Misplaced Pages

#974025

28-565: Verbier is located in the municipality of Val de Bagnes in the Swiss canton of Valais. The village lies on a south oriented terrace at around 1,500 metres facing the Grand Combin massif. The terrace lies on the east side of the Val de Bagnes , a valley located south of Martigny . Verbier had 2767 permanent residents in 2006. The number of residents can rise to 35,000 in the winter season. There

56-411: A few resorts to contain a mountain with no pistes coming down it (Mont Gelé). On rare occasions, it is also possible to ski 700 vertical metres from Verbier (1500 m) to Le Châble (800 m) in the valley below, though such a run now entails going through terrain with felled trees and other obstacles. The off-piste run from Col des Gentiannes (2,950 m) down to Le Chable is a better option, but it

84-465: A population (as of December 2020 ) of 10,185. The historical population is given in the following chart: The Alpage (alpine pasture) de Louvie and the Church of St-Maurice with ossuary and the former rectory are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance . The villages of Bruson, Le Châble, Médières, Sarreyer and Vollèges along with the hamlets of Fontenelle and Vens are all part of

112-471: A result of exceptional weather conditions, Verbier was able to offer skiing on 13 and 14 July 2013. 1,630 people attended the event. In the summertime, there are 400 km of hiking trails and hikers can follow the tracks of the chamois and ibex through the mountains, some of them covered with snow all year round. There are 200 km of mountain bike piste. Other activities include climbing, paragliding, swimming, golf, badminton, Ice karting, and trips aboard

140-460: Is a municipality in the district of Entremont in the canton of Valais in Switzerland . It is named after the eponymous Val de Bagnes . On 1 January 2021, the existing political communes of Bagnes and Vollèges merged to form the new political commune of Val de Bagnes. Bagnes was first mentioned in 1150 as Banie . It was formerly known by its German name, Bangis , although this

168-521: Is a noticeable population of Scandinavian and British residents. The town has a public school system for its residents up until high school level, when locals must travel down into the valley for schooling. In September 2010, the Verbier campus of St. George's (now called Verbier International School), a private international school , was founded and opened its doors in the Chalet Mascotte at

196-551: Is a stop on the most commonly taken route by skiers of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt . Various ski and snowboard schools offer private lessons, group lessons, clinics, and performance coaching. Mountain-guide companies and a few independent mountain guides complete the offerings. Ski and snowboard schools include Performance Verbier, Alpinemojo Ski and Snowboard School, La Fantastique, Altitude Ski and Snowboard School, New Generation Ski School, European Snowsport and

224-593: Is a vibrant community of photographers and artists in Verbier, most born out of winter sports action photography. Verbier can be accessed by road or by train. From Martigny a regional train (known as the Saint-Bernard Express ) leads to Le Châble VS . From Le Châble a cable car (or a post bus) goes up to Verbier. Martigny is a 1 hour 45 minute journey from Geneva and a 20 min journey from Sion , travelling with Swiss Federal Railways . Verbier has only one access road which starts in

252-422: Is first mentioned in 1287. The castle came to be known as the abbaye since it was the seat of the abbey of Saint-Maurice's representative. In 1410 the castle was rebuilt into a residence of the abbots. In 1476 it was partially destroyed by the villagers. In 1745 it was besieged during the revolt against the abbot of Saint-Maurice. The castle was acquired in the 20th century by the municipality. The facade of

280-408: Is important to check that snow conditions are good and that there is no avalanche risk. Also, some of the trails from Col des Gentiannes to Le Châble lead to dead-ends and dangerous rockfaces, so it is essential to be familiar with the terrain before attempting to ski down to Le Châble from Gentiannes. The nearest heli-ski landing spots are Rosablanche , Petit Combin , and Trient Glacier . Verbier

308-591: Is no longer used. Before 1150, when it came to the abbey of Saint-Maurice, Bagnes was owned by the Counts of Savoy . It remained under the abbey's authority until 1798, when it became part of the Entremont district. Verbier castle (also called the abbaye ) is first mentioned in 1287 in Le Châble and was presumably destroyed in 1476. Throughout the 19th century, the radicals and conservatives feuded violently in

SECTION 10

#1732773110975

336-551: Is one of the two mountains named Mont Gelé in the valley of Bagnes, the other being located on the Italian border. In winter, Mont-Gelé summit can be reached from Verbier (or Siviez / Nendaz) through aerial cable-car (upper station: 3,002 metres (9,849 ft)). It is also possible to go down the mountain by two official but off-piste ski slopes, for good skiers only. [REDACTED] Media related to Mont Gelé (3023 m) at Wikimedia Commons This Valais location article

364-415: Is part of the "Four Valleys" ("4 Vallées") ski area, which includes the ski resorts of Verbier, Nendaz , Veysonnaz , La Tzoumaz , and Thyon with a claimed total of 410 km marked runs. However, an independent expert measured that the real extent of marked runs is 164 km rather than 410 km. The ski area is divided into four sectors: Medran, Les Savoleyres, Mont Fort and Bruson. Verbier forms

392-687: Is used for small children learning to ski), four cross-country pistes and two walking areas. Verbier is known for its off-piste and itinerary runs. Amongst these are popular mogul fields Tortin, Gentianes, Mont Fort and Plan du Fou as well as more advanced itineraries Vallon D'Arbi and Mont Gelé (which are often closed). Notable off-piste runs are the Backside of Mont Fort, Bec des Etagnes, Stairway to Heaven, Highway, Marlenaz, Croix de Coeur, Bacombe, Col des Mines, Creblets, Couloir de la Banane, Col de la Mouche, The Rocky Garden, The Hidden Valley (down to Auddes-sur-Riddes), Couloir des Dix, Col de la Banane, and

