A day riding through Verbier with Luke Dobney

A very youthful and sporty clientele flocks to Verbier. With runs suited for experts, novices, and every skier in between as well as a sunny, stunning landscape, and a buzzy après-ski scene, it is one of our long returned-to luxury holiday destinations for skiing.

With a huge variety of terrain to explore, a Verbier ski holiday is synonymous with lovers of the snow. There are a handful of dramatic places to ski, surrounded by hidden valleys, glaciers, the Matterhorn to the east and Mont Blanc to the west. 

Hailing from Britain, Luke Dobney had worked as a ski instructor in Canada, Australia and Japan. When he came to Verbier, it was just for one season but, like many, he was drawn back year after year and is now coming up on his eighth winter in the resort.

Boasting dramatic places to ski, with views of the Matterhorn to the east and Mont Blanc to the west, Verbier is one of our long returned-to destinations. Sit back and relax as one of our most experienced ski pros leads you through an exhilarating day in glitzy Verbier.

8am: 

Wake up in the luxury of your stunning chalet and know that the hard part is over: your skis are already here. Our long time partners at Mountain Air hold the secret to making ski hires a fun and easy part of the ski holiday.

Sam Bartholomew, along with his brother Joe and business partner Tom Crothall developed the first and largest ski hire delivery service in town.

10am

Our first stop is Tortin. This famous run in Verbier is a must-ski itinerary and a rite of passage. It’s the perfect way to start the day, an experience that takes your breath away with its endless opportunities. It is a surefire way to wake your legs up for a day of exploring in Verbier.

11am 

It’s time for the serious stuff; we’re going to make our descent on the Vallon d’Arbi. This run is legendary, with a James-Bond-style snow path carved out of the side of the mountain.

Then, we can make our way to the Carrefour, one of my favourite spots for a meal in between skiing, that boasts classic Swiss cuisine and stunning views.

2pm

In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to one of my favourite runs: the backside of Mont Gelé. It’s the most challenging descent in Verbier, and is only open when conditions are perfect. On busier days, we can make our way to Bruson. It’s a ski area that not many know about because it is a bit far away, but well worth the effort for the last ride of the day.

5pm

Verbier is famed for its lively après-ski, and while you're spoiled for choice when it comes to bars competing to offer the best atmosphere, my choice would be Le Rouge. At an altitude of 1550m, it is an establishment with class and style but without the stuffiness. I can even arrange for you to use the wine cave, where you can enjoy a beautiful private dinner with friends.

Discover our other ideas to perfect your next Swiss Alps holiday with Le Collectionist. From silver peaks to the wild slopes, find your ideal home amongst our selection of the most beautiful Verbier chalet rentals.