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Verbier
stories |
Verbier
General Overview |
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There are
scores of ski resorts and resort areas in Europe marketing themselves as
the biggest, the highest, or the mightiest. However, there are indeed
very few that can actually live up to some, if not all, of these
superlatives. Give it a
good look while you are at it! Something, isn't it? You get not only the
very impressive ski domain tied to the Verbier ski pass, but, if you buy
an all-area pass you get the whole Swiss Four Valleys region thrown in
as well. This entitles you to hurtle your ski-clad frame down some very
challenging mountainsides in some six or so resorts. Heck, there is so
much to explore here that in this writer's estimation it would take one
the better part of a season to do it all thoroughly. And the
good news is, if you think through the lift pass possibilities, compute
them with your skiing ability, energy storage and late night rock 'and
roll tendencies, and buy one as close to tailor made to your results as
possible, you might find you have computed your way to some very good
ski value. As a resort
for skiers, Verbier is, really, second to none. My goodness, how could
it be? It is enough on its own, for goodness sake, but combined with
Haute Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, and Thyon on the same lift pass, it
is absolutely awesome. Awesome in
skiable terrain, with 410 total kms. of prepared slopes. Awesome in lift
capacity with 96 different means of uphill transportation. Awesome in
downright challenge. There are a huge number of really challenging runs
in and around Verbier. Expert skiers know it far and wide, as one of the
most difficult skiing resorts anywhere. That's a given. But what
about the vast majority of readers of this magazine? Should they give
Verbier a miss? Should they be put off by Verbier's "daunting"
reputation? We don't think so. The skiing
features good areas where beginners can find out which way to point the
skis, improve their talents, and go on to higher levels of achievement
and elevation. There is adequate space for beginners, either at the village level, or higher up the mountain. Almost immediately, first time skiers can get the feel of some high altitude skiing in a safe and sound environment. The area around La Ruinettes and Attelas is a good area on which to improve, and it has the added advantage of a couple of on-slope restaurants where you can meet up with more experienced friends. The new Tortin cable car will solve any queue problems on the way back from the 4 valleys. However, it
is for better skiers that Verbier really comes into its own. Highlighted
by Mont Fort (summer skiing on the glacier here as well) at just over
3,000m, Verbier offers challenge and variety in just about every nook
and cranny. Bumps, powder, unpisted and untested, it's all within the
borders of this big ski country. If, by the way, you fancy tracking some
unmarked slopes, please don't do it without a guide. This is
high-mountain skiing at its best, and, we might add, at its most
treacherous. If you are a top-flight skier, you should find all the
action you want on Verbier's prepared slopes. If it appeals, and if you
are good enough, you can ski over to, as well as on, the slopes of
Nendaz, on the other side of the Valley. What's more, you can come back
on the same day, on skis. First,
though explore the tremendous selection and challenge in the immediate
Verbier vicinity. This place is a good skiers dream. Again, we stress
that those who are not yet up to all the testing stuff on tap here
should have no problem enjoying this resort. The lift system is big and
expansive, and laid out in such a manner that decent intermediate skiers
should be able to find some adequate runs at the end of most lifts. Considering
the extent of skiable terrain and number of lifts offered in Verbier,
this resort represents fine value for money. Even with this impressive
selection, lift-pass prices are in line with most of the other
top-flight European resorts. Families can reap special savings by buying
a family pass, which gives discounts to members of the family after the
first two family members pay full price. It's best to check with the
lift company before buying any ski passes here. There are lots of
varieties and combinations available. Verbier is
also world class when it comes to après ski and night time
offerings. Heck, the village takes on a completely new life after dark.
All one needs is enough Swiss Francs in your pocket and you can probably
find almost any action you want. There are pubs for the young, clubs for
the mids, discos for everyone, and food of almost any style for every
taste and budget. This resort is no shrinking violet. |
