Alpine paradise is a breath of fresh air

Nestled in the Alpine glory of Switzerland’s Valais canton,Verbier is stunningly beautiful. But, as is the case with so many places, Covid-19 has taken its toll. Streets are quiet, nightclubs are unusually empty and hotels welcome guests with hand sanitisers and face masks.

But, despite the lack of crowds,Verbier pulsates with an energy that’s a little at odds with its quiet aesthetic of wooden chalets clustered cosily between snow-topped mountains.

After months of lockdown, Verbier’s vast spaciousness feels like an exhilarating breath of fresh air, particularly after a day of travelling in a mask.The cliché of Switzerland as a tonic for good health feels especially relevant right now.

Verbier is famed for its skiing and party-hard lifestyle. How this year’s season will fare is still anyone’s guess.The après ski scene looks unlikely, although Verbier Tourisme is in the process of developing activities that will cater to smaller groups. For now, the area is making the most of its summertime outdoor activities.

If you stay one night or longer in Verbier,Val de Bagnes or La Tzoumaz, you’ll receive a free Verbier Infinite Playground (VIP) Pass+. It provides access to a host of activities for free or at significant discounts.

E-biking up and down the Alpine slopes is bound to get your adrenaline (and heart) pumping. I decide to take part in the Verbier E-Bike Festival, which provides signposted routes around Verbier and Le Châble. I choose the Rando Gourmande, a scenic route punctuated with four gastronomical stops, each providing local treats such as pastries, meats, cheeses, wines and local beers.

A bike ride such as this is guaranteed to deliver lifelong memories. It will also deliver thigh burn and bum ache, but don’t let this put you off.The bike provides almost all the power, which is very much needed on the sheer uphill stretches But finishing the route still feels like a massive achievement.After all, why let the bike take all the credit?

The festival runs until September 27, but my guide, Jess