11 Best Tourist Spots in Verbier

Verbier is a resort in Western Switzerland that’s known for amazing skiing opportunities and breathtaking off-piste terrains. People from all over the world flock to Verbier for an unforgettable winter holiday that the weather in Verbier surely provides.

However, while skiing is the main attraction for people who visit Verbier, that doesn’t mean inexperienced skiers won’t have anything to do in the resort. In fact, Verbier abounds with tourist spots you can enjoy without ever needing a pair of skis.

Lac des Vaux

Fishing and hiking enthusiasts will fall in love with Lac des Vaux, a mountain lake above Verbier which is also flanked by two somewhat small but still gleaming lakes. This spot is ideal for those who want to have a quiet picnic, an invigorating swim or a relaxing fishing stop.

The lake is an hour and a half walk from La Croix de Coeur. But if you want a longer route, you can take the Grand Tour of Lac de Vaux to reach the lake after a four-hour walk that takes you through the great wilderness of the Vallon d’Arbi.

You also need to keep in mind that if you want to fish at this lake, you will have to acquire a permit at the tourist office in the ski resort La Tzoumaz.

Mont Gelé

Mont Gelé is just one of Verbier’s limitless peaks and it crests at 3,022 meters. If you want to get a full view of the Four Valleys area where Verbier is located, this is the perfect place to do so, as it has a 360° view of the area.

To reach the summit, you can take a cable car from Les Attelas. This is one of the favorite Verbier tourist destinations for experienced skiers, as it allows you to get the lie of the land or even take on some off-piste runs.

Mont-Fort

If you’re looking for an adventure and are willing to go the extra mile, Mont-Fort is the perfect place for you. This is the highest peak in the Four Valleys and to get there, you need to catch four cable cars. Keep in mind that those trips usually get gradually more dramatic and adventurous, so it’s not for everybody.

When you reach your destination, you will climb a stone stairway and be met with a breathtaking view. You will see the Matterhorn in the east, the west is graced by Mont Blanc and the Dents du Midi, and finally, you have the Rhône Valley to the north.

Verbier Bike Park

We can’t talk about Verbier tourist destinations without mentioning the famous Bike Park, which is the ideal place for people looking to express their passion thrillingly. All hardcore fans of downhill biking and lovers of speed will adore the 700m vertical drop in altitude.

There are various trails for all difficulty levels so even those who aren’t so confident or skilled on mountain bikes can find a trail for them. If you want to enjoy the thrills of downhill biking amid breathtaking scenery, this is the perfect spot to do so.

Verbier Festival Academy

If you’re a lover of classical music, this event is perfect for you. The Verbier Festival Academy is a classical music event that lasts for two weeks, from the end of July to the beginning of August. The event is a learning experience for as many as 50 budding soloists who are paired up with luminaries.

The festival has been around since 1994 and many famous names in the world of classical music have performed there. Some of the soloists who performed in 2017, for example, were Lera Auerbach, Evgeny Kissin, and András Schiff.

La Réserve du Haut Val de Bagnes

La Réserve du Haut Val de Bagnes is the second largest nature reserve within Verbier’s boundaries and it has been around since 1968. It’s a hiker’s paradise and if you want to explore it on foot and enjoy the beautiful scenery, the best time to do that is during the summer months when there is no snow.

During your visit, you can take in the breathtaking landscape that includes bare peaks, lush pastures, and crystal clear lakes. If you want to glimpse the Alpine wildlife, you can take the six-hour Chamois Trail and if you’re quiet enough, you’ll have a chance to spot them picking their way along the rocks.

Toboggan run

Another one of the best-known Verbier tourist destinations is the toboggan run, which is an activity anyone can enjoy, even non-skiers. You don’t need any training or special skills to go on the toboggan run, and you can even take your entire family to enjoy the run together.

This is the longest toboggan run in the entire Western Switzerland with an impressive 10 kilometers of length and descent of almost 850 meters. The trail itself is very well-groomed and the slopes are twisted in a way so they can’t ride without adult supervision, so a fun and safe time is guaranteed.

3D sculpture park

One of the more interesting tourist spots in Verbier and something that both kids and adults can enjoy is the 3D sculpture park. Located at an altitude of 2300 meters, this park is a collection of unique sculptures that are created by artists from all over the world.

These artists are invited to visit Verbier every two years and create their sculptures that are truly something unique. While they might not be to everyone’s taste, nobody can deny that the sculptures in the park are all works of art.

Mauvoisin dam

If you’re interested in mega-structures, you can find one in the Upper Bagnes Valley near Verbier. It’s 250 meters high and is the tallest dam in the world. It also has a width of more than half a kilometer and can trap as much as 190 million cubic liters of water.

The dam was built way back in the 1950s and its primary use was to generate hydroelectric power, but it was also used to prevent floods and control how much sediment courses down the valley. If you climb to the top, you will be able to get photographic views of the entire reservoir.

There is a tunnel that leads to the top of the dam which has been turned into an exhibition/museum to explain how the dam was created. There, you can see many photos of men working in difficult and dangerous conditions that wouldn’t be acceptable today.

Via cordata

If you’re on the lookout for a destination that allows you to enjoy summer activities in Verbier, look no further than Via cordata. This two-kilometer long route was devised by local mountain guides and it allows you to ascend the last few hundred meters of Mont-Fort on foot.

Keep in mind that you need to have good hiking and climbing skills to handle Via cordata and if you want to ensure you’re on course, hire a guide to go with you. However, don’t be discouraged, since the Via cordata is a much safer environment than most mountain climbing spots.

Fondation Gianadda

The final entry in our list of the best Verbier tourist destinations is Fondation Gianadda, a somewhat big exhibition hall located in Martigny, east of Verbier. To get to it, you need to drive through some beautiful mountain scenery.

The hall was constructed in the 1970s and it’s home to many temporary art exhibitions from influential artists. In 2017 alone, the hall showcased the works of Munch, Hodler, Monet, and Cézanne.

There’s much more to the hall than just paintings, as visitors can also see a permanent collection of vintage cars as well as a sculpture garden that features pieces from many 20th-century artists.

Covid-19 notice

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, guests who arrive in Switzerland from several different countries are obligated to quarantine for 10 days on entry. The list of countries whose citizens need to quarantine gets updated by the Swiss government every two to three weeks.

Final thoughts

There’s no denying that Verbier has earned its reputation as one of the best and most popular tourist resorts in the world. Not only does it offer premium skiing and snowboarding for people of all skiing levels, but it’s also filled with so many tourist spots that there is something for everybody to enjoy.

No matter if you’re a fan of hiking, art, music, sledding, biking, a thrill-seeker, or a person looking for some tranquility, there is a tourist spot for you. If at least one of these spots has caught your eye, make sure to find real estate for rent in Verbier and have a holiday of a lifetime.