Off-Piste Skiing in Verbier — The Best Lines

Verbier's reputation for off-piste skiing is not an accident. The combination of north-facing couloirs, vast open bowls, accessible backcountry and reliable snow makes it one of the great freeride destinations in the world. Here, from the windows and terraces of Chalet la Vigne in Patier, you can see a fair bit of the terrain described below. These are runs we know well. All of these require knowledge of mountain safety, and avalanche gear is essential.

The Bec des Rosses on a powder day - the Dogleg Couloir is to the looker’s left of the middle, in the shade

The Highway

One of Verbier's great all-round lines and the ideal introduction to off-piste for those making the transition from piste. Readily accessible and with a relatively forgiving gradient, the Highway rewards those who ski it with commitment and speed. Or take the nearby Secret Couloir if you want something with a little more consequence.

The Banana (and Peel)

Just off the top of Verbier's Mont Gelé tram, the Banana Couloir is a legend and a great warmup run en route to a day of excellent lines. A short bootpack, followed by a quick traverse along a knife ridge leads to this perfect northeast couloir - that spills onto a huge apron called Col de Mouche. There are a couple of cool variants: Peel Couloir is just 10m down on the right and offers a tight but thrilling descent, and the ultimate - in good snow - is the “In Betweener” located between Peel and the Banana itself.

No Name

Accessed from the Gentianes tram after a 20 minute skin, No Name opens onto wide, undulating terrain before finishing in a moderately tight couloir. Keep an eye on your slough as you descend. A satisfying line that rewards the effort required to reach it. Few know how to get here.

Bec des Étagnes

The top part of the Bec des Etagnes - the best line is over the left shoulder, leading to a massive high speed apron (not visible)

Located in the Mont Fort area, the Bec des Étagnes demands commitment before you even clip in. A 30 minute bootpack straight up is your entry fee, rewarded by one of the most serious lines in Verbier. The top is a no-fall zone — this is expert terrain only, and should be treated as such. Get it on a good snow day however, and what follows is a vast, steep face opening onto a huge apron. When the conditions align, it's as good as it gets.

Mont Rogneux

Ripping the apron at the bottom of the Mont Rogneux descent

Visible directly across the valley from Chalet la Vigne, Mont Rogneux is a serious undertaking — typically accessed by helicopter to the top of the Petit Combin, a descent down its North Face, followed by a randonnée to the top of Mt Rogneux. What follows is over 1200 metres of steep couloirs, flowing mid-sections and a massive apron leading to a well-earned drink afterwards. A classic for experienced skiers.

Bec des Rosses

One third of the way up the bootpack to the top of the Bec des Rosses

Arguably Verbier's most famous peak and the annual stage for the Freeride World Tour in March. Multiple lines ranging from the extremely challenging to the merely committing make the Bec a must for anyone drawn to steep skiing. Watch the professionals in April and then make your own call. The Dogleg Couloir is a great entry level line on the Bec - see our videos page to get a sense of what it’s like.

Mont Fort

The highest point in the 4 Vallées at 3330 metres, Mont Fort is the gateway to some of Verbier's most celebrated terrain — the North Face, Super Bowl, and the Bec des Rosses among them. But on a powder day, fresh snow directly beneath the tram should never be overlooked. Sometimes the best line is the obvious one.

Skiing Home

One of the underrated pleasures of staying at Chalet la Vigne is the ski home. Accessed from Savoleyres, both the on-piste and off-piste return routes offer good skiing, great views, and pass either La Marmotte or Marlenaz — two of the most celebrated on-mountain restaurants in Verbier. A civilised way to end the day.

A happy Chalet la Vigne guest gets his first magazine cover shot, on the descent of Mont Rogneux