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Winter at The Lodge

The Lodge is Sir Richard Branson’s stunning nine bedroom chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, one of the Alps' most exclusive resorts and Europe’s hottest ski spots.

Situated on a quiet road just 250m from the main ski lifts and backing onto one of the returning pistes, The Lodge is in a perfect location for the slopes. The Lodge can accommodate up to 18 adults in 9 bedrooms and up to 6 children and young adults in a specially designed bunkroom.

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Things to do in winter

Long synonymous with skiing royalty (and sometimes with visits from real royalty), Verbier is part of the four valleys, a renowned skiing area in the Swiss Alps. Although skiing is traditionally what people expect to find when they visit, there are loads of other activities to get your teeth into. Click the tabs below to find out more.

At The Lodge

Gym
Need a little more stamina? Visit the gym and workout on the treadmill, bike, cross-trainer and free weights station and afterwards relax those muscles on the stretching mats. We’ve even got a plasma screen TV with Netflix and Apple TV, and music system to keep you entertained.

Indoor pool and hot tubs
Relax those aching muscles in the indoor or outdoor hot tubs after a day out – it’s heaven! Or just refresh yourself with a dip in our 9m heated indoor pool.

Steam room
If you want to relax at the end of the day you can let off some steam in our steam room. It’s also a great way to purify your skin.

Skiing/Snowboarding

For the avid skier or snowboarder Verbier is paradise. There are five resorts spread across four valleys, all of which are tied into one single lift pass, offering you one of the largest skiable areas in the Alps – for all levels of skiers.

The ski area around Verbier includes 195km of marked pistes of all standards and of every exposure divided over the sectors of Les Ruinettes, Les Attelas, Savoleyres, Bruson and within the resort. The artificial snow-making system of Les Attelas at 2,730m all the way down to Verbier at 1,500m enables not only a descent directly into The Lodge, but an extended ski season right up until the end of April. You can take advantage of the 34 lifts which are amongst the most modern in the world, including the Funispace, a 30 person enclosed cable car and a 125 person jumbo from Tortin to Gentianes.

Beginners
Two nursery slopes lie in the centre of the resort, ideal for starting out or getting back into the swing of things if you haven’t been skiing for a while. Les Esserts has 1 button lift and 2 magic carpets, and is situated immediately next to a restaurant with a terrace. This is a prime site for beginners with families, with access to the longest magic carpet in Switzerland. Le Rouge has a T-bar to enable more confident beginners after their first stage on Les Esserts to attempt a more advanced slope. When you are ready to venture up the mountain, the areas of Savoleyres, Lac des Vaux and La Chaux offer a number of easy blue runs, to moderate red runs.

Intermediate
There are hundreds of more challenging red and black runs which make up the Four Valleys, and it is possible to do a day trip exploring them all. These runs are serviced by the main Médran lift, only a short walk or drive from The Lodge, rising to Les Ruinettes, where the ‘Funispace’ to Attelas and Lac des Vaux and the ‘La Chaux Express’ to La Chaux await you. There are some Verbier classics here, and the ski area really opens up, leading you from La Chaux to Col des Gentianes and from Lac des Vaux into Chassoure – Tortin and beyond.

Advanced
Verbier is renowned for having some of the best off-piste and itinerary runs around so there will be plenty to keep the more adventurous skiers amused. The peak of Mont Fort in the middle of the range, at an altitude of 3,330m, is the tallest in the Four Valleys. You can also discover mountains of Mt Gele, with itinerary only skiing, the legendary backside of Mont Fort – ‘stairway to heaven, Creblet and Bec de Rosses, where Verbier hosts the annual ‘Freeride World Tour’ stage of the pro-skiing competition.

Equipment and Lift Passes

At The Lodge we’ve designed a skiing experience where the hassle factor has been edited out. If queuing in a busy ski shop isn’t your style, you’ll love that we bring the gear to you and we’ll even drive you to the lift station. There’s even a boot room in the chalet with heated boot warmers to keep your feet extra toasty. All prices below were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Ski Hire
Six days’ ski or snowboard and boot hire starts at approximately CHF 270.

