What’s new in Verbier this Winter?

What is new for the 2021/22 Winter Season in Verbier?

Jenny Souter

Verbier stood strong last winter in unprecedented times, as the Resort remained open for mountain lovers fortunate enough to travel to the Swiss Alps! Covid Angels patrolled the streets, ensuring everyone abided by Valais’ Covid rules; holidaymakers and locals alike wore masks, kept their distance and did everything possible to ensure Verbier stayed open throughout the season. Verbier’s resilience has put us in great stead for a resurgence of tourists, who will be able to enjoy a more familiar ski holiday for Winter 2021/22! Masks and respect for one another’s personal space will still be the status quo; however, unlike last season, you will be able to dance the night away in Farinet again, enjoy a warming fondue at picturesque Chez Dany and cherish family moments and the soft play at Mountain Air as restaurants, bars and leisure activities are now open to the public.

Along with all our usual ‘go-to’ wining and dining establishments, we have a few new contenders to look forward to trying out this winter. For those of you who are used to enjoying a post-piste tipple at Vinabagnes, you will have to walk a little further down the hill to Place Central (obviously, it is worth the extra two-minute walk!) to indulge in their extended food and wine menu and new location. King’s Bar has moved into Vinabagnes’ old home and will offer a sophisticated and fun-loving Apres experience with world-class cocktails and live music every week. Another newcomer to Verbier’s Apres scene is the bustling Lumi Bar located right across from Medran. Lumi has a delicious tapas menu and extremely talented mixologists who put on events and live music throughout the year. Another new bar, which is sure to become a hit with the locals and tourists, is Alp & Horn, located just off Place Central. This is the place for all of you sports hounds, as the pub will be equipped with multiple screens showing an array of sports, and the kitchen will serve homemade pizza and mouthwatering sharing plates.

Families, skiers and shoppers can rejoice that 22 will open in Mountain Air this winter. 22 is a fresh Deli offering an array of sandwiches, pizza, warm treats and weekly specials made from local and seasonal produce. You will be able to order the food via an app and collect it if you are rushing up on a powder day. If you would rather eat in and relax in 22, then you have this option too. The soft play area will be coming back for families with little ones, and 22 will be doing pop events over the winter, such as wine tasting and pairing menus and arts and crafts sessions for kids.

Aside from all the eating and drinking to look forward to, you can also jump on the new Medran IV lift to get you on your skis in record time (6 minutes, to be precise!) The new ten-seater gondola has twice the capacity as the old lift and has been given a full makeover, improving the comfort and circulation of skiers and boarders.

We are already counting down the days to try all of this out!