If I asked you to think of Verbier in the Swiss Alps, you’d probably conjure up images of snowy scenes, days spent skiing and evenings huddled around log fires or packed into a bar indulging in some late night après-ski.
But what happens when the thaw starts, the ski-season ends, and Verbier’s winter tourists go home?
You might think Verbier turns into an out-of-season ghost town, as desolate as a scene from Stephen King’s The Shining (shudder).
Yet the reality couldn’t be more different. Underneath all that powder lies thousands of kilometres of trails and footpaths – prime for biking and hiking – verdant pastures are grazed by cows, and the whole region turns into a playground with infinite potential. If you’ve never considered Verbier as a summer spot, it’s time to have a rethink.
Here are the best things to do in Verbier in Summer.
Related articles:
- The Best Things To Do In Verbier in Winter
- How to Get To Verbier From Geneva
- The Best Restaurants in Verbier
- The Best Bars in Verbier
Get the Verbier VIP Pass
Possibly the best feature of visiting Verbier in summer is a wonderful money-saving pass called the VIP pass. The Verbier Infinite Playground (VIP Pass) is given to all summer visitors who book accommodation in Verbier, Val de Bagnes or La Tzoumaz. It’s a big ‘something back’ for the small (around €4 per per per night) tourist tax you pay when you book accommodation in Switzerland. And you can even take advantage of the pass if you’re on a budget – book a spot at a campsite.
The VIP Pass is valid for each night you stay and gives you free or deeply discounted access to over 25 activities. From free admission to the mountain lifts on foot (50% discount for mountain bikes) to free outdoor swimming at the sports centre to free museums and guided tours, you can explore a wide range of Verbier’s summer activities. There’s even free cheese tasting.
Yes.
Free.
Cheese.
Several of the activities I’ve mentioned below are included in the Verbier Pass, and I’ve highlighted them below.
Climb the Via Ferrata at Mauvosin Gorge
Photo Credit: verbier.ch / Melody Sky
If your favourite thing about the ski season is the chance to test that your adrenaline still functions, don’t worry – the Via Ferrata in the Mauvoisin Gorge has you covered for summer in Verbier. Traverse 600 metres of rope bridges, ladders and carved steps pitted along the face of a deep gorge; it’s up to you whether you decide to look down at the river Dranse far below.
There are two sections to choose from – Saxifrage, which is considered ‘quite difficult’ and Tichodrome, which is deemed ‘difficult’. Pick one or try them one after the other.
VIP Pass: VIP Pass holders get a 50% discount on Via Ferrata in the Mauvoisin Gorge, which includes a guide, your equipment and transport.
See Val de Bagnes on the Sentier des Chamois hike
Credit: verbier.ch / (c) Yves Garneau 2015
There may not be enough snow to ski in summer, but there’s usually enough to leave you with a spectacular backdrop if you go for a hike. And the challenging Sentier des Chamois hike is particularly worth exploring, thanks to its views of Val de Bagnes. Summer is also the ideal time for spotting local wildlife. Ruinettes or La Chaux are good starting points for the hike, which can be reached by gondola.
VIP Pass: Your VIP pass gives you free admission to the mountain lift on foot as well as free transport on the postal bus.
Say hello to the alpine cows (but beware the fighting cows)
One of the true delights of wandering through the Swiss Alps in summer is the ever-present tinkling of cowbells. But did you know that there’s a particular breed of Swiss cow that has fighting in their blood? Each year the Héren cows lock horns to determine who will be the top cow for the herd. So, be careful which cows you decide to stare down. You might find yourself in the middle of a cow fight. Visit the Héren cows in the pasture under the supervision of an expert guide. Book your visit at the Verbier tourist office up to 4 p.m. the day before. Cheese tasting included. (Yes. More. Cheese.)
VIP Pass: This activity is also free with the VIP Pass.
