Verbier in Summer

Verbier makes a fantastic base to make the most of summer Alpine activities i.e.

Mountain Biking – Verbier is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best mountain biking areas in the Alps. In summer, the ski-lifts are modified to carry your mountain bikes to high altitude. From there you can take a variety of down-hill and cross-country routes of all difficulties from simple fire-roads to steep and technical. The key thing is that you can bike all day without cycling up hill at all, if you want to!

In 2006, the Bike Park opened, with graded down-hill routes including jumps and “North Shore” type runs.

There are two Specialized Big Hit down-hill bikes stored permanently at the Antika apartment which can be hired by prior arrangement.
For more information about mountain biking in Verbier, and if you are looking for a catered and guided mountain biking holiday, contact lucy@bikeverbier.com or go to www.bikeverbier.com.

Mountaineering – Verbier is close to the big mountains. The Mont Blanc massif and the Grand Combin is just across the valley, Chamonix is 1 hour away and Zermatt and Grindlewald are only 2-3 hours drive. Also Verbier has many spectacular mountains on its door-step which are rarely climbed simply because they are not 4000m – in other words, great if you want to avoid the “crowds” on the popular peaks!

Alpine mountaineering is a serious business and you will need a qualified Mountain Guide – contact Hans Solmssen on hans@verbier.ch.

Rock Climbing – You can always find somewhere to climb in the summer around Verbier. If it’s hot, go high for long alpine multi-pitch routes. If it’s not, go to the valley and do single or multi-pitch routes around the Martigny area – contact Hans Solmssen on hans@verbier.ch

Hiking – The area has hundreds of kilometers of marked trails at both low and high altitude. These are frequently punctuated by Alpine Huts where you can rest and refresh. Best of all is the Mont Fort hut which has the best chocolate brownies on the planet – guaranteed! Also you can hike the “hard way” or use the ski-lifts to gain altitude and do it the easy way.

Parapenting – Try a tandem flight with no training required or learn to do it solo. Go to www.flyverbier.ch/

Golf – When the snow has gone, the lower slopes become a surprising good golf course – see www.golfeurope.com/euro_clubs/verbier/index.htm

Sailing – Yes really! Lake Geneva is really a small sea and only 1 hour away. Hans Solmssen has a yacht and is a qualified skipper – contact him on hans@verbier.ch

Go to Chamonix – only one hours drive away and two outstanding tourist trips i.e.

• Ascend the Aguille Du Midi – highest cable car in Europe – incredible views over the Mont Blanc massif – needs good weather at altitude
• Montenvers railway for views over the Mer de Glace – not as spectacular as above but still excellent and not requiring (quite so good) weather at altitude

Go to Martigny – only 40 minutes drive

• Go to Foundation Pierre Gianadda (art gallery). Good for day when weather is cloudy/rain in Verbier but better in the valley. Good sculpture park so better if not pouring down!

Shopping – Verbier has some of the best shops/boutiques of any ski resort in the world – serious exercise for your plastic!