Where to Ski And Snowboard - Skiers dismayed at Verbier break-away

Skiers dismayed at Verbier break-away

24th June 2014, by Abi Butcher

Skiers say the break-up of the 4 Vallées area is a backwards step

The announcement that Verbier has broken away from the 4 Vallées ski area — which includes Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon — has been greeted with dismay.

Where to Ski and Snowboard co-editor Dave Watts said: “This break-up is a real shame and reduces the attraction of Verbier for keen intermediates – Veysonnaz and Thyon offered good intermediate cruising on slopes less crowded than Verbier’s main one.”

Verbier regular and part-time resident Sophie Evans said: “It seems really sad that other ski resorts are going forward and joining up, but this is a step back for Verbier. The link up of the 4 Vallées not only attracted skiers to Verbier but also to the surrounding resorts such as Nendaz and Siviez who had access to Verbier but could stay in cheaper places.”

Skiers in Verbier will continue to be able to access Mont-Fort as well as the famous itineraries of Mont Gelé, Vallon d’Arbi and the Col des Mines, but access to the Tortin chair lift from Siviez to Tortin — which will affect off-piste skiers going off the back of Mont-Fort — is still unclear.

This morning, Verbier/Val de Bagnes director Pierre-Andre Gremaud said the resort had “no option” but to break away from the 4 Vallées, and that the decision had been taken after months of talks and negotiations between the four participating lift companies.

“We regret this situation, but we understand Téléverbier has tried everything to negotiate the renewal of an agreement with reasonable terms,” he said, insisting the new “Verbier Grand Ski” lift pass will not have a major impact on skiers staying in the Swiss resort.

Verbier has released this map of the new “Verbier Grand Ski” area

The pass — which will cost CHF71 per day, slightly more than the 4 Vallées pass last year — will cover all the main areas of Bruson, Savoleyres, Medran, including Mont-Fort and the bottom of Tortin, and including Siviez. The lifts in the other three resorts will be accessible, but skiers will have to purchase additional lift tickets.

Mrs Evans, also a ski instructor, added: “I’m concerned as to whether we have to buy an add-on to ski old favourite runs like the back of Mont-Fort, for which skiers return to Verbier year after year. It will start to become pretty expensive.”