Millie Minett’s ‘hacks to affordable Verbier’
Drawing on my years of ski industry experience I decide to share a local’s hack to affordable Verbier…..
After living in the village below Verbier, Le Chable, for a third of my life I have begun reminiscing about where the journey began at Max & Millies Bed and Breakfast in Le Chable.
In 2005 myself and my yacht captain husband Max thought we’d try our hand at the affordable hospitality industry at Max & Milllies. We set out to use the same model we had used on Superyachts – great service, great food, great advice. In reality, at the start, we didn’t have enough money to eat in Verbier let alone buy in Verbier, and even now just didn’t think people should lose their shirts over a meal, shopping at the supermarket or suffer a 6.00 lacklustre coffee.
But here we are today, and a lot has changed since 2005!
There is awesome coffee at affordable prices to start with. An 8 Swiss Franc large pint of beer which is half the price during Apres Ski happy hour. Affordable “plat du jour” lunch specials on the slopes and even more international options like delicious sushi!
So, with the benefit of experience, here is my round up of how to do Verbier on a budget! I’ll cover where to eat, buy affordable takeaway food, drink a beer or wine & even some good tips for avoiding ski queues at Medran in peak times, tips on parking, local transport, Discount ski shops and even bonza accommodation! Verbier might be the go-to resort of the wealthy, but it is possible to enjoy this fantastic spot, minus the keys to a private jet!
Transport
Arriving in Le Chable from Geneva or Milan really is very easy. Trains leave straight from Geneva airport every hour and connect through to Le Chable at the base of the gondola, a 10 minute lift ride to Verbier.
The train from Geneva takes 1.45 minutes on average and costs 46.00 Swiss Francs but go online and book a cheap ticket for 23.00 Swiss Francs one way.
These tickets can only be used on the train time you book.
It is also possible to arrive in Verbier, via Milan. The route is as follows: from Milan Central – Dormadossla – Sion – Martigny and changing to a small local St Bernard train to Le Chable – quickest connection 3 hours 55 minutes once an hour from Milan Central.
Swiss Railways timetable & ticket sales
Lift Passes
Buying a one way ticket from Le Chable to Verbier is 6.40 Swiss Francs for adults
Ski passes are available to buy online, with one day costing 85.00 Swiss Francs for a 4 valleys with a subsequent discount for each day you buy, 7 days is 446.00 Swiss Francs or 64.00 Swiss Francs per day.
Televerbier – Verbier Lift Company Website
Parking
Parking is available in Le Chable at the lift or longer term at the skate park which is a 7 minute walk to the lift, allowing you to avoid the switchbacks up to Verbier town.
Ski Hire
Don’t have the kit? No worries, ski hire can be booked online at Mountain Air for a 10% discount.
Accommodation
Located next to the Fromagerie bus stop and map of Verbier Village is MAP Verbier Village. Brilliant location and well priced but you need to book way in advance as its a bargain. To note a well-equipped kitchen and free shuttle bus to lifts makes this a great little find.
Le Chable
Alternatively there are some great spots in Le Chable, which has a lovely, slightly more laid-back feel. Villa Fleurettes Studio in Le Chable goes for 208.00 per night for 2 persons including breakfast and great coffee. It’s only a short walk from the gondola which takes you straight to Medran and then onto the rest of the mountain.
Koti is new to the scene and has a reputedly good lunch time plat de jour 20.00 and serves Pad Thai 28.00 for the vegetarian option. With a lovely terrace bedecked in fairy-lights, it is a great spot to enjoy a drink in the evening or a coffee and cinnamon pastry in the morning.
Dining out & Happy Hour
Once you are checked into your Verbier accommodation you need to get some food.
No 8 in Verbier, The old T bar, has a daily plat de jour 18.00 I ordered a Steak. It was cooked exactly as I ordered it.
The Pub Mont Fort has a very good menu with currys for 32.00 and a generous Poke bowl for 24.00. Not to mention their range of tempting burgers. A large pint of beer goes for 8.00 which is cheaper than Australia and half the price for Happy hour.
Lumi has live music most nights with food and drinks and is opposite the Medran lift station so you drag your tired bones across the road and get carried away with Apres ski. With local and international beers and a great menu, not to mention the wrap-around balcony with great views and perfectly positioned to soak in the afternoon sun, this is a brilliant spot. Beers are available for 8.00 with Happy hour running from 8 to 9pm offering half price beer and wine.
Alp ‘n’ Horn
With beautiful views to enjoy as the sun sets,a cosy yet stylish atmosphere inside and live music offerings, Alp ‘n’ Horn is definitely one to check out. There is a wood fired pizza oven tucked inside this bar, making it a great spot to start an evening in Verbier. They also have a selection of pies with a deal that offers a pie and a pint for 20.
For a delicious sushi experience try Aiseki Sushi just up from the Place central area heading to Medran. I used to live in Miami and have eaten a lot of sushi and this is not far off the mark. Not too expensive either for Verbier.
Coffee & cakes and all things takeaway.
Now in the morning if I want a great coffee I would head straight to La Cucina just off Place Centrale and have a chocolate coconut brownie
( life giving !!) and grab some freezer food which are all prepared on the premises with tender loving care. The owner is a Brit who has an utter commitment to taste and authentic flavours.
Latte 5.00
Brownie 4.80
Curry takeaway serves two @ 25.00 flavours such as Zucchini, butternut pumpkin and spinach Thai curry or Aubergine & sweet potato curry. Swing by Migros to grab some mango chutney and naan bread and you’re all set.
Shopping
If you want groceries Migros in Verbier has a good selection of meats, vegetables, fruit and gourmet items and my research shows it is less expensive than the competition save Denner. It also regularly uploads food parcels onto the app TooGoodTooGo, which can be a great deal to stock up on a variety of groceries. Migros is a little bit further to walk but you can catch the free bus that circulates around town and walk 100m to the entrance where there is also a pharmacy and medical centre.
https://filialen.migros.ch/de/migros-supermarkt-verbier
Denner is in the same centre as Migros and it sells alcohol which Migros does not.
Skiing Hacks
Well I’ll give you one which guarantees an escape route. If it’s crowded at Medran I catch a bus to Carrefour. On the way you can drop off beginners at Les Esserts and the advanced skiers continue to Carrefour bus stop. Put your skis on and ski down through the little tunnel where you end up at The 6 man Mayentzet chair. There you are whisked away to Ruinettes and beyond. Generally small queues.
Events
Verbier Life is a free monthly magazine which lists a calendar of monthly events and has some great feature articles about the village and its folks.
Stay tuned- There will be a series 2 for this booklet which will be a pay to read number at or which can be downloaded or printed.
Hacks for Zermatt to follow in the New Year… Merry Christmas Millie Minett