Verbier recommendations

I'm off to Verbier for the first time in January, can't wait! It's great to be going somewhere new for a change. We've been trying to run a trip there for ages, at last we've done it. There'll be 20 of us, 21 if I can fill that last place! (just had someone have to drop out).

What are the runs we shouldn't miss? Blue, red or black.

Where are the best off piste routes? Any recommended guides?

Where should we be heading for lunch?

With a group that size it might be worth hiring a couple of guides for a couple of days, to show everyone the area and then split the group into nutters versus relaxed: With a second/third day to go off-piste (nutters) versus pisted (relaxed).

It's quite difficult to describe the entire area. I did a Guide for people renting our apartment in La Tzoumaz: but in the end, having someone show you around is so much better than reading a description.

My favourite cafe/restaurant is Chez Simon on the Savoleyres side, but that's just a personal preference. See:



which starts below the Savoleyres summit and ends (on the ground!) at Chez Simon.

Verbier's great Andy - am a big fan. Skied there lots and will be back again this season.

Restaurants ... the self-serve places on the hill are all a bit hit and miss but okay if you really just want to eat and go. However there are a couple of must-eat places on the hill which include:

Cabine Mont Fort ... always busy, can't book, so get there early or wait and go late.

Chez Dany ... this is where you go that day you want a long lazy lunch and don't intend to ski again (except to get off the hill!) or is also great for a drink on the way down.

'1936' is the place to regroup with everyone for an apres drink or two before you leave the hill.

With that many people, I'd also suggest you speak to one of the ski schools about booking some private coaches for a day or two. Bit cheaper than a guide and will be the best way to orientate you around the place as Verbier is BIG and has some truly awesome skiing - if you know where to find it!

I'm a fan of European Snowsport because I've organised private groups with them before and always had great experiences. They can cater for all levels including those that just want to rip it up in the off-piste with one of the Swiss patentes.

http://www.europeansnowsport.com

Otherwise there are great itineraries that will take you over to Siviez and Savolyeres ... Mont Gele and Tortin are Verbier classics for experienced skiers ... La Chaux and Lac du Veaux are lovely for those needing something gentler. Wow, getting excited just thinking about what's in store!

Andy you'll love Verbs. But my tip would be make sure you get to the Medran lift early to beat the queues and ski schools up. You can then get up to Attelas and ride the lovely red down to mid station.
You'll also love the long red from Col des Gentianes that winds down under the Jumbo cable car to La Chaux.
The itinerary route from Chassoure to Tortin is a massive mogul field and cracking area of off piste, but conditions need to be god to ski it and enjoy it IMO.
The Greppon blacks above Siviez are fast and steep as well, you can properly open up on here.
Its a brilliant ski area, and I want to take Mrs H to show her round it this season.

Cheers everyone, I'm making notes! Can't wait.

We were out there a couple of weeks ago, and they were just finishing the replacement Mayentzet<>Ruinettes combi-lift. This replaces the two, old 2-seater lifts from Carrefour-Mayentzet-Ruinettes. If your accomodation is on the western side, it may turn out to be quicker and easier to get the bus to Carrefour amd catch this new lift to Ruinettes, rather than queue at Medran.

If conditions are good, the L'Éteygeon itinerary from the top of the Greppon Blanc 1 drag lift down to the Hérémence valley road (there's a bus back to the Les Masses chair lift) and the Vallon d'Arbi, from the bottom of the Lac des Vaux chair lift to the La Tzoumaz bubble are well worth doing. Allow plenty of time as a taxi back to Verbier will be very expensive.

If you want to do some more challenging off-piste it might be worth getting a freeride map http://www.freeride-map.com/index.php?lid=2&cid=200

I can't say enough nice things about Verbier!