420-731: The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark . The Swedish royal family and the Belgian royal family also come here. It caters to British customers, but also receives many visitors from Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, the United States of America and South Africa. Recurring events include: 46°06′N 7°13′E  /  46.100°N 7.217°E  / 46.100; 7.217 Val de Bagnes, Switzerland Val de Bagnes

448-588: The Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites . Mont Gel%C3%A9 (3023 m) Mont Gelé (3,022 metres (9,915 ft)) is a mountain of the Pennine Alps , part of the Municipality Riddes and overlooking Verbier in the Swiss canton of Valais . Located on the range north of Mont Fort , its summit is the tripoint between the municipalities (and valleys) of Bagnes , Riddes and Nendaz . It

476-481: The Swiss Ski School. In 1983, 2 T-bar lifts were installed on the glacier to allow skiing all year. The lifts took 7 minutes and 30 seconds to ride and had a rate of 2,400 people per hour. The summer skiing last operated during July 1999. In April 2012, the website SeeVerbier.com published a report as part of an April fools joke claiming that the resort would re-open for summer skiing during June. As

504-603: The entrance of the village. Verbier also has a newly founded school as of January 2021 called Copperfield Verbier, in Le Hameau. Verbier has been an Alpine resort with guests from European countries since the early 20th century. During World War I , the local economy suffered from a lack of tourist revenue as people were unable or unwilling to travel to Switzerland from countries at war. From 1916 to 1918 Verbier, along with other Alpine resorts, housed interned German, French and British soldiers who required medical treatment. There

532-559: The floods of the Dranse in 1469, 1595 and a particularly devastating flood in 1818. There were silver mines in the area between 1344 and 1723 and again between 1852 and 1855. In 1958 the Lac de Mauvoisin Dam was built. The dam along with increasing tourism in the mid-20th century changed the character of the villages dramatically. The village economies changed from alpine farming to domination by

560-499: The late gothic parish church of St. Mauritius was built in 1520 and the choir was finished in 1534. The ossuary dates back to 1560 and the parish house to the 16th century. In 1953, the village was connected to the Martigny-Sembrancher-Le Châble rail line. After the merger, Val de Bagnes has an area, (as of the 2004/09 survey), of 301.89 km (116.56 sq mi). The new municipality has

588-569: The less accessible Bec des Rosses , annual host for the finals of the Freeride World Tour. Off-piste skiing can be dangerous, and sometimes lethal, due to the risk of avalanches, hidden obstacles, crevices, extremely steep runs, and other hazards. In the 2012–13 season, a skier was killed by an avalanche on the Col de la Mouche and two others died at the Bec des Etagnes. Verbier is one of only

SECTION 20

#1732773110975

616-690: The mountain railways in the area. Every summer, the Verbier Festival takes place, featuring seventeen days of musical performances at the invitation of founder Martin Engström . Verbier is also a popular holiday destination for celebrities and royalty, including The Prince and Princess of Wales , Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex , Sarah, Duchess of York (who is in the process of selling her chalet) and her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie , James Blunt , Diana Ross , Lawrence Dallaglio , Richard Branson , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , and

644-404: The services sector. Until 1957 Bagnes was a loose federation of villages, which was divided into districts or sections. The local councils continued to represent their sections until 1971. Le Châble was the capital of the former municipality of Bagnes. Starting in the 12th century, Le Châble was the administrative center of the entire Val de Bagnes. Verbier castle (also called the abbaye )

672-531: The town of Le Châble. From Sembrancher (near Le Châble) a road leads to the Great St. Bernard Pass and another to Martigny or to the Col de la Forclaz . Verbier is around 2 hours' drive from Geneva, 1 hour from Chamonix (Col de la Forclaz) and 1 hour from Aosta (Great St. Bernard Pass). The nearest international airport is Geneva Airport . Minibus transfers are available from the airport to Verbier center during

700-416: The villages. This led, in 1844, to the bloody battle of Corberaye, in which three conservatives were killed. The battle of Corberaye brought the radicals to power, but the conservatives were able gain support from political allies and were able to return to power shortly thereafter. One consequence of this political discord was the founding of the liberal-radical free school in 1900. At the free school there

728-561: The western section of the 4 valleys ski area. A 4 Valley pass allows a tour all the way from Verbier to La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Les Masses , Thyon and back. The Verbier section of the 4 Valleys ski area has recent lifts made by Leitner , CWA, Poma and Garaventa AG, all operated by Téléverbier SA. In Verbier alone, there are 35 lifts (within the Verbier, Savoleyeres/La Tzoumaz and Bruson sector). A standard Verbier pass gives access to this entire sector, 33 standard ski runs, two snowparks , one "Jardin de Neige" (a relatively flat area that

756-526: The winter ski season. The village is small enough to be explored on foot, but free buses run throughout the resort regularly during the day. Verbier's ski domain ranges from 1500 m (Verbier Village) up to 3330 m ( Mont Fort ) from which there is a panoramic view of the Alps encompassing the Matterhorn Cervin , Dom , Dent Blanche , Dent d'Hérens , Grand Combin and Mont Blanc massif . It

784-664: Was no religious instruction, in contrast to the other village schools which had been founded by religious groups. The free school remained open until 1943. The parish is first mentioned in 1178, with the parish church at St. Martin's church in Le Châble. The parsonage was built in 1686 at Verbier. It became a rectory in 1915 and a parish in 1962. Other chapels are located in Montagnier (14th century), Sarreyer (after 1639), Lourtier (1659), Vernays (1661), Media (1679), Champsec (1684) and Versegères (1684). The municipality suffered from frequent natural disasters, especially from

#974025