With endless terrain at your fingertips and some of the world’s best freeriding, there’s a reason Verbier is top of every snowboarder’s list. Part of one of the world’s top five lift-linked ski areas, there’s something for every level of boarder here, from sunny nursery slopes to epic backcountry. Unlike many of Europe’s glitzy ski resorts, snowboarders are welcomed with open arms, and you’ll find a fantastic community off the slopes.
But with so much ground to cover, how can you pack everything into one week? Find the best Verbier has to offer with this complete guide to snowboarding in Verbier, including the best pistes for your level, the coolest freestyle parks, and its accessible backcountry slopes.
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The Verbier Ski Area
With a base at 1,500m and a peak at 3,300m, Verbier offers exquisite snow for every level of boarder. High-speed lifts provide breezy access across the resort, allowing you to reach new heights in minutes and take long cruises back into town.
Verbier is often hailed as an expert’s paradise, with 27% of the piste graded as advanced. If you’d call yourself a confident intermediate, it’s worth investing in a 4 Valleys lift pass. It gives you access to 410km of piste across the neighbouring resorts of Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon, and La Tzoumaz/ Savoleyres. They’re linked by tricky red runs, so newer snowboarders might want to give this a miss. There’s a heap to discover under the Verbier lift pass anyway!
Beginner boarders will have a great time in La Tzoumaz/ Savoleyres, where you’ll find a good beginner area and lots of surrounding slopes to progress on. More confident boarders shouldn’t dismiss this area though- you’ll find lots of quiet routes through the trees. Thyon and Veysonnaz are perfect for mixed groups, with quiet slopes and a great variety of piste.
The north-facing slopes at Nendaz are popular for tricky itinerary runs, but there are some fun reds and blues here for riders who prefer to stay on the piste. Bruson is the real snowboarding hot spot. An absolute paradise if you don’t have two sticks and two poles, its sheltered tree-lined slopes keep the snow light and fluffy.
Beginner Snowboarders In Verbier
If you’re just getting started, there are two free magic carpets close to town perfect for mastering the basics. It’s sheltered from the elements but still has great snow, and you’ll save energy commuting before you take your first tumbles.
You’ll want to progress up to Les Esserts as quickly as you can. A short bus ride away, it’s a little higher up so gives you your first taste of legendary mountain views. It’s home to Switzerland’s longest magic carpet, but you’ll have to get used to using drag lifts early on. In the long term, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it’ll prepare you for your transition onto the fast-moving chairs. There’s also a restaurant with a terrace here, perfect for watching your kids master their first linked turn or for meeting your friends for lunch.
Les Esserts is just below Savoleyres, the perfect place to show off your new skills. Start on Les Rouge, a slightly trickier nursery slope, before exploring the gentle blues in the wider La Tzoumaz/ Savoleyres area.
Intermediate Snowboarders In Verbier
Newer intermediates may get frustrated in Verbier. Pistes can be unpredictable, ranging from fabulous wide slopes to thin, steep areas and lots of unexpected flats. As you get to know the slopes over the week, you’ll learn which spots to avoid and where’s best to hold your speed. In the long run, this is going to make you a better boarder for many trips to come.
The gentle blues in La Tzoumaz/ Savoleyres will build up your confidence, and it’s also home to some of the easiest reds in Verbier when you’re ready for more of a challenge. From here you can move on to the short easy blues at La Chaux and wrap up the day with the long Etierces back to Verbier.
Or head to Attelas and take the cruisy Lacs run through the trees. From here you can take the lift back down to Les Ruinettes or risk it on the long Attelas red.
Once you’re confident on reds, the whole of the 4 Valleys really is your oyster! If drag lifts are your worst nightmare, you’ll want to avoid some spots around Veysonnaz, Thyon and Siviez. The crowded route in and out of Nendaz is also a pain, so it might be worth taking the lifts to avoid it.
If snowboarding is your new passion, you’ll want to get over to Bruson fast. It’s a paradise for snowboarders, with wide slopes and exquisite snow. Just stay away on bad weather days, as this is when the skiers flock here for shelter.
Advanced Snowboarders In Verbier
Advanced snowboarders will also love the Bruson area, especially if you want to steer your route a little off-piste. The place is powder central, with lots of fun tree paths and bowls to help you mix things up.
For the best choice of tricky pisted terrain, head to Greppon Blanc. Here you’ll find three black runs and some challenging reds. From here you’re well placed to reach Etherolla, where you’ll find two long blacks with outstanding views.
Mont Fort is the most famous peak in Verbier for its tricky black run and accessible backcountry. It’s the highest peak in the 4 Valleys, with awe-inspiring views across to the Matterhorn, the Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc. The steep, long, and mogulled black down isn’t for the faint of heart. But you can tag it on to a cruise back to Verbier totalling 15km- an epic way to end the day. While Mont Fort is a paradise for off-piste skiers, it’s not the top choice for snowboarders thanks to the amount of walking involved.
When looking at a piste map, confident riders might be unimpressed by the amount of black squiggles. Many of Verbier’s former blacks are now marked as yellow itinerary runs. This means they open according to safety risks but aren’t pisted or patrolled. If you’re looking for a less scary introduction to backcountry, these are the routes for you. And, with many of them accessible from the lifts, you can keep the hiking to a minimum.
Lac des Vaux has some fantastic itineraries for intermediates, while the huge bowl at La Chaux offers endless satisfaction. The Tortin run is the most famous, but the rocky traverse at the start is a pain without poles.
Verbier’s freeriding is some of the most iconic in the world. Bruson, Mont Gele, and Chassoure are all home to dreamy powder. For an in-depth look at Verbier’s backcountry, check out our guide to off-piste skiing in Verbier.
Freestyle Snowboarding In Verbier
Freestylers will find more than enough to keep them busy in the 4 Valleys, with the easiest park to access from Verbier in La Chaux. It sits at 2,260m, offering epic Grand Combin views for your action shots. There’s a huge choice of jumps and rails on five different lines and a giant airbag with a camera system to capture your airtime. While the parks aren’t a true focus for Verbier, the natural lifts more than make up for it.
If you aren’t satisfied with Verbier’s snow park, head over to Thyon or Nendaz. Nendaz is home to a beginner park and the super cool Wood Park. This eco-park uses natural snow and funky slides, kickers, rails and boxes all made from wood.
Thyon is a freestyle hot spot. Its Central Park is suitable for all abilities, home to an airbag, multiple lines, and a boardercross run. Freestyle not your thing? Hang out at the bar with music at the bottom and watch your mates send it. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a week of snowboarding in Verbier.