For those who already have boots, skis/boards start at CHF 190 for 6 days. The Lodge will arrange for the skis and boots to be delivered and fitted in house to save you having to go to the ski shop. We will ask for your details of what kit you need, along with height, weight, ability level and shoe size when booking.

Snowboarding
Handpicked snowboarding instructors can be arranged for all levels of snowboarders from complete beginners to expert riders. The above options and equipment hire details are also applicable for snowboarders.

Lift Passes
A six day pass costs approximately CHF 385.

The Lodge will arrange ski passes in house by booking online prior to your arrival if you can’t wait to hit the slopes, or we can arrange everything in house once you get here. Please provide your date of birth at the time of booking to arrange this service.

Lessons

At The Lodge we hand pick our own skilled team of professional ski instructors. They will make your Lodge experience truly unforgettable with the best week’s skiing of your life.

Our chosen team of instructors from European Snowsport can be pre-booked to provide tailored lessons for all levels of skiers or snowboarders, from those of you yet to wear your first pair of skis or board to those of you who are regulars on the mountain. Having instructors alongside you during your stay will really enhance your experience on the mountain as they know the place best! If you have children who would prefer to join a group to meet other children, we can also arrange group lessons for them.

Beginners
Learn at your own pace and comfort with our extremely patient and understanding instructors. We’ll give you the skills to enjoy the mountain and most importantly have some fun!

All terrain clinics
Designed to help you move around the mountain with complete confidence and control knowing you can cope with anything that comes your way. You’ll work on being able to slow down or speed up at will, control your speed on steeper terrain, plus you’ll learn how to cope with a fresh fall of snow, handle crowded slopes and narrow paths.

Piste performance clinic
Learn how to get the most out of your skis. Experience the g-forces of carving. Be inspired to experiment on the piste and enjoy the corduroy like never before!

Bumps
In our mogul clinic we’ll teach you the knowledge and skills needed for the bumps whilst on-piste, and then we’ll apply them in the bumps, allowing you to tackle mogul slopes with confidence and control.

Video feedback and analysis
There is also the opportunity to see yourself on video and receive in-depth analysis on your performance. We will sit down in front of the big screen with a warm hot chocolate or cold beer and talk you through the day’s exercises and give personal feedback from the footage.

Adventure
For you thrill seekers out there looking to go beyond the normal ski trip, we can arrange heli-skiing, ski touring, ice climbing or day trips to Chamonix to ski the Vallée Blanche, or why not do a trip to Italy to ski over for lunch? Guides can be booked on arrival for these adventure trips and will be weather dependant.

Prices
Beginner to Expert skiers (Maximum of 6 per lesson; prices are per instructor)
Private Full-day lesson CHF 560 Timing is flexible
Private Half-day lesson CHF 340 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm
Private 2-hour lesson CHF 250 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm
[NB: Hire of avalanche safety pack not included for advanced lessons]

Clinics: We can organise 1 day, 2 day or longer clinics if you would like to focus on a particular skill.

Group Lessons
(Maximum of 6 per group, non-Lodge guests will be in the lesson)
1 Half-day lesson (intermediate) CHF 100 9am – 12pm Monday – Friday
3 Half-day lessons (intermediate) CHF 270 9am – 12pm Monday – Friday
5 Half-day lessons (beginners) CHF 410 9am – 12pm Monday – Friday

All prices below were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

More Activities

If skiing isn’t your thing or you’d just like to try something different, you can go cross country on snow shoes, or see Verbier from the air with a tandem paraglide.

Snow shoeing
If you can walk, you can go snowshoeing. It’s easy to do, it doesn’t require a lot of special techniques, and the fun begins as soon as you put the snowshoes on! You can choose between a casual hike through the woods or a steep climb up the mountain. A great option is to walk up to lunch where the skiers have skied to, and you can walk to on snow shoes, getting you some fresh mountain air, and catching up on the morning news. It also allows you to go places where skiers can’t!

