Most of the best resorts for families with younger children are based on real mountain towns and are popular in the summer too. This simply lends itself to a wider range of better facilities both indoor & outdoor many of which can be used all year round. Being literally the best resort in Switzerland and a truly thriving town in all seasons, Verbier really excels when it comes to familiy activities.
As specialists in Verbier chalet holidays, we’ve been welcoming families to our chalets for over 18 years. We know that having a range of different activities and diversions available for the kids can be the secret to a fun and relaxing ski holiday for all the family. So when you’re in the chalet, you can enjoy our superb chalet host service but for the rest of the day, check out our list of great family activities in Verbier.
Activities for Families in Verbier
Ice Skating
One of the most traditional alternative activities in a ski resort, Ice Skating is great fun whether you’re confidently gliding or just trying to make your way around. The new eco friendly ice rink at Plaine des Ecluses in Verbier employs a synthetic surface that behaves very much like ice but doesn’t require a staggering 210,000 kWh to run every season. There’s an active timetable of opening times & different types of sessions including an Ice Disco (usually once a week).
When is it open? All season weather permitting
Where to book: Book on arrival, check the timetable
Link: find out more
Escape room
The ‘Escape Room’ craze has reached Verbier and gives families an exciting alternative to traditional ski resort activities. For those now familiar with the concept, an escape room experience is a team challenge played inside a room filled with clues. Your objective is to solve the puzzles standing between you and escape! The new Verbier Escape Room Emporium can be found behind the Hotel Farinet in central Verbier, they offer a choice of 2 escape rooms the exciting Space Odyssey (medium difficulty) and the classic western Hotel California (more challenging).
These are fun puzzle experiences suitable for children over 7, there’s nothing designed to be scary, it’s totally safe & supervised.
“The Escape rooms are a great family activity, watch as your children spot clues and solve puzzles you hadn’t even noticed. It takes all kinds of clever to crack the rooms and finding hidden talents amongst your loved ones can be the most exciting discovery.” Verbier Escape Room Emporium
How to book: You can book online or contact by email or message
Link: find out more
Husky sled rides
The official term is TakiTrek but to us these are good old fashioned dog sled rides. Families can book a tour that will take you from Ruinettes through a cross country 5km course with just a sled and your team of trusty dogs. During the ‘half day initiation’, your guide will introduce you to the dogs, show you how to harness them and teach you the basics of riding with dogs on snow.
You will stop off for a break and get chance to relax, make friends with the dogs and get a picture with the whole pack. It can be physically demanding for adults but less so for kids who can ride on your lap. It’s a relaxed adventure, travelling gently and taking in some beautiful sights, all in the company of your kids, your guide and of course your four legged friends.
How to book: Book with the Verbier tourist office
Link: find out more
Snow Shoeing
It’s no secret that Verbier offers some of the best skiing in Switzerland but fewer people are aware of the incredible range of cross country winter trails that traverse the valley in and around Verbier. These lower incline trails can take you to some of the most beautiful parts of the mountain and give you a unique view of this world famous resort.
There are guided snowshoeing tours of these trails to suit families and groups of all abilities, including magical nightfall treks amongst the trees.
When is it open? All season (weather permitting)
Where do you book? No booking necessary to use the trails, beginners should certainly use a mountain guide
Tourist board mountain guides: find out more
Link: find out more
Toboggan run!
Western Switzerland’s longest toboggan run can be found at the 2354m Savoleyres station above Verbier & neighbouring village La Tzoumaz. The thrilling journey takes you from breathtaking views of the Rhone Valley & the mighty peaks above down into the forest for twists and turns amongst the trees. The adventure will take you a massive distance of 10km whilst descending through 711m vertically. This is an exciting activity for all the family even with kids of quite different ages, youngsters (under 8) need to go down with an adult but all will have great time.
Age suitability? Children under 8 must be supervised
When is it open: During winter season, weather permitting, check website for updates
Where do you book? You can book with the tourist office in resort or online
Link: find out more
Indoor climbing
If you feel like a change of scene from the snow but have some energy to burn, indoor climbing could be just the thing. Verbier’s sports centre contains some impressive indoor climbing facilities. With 600m2 of wall devoted to climbing, you can pick from 60 climbing routes for a range of abilities. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, you can rent equipment there. Climbing courses are available if you’d like to get some instruction for the family whilst on the wall.
Open: Wed-Sun 12:00-20:00
Book: You pay on arrival, see link for booking instruction
Link: find out more
Ski school – European Snowsport
Getting a great ski school can be really important to a great family ski holiday. It’s important that instructors are specifically great with kids, that group sizes are appropriate and that children of similar ages ski together. Nobody knows this better than European Snowsport Ski & Snowboard Schools. Their excellent reputation and high standards of service make them our recommended ski school in Verbier. Their lessons for youngsters are fantastic. They cater for 3-5 year olds (penguins), 6-12yrs and teenagers in separate groups and with no more than six per instructor.
Link: find out more
Creche & childcare – Petit Verbier
When skiing with young children or babies it can be a fantastic help to have a professional and flexible childcare service to rely on. We recommend Petit Verbier as a fantastic service to rely on for all your childcare needs. They offer a drop-in play area, after ski kids club and dedicated nannying & babysitting service. Having this choice and flexibility is great to ensure kids have a great time & parents get chance to unwind.
Where do you book? You can make a reservation online, contact by email or call to arrange.
Link: find out more
Ready for your family ski holiday in Verbier?
We hope we’ve inspired you to think about a special week in Verbier with the kids, we’re sure it will be one they’ll always remember and especially if it’s packed with such awesome activities and experiences. Ski Armadillo have a complete range of catered chalets in Verbier for groups of all sizes, why not check out our half term availability or how about easter in Verbier?