Verbier

One of the best-known and beloved ski resorts in the Alps, Verbier attracts a cosmopolitan mix of global visitors. Nestled in a sunny bowl above the Val de Bagnes, the resort centres around one main road, the Rue de Médran, which runs from the Place Centrale to the Médran lift connecting up most of the shops, bars and restaurants. Chalets fan out above this central strip in all directions creating quiet suburbs, away from the hustle and bustle.

Particularly popular with British and Scandinavian skiiers, the town is both upmarket and highly fashionable, with its array of designer shops, fine dining and luxury accomodation, and informal and easy-going, thanks to the large number of powder hounds and general adrenaline junkies. It must be this concoction of glitz and guts that gives Verbier its uniquely lively atmosphere; the resort really is hard to beat when it comes to aprés ski and nightlife.

The scenery here is fantastic too. The buildings are largely very high-end and it shows in the materials used. The pleasant architectural aesthetics accompanied by the views across to mountain peaks in all directions make for very pleasant viewing, and the position of the resort - tucked away in its own private valley - gives a secluded, away-from-the-world kind of feel. 

Verbier is the place to head for steep slopes and lively partying. Nowhere in Switzerland rivals it for either – and for tough slopes it is up there with the best in the world. The resort has some highly challenging and exhilarating skiing on steep black runs, and plenty of off-piste but is known for its itinéraires which are marked but are not controlled or groomed. The most famous is Tortin, but Gentianes (900m vertical from the Col de Gentianes) and the Vallon d’Arby which runs down a secluded valley to La Tzoumaz are also fabulous. The Bec des Rosses is said to be the most intimidating face on the Freeride World Tour ski and snowboard competition, which takes place on the rocky north face of the 3,223m Bec des Rosses every year. Ski it if you dare, but you should certainly watch the experts attempt it.

For balance though, Verbier is not all about extreme skiing. There is a great range of red runs across the region and the tree-skiing over at Bruson is fabulous after a heavy snow fall. At the far end of the 4 Vallées, resorts such as such as Veysonnaz and Les Collons have a much greater range of blues and reds. There are several independent ski schools in Verbier to aid your progression and a convenient beginners park near the middle of the resort too.

The scenery and views, particularly from Mont-Fort are fabulous and many of the slopes and are sunny. It is hard to resist stopping for a beer on the terrace at Chez Dany or Le Carrefour when skiing home unless you are heading down to Le Fer a Cheval or Le Farinet! 


 

The good news is that foreigners may buy freely in Verbier, but the bad news is that as this is one of the top ten ski resorts in the world, property prices are high.

Construction quality is extremely high too so luxury chalets and apartments are generally priced between 20,000 Sfrs to 35,000 Sfrs per m2. 

Prices are at the top end of that range for chalets on the piste or luxury apartments near the Medran lift. Further out you get more for your money and stunning views, with the free shuttle buses providing a good service, as you would expect in Switzerland.

The enduring popularity of Verbier ensures that there is always a market here and, if you can afford it, owning a property will always be a good long term investment and great fun in the short term!