Paragliding
Why not take to the sky and see the spectacular sites of The Matterhorn in one direction and Mont Blanc in the other? Take a tandem flight where you can sit back and enjoy the experience.

Sledging
It’s not just for kids! Although you may need the fearlessness of an 8 year old if you’re going to give the 10km run in Savoleyres a go! Of all the activities in Verbier, this is probably the one where you’re most likely to pick up some bruises – it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a crash helmet!

Spa Treatments

After an active day on the mountains there’s a good chance your muscles will be aching after all that effort. Relax and unwind with a treatment in the capable hands of our resident beauty therapist.

Explore the Spa Menu

Winter Rates

All 9 rooms and suites CHF 126,000
Up to 6 rooms and suites* CHF 105,000
Up to 4 rooms and suites* CHF 84,000

Rates during the winter season are quoted for seven nights’ exclusive use of The Lodge for 18 guests and are priced in Swiss Francs.
Enjoy three or four nights on selected dates between January - April 2023. Please contact our Reservations team for more information.

Rates for smaller groups are available on request within three months of arrival.

What's included?

  • Your luxury accommodation
  • Breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner
  • A light lunch is served at The Lodge for those guests not eating on the mountain
  • All drinks including a top-quality wine list and house champagne
  • 24-hour driver service within Verbier
  • A dedicated team to look after you
  • All local taxes

Please note these rates exclude one evening meal out where guests can sample the gourmet delights of Verbier.



Children

When staying in the bunk room or in their parents' room during the Winter season, children aged 5 and under stay for free. Children (6-11 years old) and young adults (12-17 years old) are charged CHF 550 and CHF 880 per person per week respectively. Additional adults aged 18 and over are charged CHF 1,310 per person per week.

When booking The Lodge, supplements only apply when the total number of guests exceeds 18.

Book now

Or got a question? Contact us

All 9 rooms and suites CHF 168,000
Up to 6 rooms and suites* CHF 136,500
Up to 4 rooms and suites* CHF 105,000

Rates during the winter season are quoted for seven nights’ exclusive use of The Lodge for 18 guests and are priced in Swiss Francs.
Enjoy three or four nights on selected dates between January - April 2023. Please contact our Reservations team for more information.

Rates for smaller groups are available on request within three months of arrival.

What's included?

  • Your luxury accommodation
  • Breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner
  • A light lunch is served at The Lodge for those guests not eating on the mountain
  • All drinks including a top-quality wine list and house champagne
  • 24-hour driver service within Verbier
  • A dedicated team to look after you
  • All local taxes

Please note these rates exclude one evening meal out where guests can sample the gourmet delights of Verbier.



Children

When staying in the bunk room or in their parents' room during the Winter season, children aged 5 and under stay for free. Children (6-11 years old) and young adults (12-17 years old) are charged CHF 550 and CHF 880 per person per week respectively. Additional adults aged 18 and over are charged CHF 1,310 per person per week.

When booking The Lodge, supplements only apply when the total number of guests exceeds 18.

Book now

Or got a question? Contact us

All 9 rooms and suites CHF 190,000

Rates during the winter season are quoted for seven nights’ exclusive use of The Lodge for 18 guests and are priced in Swiss Francs.
Enjoy three or four nights on selected dates between January - April 2023. Please contact our Reservations team for more information.

Rates for smaller groups are available on request within three months of arrival.

What's included?

  • Your luxury accommodation
  • Breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner
  • A light lunch is served at The Lodge for those guests not eating on the mountain
  • All drinks including a top-quality wine list and house champagne
  • 24-hour driver service within Verbier
  • A dedicated team to look after you
  • All local taxes

Please note these rates exclude one evening meal out where guests can sample the gourmet delights of Verbier.



Children

When staying in the bunk room or in their parents' room during the Winter season, children aged 5 and under stay for free. Children (6-11 years old) and young adults (12-17 years old) are charged CHF 550 and CHF 880 per person per week respectively. Additional adults aged 18 and over are charged CHF 1,310 per person per week.

When booking The Lodge, supplements only apply when the total number of guests exceeds 18.

