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Verbier Activities - Families & Kids
| Families & Kids Activities in Verbier |
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Verbier is very much a family-friendly resort and welcomes children of all ages. There is so much more to do than skiing so you can rest assured they will never run out of things to keep them entertained! Here are a few of our suggestions for the family to try together... |
| Arapaho Scooters |
 | Hire an off-road scooter with big fat mountain bike tyres that has been specifically designed for downhill riding. There are two routes to choose from, one between Ruinettes and Médran and the from Savoleyres to Tzoumaz.
Adrenalin factor : 6/10 (increasing to 9/10 if you manage to stray away from the course and accidently end up on the bmx bike course - not recommended!)
Verbinet verdict : Good fun for all the family to enjoy
Photo credit : Televerbier |
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last updated 8-Apr-2008 |
| Canyoning |
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons.
There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the local waterways.
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last updated 9-Apr-2008 |
| Children's Entertainments |
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Verbier offers a number of organised entertainments for children throughout the summer. The Swiss Ski School runs a number of activity camps for children from 6 to 15 years old. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, climbing, animal observation, painting, games in the forest and more. There is also a trampoline near the tennis courts and a playground behind the Post Office. For festivals and other entertainments enquire at the Tourist Office for details or check our What’s On Calendar to see what is happening when. |
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last updated 9-Apr-2008 |
| Cinema |
The cinema in Verbier is a great option for a rainy day. Rather than being a large ‘multi-plex’ Verbier cinema is probably best described as more of an art-house establishment. Alongside showing the latest films they also put on theatre productions and host brass bands, music conferences and a variety of workshops. As well as showing French and German films they also have a good range of films in English. In fact, if the film was made in English then the chances are it will be shown in its original language with French/German subtitles - a good way to learn a few new phrases!
For contact details and film programmes please see our Museums & Exhibits page.
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last updated 8-Jan-2008 |
| Fitness & Sports Centre |
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Verbier Sports Centre is well equipped and offers a host of activities for all ages. As well as having both indoor and outdoor swimming pools there is also a sauna, Turkish bath and solarium for those days when you want a bit of relaxation. Alternatively, you could always work up a sweat on the tennis and squash courts, or venture onto the climbing wall. The centre is also great for kids with a designated children’s play area and an indoor ice rink. Beach volleyball is, bizarrely, quite popular in this part of the Alps and is also catered for here. For further details and contact information please see our Activities to do/Health & Fitness listings. |
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last updated 8-Jan-2008 |
| Hiking & Walking Trails ('Itineraires Pietons') |
 | There are over 400kms of walking trail to explore in the valley that suit every level of walker from every age. Explore through the villages, pastures, forests and mountains peaks, discovering the flora and fauna of the Alps. Lower altitude walks along the valley floor can take you through the beautiful meadows whilst admiring the wild berries and flowers growing in the fields. Mountain trails are indicated along the way by various coloured sign posts marking the direction of the route. There are escorted trekking programs offered in the summer by the summer mountain guides. Check out our mountain guides section for further information.
Adrenaline factor : 1/10
Verbinet verdict : Can be as energetic or relaxing as you wish to make it. Beautiful scenery. |
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last updated 14-Dec-2007 |
| Horse-riding |
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Improve your skills with lessons in the outdoor arena (adults or children, minimum age 5 years), or join guided treks into the mountains. The professional and qualified instructors at Les Ecuries de Verbier can offer a variety of courses (dressage, jumping, etc.), hacks through spectacular mountain and forest trails, holiday camps, as well as a programme of demonstrations and events. There are new stables this year, with stalls for privately owned horses. |
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last updated 21-Apr-2008 |
| Miniature Golf |
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For some gentle exercise on a sunny afternoon Verbier has a an outdoor mini-golf course at the centre of resort. |
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last updated 22-Apr-2008 |
| Museums / Galleries |
If you’re a bit of a culture vulture, you can drop in to one of the galleries or museums that are in town. The Val de Bagnes Museum consists of 6 different sites that each reflect different aspects of the areas culture and history. These range from an restored blacksmiths forge, to the Glacier Museum to the Bagnes Museum, which hosts regular art exhibitions alongside its own collection of artifacts.
