Overview/Skiing
Verbier is the most well known resort in the Swiss alps and famous for attracting the rich and Royals to the slopes. The week we were there we spotted Bear Grylls and the Duchess of York (not together!). The resort is part of the 4 Vallees ski area, hosting over 400km of pistes. However if you wanted to make a trip further afield to other parts of the 4 vallees beginner skier may struggle with the challenging 'unpisted' runs to make those journeys.
For the more adventurous skiers the peaks of Mont Gele and Mont Fort are two challenges to be tackled, especially if there has been some fresh snow. Good weather is required to access those peaks as the telecabins wont operate in windy or poor visibly conditions. The top parts of both of these runs are heavily mogled and steep, but if you're into that kind of thing.
However if you don't feel up for the steep and challenging pistes, the trip to the top is well worth the view and you can return back down the telecabin to the easier runs.
Lunch on the mountain
1. Chez Dany
This is one of the best mountain restaurants in the Alps (in my opinion). If you're looking for a proper Swiss mountain meal this is the place to come. The restaurant is not easy to find as it is only accessible half way down an unpisted run from the top of the main Medran telecabin. It can also be accessed on foot, around a 1hr hike from the Verbier town.
Chez Dany is a typical mountain restaurant boasting cowskin rugs deer antlers on the walls. A great place to shelter away when the weather is overcast or snowing. In the sunshine there is a fantastic terrace with some of the best views of the swiss Alps.
The Food
We enjoyed some fantastic transitional 'Croutes', but the you can't go wrong with a fondue either. On another day we went off piste as they had oysters on offer. For someone who is isn't a massive oyster fan, they were fantastic!
Booking is advisable if you are in a larger group. You have more of a chance as a walk in for lunch, but you need to book before your trip if you are heading there for dinner in the evening.
We didn't manage to make a trip up to Chez Dany in the evening, but there is a 'snow taxi' (piste basher) which will pick you up from around the Medran lift in Verbier village up to the restaurant in the evening.
Black Tap
Black Tap is situated at the top of the 3 jumbo Telecabin, but this lift is often closed in windy or cloudy conditions.
This is a nice spot for a well deserved burger if you've tackled the Mont Fort peak, or if you're keen for a quick bite and head out to the slopes. The Black Tap is a New York city diner serving burgers, beers and their famous milkshakes
Dinner
1. Le Rouge
Well known as an apres ski venue, Le Rouge transforms into a great spot for dinner in the evening. It boasts Italian inspired food about a 10 min walk from the centre of Verbier.
French onion soup is decent, and we also enjoyed a nice Penne with tomato and vodka sauce dish, We paid around 28 CHF per main.
2. Taritatta
A restaurant located underground in the centre of the village, Taritatta is great for a special occasion. It has a great quirky and intimate atmosphere with brilliant food; a real meat extravaganza specialising in steak, pork and chicken. The cocktail and wine lists will satisfy any wine buff. A really nice experience is the team let you pick your own knife form their sword box to tackle your steak with. This is a pricey evening out, but worth it for as a special occasion.
3. Farinet
The Farinet is well known as a pumping apres ski bar, but also hosts a lounge bar, restaurant, hotel and nightclub in the centre of Verbier. The Farinet is a great spot for a cocktail or a beer in the lounge bar, but the food is surprising good too. They service a range of Japanese dishes. The Farinet uramaki rolls are highly recommended.
Check out some of our other resort reviews here -