (6-mile) toboggan runs, playground, adventure trails and climbing walls.

Childcare options include Les Schtroumpfs (from three months upwards) and Arc-en-Ciel nurseries (from 18 months upwards). Both are on the rue des Moulins.

Shopping is expensive and mainly limited to groceries and ski wear, with the smartest shops in place Centrale and rue de Médran.

Verbier is as well known for its partying as for its demanding skiing. Indeed the intoxicating mix of fashionable bars, traditional-style pubs and cosmopolitan discos (open until the small hours) creates one of the most exciting après-ski scenes in the Alps. Friday and Saturday are the big nights out, due to a massive influx of weekenders from Geneva and London. 

Popular watering holes include the Offshore Cafe (rue de Médran), Fer à Cheval (rue de Médran), Pub Mont-Fort (chemin de la Tinte) and The Farinet (place Centrale). After dinner, rub shoulders with celebrities and Verbier's beautiful people at The Farm Club (route de Verbier) - the place to see and be seen and a veritable alpine institution.

Verbier offers everything from light mountain snacks to gourmet cuisine. Be sure to try the hearty cuisine and fine wines of the Valais region. 

Dine on the slopes at Cabane de Mont-Fort for nourishing soups and sandwiches on the sun terrace; Au Mayen for apple tart; much-loved rustic Marmotte for rösti; or at the celebrated Chez Dany, for regional dishes.

In resort, Au Vieux-Verbier (rue de Médran) serves traditional Swiss mountain fare, while Le Caveau (place Centrale) specialises in fondues and raclettes. King's Restaurant (route de la Poste) serves sophisticated cocktails and modern French-Asian cuisine, while the more affordable Fer à Cheval (rue de Médran) offers pizzas, pasta, salads and grills.

Verbier is small enough to explore on foot, but free buses run throughout the resort every five to 15 minutes during the day. There are no bus connections with the other resorts in the Quatre Vallées - only expensive taxi rides, should you miss the last lift home!

For the ultimate in money-no-object, Alpine chic, stay at Richard Branson's latest hotel, the Verbier Lodge (website: www.virginlimitededition.com) - an exclusive hideaway located in the wooded fringes of the resort. Rustic but luxurious, the chalet-hotel sleeps 18 (plus six children in a Kid's Bunk room), and boasts its own mini ice rink, indoor and outdoor pools, tailor-made cuisine and a stylish ‘Virgin Touch' spa to soothe aching muscles after a day on the slopes. However, such pampering comes at a price, and during winter months it is necessary to book the entire chalet on an exclusive use basis only.

Luxury

Le Chalet d'Adrien
This 5-star chalet oozes deluxe alpine style with its spa, fitness suite and rooftop swimming pool.  

chemin des Creux
Tel: (027) 771 6200.
Website: www.chalet-adrien.com

Moderate

Hôtel de la Poste
A popular, comfortable 3-star chalet hotel near the resort centre, with an indoor swimming pool. 

12 rue de Médran
Tel: (027) 771 6681.
Website: www.hotelposteverbier.ch

Budget

The Bunker
An underground hostel in a converted atomic bomb shelter, with cheap, basic dormitory accommodation and free use of the pools and ice rink at the neighbouring sports centre. 

Centre Sportif, rue de la Piscine
Tel: (027) 771 6601.
Website: www.thebunker.ch

Nearest airport: Geneva (GVA).

Distance to resort: 170km (105 miles).

Driving time: 2 hours.

Nearest railway station: Le Châble.

Distance to resort: 8.5km (5 miles).

Driving time: 15 minutes.

www.televerbier.ch or www.verbier.ch

Snow reliability, Experts, Après ski, Snowboarders, Intermediates