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Summer in Verbier is a magical thing. Plan your dream trip to the Swiss Alps with this handy guide.
Softly clanking cattle bells carrying on the pine-scented air, colourful wildflowers scattered across meadows once buried under snow, glaciers glinting in moonscape valleys… summertime in the Alps is like something out of a fairytale. And Verbier is easily one of the best places to experience it.
Better known by the Brits as a winter ski resort, Verbier is a scenic Alpine village in the south of Switzerland.
Poised at the entrance to the 4 Vallées ski area, Verbier and the surrounding area is an adventure playground all year round. It might be all about skiing and snowboarding in winter, but in summer, Verbier is a paradise of hiking and mountain biking trails, paragliding, zip lining, and more.
And because not even the hardiest thrill-seeker wants a non-stop adrenaline rush, Verbier perfectly blends those adventures with luxury, wellness, culture, and excellent cuisine. A recipe for a dreamy summer holiday in the mountains…
- Why Visit Verbier in Summer?
- Things to do on a Summer Trip to Verbier
- Go Mountain Biking
- Or Rent an E-Bike for an Easier Way to Explore!
- Take a Hike in the Swiss Alps
- Play Golf at 1600m
- Spend a Night in A Mountain Hut
- Get up Close to a Glacier
- Visit an Alpine Dairy Farm
- Explore a Sculpture Park at 2300m
- Read a Book at the Mountain Book Huts
- Paraglide Above the Alps
- Visit the Top of Mont Fort
- Take on the World’s Highest Zipline
- Amazing Places to Eat to Enjoy the Verbier Summer
- Where to Stay in Verbier
- Getting There
- Verbier Infinite Playground (VIP) Pass
My trip to Verbier was supported by the local tourism board. As always, all words and opinions are my own and 100% honest!
Why Visit Verbier in Summer?
A quick Google image search for Verbier reveals the picture most people have of an Alpine village: snow-dusted wooden chalets and pristine white slopes.
But during summer, that snow melts to reveal meadows full of wildflowers and lush green valleys, and the ski crowds head home leaving behind quiet, slow-paced villages surrounded by mountains that echo with adventure.
The summer season is also packed with events and festivals. The best known is Verbier Festival, an international classical music event. But there are also more niche offerings like Rocklette (rock music and raclette cheese) and the relatively new Verbier E-bike Festival.
PLUS – everyone who stays for one night or more in the region summer (1 June – 31 October 2024) will be given a free VIP pass. This gives you free admission to the mountain lifts, as well as free entry or discounts to some of Verbier’s top activities and attractions. More info about the bottom of this post.
Summer Weather in Verbier
In summer, the weather in Verbier is generally pleasantly temperate. When the sun shines, you can expect warm average temperatures between 20-26°C, with cooler nights (around 12-15°C).
Being a mountain town, though, the weather is very changeable. So you might go from bright sunshine to heavy rain or thick mist in a single morning.
Pack accordingly: layers are key so that you can adapt your outfit as the weather changes. Good waterproofs and lightweight-but-warm outerwear will come in very handy – but you’ll also need a high-factor suncream and a sunhat. Prepare for everything!
If you go higher into the mountains, the temperatures can be even cooler, so be sure to take a fleece and/or a decent jacket.
Things to do on a Summer Trip to Verbier
Go Mountain Biking
When the snow melts in the Alps and summer rolls in, Verbier’s ski runs are replaced by mountain bike trails. LOTS of mountain bike trails!
From dirt tracks winding through thick pine forests to challenging technical routes down steep mountainsides, this is a thrilling natural playground.
There’s something to suit all interests and abilities in the Verbier 4Vallées area: 9 downhill tracks, 23 enduro trails, 500 km of cross-country tracks, and multiple paths for e-biking.
I loved watching the bikers leaping over rocks and careening down dirt tracks… but I definitely don’t have the ability (or confidence) for anything quite that hardcore!
Luckily, there are plenty of gentler summer trails around Verbier, too. So you can still enjoy those gorgeous mountain views and explore little Alpine villages, no matter your ability. You could also take a half-day initiation to mountain biking course at the Verbier Bikes School (CHF 50pp).
Or Rent an E-Bike for an Easier Way to Explore!
Renting an e-bike is a great way to enjoy mountain biking near Verbier without having to work too hard.
Try Les Chemins des 700 Ans, a 14km circular route starting from Le Châble below Verbier. It felt like there was a new “wow” moment around every corner as we biked through dense pine forests, around cute Alpine villages, alongside impossibly-blue rushing rivers, and past meadows of colourful wildflowers.
