Verbier Switzerland: A Resort Guide

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.

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 China Daily. Verbier Switzerland is increasingly an international destination.

Private Jets can fly into Sion airport with an onward helicopter transfer.

There are now Swiss flights from Heathrow to Sion at the weekends.

Direct Transfers

There are buses that run directly from Geneva Airport to Verbier that require advance booking.  We recommend:

Alpine Express           (www.alpineexpress.com)

The Ski Fleet              (www.theskifleet.co.uk)

Alybus                         (www.alpybus.com)

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. Resort and local area buses are run by Car Postal; further information can be found at www.carpostal.ch

There are four routes which are clearly marked at each bus stop and which run daily from 8am to 7.20pm, 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.

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.

W Hotel

Right opposite the meeting point for our kids lessons

 

Arola Restaurant

Telephone: 027 472 8888

Indulge in a new twist of Swiss classics at the new Restaurant Arola. Awarded two Michelin stars, Chef Sergi Arola remixes his renowned Spanish cuisine with Swiss flavours. With a number of successful well-known restaurants including Paris and Madrid, his inventive menus can be enjoyed whilst overlooking incredible views of the Swiss Alps.  There is also

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.

La Vie Verbier

La Vie offers a combination of fine dining, and a relaxed Italian bistro, and is under the culinary management of Gerwin Brand who has worked as Head Chef at Sir Richard Branson’s ‘The Lodge’, and ‘The Manoir aux Quatre Saisons’ with Raymond Blanc.  Centrally located on the Rue de Medran.

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 at the T-Bar

Telephone: 027 771 5007

Run by chefs from the sadly missed Nomad, this is sensational sushi in the T Bar.  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.  The large upstairs terrace has a bar, DJ and dancing in the afternoon when the weather permits.

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.  You can take a skidoo taxi up in the evening from Carrefour, enjoy some traditional fondue and then sledge back down under the light of the moon.

Chez Dany

Telephone: 027 771 2524

Run by the legendary Rob Sawyer from the Farinet, no holiday in Verbier is complete without a visit to Chez Dany for lunch or a drink on the way home.

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.

Cabane Mont Fort

Telephone: 027 778 1384

Located halfway down the Jumbo as you ski into La Chaux, Cabane Mont Fort has a terrific terrace offering stunning views.  It’s a great place for a scenic drink in the sunshine or a long lunch.  They serve everything from soup to fondue.

La Vache

Telephone: 027 771 3291

A great location at the top of the James Blunt chairlift, La Vache has undisturbed views of Mont Gelé. A great menu including burgers, pasta and salad and James Blunt’s very own pizza design.

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.

Cuckoo’s Nest and Olympique Self-Service

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.

TIPEE 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’…

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.

Après

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.

Farinet Lounge

A cool and sophisticated bar and cocktail lounge that serves very 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!

Farinet South

A relaxed sports bar underneath the fun of ‘après’, pop in or spend an evening drinking beer and having a burger while watching sport on large TV screens.

T Bar

Have a drink, eat some sushi, listen to live music, or watch sport, this intimate bar has it all.  Situated right on the Place Centrale.

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. Great food is also served.

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.

Casbah, The Farm Club and L’Etoile

If you want to drink and dance until the small hours, these are your 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.

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 swimming pool, Jacuzzi, squash courts and an ice skating rink 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.  Currently undergoing renovations and scheduled to re-open in 2018.

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!

Trampolines

By the Hotel Nevai are some giant trampolines with harnesses especially for the kids.  Need we say more!

Climbing Wall

There is a climbing wall at the main Medran lift station as well as opposite the Nevai Hotel. At Medran the climbing suits a range of ability levels and is great for an inside activity on a snowy day.

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. If you want to be a bit more adventurous with your sledge then head off to the Savoleyres bubble and follow the signs for the luge run down into La Tzoumaz.  Its quite fast in places but lots of fun is guaranteed. Make sure that you don’t miss the last lift home.

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!

Take a class at the Wholey Cow Exercise Studio

www.wholeycow.com

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.

Get your hair done at The Chapel

 

Telephone: 027 588 0026

Jemma offers all hairdressing services in the spa at the W Hotel by Medran so whether you fancy a blowdry or need some highlights, she’s the person to call.

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?)…