Verbier Switzerland: resort guide
Getting to Verbier
Welcome to our Verbier Switzerland resort guide. There are lots of easy ways of getting to Verbier. The nearest airport is Geneva, and the total transfer time is approximately 2 hours. There is a choice of car hire, train, taxi or direct transfer for the final leg, and the options are listed below.
By road
The A9/E62 motorway takes you to Martigny which is approximately 30 minutes down the mountain from Verbier and the resort is clearly signposted from here – via Le Chable. If you want to check the road conditions before you drive, do this on www.valais.ch. For directions for your journey and Toll prices look at www.viamichelin.com/web/Routes
By train
Trains run frequently from inside Geneva Airport to Le Chable, just down the valley. Take the Simplon line to Martigny and then connect to Le Chable. From Le Chable you can take a taxi, the gondola up into Verbier, or La Poste bus, which runs to the central bus station in Verbier.
There are also some direct trains from Geneva Airport to Le Chable.
Train times and connections can be found on the website www.sbb.ch/home.html
By air
Geneva international airport is the closest airport for regular commercial flights, and is accessible from most International airports. From the UK try Easyjet, BA and Swiss. There are also flights from the New York USA and Asia daily. Verbier Switzerland is increasingly an international destination.
Private Jets can fly into Sion airport with an onward helicopter or car transfer.
Direct transfers
There are buses that run directly from Geneva Airport to Verbier that require advance booking. We recommend:
Remember to check that they can take your skis if you’re bringing them with you.
Taxi services
Below are a few of the Verbier taxi numbers. Remember to use the code +41 and leave off the 0 if calling from the UK.
May Taxi 027 771 7771
ABC 079 332 4545
Mountain Taxi 079 440 7270
Getting around Verbier
Verbier has an excellent free bus service during the season, and nowhere is out of reach. Within the resort, buses are regular and free of charge. Timetables are posted on all the stops, together with a map of the different routes.
There are four routes which are clearly marked at each bus stop and which run daily from 8am to the evening, at regular offset intervals of 15 minutes. All routes pass through Place Centrale and Médran, meaning there’s a bus service between these two points every 5 minutes or so in high season.
Where to eat
Switzerland is the land of cows and cheese, and Verbier has the best on offer, and so much more. There is an expansive range of International cuisine to sample, and we list some of our favourites below.
Resort Restaurants
Eat Hola Restaurant
Telephone: 027 472 8888
Savor Michelin starred Chef Sergi Arola’s signature creations prepared in front of your eyes at the very first tapas bar in Verbier.
La Cordée des Alpes Restaurant
Telephone: 027 775 4545
The menu features seasonal, traditional ingredients sourced locally. Chefs at La Cordée restaurant provide a diverse menu in their open plan kitchen. The interior of the restaurant sits seamlessly into the mountain environment, flagstone flooring, wooden beams and shuttered windows provides an ideal setting to enjoy the mountain experience.
Au Vieux Verbier
Telephone: 027 771 1668
A must visit, this independently owned restaurant is a wonderful combination of sophisticated and traditional both in décor and cuisine. The speciality is ‘La Potence’ which means ‘gallows’ in French – a piping hot hanging iron spiked ball stuck with beef accompanied by delicious secret sauces. There are less gory culinary options too!
Al Capone
Telephone: 027 771 6774
Traditional and fun, this has a wide-ranging menu that includes some of the best pizzas in Verbier. The speciality is ‘Poulet au Panier’ – amazing chicken with a sauce that absolutely no-one can guess the ingredients of! Al Capone is situated on the road up to Savoleyres, 200m before the lift station. It’s very popular, so make sure you call ahead and book a table in high season. Take away food available.
Fer a Cheval
Telephone: 027 771 2669
This is a Verbier institution, perfect for a few drinks after a day on the slopes, or dinner; they have early and late sittings and it is essential to book at busy times. The specials change each day, and are highly recommended, and the menu includes meat, fish, salads and pizzas in a chilled and authentic atmosphere.
Le Shed
Telephone: 027 565 1428
A very cool Swiss burger bar run by Swedes. Delicious burgers and craft beers. They don’t take bookings, so you may have to sample the beer menu while you wait for a table.
Aiseki Sushi
Telephone: 077 471 51 48
This is sensational sushi on the Place Centrale. No bookings unfortunately, but a great atmosphere to enjoy the evening.
Offshore
Telephone: 027 565 2137
Relaxed all day restaurant, bar and café famous for the pink VW Beetle parked inside, complete with surfboard. Situated right next to the Medran lift station, this is a great place for pancakes, burgers, breakfast or coffee, hot chocolate or a milkshake. There are no bookings, so it can get pretty busy at lunchtime.
Le Caveau
Telephone: 027 771 2225
A centrally located traditional Swiss restaurant that specialises in meat and cheese fondues and raclette. Family friendly – we recommend a visit.
Mountain Restaurants
Le Mouton Noir Restaurant and Ruinettes Self-Service
Situated directly opposite the Ruinettes lift station, there are two lunch choices – self-service or a smart restaurant with waiter service. Downstairs is ideal for a quick lunch or hot chocolate stop either inside or on the large terrace, and upstairs offers a sophisticated Swiss menu.
Icecube
The Icecube is just below the Ruinettes lift station, and offers a quick and easy stopoff for lunch, hot chocolate or something more bracing. Hot dogs, salads and toasted sandwiches can be enjoyed in deck chairs in the sunshine.
