Verbier is suitable for beginners but is often overlooked due to its reputation as an off-piste mecca. Learning to ski in Verbier is possible, but it’s good to be careful when choosing terrain to ski on as a beginner. Our team of instructors have put together this beginner’s guide to Verbier to help you fall in love with Verbier and snowsports.
Getting around Verbier
Part of what makes Verbier so great is that, unlike many ski resorts, Verbier is a real year-round community. It is a small cosmopolitan town that happens to be located at the foot of some of the best mountains in Europe. For this to be possible, the resort and lift system must be built around the town and nature. You may need to use the resort buses to get to the slopes, and it’s essential to carry a piste map and plan your day to link the areas you want to ski in together. If you have lessons, your Instructor will sort this out for you.
Verbier bus timetable and bus route map are found here.
Bookmark this Interactive piste map to your phone’s home screen so it’s easy to refer to.
Verbier Beginner Slopes
The beginner slopes in Verbier are perfect for learning to ski or snowboard. These dedicated areas offer gentle slopes and accessible lifts that help you build confidence and practice away from the busy areas.
There are two beginner ski areas in Verbier.
Les Esserts
Les Esserts has easy slopes and lifts, which are ideal for learning. The area is a golf course in the summer so you can imagine the open space with gentle rolling descents. It’s a fantastic place to learn, where you can practice without worrying about others. You can focus on learning the skills needed before heading up the mountain.
There are two different types of lifts in the Les Esserts beginner area. One is a drag lift with a button-shaped seat that goes between your legs to pull you up the slope, standing up. Typically, these lifts are slow, and there is someone to help you get on and off them.
The other type of ski lift is a magic carpet. There are two in Les Esserts. A magic carpet is a conveyor belt that you can slide onto, and it slowly takes you up the hill with minimal effort. So you don’t need to worry about getting on or off a chairlift safely or taking your skis off regularly as you would if you were using a gondola.
You can get to Les Esserts using the free ski bus or get a shuttle from your accommodation provider. If you travel by bus, use line N°1 from Medran and get off at the bus stop named N°17/Ski Schools area.
If you’ve booked lessons with our team, your Instructor can meet you and guide you from your doorstep to the slopes.
Savoleyres
For first-time skiers, we’d recommend starting in the Les Esserts beginner area before progressing to Savoleyres.
The vast network of blue beginner runs makes Savoleyres an excellent place for beginners and intermediates. Skiing at Savoleyres is a typical Swiss mountain experience with small, pretty chalets and epic views, and it’s only a short ride up the Savoleyres 200 Gondola. Most guests will need a bus to access this lift. It is quite a trek from Medran.
What’s next?
After mastering beginner slopes, you can explore some incredible intermediate blue and red runs in Verbier.
Our favourite blue runs in Verbier and the 4 Vallees are
- Grands creux (la chaux)
- Lacs at (Lac de veaux)
- Tortin – Siviez (Siviez)
- Taillay (Savoleyres)
Our favourite red runs in Verbier are
- Couer Supérieur (Savoleyres)
- Tournelle (Savoleyres)
- Pissevache (Bruson)
- Grand Tsai (Bruson)
Beginner runs, like the blue and green slopes at Le Chaux and Lac de Vaux, offer easy routes for new skiers. If you feel confident and want to travel further, we also recommend Siviez (4 Vallee passes needed) for those learning to ski. We love the Siviez tipi, which serves strong vin chaud for 5CHF if you need a midday pick-me-up!
We recommend avoiding the piste called the m25. You could end up on it if you’re trying to ski home from La Chaux. The M25 becomes quite busy, especially at the end of the day, which could be daunting for a beginner skier.
The ski down from Ruinettes, a blue run, is often closed due to avalanche risk, so it’s always worth checking the interactive map before planning your route home. If the blue run is closed, it’s only reds and blacks, which will be challenging and potentially dangerous for a beginner.
Ski Lessons for Beginners.
Ski lessons are for everyone, but especially beginners. We recommend that anyone new to skiing enrols in lessons, not just those learning to ski in Verbier. Learning a new skill as an adult can be daunting for some, so you have nothing to worry about. Our experienced team will ensure you learn in a friendly, safe environment and provide the necessary tools to move around the mountain.
Our Private Ski Lessons are entirely tailored to your needs, and you can start with just two hours to learn the basics. Private lessons are preferable in Verbier, a popular resort with busy slopes.
A one-on-one lesson can transform your skiing in just a few hours and help you avoid bad habits. You’ll learn in a safe environment on the most appropriate slopes for your ability. And you only need to think about what you’re doing, as the Instructor will do the rest. If you’d like to know what to expect in a beginner ski lesson with us, read more about learning to ski here.
We highly recommend booking a lesson to make the most of your time in the mountains.
Hear from beginner skiers in Verbier.
One of our guests, Lynn, shared her experience as a beginner skier in Verbier:
‘Last weekend, I had the opportunity of taking private ski lessons with Mauro from the New Generation Ski school along with my cousin, both of us being practically first-time skiers.
