Verbier, Switzerland
1. Why not go star-spotting, since Verbier is crammed (well, that was a slight exageration) with celebrities.
James Blunt is a Verbier regular and even has a lift named after him. Pic Hello SwitzerlandYou will tumble in to regulars such as Jude Law, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, the Beckhams, Jason Statham, Madonna, Bono, Diana Ross and James Blunt. The latter even has a chairlift named after him.
A friend recently experienced a close Verbier encounter with Prince Andrew, when he accidently fell in her arms, slipping while taking off his skis outside the ski restaurant Mouton Noir, by the way hosting a tremendous collection of swiss cuckoo clocks and cow bells. http://www.lemoutonverbier.com/
Cabane Mont-Fort, Verbier Photo by Ulla DahlstedtThe Prince and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, ski regularly in Verbier along with Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark and Prince Harry.
2. Be a star yourself, for a few days: check in to W Verbier and enjoy the design glamour, modern art, music and cool hangout bars. http://www.wverbier.com
W Verbier
My awesome room and parts of the bathroom, W Verbier
Sooo cool, W Verbier3. On a tight budget? You’ll find that more affordable accommodation is cropping up all over Verbier and the nearby settlements. You may go for a privately rented appartment or have a closer look at Hotel Montpelier; reasonably priced (well, we are still in Switzerland) from 150 CHF (~140 €) per night – good beds and breakfast. Alp views guaranteed. http://montpelierverbier.ch/
Verbier is equally good in summer; paragliding, biking, trekking etc4. Listen to this: “Bagne à la lie de grains nobles ou humagne rouge. Gruyère extra vieux de 24 mois d’âge. Brie aux truffes. Du crottin à la bûche, en passant par une brebis coulante. Mélange fondue. Bagnes à raclette.”
Poetry?
Poetry? Yes, and also some of the cheeses, hand made from fresh milk, to be found at La Chaumière; a must and an institution in Verbier, where you can buy local mountain cheese, marmelades, sorbets and home-made youghurts.
And don’t forget that Bagnes – the region – is the original home of Raclette.
https://www.chaumiere-philippe-blanc.ch/
5. Combine cheese with local wines, bought directly from Grégory Sola at Macbirch Vins.
Petite Arvine from the surroundings is my favourite. http://www.macbirch.ch/
6. And, of course, enjoy bread from Patisserie La Poste, where you buy warm breakfast croissants from the famous shutter/window going home from a late celebrity spotting night in Verbier. Not expensive either. The croissants, that is. http://www.verbier.ch/fr/fppoi-patisserie-de-la-poste-3778.html
7. Skiing is naturally the main reason to visit Verbier. And equally important 😉 is of course the After ski, After mountain biking, After walking or After biking downhill, if you visit in summer. Le fer a cheval is the classic place, where everyone meets. http://feracheval.ch/
8. I would recommend Bottle Brothers for tempting cocktails and mid sized, gourmet dishes.
Bottle Brothers and the concept is created by Benjamin Luzuy (the Jamie Oliver of Switzerland). Cool and crowded.
And don’t forget recently opened Vie Montagne https://www.viemontagne.com with smart design and surprisingly affordable tasting menues.
9. Finally, a Swiss lunch at chalet-cosy La Marmotte www.lamarmotte-verbier.com halv way up – or down – the mountain is highly recommended, as well as dinner at l’Ecurie: produce from the surrounding Alps, local recipies and a warm atmosphere. https://restaurantecurie.ch/
All you need to know and a little bit more is found at http://www.verbier.ch
Lottie's World 