Les Marmottes
Telephone: 027 771 6834
Situated on the way back from Savoleyres to Carrefour this traditional restaurant boasts a great sun terrace and a good menu. Either drop by for a drink or lunch on your ski back down or try it out in the evening.
Le Carrefour
Telephone: 027 771 5555
Le Carrefour Restaurant is a great spot to soak in the sun over a late lazy lunch or for a delicious dinner. Easily accessible by taking the Carrefour bus up to the top of Le Rouge, or a stop on the ski back home.
Le Dahu
Telephone: 027 778 20 00
Located at the foot of La Chaux with spectacular views along the valley, Le Dahu is the ideal spot to rest your aching legs. With both a self service area and a sit down restaurant, Le Dahu offers an extensive menu.
Le Bistro and Flocon
An excellent a la carte restaurant and self-service situated at the top of the Funispace lift, this is a great meeting place with delicious food. There are terraces for both restaurants.
1936
If you fancy a beer or a hot chocolate on the way home, the last possible mountain stop is 1936, an unmissable Verbier landmark – there is still some skiing to get home though, so don’t ‘over-refresh’…You will find it on the run down to Medran, just above the Mayentzet lift.
Out on the town
Verbier not only has some of the best skiing in the Alps, but also comes alive after dark. Whether you want to sip cocktails in a sophisticated atmosphere or drink jugs of beer listening to live music with the ‘seasonnaires’, anything is possible!
The Farinet
Telephone 027 771 6626
It all happens here! Regularly voted as some of the best après action anywhere, with a great cocktail lounge and a relaxed sports’ bar. You can even stay on top of all this in the hotel.
Live music every day from 4pm throughout the season, be prepared for some seriously loud and messy fun – ends at 9pm – not many people make dinner plans for afterwards.
Pub Mont Fort
The Pub Mont Fort sells more Carlsberg than anywhere else in the world! A great place to stop for a beer after skiing, the fun continues until late. Good food is also served.
Lumi
Located directly opposite the Medran lift, it is hard to miss as you come off the mountain. This relaxed bar is great for après, food, live bands and watching sport.
No8
Have a drink, listen to live music, or watch sport, this intimate bar has it all. Situated just above the Place Centrale.
Fer a Cheval
A great place to stop for a vin chaud on your way home from skiing, there is a large terrace for sunny days, this is also a restaurant serving food all day.
Farinet Lounge
A cool and sophisticated bar and cocktail lounge that serves substantial snacks and stays open until very late. A great place to book a table for a large party for waitress service, and with the benefit of a window onto ‘après’ so that you can enjoy the atmosphere in a more quiet and dry atmosphere!
South
A relaxed nightclub underneath the fun of ‘après’ at the Farinet. For later in the evening, until 4am.
Monoski, The Farm Club and Taratata
If you want to drink and dance until the small hours, these are your other choices. The strong-hearted sing along to Frank Sinatra singing ‘New Your, New York’ as the Farm Club closes and grab a croissant through the bakery kitchen window on the way home.
For the kids
After your children have enjoyed their time on the slopes with ES, there is plenty more to keep them entertained.
Sports Centre
There is a climbing wall at the Sports Centre to keep the kids entertained in the afternoon. Just jump on the number 3 bus to Patiers and you will find the Sports Centre just by the Nissan Garage.
Playgrounds
Just behind ‘La Poste’ off Place Centrale is a playground for the kids. You’ll find the usual collection of swings, slides and roundabouts to keep them smiling.
Husky Rides
For those animal loving kids or parents how about a ride in a sledge pulled by husky dogs. You’ll find the huskys just below the Ruinettes bubble and no doubt you will hear them before you see them! Booking in advance is essential.
Trampolines
Just opposite the Experimental Chalet are some giant trampolines with harnesses especially for the kids. Need we say more!
Outdoor ice rink
There is a small outdoor ice rink just opposite the Experimental Chalet on the right hand side as you come up the hill into resort.
Sledging
Les Esserts becomes awash with children on sledges in the afternoon with the magic carpet making it easy to go again and again. Just be careful of the skiers.
Paragliding
If you haven’t had enough of an adrenaline fix with the skiing then why not try paragliding. Suitable for beginner skiers, it’s a great way to see the mountains from a different perspective. The boys from Verbier Summits can take you out for a tandem paraglide. You can book through the ES office.
Milkshakes
Why not take the kids to the Milk Bar in the centre of town for one of their yummy milkshakes. You could even then head to the toy shop which is just off Place Centrale. You’ll see the giant bear outside!
Grown ups
Take a class at the Inspire Exercise Studio
The studio offers a full range of fitness opportunities from relaxing yoga to challenging TRX, with everything from Zumba to spinning in between. Look at their website for a full list of classes.
Have your nails painted at the Pharmacie des Combins
027 771 6173
A relaxed nail bar offering all the colours of the rainbow and very many more.
Unwind at the spa at the Cordée des Alpes
027 775 4545
If you don’t feel like a full day on the slopes, why not head for the pool and spa at the Cordée and relax in the beautiful pool or have a treatment. Maybe swim in the pool watching the snow falling outside, or read a book.
Have a massage with Massage 1936
Telephone: 027 979 1936
The team come to you so you can leave your snowboots outside your front door.
Eat or drink lots and lots of chocolate
Route de Verbier Station 65
A magical chocolate experience, this is the best of what the Swiss do best. There’s an amazing variety of teas also for customers who don’t fancy any chocolate (who knew such people existed?)