Travel to Verbier with ski insurance from Essential Travel

The renowned resort of Verbier is situated in Switzerland’s southwestern region, close to the city of Martigny. It has an international appeal, drawing visitors from far and wide to experience the superb ski runs spread over a massive area of diverse terrain. The ski resort is also known for its state-of-the-art facilities, breathtaking glacier backdrop and sparkling nightlife.

Verbier ski resort is authentically Swiss and is characterised by traditional architecture and a strong Swiss-French culture. However, Verbier manages to skillfully blend its traditionalism with a cosmopolitan edge, with skiers and snowboarders attracted from all over the world by the ski resort’s appeal.

Verbier offers 70 slopes distributed over an area of 120kms, but is also linked to the rest of the Four Valleys ski region, affording access to over 400kms of slopes in total. In the resort itself, slopes are distributed among beginners (32 per cent), intermediates (42 per cent) and advanced skiers (26 per cent).

Verbier is served by 38 lifts, with 100 lifts available in the entire region. In addition to the downhill runs, the ski resort has 20kms of cross-country trails, excellent snowboarding facilities and four ski schools.

In the unlikely event that you exhaust the skiing possibilities at Verbier, the rest of the Four Valleys ski region is right on the doorstep of the resort, with 410kms of slope area to play with. A network of 100 lifts covers this area, connecting it efficiently with Verbier.

Skiing in Verbier

Verbier provides extensive skiing for all levels of ability, with 70 slopes covering 120kms of diverse terrain. Beginners are allocated 32 per cent of runs, intermediates have 42 per cent and advanced skiers have 26 per cent. The pistes are linked by a system of 38 lifts, with a total of 100 lifts in the Four Valleys region.

Snowboarding is popular in Verbier, and boarders are well provided for, with two snowboard parks and other facilities. The resort also features 20kms of cross-country skiing trails and four ski schools offering a high standard of tuition. The highest elevation at Verbier is an impressive 3,330m above sea level, presenting superb snow conditions and a bird’s-eye view.

Fabulous off-slope facilities and an effervescent nightlife are legendary at Verbier. Visitors can engage in such alternative winter activities as mountaineering, helicopter skiing, hang-gliding and torchlight descents. Additionally, an enormous sports centre offers all manner of activities, from indoor swimming to snowboarding and extreme sports tuition.

Nightlife ranges from the classical music concerts that are a trademark feature of Verbier, to fine dining at the delectable selection of Swiss and international restaurants, to animated socializing in the village’s bars and discos. Accommodation in town totals roughly 15,000 beds and visitor amenities are impressive, including four excellent ski schools.

Skiing is offered in Verbier from late November to April, with good snow conditions guaranteed for most of the season due to the high altitude.

Apres-ski in Verbier

Verbier is one of Switzerland’s most famous and popular ski resorts - with good reason. The resort’s position in the colossal Four Valleys region affords access to a massive 400-kilometre ski area, which, combined with superb facilities, a spectacular setting and an awe-inspiring glacier, makes Verbier an enticing choice for a ski holiday.

Verbier’s off-slope activities are almost as attractive as its ski slopes, with opportunities for mountaineering, hiking, torchlight descents and hang-gliding. The resort also boasts a vast sports complex, featuring everything from indoor swimming to extreme sports tuition.

Après-ski is dynamic and varied at Verbier, with a profusion of restaurants (serving both Swiss and international cuisine), bars and discos. Classical music performances are staged in the resort concert halls. Accommodation is supplied by approximately 15,000 guest beds.

Transportation to Verbier

Verbier ski resort is situated in the southwestern region of Switzerland, in the vicinity of Martigny, the provincial city. Transportation options include air, rail, road, or a combination of all three, but the quickest and easiest route to the resort is to fly to Geneva and complete the journey by train and bus connections, or hire a car from the airport.

Self-drive from the UK involves a transfer across the English Channel via car ferry, and then an 850-kilometre drive from Calais through France and Switzerland. If you fly into Geneva and hire a car to access the resort, the route travels through Martigny, Sembrancher and Le Chable.

There are several feasible rail routes to Verbier, all of which require an initial journey via Eurostar to Paris, from London Waterloo or Ashford (Kent). From Paris, the most practical option is to catch a high-speed TGV train to Geneva (3 hours, 30 minutes), and then transfer to a train headed for Martigny. From here, shuttle services run to the ski resort.

Geneva, lying just 1 hour, 30 minutes from the resort, is the site of the closest international airport. From the airport, the most convenient step is to hire a car and drive to Verbier. Alternatively, you can catch a train to nearby Martigny, from where regular St Bernard shuttles travel to the resort.

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