Part of skiing’s appeal is the ability to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life to the serenity and beauty of the mountains. However, anyone who has visited a European ski resort during the busy periods will know that you are more likely to find yourself standing in a lift queue than alone on a mountain top!
Fortunately, with a little planning and strategy, it’s still possible to have a great skiing experience, during the peak weeks. Here’s how to beat the Verbier crowds and make the most of your skiing adventure.
Need to know:
Get the first lift
One of the simplest yet most effective strategies is to get on the first lift of the day. The rush hour typically occurs between 9 AM and 10 AM when ski schools start their lessons and families hit the slopes. To avoid the crowds, aim to get the first lift at 8:45 AM. Those 15 minutes extra, can mean fewer crowds, untouched pistes, and a more peaceful start to your day.!
Organise rental and lift pass the day before
To maximise your time on the slopes, organise your rental gear and lift pass the day before. You may not feel like it after a long day traveling, but if you want to make that first lift, you need to get everything organised the day before.
Many accommodation providers will offer to organise liftpasses and rental for you. You can also buy your lift passes online and shops such as Mountain Air allow you to pre-book rental equipment which speeds up the whole process.
Have a plan
Before hitting the slopes, it’s a good idea to have a plan for the day. Familiarise yourself with the map of Verbier and decide which areas you want to explore. Check the lift status online or through the Verbier app to avoid unexpected closures that could lead you into crowded areas.
This is where more experienced skiers have an advantage; as your skiing gets better, more options on the mountain open up.
Know the bottlenecks
Certain lifts are notorious for bottlenecks, particularly during busy periods. Be aware of these hotspots:
- La Chaux The two chairlifts in the La Chaux area tend to get particularly busy in the afternoon
- Siviez Siviez is a little hub you must pass through to connect from Verbier to the rest of the 4 Vallées. The Tortin chairlift is busy both in the morning and afternoon as skiers transfer between areas
- Mont Fort The Jumbo cable car can get busy, especially when the snow is good up high.
- Medran This is the main lift taking skiers up the mountain from Verbier, as a consequence gets particularly busy in the mornings. Try and avoid it between 9 – 10am, or take the Meyentzet chair if you’re at that end of the town
By avoiding these lifts during peak times, you can save time and enjoy a smoother skiing experience.
Visit less-known areas
Verbier is one of the best known ski resorts in the world, so most visitors will be here to ski the main ‘Verbier’ area. However, there are lots of hidden gems that offer fewer crowds and often better snow conditions. Consider exploring:
- Bruson: A smaller quieter area with beautiful views, lots of off-piste options and a great restaurant!
- Savoleyres: A great area with lots of variety of runs that connects to Verbier but tends to be less crowded.
These areas provide excellent skiing opportunities without the hustle and bustle of more popular spots.
Adjust your lunch schedule
Around midday, the slopes tend to be quieter as skiers take a break for lunch. We start to notice this around 11.30 as first, the ski school morning lessons start to make their way back down the mountain. With the slopes remain noticeably emptier until around 2pm.
If you can keep skiing during this lunch interval, you’ll get more out of your day. Here’s a plan I often suggest to my clients:
Get the first lift at 8.45, ski until 11 when the mountain is at its busiest, stop for a break and a snack, ski till 2pm when lunch is over for most people, stop for lunch in the now much quieter restaurants, ski some more in the afternoon.
Book your restaurants for lunch.
If my schedule above seems a little intense and you do want a longer lunch around midday, then you need to book a restaurant in advance. During the peak times all the best restaurants on the mountain are booked up weeks before!
Our instructors will be happy to take care of lunch reservations this for you
Go off-piste
If the pistes are too busy why not get off them! Verbier is renowned for its off-piste terrain, but during peak weeks, it’s typically families visiting, meaning the off-piste areas can be less skied than at other times of the season. There is a perception that off-piste is only for advanced skiers, but if you are a good intermediate then maybe it’s time to try some powder. Swap your skis at the rental shop for something a little wider. A few lessons from an experienced instructor will set you on the right path!
Whilst going off-piste will put some distance between you and the crowds, the best way to really escape is to go ski touring. Going uphill under your own steam means you are no longer wholly reliant on the ski lift system. And this opens a whole mountain range of possibilities! Make sure you take a Brevet qualified instructor or a qualified guide to show you the way.
Wrapping Up
Everyone would love to come to Verbier during the quiet periods, but if you are tied to school holidays this just isn’t an option. Whilst Verbier is definitely busier during these peak weeks, it can handle the extra volume of people and if you come with a plan you can still get in as much skiing as your legs can handle!