Verbier in the Summer

Verbier in the Summer

Whether you’re an outright thrill-seeker, a tranquil traveller in need of some sunny R&R, or a mixture of the two, you’ll find a whole host of summer activities to enjoy in the stunning Alpine surrounds of Verbier.

 

When the lower-level snows start to melt away and the busy ski crowd thins out a little, you might expect things to go quiet for a while - but, as you’ll see below, there are many great reasons to stick around and explore this stunning region during the picturesque warmer months.

 

Indeed, this is true of almost all the noteworthy towns, villages and resorts in Switzerland's world famous Canton of Valais, including both Crans-Montana and Zermatt. In that spirit, let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular options for off-peak visitors to Verbier.

Must-do activities

Many international visitors arrive between May and September to take full advantage of the many stunning hiking and cycling routes on offer. The milder months bring with them a glorious abundance of flora and fauna, as old-growth forests resound with birdsong and the Alpine meadows erupt into a colourful riot of lush grasses and fragrant wildflowers.

 

Summertime in Verbier also offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to sample a wider range of famed local delicacies. Alpine produce is very much a year-round industry, of course, but spring and summer seasons provide an ideal opportunity to explore the full bounty of the Rhone Valley’s world-renowned vineyards, dairy herds, and organic local farming.

 

Naturally, if all of that leaves you with a few additional calories to burn off, you won’t be short of options to do so during those long sunny days on the upper slopes. As the mercury creeps steadily upwards, the abundant crags, plateaus and valleys reveal countless locations to indulge in a spot of hang gliding, zip lining, rock climbing, trail running, or skydiving. For those of us who prefer a slightly less white-knuckled approach to taking on some restorative mountain air, there’s always a leisurely round of golf to enjoy at one of the area’s numerous award-winning 18-hole courses.

 

If you happen to visit during the final two weeks of July, there’s also the annual Verbier Festival to soak up. This cultural highlight of the Swiss summer calendar features more than 60 classical concerts by renowned international performers, staged across a wide variety of beautiful indoor and outdoor locations dotted around the resort.

Mountain biking in Verbier

Mountain biking is particularly big news in many Alpine resorts during the summer season - and, for lovers of two-wheeled action in all its various forms, Verbier is widely regarded as an absolute jewel in the region's crown.

 

Whether you’re irresistibly drawn to the pulse-quickening adrenaline boost of a wild downhill run, or more at home winding along a picturesque lakeside trail through pristine meadows and thickly forested valleys, Verbier has plenty to offer anyone with a passion for exploring by bike. In fact, it’s not only the leading holiday destination for avid mountain bikers in the Canton of Valais - this is the most popular cross-country biking hotspot in all of Switzerland!

 

As such, cyclists looking for a slice of the action in and around Verbier are extremely well catered for. As those long sunny days approach, you’ll find numerous mountain biking groups and organisations springing to life in the local area, covering everything from relaxed afternoon rides to exhilarating multi-day expeditions.

 

Trips out are often categorised into one of four riding styles, typically offering some variation of:

 

  • Leisure/scenic - aimed at cyclists looking for a more sedate adventure, where enjoying the stunning Alpine landscapes is the main focus.
  • Cross country (XC)/trail biking - a moderately challenging mixture of smooth and slightly more rugged terrain, with a few more sweeping hills and valleys to tackle.
  • Adventure/endurance - significantly longer and more technical routes, often involving some degree of hiking to access the most exciting downhill runs.
  • Gravity - all about those speedy descents, with most of the tougher legwork covered by various lifts and gondolas located at purpose-built ski/bike parks.

 

Regardless of which style most appeals to you and your cycling skills, you’ll find dozens of classic trails to explore in and around Verbier. Popular examples include:

 

  • The mountain access route circling the ‘bowl’ of Verbier, beginning at an altitude of 2200 metres before descending all the way into Val de Bagnes
  • A multi-day ride through the lakes and vineyards of the upper Rhone Valley, starting out from Verbier and taking you to the base of the majestic Matterhorn at Zermatt.
  • For those wanting to push the pedals even harder, you can even opt for the ultimate week-long trek over to Mont Blanc, crossing international borders with both Italy and France en route
  • Numerous family-friendly routes for mixed-ability groups
  • Not to mention the Verbier Bike Park, featuring four different grades of downhill track extending over 20km (6km of which is dedicated entirely to hardcore descent, if that’s your preferred speed!)