#LeotyList Marion Rabate’s Guide To Verbier
In our second #LeotyList Travel Guide we ask CEO and Founder of Ernest Leoty, Marion Rabate, to share her insider tips for Verbier, Switzerland.
© David Noton/Alamy
Q: Marion, how long have you been visiting Verbier and what first brought you there?
A: I have been going there since I was a teenager, but my family has been going there for years.
Q: What makes Verbier different from other ski resorts?
A: First and foremost, Verbier is known for its excellent skiing – the terrain coves a large area and is really quite challenging. The après-ski is also great, lots of partying. Finally, because of its French heritage the food and quality of product is amazing.
Le Chalet d’Adrien, one of the big hotels in Verbier
Q: Do you have a favourite hotel that you stay at?
A: I usually stay at home. But the two big hotels of the resort are Le Chalet d’Adrien which is a Relais & Chateaux and is very traditional and beautiful, and the more modern W Hotel.
Chez Dany, one of Marion’s favorite restaurants on the slopes
Q: What are the best restaurants in town?
A: There are tons of excellent restaurants! The most interesting are the ones on the pistes, which you can access by luge at night - La Marmotte and Chez Danyare my favorites. When you’re actually on the slopes, La Cabane Montfort is very good. In town, I don’t usually go to restaurants, but I make an exception for Le Caveau which is known for its fondue.
Col des Gentianes, one of the trails Marion recommends exploring if you’re a good skier
Q: Can you give some tips for avid skiers out there who haven’t been to Verbier before?
A: The best thing about skiing in Verbier are all the trails. They are between pistes and off-piste. If you go when it’s quiet, it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. Col des Mines, and Col des Gentianes are really good, but you need to be a good skier.
Q: Anything we should know about getting around?
A: In town, there is a free system of Navettes (buses that take you all around town) which is incredibly convenient. Otherwise, try to stay next to the centre of town, Medran. In terms of actually getting to Verbier, the best thing is to fly to Geneva, and you can take a connecting bus from the airport.
Q: How else could we spend the day if the visibility is terrible?
A: I would do a spa day at the Chalet d’Adrien. Or, just stay cozy and warm at home.
Q: Can you share your top tips for the following:
Q: As a regular visitor, do you have any Verbier traditions, things that you do every trip, or somewhere you have to visit each time?
A: We always go to the Farm Club (a nightclub in Verbier) and we always have a fondue at Le Caveau.
Q: Three words to describe Verbier please:
A: Energetic. Fun.Healthy.
Q: If you could only pass on one piece of advice about Verbier, what would it be?
A: Going there in the summer is also really great! There are mountain walking trails. The weather and food are great.
Q: Apart from skiing, what else could we do to stay active?
A: There is a yoga studio in the centre of town. We also do ‘raquettes’ which is walking on the snow – it’s really fun!
Q: Finally, what should we pack?
A: I would take the Corset Legging in Black, which you can wear for a night out, or the Perform Leggings to wear under your ski gear as they’re also thermal leggings!
Corset Legging in Black © Ernest Leoty
Perform Legging in Purple © Ernest Leoty
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