This trail is a great example of how Verbier seamlessly blends adventure with culture. Along the way, you can explore the Secrets of the Val de Bagnes open-air photography exhibition, which offers a glimpse of local life, traditions, and culture.
More Info: You can rent bikes and e-bikes from Montagne Show, right next to the cable car station. The service there was great and the bikes are in top condition.
Take a Hike in the Swiss Alps
One of the absolute best things about visiting any part of the Swiss Alps in summer is the hiking, and Verbier is no exception.
Again, there’s something to suit all levels – from short easy circulars to multiday treks, and even trail running.
You can pick up route guides and maps at the tourist office or on their website. But if you’re unfamiliar with mountain terrain, I really recommend hiring a local guide. This is also a great way to learn a little more about the local geology, wildlife, and culture.
I hiked the Bec de Sery tour with Sandrine, a fantastic guide from the local company Vitarando. She was full of info about the alpine plants – even bringing a herbal yarrow tea for us to try. Vitarando have a great range of hikes – including some overnight and multiday options – all designed around reconnecting with nature.
Hiking Trails Colour Code
Like ski runs, the hiking trails in Switzerland have a colour code. Yellow trails are the easest, suitable for any walker, while the red trails offer a bit more of a challenge. Inexperienced hikers should stick to yellow, or hire a guide for red trails. Blue signs signifiy technical alpine trails, which require special gear and definitely shouldn’t be attempted by anyone inexperienced.
Play Golf at 1600m
Golfers won’t want to miss the chance to play a round at Golf Club Verbier. Poised above the town at 1600m altitude, the course is surrounded by towering Alpine peaks and affords some stunning views of the valley.
Not a golfer? Me neither – but don’t let that stop you! The driving range at Verbier Golf Club is perfect for beginners and enjoys the same impressive mountain views.
I didn’t think I’d be all that into it, but it turns out hitting golf balls towards a mountain is really good fun! The combination of the location, a great teacher, and my competitive spirit made for a great afternoon.
More info: Anyone can use the driving range free of charge, so you just need to pay to rent the golf clubs (CHF 5) and balls (CHF 1). You can also book an Introduction to Golf session for 20 CHF.
Spend a Night in A Mountain Hut
The Alps are dotted with mountain huts; small, hostel-like accommodations which provide refuge to hikers in summer and cross-country skiers in winter.
These remote Alpine structures are commonly used by multi-day trekkers, or for epic-sounding ski trips.
Cabane de Brunet Mountain Hut sits at 2103m above sea level, enjoying staggering views of snowcapped mountains and glistening white glaciers above the plummeting valleys. In summer, you can drive there from Verbier, or take a shuttle bus to reach it. So you can get a taste of a Swiss Alpine hut without having to climb a mountain.
Enjoy a home-cooked meal at the cosy, family-run mountain hut, built in the early 1940s. Later, watch an Alpine sunset from the terrace with a glass of wine in hand.
The dormitory accommodation is simple, but clean and comfortable, with shared bathroom facilities. And waking up to fresher-than-fresh Alpine air and those incredible mountain vistas feels like the ultimate luxury.
More info: A one-night stay at Cabane de Brunet is priced from 80 Chfs/£65pp half board.
Get up Close to a Glacier
High in the mountains above the Val de Bagnes, a stone’s throw from Verbier, you’ll find the Corbassière glacier. It’s a bit of a hike to get here, but the long walk and steep climbs are well worth it for the chance to get up close to one of the area’s most famous glaciers.
At an altitude of around 2365m, you can walk into the valley carved by the glacier and touch rocks worn astonishingly smooth by the travelling ice.
Walk out onto the Passerelle de Corbassière (Corbassière footbridge) for the best views. The 210m long and 70m high footbridge crosses the glacier moraine, providing an excellent view of the thundering river fed by the melting glacier during summer, with the towering Combin de Corbassière mountain in the distance.
Getting there: There are several walking trails up to the Corbassière Glacier. I highly recommend the tough-but-worth-it Bec de Sery hike from Brunet Mountain Hut, which will take you up through the Col des Avouillons mountain pass for an unbeatable view of the glacier spread out below.
Visit an Alpine Dairy Farm
Dairy cows are an inescapable part of the fabric of of Verbier’s Alpine scenery, their softly tinkling bells ringing out across the mountainside wherever you go.
Visit a farm, such as the Alpage Sery-Laly (near the Brunet Mountain Hut), to tour the alpine pastures and learn more about local dairy farming. This experience also includes a brunch of mountain cheeses, homemade jams, and other local products.
