Hard-core skiing meets luxury - a resort for all
Verbier is one of the world’s iconic ski resorts. With some of the most extensive piste and off-piste skiing in the Alps, it is popular with those who covet thrill and adventure. Attracting a sporty and wealthy clientele, Verbier has a healthy nightlife and appeals not only to the British and Scandinavians but also the Swiss and the local Geneva jet setters. With many of the rich and famous owning beautiful chalets here, Verbier is a high-end resort with great infrastructure, a high class reputation, it has hotels, restaurants, après-ski and shops to match.
Property in Verbier
There is usually a reasonable choice of duplex, apartment and ski chalet properties for sale in Verbier. With just 3200 permanent residents, much of the resort’s property stock is second homes. Close to the Savoleyres lift are the chalets of Sonalon with magnificent views over the resort. Similarly, in Les Esserts you will find more luxury chalets than apartments, which are concentrated closer to the Place Centrale and Médran. There has been a large amount of investment in the resort including a much-needed luxury hotel, the W, the sports centre, as well as a redevelopment of the railway station down at Le Châble. Verbier has a loyal following given favourable holiday rental returns and consequently demand for one, two and three bedroom ski chalet and apartment property here is always high. Property prices rose by 9.9% in 2023 (UBS) and set an all-time high with an average holiday home costing CHF21,500 per sqm - however in reality, an apartment or chalet under 250m2 that non-residents can buy, in a good location, can fetch up to CHF25,000 per sqm or higher.
Also, read our recent blog: Ski Property in Switzerland and the effects of negative interest rates.
Check out our other blogs: Insights on the Verbier property market, and top tips for you and the family, from a regular who has been coming back for 30 years.
Check out our blog: Insights on the property market in Verbier
A Guide to Verbier
The main resort in the famous Four Valleys, Verbier has long attracted a healthy turnover of youthful and international sporty patrons owing to its idyllic location, more often than not a view to die for, regular sunshine, vibrant nightlife and proximity to Geneva Airport (a roughly two-hour car ride) which has global flight connections. Whether you’re looking for a place in which you can party hard in your downtime or an investment property that offers a consistent and healthy yield, you could do much worse than the real estate in this stunning resort.
Join us as we take you on a guide to everything that’s special about Verbier…
Beginner slopes, what beginner ski slopes?
If you’re the kind of seasoned skier or snowboarder who thrives on challenge and is easily frustrated by the hordes ambling towards the beginner slopes (or if you want to cater to an elite skiing clientele) you’ll love Verbier.
In skiing terms, the resort is not for the faint of heart. When skiers come to the Four Valleys, they know that Verbier will test their skiing abilities, experience and provide a challenge. Col de Mouche is straightforward to access, and is a wide open bowl that's great for finding your deep-snow legs. After that, the next step: a ten-minute hike from the Jumbo lift drops you into the notorious Stairway to Heaven.
Verbier offers a true high-Alpine experience with many demanding pistes and off-piste runs, with some of the most stunning panoramic views in the Alps. Fortunately, thanks to the Four Valleys’ comprehensive lift system of 92 ski lifts across 412km of runs, traversing this beautiful landscape is easy and pleasurable. With connections right over to Nendaz, Veysonnaz and nearby La Tzoumaz, there is a huge and varied ski area to explore.
Verbier continues to be a favourite amongst skiers of all generations so investors can be sure of a steady stream of enthusiastic visitors during the ski season. The only thing Verbier really lacks is tree-skiing but even this can be found in nearby Bruson. It’s fair to say that Verbier is among the best places in the world for advanced skiers and even attracts those from nearby France.
Also, check out our blog - The Uniqueness of Skiing : Downhill race pistes you can ski..
Après ski in Verbier
Of course, there’s more than enough to get excited about off the pistes. There are a number of stylish bars and cafes in which skiers can relax and refuel after hitting the slopes. There’s Vie Montagne famous for its exquisite coffees, craft beers and fine wines. Or there’s the unassuming Ice Cube where hungry skiers can dine on a range of reasonably priced but immensely tasty burgers and sandwiches. Those looking for a more upmarket experience will want to check out The Etoile Rouge Supper Club, with its combination of Scandinavian and Eastern European cuisines. A new members’ club called 67 Pall Mall, an outpost for a London club of the same name, is a favourite for oenophiles.
Incredible Night Life
Verbier attracts a class of customer that skis hard and parties harder and the nightlife in Verbier is every bit as enthusiastic as the slopes. Start your night out with a relaxed drink in Hotel Farinet before ramping things up in the Pub Mont Fort and dancing the night away in the multicultural melting pot that is Le Rouge.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable ski resort experience in Switzerland, Verbier will not disappoint you, winter or summer.
Other Destinations in the Swiss Alps:
Andermatt Champéry Crans-Montana Grimentz Flims Laax Falera Grindelwald Gstaad La Tzoumaz Nendaz Saas Fee Verbier Veysonnaz Villars