Bike through the mountains of Verbier
Credit: Verbier.ch | KifCat
You’re probably about ready to work off some of that cheese, so why not take your bike up into the heights of Verbier to explore the bike trails. With 500km of cross-country trails to choose between, the only limits are the ones you decide to set. Bikes are available for hire from Backside Verbier, located in the centre of Verbier and within view of the gondola.
VIP Pass: 50% discount on the price of mountain lifts for cyclists.
Hit the downhill trails at Verbier Bike Park
If you’re looking to grip your handlebars a bit tighter than you might on the cross-country trails, get yourself to the Verbier – La Tzoumaz Bike Park, where you have over 12 km of trails to play with. There are seven downhill trails in total, ranging from the blue trail for beginners, intermediate and black trails, and a competition trail. As mentioned above, Bikes are available for hire from Backside Verbier. You can find out more about the Verbier Bike Park.
Go zip-lining at the Aerial Walkway
Credit: verbier.ch | Laeticia Lehner
When you start to feel a bit saddle sore, take to the treetops in Médran at the Aerial Walkway. The high-ropes adventure course has three stages and difficulty levels. Try your hand at zip wires and free-fall jumps from the top of 12-metre towers.
VIP Pass: VIP Pass holders get a 50% discount on the aerial walkway entry fee. Details above.
Check out Verbier’s nightlife
Credit: Verbier.ch | (c) Alpimages
Just because there’s no ski doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little aprés-summer-day. Absent the winter crowds, Verbier’s bars offer a much more chilled vibe, but the party scene is still very much alive during the summer months.
I’ve written a guide to the Best Bars in Verbier. And if you need to add some sustenance, check out my related guide to the Best Restaurants in Verbier.
Explore Verbier’s heights by E-bike
Whether you’re not confident enough to take to the advanced trails, or you’re just looking for a more relaxed approach to your biking in Verbier, why not hire an e-Bike? With a bit of electrical assistance, you’ll go further with less effort, meaning you can explore more of the beauty of Verbier in summer. E-bikes are available for hire from Backside Verbier.
VIP Pass: 50% discount on the price of mountain lifts for cyclists.
Eat (and drink) all the apricots
I challenge you to spend time in Verbier in the summertime and not consume apricot in some form. From fresh juices to oh-so-good-you-have-to-try-a-new-one-every-day apricot tart to abricotine (Swiss brandy made from apricots), you won’t struggle to find apricot eating opportunities. Fresh, seasonal and in abundance, you know you’re in peak Switzerland summer when apricots make their way to your plate at every mealtime.
You don’t need to try too hard to find apricots in Verbier in summer. I recommend you try a few tarts because they are not all made equally. Leave a comment below if you think you’ve found the best apricot tart in Verbier. We can compare notes.
Practise your mountain pose with Inspire Verbier yoga
This was one of my favourite activities in Verbier. Usually, my yoga practice takes place in a dull studio or, worse still, a little nook in my office with my to-do list staring me in the face. Hardly the best way to channel your inner yogi. But head out into the Swiss Alps, place some mountains in your backdrop, inhale deeply on that fresh Swiss air, and you’ll probably do more good in a one hour class than you’ve done in your last dozen classes elsewhere. Not a yogi? Give it a try – it’s excellent for un-crinkling your body after some Verbier hiking and biking. Still not convinced? Check out one of my favourite, laugh-out-loud yoga books, The Reluctant Yogi.
Book a session with Inspire Verbier Yoga. Yoga mat and stunning backdrop supplied.
Visit the original 13th century Verbier village
Most visitors casting an untrained eye over the alpine lodges in the heart of Verbier’s resort town may be fooled into thinking they’re in the thick of the historic centre. That’s definitely what I thought until I took a tour of Verbier village.
Dating back to the Middle Ages, Verbier Village will make you realise how relatively modern the nearby tourist resort town is; and it will make you appreciate the feat of preserving the buildings and local culture in a place where tourism has expanded exponentially. Fill your water bottle in the local fountains, visit the village church, step inside what was once the communal bakery, and try to imagine what this remote part of the world was like before people came to ski the slopes. Book in advance up to 10 a.m. on the day you want to visit the village.