For a more hands-on experience, try the Introduction to Raclette with local legend Eddy Baillifard (owner of Raclett’House). You’ll visit an alpine pasture and a cheese dairy, before learning the art of raclette: heating a cheese wheel and scraping off the perfect slice of melted cheese!
Explore a Sculpture Park at 2300m
Art and environment come together at the Verbier 3-D Foundation Sculpture Park, an outdoor art gallery spread along a mountainside above the town.
Follow the path between La Chaux and Les Ruinettes to spot the various artworks that line the trail. Poised at an altitude of 2300m, the sculptures are set against an impressive backdrop – which is part of the point.
The idea is to display the different artworks amidst the environment and ecology that inspired them. Each year, the 3-D Foundation invites different international artists for a research-led residency focused on environmentalism. The resulting works are added to the Sculpture Park trail, surrounded by shivering wildflowers and the sounds of alpine cattle, becoming a part of the landscape that they’re interpreting.
Read a Book at the Mountain Book Huts
One of my favourite discoveries in Verbier was the Cotterg Book Hut – a mini, open-air library on the side of a mountain, surrounded by dense pine forest.
As it turns out, this is one of three mountainside book huts around Verbier. There’s also one at Montagnier and at Médières.
Each hut is unique, and each one is found in an incredible mountain setting with gorgeous views. Books come from donations or from collections removed from the Bagnes library. Sit for a while and read a book – or drop off one of your favourites to share it with the next visitor!
Paraglide Above the Alps
One thing I really wanted to do on my recent trip to Verbier was paragliding in the Alps. Unfortunately, bad weather kept me from a morning soaring above the mountains – so I’ll just have to go back!
I have done mountain paragliding before, though, in the Dolomites in Italy – an area with fairly similar scenery to Verbier. And after watching the paragliders spinning tricks overhead for the sunny first two days of my time in Verbier, I can confirm that this would be a dream destination to try it.
Book in a tandem flight and leap off the top of a mountain for the ultimate bird’s eye view of the valleys surrounding Verbier.
Visit the Top of Mont Fort
Way up in the mountains above Verbier, the peaks are still snow-capped in summer, and glaciers creak in rocky valleys. Make your way to the top of Verbier’s highest peak, Mont Fort, for the best views.
A series of cable cars (details below) will get you to the top of Mont Fort, some 3,300m above sea level. Get ready for purer-than-pure air, cooler temperatures, and the most epic 360° panorama imaginable.
On clear days, you can see hundreds of peaks around you – including the iconic Matterhorn, the Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc.
In winter, people ski down the glacier here, but in summer, Mont Fort is all about hiking, mountain biking, or simply soaking up those unbelievable views.
While I was there, a brand new 360° viewing platform was under construction, coming soon. So that will make the experience even better!
Getting to Mont Fort
You can reach the top of Mont Fort by gondola from Verbier in about 40 minutes. Take the GB to Croix-des-Ruinettes, then change for the SL to La Chaux. From there, take the PB to Col-Des-Gentianes, and finally, change to the PB to Mont-Fort. It’s pretty straightforward, and it’s all laid out on Google maps, so getting there is much easier than it sounds.
Take on the World’s Highest Zipline
Adrenaline junkies have another reason to visit Mont Fort! The peak of this towering mountain is home to the world’s highest zipline: Mont4 Zipline.
Get ready for some stats! At 1.4km this is the longest zip line in the Alps. It starts at 3,330m above sea level – so it’s the highest in the world – has a drop of 383m, and reaches speeds of 130km an hour.
This was probably my favourite activity in Verbier! Whizzing down the side of a mountain – with snowy peaks and fluffy clouds spread out below me and the fresh, freezing air whipping at my hair – was an enormous rush. Don’t miss it!
Amazing Places to Eat to Enjoy the Verbier Summer
There are a LOT of great places to eat in Verbier. Especially in summer, when you can dine outside to soak up those unbelievable mountain views over a glass of local wine and a platter of cheese and meats.
Chez Dany
Popular with skiers in winter, Chez Dany is a pretty mountain restaurant in the tiny hamlet of Clambin, just above Verbier. You can drive to it, but why not take the short 20-minute walk* through Clambin forest to really earn your dinner?
I strongly recommend the croûte au fromage here; a dish with bread swimming in a cheese and wine sauce. Chez Dany has a reputation for making the best, and I can confirm this bowl of comforting deliciousness is a must-try!
Arrive early, and settle into one of the deckchairs in the garden to watch the sunset with an aperitif (or two).