The Fondation Pierre Giannada in nearby Martigny is also well worth a visit for its collection of ancient historical artifacts, sculpture garden and regular exhibitions of European artworks.
See our Activities to do/Museums & Exhibits listings for further details. |
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last updated 14-Jan-2008 |
| Paragliding ('Parapente') |
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The Valley de Bagnes is a wonderful and world famous spot to free fly. Glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor. The instructor will manoeuvre the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views. ... see "Verbier for Paragliding" for more |
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last updated 22-Apr-2008 |
| Summer Camp |
There are so many things to do in Verbier throughout the summer that sometimes the only way to make the most of it all is to enrol in a summer camp!
Les Elfes have been running camps in Verbier for 8-18 year old girls and boys for many years now and offer a varied programme of activities and events. Sports include football, basketball, trampoline, golf, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, abseiling, sailing, windsurfing and more. All mountain sports are supervised by professional mountain guides. There is also an educational element, as the week includes 8 hours of tuition in either French, German, English or Spanish and a visit to a famous Swiss city such as Geneva, Bern or Montreaux. The children will also have to opportuntity to take part in dance, music or theatre classes and put on a show at the end of the week. Les Elfes have a great reputation for providing a fun packed week in a safe and friendly environment; they also run camps in Whistler (Canada) and Mzaar (Lebanon). |
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last updated 7-May-2008 |
| Suspension Walk |
 | If you have highly active kids that aren’t afraid of heights and need constant entertainment, (or you’re really just a big kid at heart!!!) then the Suspension Walk is guaranteed to keep all the family entertained. Built in amongst the trees at Médran there's over 800 metres of ropes connecting the trees together where you have much fun teetering along the tightropes, sliding down the pulleys and whilst scrambling around the trees like a monkey! Attached by a harness and various pieces of safety equipment you too can become the next Tarzan or Jane. This is a great adventure playground that's just as much fun for adults as children ! Believe us, we're just big kids at heart and we've tried it !!!
Adrenaline factor 10/10
Verbinet verdict : Excellent, hair raising, adrenaline pumping fun ! |
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last updated 8-Apr-2008 |
| Swimming Pool |
Verbier has two swimming pools that are open to the public and actually offer a wealth of activities besides swimming. The Verbier Sports Centre is probably the best option for a day out with the kids due to the sheer variety of facilities on offer. It boasts a heated indoor pool (12 x 25 m), sauna, Turkish bath, indoor ice rink (30 x 60 m), curling, solarium, squash court and climbing wall.
For a more relaxing experience there is also the Mondzeu indoor pool (10 x 20 m) which offers hydromassage, sauna and a fitness center. Admission prices are reasonably inexpensive and children are welcome.
Top Tip: Check out the weather forecast first, this is a good alternative for when the skies don't look too promising!
Adrenalin factor : 4/10
Verbinet verdict : A nice change of pace to break up the holiday. |
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last updated 28-Feb-2008 |
| Tennis & Squash |
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Verbier has a number of public and private tennis courts throughout the resort. The Verbier Sports Centre is well-equipped with 5 courts with artificial grass and 4 with Polytan, as well as squash courts. See our Activities to do listings for addresses and contact details. |
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last updated 24-Apr-2008 |
| Tobogganing |
 | There's 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.
Adrenaline factor : 6/10
Verbinet verdict : Go as fast or slow as you like. Excellent fun for all the family. |
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last updated 14-Dec-2007 |
| Tourist Train |
One way to find your way around town in the summer is to hop aboard the Train des Combins miniature train that trundles daily through Verbier, offering a free transport service through:
Place de l'Ermitage - Médran - Route de Ransou - Savoleyres - Carrefour - Hameau - Crettaz-Cô - Coop - Migros - Place de l'Ermitage
Three times a week there are also local heritage tours that leave from Place Curia and visit museums, the Mauviosin dam, the chapels of Val de Bagnes or other local points of interest. These trips are free of charge but must be reserved before 5pm the day before.
The train is scheduled to run from 30th June to 26th August. |
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last updated 24-Apr-2008 |
| White Water Rafting |
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If you haven't experienced this before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! Verbier has a number of trained guides who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the mountain rivers flow furiously as they are fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a 3 hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint. |
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last updated 24-Apr-2008 |
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