Verbier / Mont Gelé - La Chaux
La Chaux might be a beginners area, but the yellow itinerary coming down from Mont Gelé is anything but easy. It’s steep, rocky and should only be attempted by experienced skiers.
When it’s open, the La Chaux line down Mont Gelé is a fun adventure for those seeking an off-piste feel to their skiing. This itinerary takes you back into the La Chaux area whilst the other side heads down to Siviez.
Be cautious and ensure you have all usual safety equipment with you. Consider taking a qualified off-piste instructor to help guide you down the mountain face.
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Siviez / Mont Gelé - Tortin
If you’re up for a challenge and like a few moguls then the Tortin route down Mont Gelé is an excursion for you. Despite the altitude, the snow can often become hard packed and icy, but it’s an incredible journey down in fresh powder.
The run starts with an adventurous walk from the cable car to the top of the mountain. Going off right takes you down the La Chaux side and the Tortin route leading to Siviez is around to the left.
The skiing itself is a combination of small traverses, moguls or powder depending upon the conditions. It’s one of the most challenging runs in the resort, so less confident skiers would be advised to skip this one.
A worthwhile challenge with decent views too.
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Verbier / Lacs II
A cruisy red run which takes skiers down from the top of Tortin into Lacs des Vaux.
Whilst operating as a necessary connection run, it also provides a nice carving opportunity, as well as powder in the right conditions. Watch out for rocks though and make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment if you do head off the side of the piste!
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Verbier / Lacs (Blue)
Lacs des Vaux is known to maintain great snow even through dry periods. It spends large parts of the day out of the sun so it can be a bit chilly but the neige makes up for it.
The blue run is the main piste which runs through the centre of the valley. It’s a low gradient cruisy run, making it a good one to find your ski legs on.
Whilst Lacs des Vaux can get super busy, the second leg of the blue after the fork is often a bit quieter.
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Verbier / Lacs (Black)
Whilst most skiers come up Attelas will take the blue run into the valley, there is an option to take a black run from the top of the Lac des Vaux chairlift. It’s a shorter, steeper run where you can easily pick up some speed. Mind you don’t hit the corner on the sharp left turn half way down!
It’s often quieter than the adjacent runs so a nice little challenge to intermediate to advanced skiers.
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Verbier / Col des Mines
A diverse yellow itinerary run which starts in Lacs des Vaux and leads you back into the Verbier bowl. It’s a fun but challenging run to conquer, as well as being a handy route back to town.
The run starts with a short traverse to the left of the Lacs des Vaux chairlift before hitting a gully which can contain either powder or moguls. You then take a snow path which is cut into the mountain and arrive at a longer traverse further down. After that you can turn left down Col des Mines or go right for Vallon D’Arbi.
The final stretch into Verbier is best done in fresh powder. Once it’s more skied out it will become a more technical bumpy run down. But the view remains pretty awesome whenever the sun is out.
As it’s a marked itinerary, Col des Mines can often be closed in poor conditions or when the avalanche risk is too high. Don’t be tempted to pass through the netted barrier at Lacs des Vaux if it’s been pulled across the path.
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Verbier / Attelas
Nicknamed the ‘M25’, Attelas is a long but busy red run that connects Attelas with La Chaux and Les Ruinettes. It acts as the main route home in the afternoon which means it funnels skiers of all abilities onto a single piste. Watch out for the odd idiot who likes to tear down a busy slope out of control! It’s a fun carving run in the early morning when it’s not as busy.
If you need a drink after the stress of Attelas, pop via Ice Cube at Les Ruinettes which has a second to none view over Verbier and catches the sun all afternoon.
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Thyon / L’Eteygeon
This run is an adventure starting from the top of Greppon Blanc and meanders all the way down past Thyon. It’s an accessible run for intermediate skiers that want to challenge their off piste skills.
The itinerary starts is at the top of the left Geppon Blanc button lift. Exit right at the top and you will see a path heading a further 30m up the mountain, which you’ll need to climb. Time to put your skis over your shoulder and walk up. Then follow the yellow markers all the way down the valley. It combines a backcountry feel with moguls, powder and tree skiing.
