The beautiful village of Verbier is located on a bright and sunny plateau above the picturesque valley 'Val de Bagnes'.

Introduction

With its chalet-style buildings, Verbier is a large alpine village which offers all amenities that makes your holiday a success. At an altitude of 1500 m (4922 ft) you are able to see the eternal snows of the Combins and even the Mont Blanc in France.

Verbier lays in the middle of one of Europe's largest skiing area "Les 4 Vallees" and offers you the opportunity to explore over 400 km of downhill runs for enthusiasts of all levels, groomed daily for your pleasure. The glacier runs stay open also during summer. Verbier also offers many interesting sports opportunities in summer. Golfers, mountain bikers or hikers spend their vacation in this charming resort.

In Winter, Verbier hosts the 'Xtreme Verbier', an event where fearless snowboarders descent the slopes at breakneck speed. Classical music lovers come to town in summer for the Verbier Festival and Academy and thousands of mountain-bikers meet in August every year for the hardest mountain-bike race in Switzerland, the 'Grand Raid'.

The original village is now enveloped by an extensive sprawl of modern residential chalets that rarely exceed a few storeys in height. Planning laws extend to the substantial use of timber which helps create a typical alpine appearance, despite the fact that many buildings are purpose built for tourism. The resort has a reputation for being exclusive, but it is not particularly evident when caught up in the notorious traffic, trying to find a parking space or queuing for long periods at the lifts.

Public Transport

Free shuttle buses circulate from early morning to early evening; the outer districts served less frequently. Martigny, reached either by bus or Le Chable gondola, has rail connections with Geneva, Bern, Zurich and other major European cities.

Location

Location: In SW Switzerland close to the French and Italian frontiers, 17 mls E of Martigny. 44 mls S of Montreux; 35 mls SW of Sion; 43 mls NE of Chamonix (France). 106 mls SE of Geneva airport; 100 mls S of Bern airport.?

Position: Widely dispersed on a gently sloping S-facing plateau backed by a sweeping curve of mountains. Stands above a narrow valley, designated a wilderness area, just off a major transalpine route linking Switzerland and the Rhone Valley with Italy.

Serving Airports

Geneva International (GVA). Flight time from the UK: 1 hr. 30 mins

Market/Suitability

Enviable off-piste terrain attracts adventurous expert skiers, although local skiing is more run-of-the-mill. An established, exclusive and expensive resort favoured by affluent couples and wealthier families, it is trying to broaden its appeal by offering discounted family packages.

Skiing

Ski Lift/Ski School: The Medran gondola is the principal link with the main network of chair-lifts. The Verbier la Tzoumaz sector offers a greater proportion of learner slopes. Accomplished skiers will get more out of the 4-Vallees Mont-Fort ski-pass that opens up 250 miles of piste and a network of 100 lifts. Ski-school offers tuition in a wide range of disciplines on a group or individual basis. Heli-skiing off-piste for the well-heeled expert.

Altitude/Snow Quality: Village: 4,900 ft. Highest lift: 9,900 ft. Exceptional snow record thanks to high altitude and a glacier is effected little by the predominantly S-facing slopes until late in the Dec–Apr season. Some skiing possible until July. Particularly famous for its demanding off-piste terrain; some parts only accessible by helicopter.

Shopping

Reasonable supply of services catering to everyday needs, along with usual profusion of ski-rental and sports outlets. A number of chic and expensive designer boutiques, jewellers and clothing retailers. Choice of supermarkets.

Entertainment

Daytime: downhill skiing and snowboarding. Snowshoeing; off-piste heli-skiing; paraskiing; rock and ice climbing. Major sports complex with swimming, ice-skating, squash, tennis, climbing wall and various other health and fitness facilities. Mountain biking, hiking and 18-hole golf in summer.

Nightlife: lively apres-ski focuses on a significant number of pricey nightclubs, discos and bars open to the early hours. Cinema, often with English-speaking films.

Eating Out

Wide selection, ranging from the ubiquitous pizzeria, grills, fondue and regional speciality establishments to smart, refined gastronomic bistros and first-class restaurants.

Accommodation

A limited supply of hotels mainly in the mid-range bracket. Vast majority of visitors stay in chalets on a catered and self-catering basis. Apartments are more often large divided chalets rather than large modern blocks favoured by many.

Local Excursions

No organised winter programme. Summer day trips to neighbouring resorts, Swiss Riviera on Lake Geneva, various wine regions in Switzerland and France and shopping trips to Geneva.

Interested?

For more information on this ski resort, call us today on (028) 3832 3618, arrange a callback or email us.

Alternatively, if you would prefer we are very happy to see you in person at our new Travel Lounge, Lurgan. Visitors are advised to make an appointment with one of our specialist consultants.

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