Verbier, Switzerland
Introduction
Verbier is a world renowned name and attracts riders from all corners of the globe, well all who can afford her. Verbier is defiantly the Swiss version of Chamonix, attracting extreme snowboarders and skiers alike, but in true Swiss style and unlike Chamonix, it’s a fully polished resort with a massive modern interlinked lift system and perfectly groomed pistes. In Switzerland people are polite to the extreme and drive in the most conscientious and considerate manner, but in Verbier put them in skis add a bit of powder and all that goes to hell. This may well not be the Swiss nationals, but if you want to get some fresh tracks you best sharpen your elbows and don’t wait for your boarding partner to clear the slope, as if you hesitate a moment some nutter will leap over your head, from a rock above, and steal your line. That said the lines you get in Verbier are some of the best in Europe. Only a short traverse, from one of the many lifts, will open up into a wide and very long powder field or a steep shoot. Once the close stuff is tracked out, which is fast, get a guide and head off into some huge back county slopes.
Verbier is a massive ride area as it joins with Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Val de Bagnas to create the 4 Vallees with 94 lifts and over 400km of piste, which can be serviced by one lift pass. There really is something for everyone even non boarders and is a must for all serious boarders, but none of its cheap. Check out the Nendez review for some hard core off piste routes in the 4 Vallees.
New for season
06/07: chairlift Attelas 3 and the gondola Attelas 2 to be replaced with a 6-seater detachable chairlift
Resort Statistics
Resort Type:
Alpine
Winter: Nov to April
Summer: May to October
Lifts
Total Lifts: 38
Cable cars: 2
Gondolas: 8
Chair lifts: 18
Drag lifts: 10
Max people per hour: 26,000
Board Leashes required: No
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 56
Total ride area: 150km
Longest run: 15km
Top lift: 3330m
Vertical drop: 1830m
First lift: 1500m
Piste suitability
Green runs: 45%
Red runs: 45%
Black runs: 10%
Lift Passes
Lift Passes:
Verbier only
Half day 45CHF
1 Day pass - 54Chf
5 Day pass - 240Chf
Season 1275
4 Valleys (400km)
Day 63,
5 days 279
Season 1486
Lift times:9.00am to 4.30pm
Snowfall
Average annual snowfall: 3.5metres
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 5%
Facilities
Night Riding: :
Yes
Snowboard Schools:
La Fantastique have Mountain Guides available 440 CHF per day, Full day private lesson 370 CHF per day
Snowboard Hire:
Board & Boots froom 43CHF per day (verbier.com)
Heliboarding: :
www.lafantastique.com offer heliboarding from 360 CHF each based on 4 people
Snowmobiles:
Not available