Book now

Or got a question? Contact us

You can reserve individual rooms at The Lodge during selected weeks (our 'Hotel Weeks') in the winter season for a minimum stay of two nights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Lodge?

The Lodge is perched high in the Swiss Alps in a forested area just a five minute walk from the town of Verbier, and only 250m from the main lift station. Verbier is 51 miles, or 82 kilometres east of Geneva as the crow flies, but the mountains and Lake Geneva tend to get in the way if you’re driving!

How do I get there?

The nearest international airport is in Geneva, which is about a two hour drive to The Lodge. Geneva International Airport is served by many of the major international carriers, with flights from most European destinations taking no more than three hours. Private planes are able to land at Sion Airport which is only 45 minutes by car from The Lodge. Please note that Sion Airport closes as soon as darkness falls. Zurich airport is about a 3 hour drive to The Lodge. We can also arrange taxis as well as helicopter transfers on request from Geneva, Zurich and Sion Airports.

We recommend taking the train directly from Geneva Airport to Martigny, a town about a 30 minute drive from The Lodge, or onward to Le Châble, which is a 15 minute drive. We can arrange transfers or taxis for an extra charge to get you to the chalet, or if you alight at Le Châble you can take the cable car directly to the lift station 250m from The Lodge where we can pick you up. The journey takes nine minutes and definitely has the wow factor. Please check with us at the time of booking for when the lifts are operating. The train journey to Martigny takes slightly less than 2 hours (2 hours 15 minutes to Le Châble) and is a very pleasant way to see some spectacular scenery around Lake Geneva!

Do I need a visa?

Travellers from the US and the EU do not require a visa to enter Switzerland, but your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended return date. Travellers from other countries may require a visa, so please check with your nearest Swiss Embassy or Consulate.

Can I bring my children?

Absolutely! The Lodge is a great place for a family holiday as we have plenty of things for children to do. We have a welcome pack and plenty of great activities available on request, including children’s films that can be downloaded from Apple TV or Netflix, toys, a games console, books, games, and treasure hunts in the evenings if they are not too tired after a long day out. We don’t offer a set programme, but rather a range of activities suitable for every child. We can also arrange babysitting for an extra charge; just give us at least 24 hours’ notice, although during busy school holiday weeks and peak times we will need more time to make arrangements. Special food and beverages or simple snacks and light meals can be prepared. Cots are available on request.

Can I get married at The Lodge?

Not at The Lodge itself, but we’ll host the party! The beautiful mountain scenery will be the backdrop for your special day. Marriages in Switzerland require a civil service at the local registry office, which in the case of Verbier is in nearby Le Châble (about 15 minutes by car). You will need to start planning at least four months in advance of your arrival date, and we will be delighted to help you with all the arrangements.

How about cash? What is the currency?

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). There are cash machines at the airport and in Verbier, and major credit cards are widely accepted. We accept all major credit cards to cover any additional expenses you may incur (gift purchases or treatments in the spa). Tipping is entirely up to you. If you have any questions about tipping, you can discuss them with the General Manager.

When is the best time to visit? What will the temperature be?

Whenever you like. The Lodge opens when the lifts operate – typically from early December to late April. As you’d imagine, the scenery in the Alps varies enormously depending on the season. No one can predict exactly when the snows will descend, but the average daytime temperature in winter hovers around -3°C/27°F. You might not think it, but it’s just as easy to get sunburned in winter as in summer, so be sure to bring some sunscreen with you when you visit.

What about skiing and snowboarding equipment during the winter season?

Once we’ve gathered all the size and equipment information we need (this is usually done prior to your arrival), we’ll organise a visit from our local supplier. They will visit The Lodge and get everyone kitted out one by one. The Lodge has a dedicated ski equipment room with boot warmers to make sure your feet stay toasty! At the end of the week just leave your equipment with us and we’ll get it picked up. We will prepay the fitting and rental costs and add them to your room bill.

I’ve not been skiing before… What do I need to bring?

