Cross-country Skiing in Verbier: Nordic Skiing
also see Verbier Ski Areas: All About the Ski Area

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.

You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable.

The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!

Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond) in Verbier

Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 22km of cross-country skiing tracks to be found in and around Verbier. The circuits are free to use and given the flat terrain on which they are laid out, are of easy level grades – mainly green and blue tracks.

Situated at an elevation of 2200m, cross-country skiing enthusiasts will delight in the Les Ruinettes – La Chaux trail; a 6km round trip journey offering panoramic views that will take your breath away. Simply take the gondola up from Médran to the Ruinettes station (a lift ticket must be purchased for this) & you’re on your way!

In the resort, you will find a 4km loop trail situated behind the parking near the Sports Centre. In the Val de Bagnes, directly down the mountain from Verbier, another 10km circuit awaits you in le Châble, while further up the valley you will find yet another 2km, in the quiet setting of Plamproz!