Don’t forget to check the shuttle bus times for the return to civilization because there are no lifts at the bottom of this one. In case you miss the bus you can take a taxi as well for 10 CHF per person.
The bus will take you to the bottom of the Les Masses right at the end of the 4 vallées so you still have a long journey home, but this is a fantastic way to discover the resort’s full potential.
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Siviez / Greppon Blanc 3
The alternative run down to the Inférieure red. It’s also steep and presents most skiers with a bit of a challenge. Like all of the high runs on Greppon Blanc, you get a beautiful view over the Sion valley on a clear day.
Whilst it’s a great run, the three man chair leading up is an old one, so it’s not a particularly busy piste.
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Siviez / Greppon Blanc Inférieure
Second to the supérieure black run, the inferieure is not much different in reality. It’s still steep, but a little easier to carve on. A nice long run which goes left around the mountain back towards the bottom of Greppon Blanc Supérieure.
It’s best to pick up a little speed before you hit the flat path at the bottom of the slope to avoid a dull traverse on the route back towards Siviez. You should turn off right down Les Chottes to carry on around towards Veysonnaz and Thyon.
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Siviez / Greppon Blanc Supérieure
For those who enjoy fast and steep lines, it doesn’t get much faster or steeper than Greppon Blanc. The superieure is the first of three runs down this part of the mountain and provides skiers with a bit of a challenge on a wide slope that’s usually hard packed. It’s quite an exposed face which can get very cold so wrap up warm if you’re spending much time around here.
The bad news is that the button lift up is long and slow. So it’s one we usually like to do just once on the way home.
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Verbier / Mont Fort
At 3330m there’s almost always snow on Mont Fort, even if it’s rarely soft. The entrance to the run is steep, icy and includes large moguls. It’s not for the faint hearted but the rest of the black offers smaller, easier moguls and a great carving run lower down.
Whilst it’s also a great run in fresh powder, there are crevasses outside of the main piste, so it’s best to go with a seasoned instructor if you’re tempted by the off-piste lines.
If you’re only interested in the instagramable pictures at the top, you can take the cable car back down! For a more adventurous route down, there’s also a zip line which is great fun in good weather.
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Siviez / Gentianes Tortin
Here is another beautiful off-piste itinerary that will take you from Gentianes all the way down to Tortin. Get your legs ready for this one as it’s about twice the length of Tortin with different pitches of steep moguls.
The start of the run is flat and gentle, but quikcly progresses into moguls as you head further down. Large sections of the run can be very rocky so be aware of what you’re skiing over. However, in decent conditions, it’s a lovely run with a backcountry feel down into Siviez.
On the way down don’t hesitate to take a break and observe the ridges on your right. It’s quite usual to see mountain goats in this area, especially in the morning.
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Siviez / Gentianes (Teleski)
It’s likely you’ll only ski this to get to the Gentianes itinerary. Skiers coming down from Mont Fort have to get the button lift to get back up to the top of Col des Gentianes. This enables you to ski back to Verbier.
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Verbier / Gentianes (Red)
If you don’t fancy the Gentianes-Tortin itinerary down to Siviez, skiers can take this red run to La Chaux. Whilst it’s a bit steep in places, there’s an easier path cut into the mountain which avoids the hardest bits. A great carving run, albeit the snow is usually quite hard packed.
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A pretty itinerary in Bruson which takes skiers through the trees on the right of the slope. Despite being an itinerary, it’s not a difficult run, but it can get a little hard packed and bumpy in periods of less snow. Great fun in powder.
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Siviez / Chassoure - Tortin
Chassoure Tortin, also known as simply Tortin, is a challenging itinerary that leads skiers away from the Verbier ski area towards Siviez. It is a long, wide and steep run, which is often closed in poor weather or dangerous conditions.
Skiers choose to either follow the yellow poles straight down the mountain on a steep descent or a lengthy traverse across the right hand side of the bowl. The second section is easier skiing and enables you to take in the amazing views of the Sion valley.
When this bowl is open and holds good snow, it offers both powder and moguls for more adventurous skiers. Fair-weather skiers are advised to take the gondola down into the Siviez valley.
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