Tr avel report VERBIER ‘M
ORE champagne sir?”
“Why not?”, I answer as George, the ever attentive chalet host, fills up my glass.
After all, it’s not every day you get to sit in Richard Branson’s outdoor hot tub drinking a glass of bubbly after a hard day skiing.
Glancing out at the snow-covered valley, and the twinkling lights on the mountains, it was a pretty surreal end to another magical day in the Swiss Alps.
I was staying in The Lodge, the business magnate’s very own chalet, in the chic and luxurious resort of Verbier.
This village is regarded as the winter playground of the rich and famous - and it’s easy to see why.
Its wooden alpine chalets, trendy bars, top-class hotels, relaxing spas and fine-dinning restaurants all ooze class and charm and are often frequented by royals, millionaires and billionaires.
And it’s also the perfect place to ski.
With exceptional alpine views, hundreds of kilometres of groomed slopes, outstanding off-piste and a world renowned apres-ski scene, it just has it all. plenty of adrenaline pumping offpiste runs for the experts.
More than enough for a week on the snow.
And being right in the heart of the Swiss Alps I was blessed with incredible views, with the giant Grand Combin, Mount Blanc and Mount Velan towering above the horizon.
From the village, the easiest way up the mountain is via the Medran lift.
Being my first time on the slopes for a year or so, I headed first to the wide groomed red and blue pistes around La Chaux – the perfect place to get those ski legs back.
After regaining my confidence, another cable car ride took me to the glacier at the 3,000m Col des Gentianes.
Sitting just below the peak of Mont Fort, I opted against the exciting-looking itinerary runs and instead dropped down the steep and winding red, taking in views of the imposing Bec des Rosses - an almost vertical rock face used in the Freeride World Tour in March.
With plenty of fresh powder, blue skies above, and snow-topped peaks surrounding me, it was an amazing day to ski.
Sadly, though, sunshine dosn’t last for ever and the snow and clouds soon rolled in.
But not to worry, as there are plenty of lower altitude slopes to enjoy around the 4 Vallees on those whiteout days.
The pine tree-lined blue and red slopes down from the Ruinettes station is a great location to head in bad weather, with pistes crisscrossing the forest.
And with 44km of pistes, the low altitude ski area of Bruson across the valley, is another option for those cloudy days.
While I wasn’t brave enough to hit the itinerary slopes, the area has no shortage of off-piste for the more advanced skiiers.
The recently opened cable car can whizz you up to the peak to the 3,000m peak of Mont Gele from Attelas station. From here you can enjoy a power run down it’s steep, rocky slopes.
The 3,300m tall Mont Fort is also popular with thrill-seeking skiers and boarders with ‘backside Mont Fort’ a must for off-pisters who flock to traverse the daunting mountain face.
There are a number of ski schools and guides available to show you the mountain and help hone your skills, including the excellent Element Ski School.
And for complete beginners, the ski school also runs classes on the nursery slopes at the bottom of the mountain. FOR a place to stay, the hip and happening Hotel Farinet is where the party is at.
Right in the heart of the village, it is just a short walk away from the lift and slopes.
There is no finer way to end the day than sipping an aperol spritz next to the cosy log fire at the hotel’s famous on-site bar and club where DJs and bands keep the party going until the early hours.
The spacious rooms, decorated in leather and cow patterns, provided me with more than enough room, and the boot room allowed hasslefree storage of my skis and boots.
Over at the five star chalet-style W Verbier I was able to enjoy ski in/ski out luxury.
This modern and stylish hotel, which has 123 rooms and suites, is ideally located at the base of the slope, with the boot room a 10 second walk from the main Medran lift.
A mountain concierge is on hand to help find gear and book lessons or activities such as snow shoeing and even heli-skiing.
My room was a delight, with a mix of modern chrome and traditional wooden chalet furniture and fittings, as well as my own balcony, enormous bath and switchcontrolled fire place.
The wonderful spa, steam room, sauna, and indoor/outdoor pool is a great place to rest those tired legs after a long day on the slopes and the indoor lounge bar is perfect for an apres ski cocktail or two.
But to feel what it’s like to live like a billionaire I headed to Richard Branson’s very own Swiss chalet, The Lodge, for a night of pure decadent indulgence. Sadly, Sir Richard wasn’t there. This stunning exclusive mountain chalet has everything you could possibly want at your disposal - with scrumptous food and drink all