Verbier, the home of what can only be described as absolute skiing, was little more than a farmer’s corner in the early 20th century. It only stepped foot in the understanding we have of it today in the 1930s when a few hikers had to ski down from the heights they had reached. In that moment of extemporised brilliance, they found something, something that is starkly evident in this current day; Verbier is a skiing and snowboarding paradise. This blessing has totally defined Verbier. The village, still small though it is, has become home to the world’s best skiers in the cold months of the year.
But this stark transformation, of course, didn’t happen overnight, in actual fact, it took a few decades to really take. That was the 1930s during which was when skiing, although respected, was far from a global phenomenon. That was until the 1960s, at least.
In the 1960s the world of skiing changed; the era in the industry is known as the ski-boom. Be it due to increased global transport or other influencers, then was the time for Verbier to truly become the ski paradise we know and love today. During this boom, resorts very quickly started to appear. It’s as if it were the Game of Thrones opening; resorts coming out the ground like an awakened mythical beast or a video game-like obstacle. From then Verbier was never the same.
Of course, to be a successful ski resort, a lift is vital. Verbier’s first lift was actually installed following the close of WW2. The Swiss government conducted a study and deemed Verbier a propitious location for a ski resort, so it was done. However, it wasn’t until 1981 when a lift conquering Mont Fort, our most beloved slope, was built. When the Mont Fort lift was built Verbier became what it is today. As required to be a major player in the skiing world, a handsome amount of money has been spent on developing and maintaining the lifts.
Although the landscape of Verbier has forever been changed by skiing and snowboarding, it is still possible to engage with histories other than one of the slopes. In the humble village, you can indulge in the cheese making history of the village as well as taking in all of Verbier’s original architecture.
We love Verbier. We love its history and we love it now. We’re sure you do too! If you’re looking to book a trip here, take a look at our apartments. They’re great. Really great! Any questions, give us a call. We’re more than happy to talk to you about this place of wonder.