*(Just don’t get lost on your way back, like we did, and walk the 1-hour long route following the road!)
Raclett’House
Calling all cheese fans! If you only try one local food in Verbier, it HAS to be raclette. And if you only try it in one place, make that place Raclett’house in Bruson.
If you don’t know what raclette is, you’re in for a treat! This delicious Swiss dish involves heating a half wheel of cheese and scraping off the melted part. This gooey slice of melted cheese is served with boiled potatoes, pickled onions, and gherkins. Super simple… super tasty!
Enigmatic owner Eddy Baillifard is a bit of a local legend. Once a dairy farmer, after a quad biking accident forced him to retire, Eddy opened a raclette restaurant and became the ambassador for this traditional Valais cheese.
You order one plate of raclette at a time, and it comes with all the sides – then you keep ordering more until you’re full! My recommendation is to start with the classic raclette, then move on to some of the restaurant’s specialities. DON’T miss the truffle raclette – I’m still dreaming about that one!
Le Grenier at Chalet d’Adrien
For something special, head to Le Grenier – one of the restaurants at the five-star hotel Chalet d’Adrien. This is a traditional alpine restaurant with a cosy interior and a menu full of typical local flavours.
In warm weather, sit outside on the terrace, overlooked by the beautiful wooden exterior of the chalet. This spot has some of the best views of Verbier, and is a great place to enjoy a sunset aperitif.
Le Dahu
Up on the mountains at La Choux, Le Dahu is considered one of the best mountain restaurants near Verbier. A favourite with skiers in winter, the restaurant is a casual, friendly spot with fantastic views of the Combins Massif.
The interior is nicely heated, but sit outside in good weather to make the most of those jaw-drop views!
This restaurant is known for its pizzas, which I can confirm are excellent. But there’s a great menu packed with a range of both local and international dishes.
Where to Stay in Verbier
I stayed at Experimental Chalet – a lovely hotel in the centre of town with amazing staff, a gorgeous-looking spa, and stunning views across Verbier to the distant mountains from the bedroom balconies.
The rooms here were beautiful: spacious, airy, and tastefully decorated – with lots of thoughtful little details. I loved the locally-made herbal products in the bathrooms. And the beds are the comfiest I’ve slept in for a while!
The hotel’s Farm Club, which only opens in the ski season, is a bit of a legendary destination where British Royals and famous celebs have been known to party. A reason to come back to Verbier during winter, I guess!
A two-night stay at the Experimental Chalet is priced from £143pp with breakfast, based on two sharing.
Getting There
Getting to Verbier is incredibly easy. The route from the airport sounds a bit complicated, but I promise it’s super straightforward. And this being Switzerland, the trains run like clockwork!
Fly direct from London Heathrow to Geneva. Return direct flights from London Heathrow to Geneva cost from £80 with SWISS.
It takes around 2.5 hours to travel to Verbier from Geneva by public transport. You’ll need to take a train to Martigny, then change for a train to Le Châble. Then, head to the gondola station right outside Le Châble train station and take the cable car up to Verbier.
This is definitely the most scenic and exciting way to approach Verbier.
I did the trip with a large suitcase with no problems, but if you struggle to carry your own luggage I’d recommend a private transfer instead. You can book a private transfer from Geneva Airport with Alpy Bus from 425CHF.
More info and Prices
A second-class super saver return train ticket from Geneva Airport to Verbier costs from £85 /100CHF. A point-to-point second-class, return train ticket from Geneva Airport to Verbier costs from £107/126.40CHF. Find out more at www.sbb.ch.
The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel on consecutive days throughout the Swiss Travel System rail, bus and boat network. This pass also covers scenic routes and local trams and buses in around 90 towns and cities, and includes the Swiss Museum Pass, which allows you free entrance to 500 museums and exhibitions.
Prices start from £186 for a three-day second-class ticket. Find out exactly what the Swiss Travel Pass covers here: All benefits and services: mystsnet.com/areaofvalidity
Verbier Infinite Playground (VIP) Pass
The VIP Pass offers free entry or discounts to more than 25 of Verbier’s top activities and attractions including:
- Free admission to mountain lifts on foot
- 50% discount on mountain lifts for mountain bikers
- Free transport by postal bus
- More than 45 free activities or at reduced prices
The VIP Pass is delivered to every guest staying a minimum of one night in the region and paying the tourist tax. Available 1 June – 31 October 2024.
Read More
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Have you visited Verbier during summer? Scroll down to leave a comment and let me know what you got up to!