I can’t stress enough how positive of an experience we had! We started the first day with a two-hour lesson and ended up booking with Mauro for four consecutive days because he surpassed our expectations. He helped us two clumsy girls get on our feet, pushed us to achieve new goals and really helped build confidence on the slopes. Mauro is patient, attentive, a quick thinker, and an extremely skillful skier, making us feel safe and guided when we were entirely out of our element. Make your trip a lot more fun and learn new skills along with great company by booking your lessons with Mauro. We couldn’t recommend it enough.’
Get in touch today, or when you’re ready, book your lessons online. That’s one job ticked off your pre-holiday to-do list!
Skit and Snowboard hire in Verbier.
You’ll need to hire skis, boots and poles. We don’t recommend buying your own just yet. You can also hire helmets too, but we suggest you buy your own.
When putting on ski boots for the first time, remember that they’re made of stiff plastic and may not be the most comfortable, but they should never cause pain. Wearing only one pair of thin ski socks is highly recommended for maximum comfort. Additionally, make sure to wear your ski pants outside of your boots to prevent any rubbing or discomfort that may occur from material bunching up. By following these guidelines, you’ll feel confident and comfortable on the slopes.
If your boots are giving you issues, you can go back to the shop and ask to change your boots. We work closely with Ski Service, a ski and snowboard rental company with a shop in the centre of Verbier.
We’ve got an exclusive discount code giving you up to 20% off that you can use as a friend of New Generation Ski and Snowboard School. Click the link to make the most of our ski equipment discount code in Verbier.
Need help packing? We’ve got you covered with our ski trip packing list, and if you need help deciding what to wear, we’ve got all the information you need here.
Before arriving at the resort, buying everything else, like gloves, goggles, and a ski jacket and pants, would be best. We work alongside Ellis Brigham and have a 10% voucher for you to use if you create an account with us here. Here’s a detailed list of what you must buy for your first ski trip.
Ski Passes in Verbier
You’ll need a ticket to ride most of the lifts in Verbier. However, buying a lift pass is unnecessary if you use the magic carpets, as they’re free to use. But if you’d like to use the drag lift, you’ll need to buy a Les Esserts Pass.
You can buy a Verbier pass when you’re ready to move up the mountain, but you’re unlikely to need a 4 Vallees ski pass when you’re still a beginner. You can choose a half day (4 hours) or a full day, and we’d recommend purchasing a ski pass day by day when you’re just starting.
In Europe, these small cards (the same size as a credit card) allow you to pass through the gates at each lift station. The scanners for lift passes are on the left-hand side, so ensure that your lift pass is in a lefthand pocket.
If you’re overwhelmed by the choice of lift passes and unsure which pass you need, we can help. Contact our team in Verbier to discuss the options based on your ability.
What to do in Verbier while not skiing
When you’re not skiing, Verbier provides a variety of other activities, making it a great all-around winter holiday destination. The atmosphere in Verbier is lively, and plenty is going on to entertain anyone’s needs.
Learning to ski can be exhausting, so taking a break midweek and giving your feet some time out of ski boots is essential! But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sit still.
Verbier offers activities like winter hiking and paragliding, dog-sledding, ice skating, and more for non-skiing days, ensuring a well-rounded holiday experience.
Accommodation
While there are accommodation providers near the beginner areas, many are located in the town centre, requiring either a bus ride or a walk to the ski lifts.
However, Verbier offers a range of options, from luxury hotels to more budget-friendly apartments, so you should be able to find somewhere suitable. When booking, we’d recommend asking if the accommodation is near the town centre or the beginner areas so you can plan accordingly.
If you’re looking to spend less on accommodation and more on eating out on the slopes in Verbier, then Le Châble is an excellent option further down the hill. It provides more budget accommodation but is still easily accessible as Le Châble – Verbier gondola stays open until 12:30 PM.
So, is Verbier a good resort for beginners?
Verbier, balancing beginner-friendly areas with its vibrant atmosphere, is an ideal starting point for your skiing journey. With our guidance, you can confidently navigate and enjoy this magnificent resort. And it’s just 2 hours from Geneva, so it’s easily accessible. Whether you’re clipping into skis for the first time or simply soaking in the mountain views, Verbier’s blend of beginner-friendly slopes, vibrant culture, and various activities promises an unforgettable experience.
Our nearly two decades in Verbier have shown us that every visit here can be as unique and exciting as the majestic mountains surrounding us, from the gentle slopes of Les Esserts to the thrilling descents of Savoleyres. And from cosy après-ski spots to exhilarating non-ski adventures, Verbier invites you to create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s essential to be aware of the potential challenges, such as the cost and the resort’s primary focus on more advanced skiing.
Feel free to reach out if you need guidance or have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is always here to help make your Verbier experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. And remember, the best way to experience Verbier is by embracing its challenges and charms.
