- According to the French
- Mecca of freeriders
- Statistics for insiders
- Useful details
Skiing is not a cheap pleasure, especially if you take into account not only the cost of quality equipment, but also the prices for hotel accommodation in snow resorts. Switzerland is usually the legislator of winter sports fashion in the Old World, the most expensive ski resorts of which are increasingly becoming a place for Christmas and New Year holidays for Russian fans of outdoor activities.
According to the French
A tourist site from France, specializing in ski resorts, conducted its own research, according to which Verbier is recognized as the most expensive ski resort not only in Switzerland, but throughout Europe. The rating was based on the cost of living in the cheapest hotel room in the resort per day for two. Verbier has bypassed the main competitors from Austria and France, and in order to spend the night here in the most modest hotel, you will have to shell out about 280 euros.
Mecca of freeriders
The winter resort of Verbier is located in the French-speaking part of the Valais canton in Switzerland and is part of the Four Valleys region, where more than 400 km of trails for skiers and snowboarders are equipped. The transport of athletes to the slopes is provided by a single network of lifts.
Verbier's history and geography are well known to freeride fans:
- The resort sits on a sun terrace between the Mont Blanc and Matterhorn alpine peaks. The magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes are marked with Michelin stars.
- The main part of Verbier is located at 1500 meters, and the highest starting point of the ski slopes is at 3330 meters.
- The annual Freeride World Championship is the recognition of Verbier as the most suitable region for this type of skiing.
The ski area, which includes the resort of Verbier, together with the stations of Nanda, Veyzon and La Tzuma, is the largest in Switzerland. Skiers and snowboarders are delivered to the starting points with modern high-tech lifts, ski slopes are equipped in accordance with the most diverse standards of difficulty, and luxury hotels are able to satisfy even the most sophisticated taste of discerning guests.
In addition to traditional skiing from the mountains, the resort offers opportunities for tobogganing and snowboarding. The region has dog sledding and cross-country skiing trails, snow tubing slides and snowshoe trails, modern snow parks and a fun park with tramp and rails, where you can try a new board or hone your snowboarding skills.
Statistics for insiders
Regular visitors to the Swiss resort of Verbier are well aware of its technical capabilities:
- The tracks are located at an altitude of 1500-3330 meters.
- The athletes are brought to the starting point by 48 lifts.
- A third of all slopes are easy slopes, more than 40% are marked in red and are suitable for self-confident skiers, and a quarter of all slopes are "black" and are designed for professionals.
Off-piste enthusiasts are well aware of the steep and wide slopes of Verbier, which are technically patrolled, but still natural and very challenging. For the safe operation of such areas, it is recommended to use the services of a ski guide.
Switzerland's most expensive ski resort in numbers
- The cost of a ski pass for six days of skiing will be about 335 euros for an adult.
- Children under 5 years old can use the slopes and lifts for free. For young athletes from 6 to 15 years old, the ticket price will be lower by a third, and for young people from 16 to 20 years old - by 15%.
- The cost of a cocktail in the trendy Farinet bar, where parties are held by the most famous DJs in Europe, starts from 10 euros.
Useful details
You will have to get to the resort of Verbier "on the transfer". The first stage is a flight from Moscow to Geneva. Aeroflot will ask for its services about 240 euros, Swiss International Air Lines - about 210 euros, and with a transfer in Vienna, Amsterdam or Frankfurt, the flight can be even cheaper. You will have to spend about 3.5 hours in the sky in each direction.
In Geneva, travelers will have to buy a train ticket to Chablis or Martini, where they change to a bus to Verbier. You will spend about 3 hours on the road from Geneva to the slopes of the most expensive Swiss resort. The distance from the airport to the highways is 160 km.
The climate of the Valais canton, home to the Four Valleys ski region, is dry and sunny. The skiing season starts in November and lasts until mid-April.
During the season, Verbier hosts the traditional music festival, the Adrenaline Contest, the Carlsberg High Five for skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers and the Patroulle des Glaciers race, which is attended by about a thousand athletes from all over the world.
