Winter Activities in Verbier

Airboarding

This relatively new twist on snow sports is a bit like body boarding down the piste. Lying stomach-down on an inflatable sled-like cushion you slide head-first down the mountain, picking up speed and using your bodyweight to shift direction. The underside of the air board is grooved, so that you can steer and brake by leaning from side to side. Many resorts are reluctant to allow airboarding as they could be a hazard to skiers and boarders; so ensure that you have had training, are wearing safety gear and know how to control your board before setting off. Many resorts enforce age restrictions and only allow airboarding within certain areas, so don’t go plummeting down your favourite black run before checking the rules first!

You can learn how to snowboard with Swiss Mountain Spirit. After a safety briefing at Les Attelas you will be taught the basics and taken on your first descent by an airboarding guide; safety equipment is provided.

Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond)

Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum.

read more in... Cross Country Skiing in Verbier & the 4 Valleys

Glacier Walking

For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on Verbier’s Mont Fort glacier. It can be accessed by a little train that runs from the top of the Attelas cable car to the lift station at Mont Fort. The peak can be reached on foot but the slope on which the glacier lies is pretty steep so, unless you are planning on skiing or snowboarding back down, the recommended descent is via the cable car. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible experience.

We strongly recommend hiring a mountain guide for this activity. There are also a number of other glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this area of the Alps. Most guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible.

To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article.

Helicopter Tours & Heli-skiing in Verbier

Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snow-capped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Swiss Alps.

Skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers can take a helicopter ride into the very heart of the Swiss Alps and enjoy an original and challenging descent on one of Verbier's fantastic slopes. Under the supervision of a qualified guide and with pair of wide skis, these trips become accessible to everyone. Don't get too despondent if you don't go when planned though as helicopter travel is dictated largely by the weather. Heliskiing isn't legal in neighbouring France, so a lot of people will cross the border to have a go. The most popular destinations include Rosablanche(3314m), Petit Combin (3670m) or on the Trient glacier (3295m). If you are a ski tourer, you could try Heli-touring. Using skins attached to your skis, ski touring further allows you to take on some alternative explorations.

Husky sledding ('traineaux a chiens') in Verbier

Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout "mush!"), and strict instructions not to let go of the sled if it turns over (the dogs would disappear for hours...), you set off following the guide’s team. Your huskies want to keep up with their doggy mates, so the next hour is a breathless scramble to keep the sled upright, trying to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you tear around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work.

If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! Either way it is an exhilarating experience – you can find contact details on our Activity Companies page.  

Husky Sledding (traineaux a chiens)

Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs, driving them along forest paths. After a brief explanation of how to make your team stop and start (you shout "mush!"), and strict instructions not to let go of the sled if it turns over (the dogs would disappear for hours...), you set off following the guide’s team. Your huskies want to keep up with their doggy mates, so the next hour is a breathless scramble to keep the sled upright, trying to control the speed downhill, and hanging on for dear life when you tear around corners. Going uphill you have to help push the sled, so this is hard physical work.

If this all sounds a bit much you can opt for a less physical outing where you sit in the sled and the guide does all the hard work! Either way it is an exhilarating experience – you can find contact details on our Action, Fun & Sports page under Swiss Mountain Spirit.

Ice Climbing

For the true mountain enthusiast, why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall or glacier? This is a fantastic sport and is not just for experienced mountaineers. Select any one of Verbier's thirty ice cascades and gulleys between Fionnay and Mauvoisin in the Val De Bagnes to experience the thrill of ice climbing. Waterfalls are frozen from December to February.

Although it sounds like a very specialised sport, ice climbing is suitable for everyone - from complete beginners to experienced climbers. Some knowledge of ropes and basic climbing skills will give you a head start, but if you are a complete novice then your guide should be able to teach you from scratch.

Safety is important, so it is advisable to take an experienced mountain guide to instruct you on the use of crampons, ropes and ice picks. As this sport grows in popularity there are more and more opportunities for the beginner to learn. Verbier is also home to an artifical pyramid where you can learn the ropes. There are also plenty of courses available by the day, weekend or week, check out our Mountain Guide section for further information.

Ice Rink

Verbier sports centre not only has a 60m ice rink, but also a curling rink with three lanes! Skates are available to hire and you can take lessons if you wish, enquire at reception for details.

There are regular ice hockey events, which are always a good night out. The local team is HC Verbier, also known as 'The Dolphins'.

Paragliding (Parapente in French)

From the heights of the mountain tops one can glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor. He manoeuvres the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views. Taking off is the only scary moment; once you have been equipped with a helmet and strapped to the instructor behind you in a rather intimate way, both of you simply point your skis (or board) downhill, and carry on getting faster and faster until the parachute lifts you into the air.

read more in... Parapenting in Verbier

Snowshoe Walking ('Raquette à Neige') in Verbier

Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided. See activity companies for details of guiding companies.

You can also hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops, grab a trail map from the Tourist Office and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go. This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions or for non-skiers, and walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Don't forget to take energy bars and wear comfortable (waterproof!) boots.

Tobogganing

There are two 'tracks' available in Verbier for a spot of tobogganing fun. A 7km route on Attelas startes fom Ruinettes to Verbier and on Savoleyres, a 10km run starts at the top fo the Taillay chairlift and runs down through the forest to Tzoumaz. Toboggans can be rented from most ski shops for a reasonable afternoon and daily rate.

Winter Walking Trails

For non-skiers who don't want to miss out on the beauty of the Swiss mountains Verbier has 25km of signed hiking trails, many of which are open all year round. Starting in resort they offer an alternative and peaceful way to enjoy the stunning alpine scenery. You can pick up maps of the trails at the Tourist Office.

You do not need any particular equipment, just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth! Top tip: buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping, all of this can be bought from most local Sport Shops.

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. Click here for prices of pedestrian lift passes.