If it’s your first time skiing it can be helpful to plan in advance so you’ve got all the necessary equipment, so here’s a quick checklist for when you’re packing. Make sure you bring a winter hat that covers your ears, ski gloves, ski goggles (you can wear sunglasses but they’re less practical for keeping the wind and sun out of your face), a neck warmer or scarf, and a supply of fitted wool socks. Don’t try and double up with several pairs of socks; if they get damp and rub together you might end up with blisters! Keeping warm in the winter chill means wearing layers. We suggest an outer layer which should be a waterproof ski jacket, a mid layer which ideally should be a fleece jumper, and a base layer preferably made of a natural material. For your lower half we recommend a pair of waterproof ski pants made of a similar material as your ski jacket, and thermal leg warmers if you’re particularly susceptible to the cold. It’s also a good idea to bring along some waterproof walking boots – they’ll feel fantastically comfortable at the end of the day when you change out of your ski boots!

Can I take ski/snowboarding lessons?

Even if you’re an experienced skier there’s no harm in taking a lesson or two for a few pointers. Our chosen instructors will be on hand to provide tailored on piste instruction for all levels of skiers, from those of you yet to hit the slopes to the regulars on the mountain. We will prepay the instructor costs and add them to your room bill.

I don’t plan on skiing or snowboarding. What can I do during the day?

Verbier has plenty to offer non-skiers including a great selection of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Any number of activities such as tobogganing, swimming, ice skating, husky sled rides, squash, paragliding and snowshoeing are available. Alternatively, relax and unwind in the comfort of The Lodge, or book yourself in for a spa treatment. Ask for our full list of things to do.

What about the evenings? I fancy some après-ski action!

The après-ski scene in Verbier is legendary, and there’s no shortage of bars, restaurants and nightclubs to choose from. We will be more than happy to recommend and book restaurants and arrange access to exclusive night spots throughout your stay. Remember that we provide a 24-hour driver service within Verbier.

How many staff members are there?

In the winter season there are 15 dedicated members of The Lodge team. Our team is there to make sure your stay at The Lodge lives up to and even exceeds your expectations. If there’s something else you’d like, just ask – we’re no strangers to unusual requests.

What’s in my room?

A well-stocked mini bar (Master Suites only), safety deposit box, hot water bottles, bottled drinking water, slippers, luxury bathrobe, phone, plug adapters, hair dryer, SPF lip balm and a selection of toiletries. Hair straighteners are available on request. If you want to chill out to your own tunes in your room, we have Bose speakers in all guest rooms. Down in the party area, we’ve got a huge plasma screen TV as well as a games console, and karaoke for when things really get rowdy. We’ve also got a stash of board games in a chest next to the downstairs bar. There are umbrellas and walking poles available by the front door to the chalet.

What food can I expect?

The food served at The Lodge is one of the highlights of your stay, and we serve a mix of Swiss and international cuisine. Dining can be as formal or informal as you wish, from full four-course gourmet meals to healthy meals with the children. Meals can be themed, traditional or a mix! Ask us for some ideas or give us yours.

We stock a fine range of international wines, including some fabulous Swiss wines, top quality spirits, beers and excellent house champagne. If you would like us to ship in something special, simply give us plenty of notice – there is generally no extra charge unless the item is particularly rare or extra shipping is involved. As guests are encouraged to treat The Lodge like their own home, they are welcome to help themselves to drinks they want at any time.

Do you cater for special diets?

We understand that some people have special requirements and personal favourites too. Let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to make sure we have exactly what you need.

Arrival and departure details

Check-in is officially 4pm. If you are scheduled to arrive earlier, you can drop your bags off at The Lodge and we can make alternative arrangements for you in Verbier so you can start enjoying yourself. Check-out is officially 11.30am on the day of your departure.

Medical information

We have first aid equipment at The Lodge along with staff trained in administering first aid. There are three medical centres within Verbier, one of which is open at all times for emergencies. The nearest hospital is located a 30 minute drive away in Martigny. Medical charges will apply according to treatment so make sure you have travel insurance before you go.

Voltage

Switzerland is on 220 volts with two-pin round plugs. We have adapters for UK and US plugs should you need them.

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