Three ski day-trips from Verbier

Three ski day-trips from Verbier

As far as Swiss ski resorts go, Verbier ticks a lot of the boxes, and for many, it is the ski destination they return to year after year with reliably good snow coverage, ample sunshine, and a convivial village atmosphere. But as one of 43 resorts in canton Valais alone, that leaves a lot of other round-the-corner options to explore while visiting this spectacular region. Here at Bramble Ski, we’ve done the hard work of testing out a number of neighbouring resorts and bring you some suggested ski day-trips from Verbier all within 45 minutes of the resort, to spice up your ski itinerary.

Ski day-trips from Verbier

Vichères

31km from Verbier (approximately 40 minutes drive)
Good for: drop-dead gorgeous scenery and wide-open gentle sloped off-piste skiing

This little gem, above the town of Liddes on the St. Bernard corridor, is a total delight on a powder day. Offering an altitude range of 1,300m to 2, 200m, Vichères’ gentle pitch and open powder fields are the perfect pick for those with moderate off-piste skills, tired legs, or simply looking for a safe and fun day of skiing.

There are four lifts in operation and 15 kilometres of wide, crowd-free pisted runs to take advantage of here. Tickets are inexpensive and the restaurant at the base serves a great rosti among other Swiss traditional fare.
Take note that the season is short and lifts normally stop running at the end of March.

The resort offers reduced lift pass rates every Thursday (CHF20 reduced from CHF37).

Please visit www.vicheres.ch for more information.

Champex Lac

30km from Verbier (approximately 40 minutes drive)
Good for: Off-piste skiing and tree-skiing

This resort is blissfully quiet and offers exhilarating through-the-trees skiing and fresh lines long after Verbier has been tracked out. It offers great skinning opportunities and is a destination for those with avalanche equipment and safety awareness.

As a north-facing resort, with an altitude range of 1,500m to 2,200m, Champex Lac holds its snow well. It’s not terribly small and provides 25kms of downhill piste, with seven kilometres on which to toboggan.

There is a decent nursery slope with a refreshment hut to keep those little ones fuelled up. Alternatively, there are a couple of good restaurants to eat at and the prices make a nice change from usual Verbier prices. Normally the resort shuts in early April.

The resort offers reduced lift pass rates every Thursday (CHF20 reduced from CHF38).
On March 20th, the resort hosts its annual 8km Valais sledge race. Registration is on the day and events include competitive, duo and family.

Please visit www.champex.ch for more information.

La Fouly

33km from Verbier (just over 40 minutes drive)
Good for: Young children who are still on nursery slopes

This simple and charming resort located at the end of the dramatic Val Ferret packs a lot of punch offering a high ratio of black runs within its 20km of skiable trails. The advanced skier won’t get bored.  And when, perhaps, you need a break, ‘La Bulle’, a glass dome restaurant at the top of the chairlift, offers great refreshments and spectacular views of the Val Ferret. There is a great cosy restaurant at the bottom too.

La Fouly sits between 1,600m and 2,200m. At the lower end is a great beginner area with lots of fun distractions set up for little ones in order to keep them pointing their skis down the hill. It’s a great family resort with something for everyone.

The resort has floodlit night skiing (up until 9pm) every Wednesday and Saturday and offers reduced lift pass rates every Thursday (CHF20 reduced from CHF38).
On March 12th the resort hosts the Erika Hess Open which is a giant slalom race open to all.

Please visit www.lafouly.ch/ for more information.

Four valleys season ticket holders receive four free entry passes valid for the above resorts which operate in partnership with Televerbier.  So, get a little intrepid and take your skis on a little road trip, you won’t be disappointed!

All images are thanks to, and copyright of, Pays du St Bernard.

8^th March 2016