VIP Pass: Free with your VIP Pass.
Hike the Bisse du Levron
Not all hikes have to be challenging. Nor do they have to be focused purely on the mountains. Verbier is home to several bisse, artificial gulleys that were created to carry the alpine waters to villages, farms and homes. Walking paths feature alongside many of the bisse, and you can spend a refreshing few hours ambling through woodlands and across pastures, following the bisse. I took a walk alongside Bisse du Levron, which culminates in a waterfall and sheer drop (protected by a barrier, of course).
The bisse is a summer activity in Switzerland and Verbier only because this is when the gullies fill with meltwater.
See Europe’s highest vaulted dam, Mauvoisin Dam
Credit: Verbier.ch | Studio Bonnardot
Mauvoisin Dam, towering at 250 metres, it’s the highest vaulted dam in Europe. But that’s not all, walk Sentier du Barrage (trail of the dam), and you’ll be guided through a gallery that spits you out at the top of the dam. From there, you’ll be offered views of waterfalls and Mauvoisin Lake below. You can reach the dam by car or using the local postal buses.
VIP Pass: The postal bus is free with your VIP Pass.
Visit during Verbier Festival
Credit: Verbier.ch | © Nicolas Brodard
Verbier Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Europe that takes place outside a major city. Featuring world-class classical musicians and young and emerging performers, the festival is one of the significant highlights of summer in Verbier.
The festival takes place over nearly three weeks between late July and early August. Even if you don’t visit Verbier during the festival, keep an ear out in the village as you’re likely to hear musicians practising their performances in the run up to the event.
Chill out at a spa hotel
Credit: Verbier.ch | Sporting photo Verbier
Whether you need a massage after all your hiking and biking, or you’ve travelled to Verbier for a spot of indulgence, you really should treat yourself to a spa day. Look out for spas featuring mountain views and private pools with infinity views.
I visited the spa at hotel Chalet d’Adrien which had the perfect combination of outdoor views and indoor steam rooms. You can only use the spa if you’re staying at the hotel, but there are other spas in Verbier if you are not a guest at Chalet d’Adrien.
Where to stay in Verbier
Hotel Farinet is one of my favourite hotels in Verbier. This boutique accommodation features cow print themed rooms, a terrace with views, and a breakfast you’ll want to linger over. Situated in the heart of Verbier, surrounded by bars and restuarants and a short walk to the gondola, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better spot.
La Vallée hôtel et spa is located in Lourtier, a 20 minute drive from Verbier centre. Lourtier is a traditional Swiss village making it an ideal spot if you want to escape the crowds and have a more authentic stay. La Vallée is a 3-star family run hotel that has great rooms, an on-site restaurant serving traditional food and, my favourite bit – a spa with a beautiful outdoor hot tub.
Hôtel Les Chamois – situated in the very centre of Verbier, you can’t beat this 3-star family-owned hotel for its location. The rooms are spacious and clean, with nice features like a boot mat at the entrance. Add in a good breakfast, and you’re all set for a great stay.
Related Articles:
- The Best Things to Do in Verbier in Winter
- How to Get To Verbier From Geneva
- The Best Bars in Verbier
- The Best Restaurants in Verbier
- A Snow Trip Packing List
- 11 Best Things to do in Austria in Winter (Besides Skiing)
- Snowboarding For Beginners: A Complete Guide
- The Best Greek Islands To Visit – Popular & Hidden Gems
- The Only Packing List You’ll Ever Need (with printable checklist)
- 15 Long Haul Flight Essentials: What to Take Onboard
- Travel Insurance: Don’t Get Screwed by the Small Print
- 101 Tips for Cheap Flights
Like this? Share it on Pinterest.
In partnership with Verbier.ch
