Behind the scenes: a luxury Verbier vacation
This week, we’re delighted to share a guest blog post from Izzy Philpott, Concierge Manager at Verbier Exclusive.
Izzy works behind the scenes of some of Verbier’s most beautiful chalets, orchestrating complex family ski holidays and shaping them into luxury experiences that feel deeply personalised. Her role sits at the intersection of logistics, hospitality and intuition: anticipating what you’ll need, often before you realise it yourself.
Verbier Exclusive specialises in bespoke luxury chalet holidays, pairing high-end homes with a highly personalised concierge service.
In this guest post, Izzy shares her perspective from years of planning family ski holidays in Verbier. Consider this a look behind the curtain – we hope you enjoy Izzy’s hard-won tips from one of the most experienced concierges in the Alps.
How returners plan a holiday that feels truly effortless
I’ve found that families who plan their winter around their ski holiday value the full experience just as much as the skiing itself. From feeling at home in your accommodation, to striking the right balance between activity and downtime, and knowing that everything — from the moment you leave home to the final fireside cocktail — has been taken care of.
Additionally, guests who return to Verbier every winter are much more organised when it comes to feedback on different bookings (from restaurants to ski gear and off-slope activities). Once you experience a holiday during peak season, you appreciate the importance of getting those key bookings fixed early.
Planning your journey to Verbier
For arrivals, I prioritise smooth, reliable transfers so that our guests can settle in without stress – it’s a small detail, but it sets the tone for the week.
We work with Alpine Express. They offer high-quality vehicles and experienced drivers who know where all of our chalets are located. They automatically update our team with chalet arrival times and if you arrive in resort before your check in time, they will happily drop you at a restaurant and take your luggage to be stored securely with the team at the chalet.
If you prefer the more sustainable option of taking the train, our drivers can collect you from Martigny or Le Châble to make the last mile a breeze.
A hassle-free first day on the mountain
Seasoned skiers tend to agree on one thing: queueing in a rental shop is not the ideal way to start your holiday.
This is where planning ahead pays off. From lift passes and instructors to restaurant reservations and equipment, the details are organised in advance so your first morning feels effortless.
Increasingly, guests are also rethinking what they bring with them. Travelling lighter — particularly for long-haul journeys — has become part of the modern luxury ski holiday.
Top tier skis and boots can be pre ordered and fitted in the comfort of your chalet, while Cirkel Supply offers an elevated alternative to carrying heavy bags of skiwear by offering a skiwear rental service that delivers high performance outfits directly to your chalet.
The result? No queues, no admin – just head straight up the mountain.
Tips for a relaxed ski holiday with children
I always recommend booking your ski lessons in advance. For our guests, I establish the experience level of the children and whether they would prefer group lessons or one-to-one lessons with private instructors. For younger children, I often recommend guests book childcare with our partners at Petit Verbier so that the parents can make the most of their time on the mountain knowing their children are in the very best hands.
A week-long ski holiday can be a shock to the system for little ski legs, so I recommend booking at least one or two off-slope activities. Here are some ideas that can be scheduled into your vacation, or kept in reserve as a plan B:
- Verbier Centre Sportif
- Tobogganing run from Salvoleyres to La Tzoumaz
- Making s'mores on an outdoor fire by the chalet
- Parapenting - an truly memorable experience for teens and adults
Personalised dining experiences
Food sits at the heart of any great ski holiday. I recommend reserving favourite restaurants and après spots in advance, while still leaving room for spontaneity. Your past feedback and food preferences help us to suggest new places that you’ll love just as much.
The best restaurants in Verbier get booked up quickly, so our team is always ahead of the game to secure your table reservation in the sunniest spot on the terrace.
Our favourites for families tend to be those accessible for all skiing abilities as well as pedestrians: Le Rouge and Carrefour have amazing menus or opt for a ski lift up to Mouton Noir to enjoy the incredible views.
Verbier Exclusive guests cherish their chalet dinners because they reflect how they genuinely like to eat – whether that’s haute cuisine or familiar favourites for children, our world class chefs accommodate all dietary needs and preferences.
Creating moments beyond skiing
The well-appointed pool and spa area at Chalet Teredo, Verbier
While skiing may be the reason you come to Verbier, it’s rarely the only thing you remember.
Many guests choose one or two experiences that elevate the week: a scenic lunch in an unexpected location, time spent parapenting high above the valley, or a slower afternoon dedicated to rest and recovery.
Heading home feeling genuinely refreshed is the ultimate goal of any vacation. In-chalet massages, gentle morning yoga or facials can make a noticeable difference.
I’ll close this section with a word of warning - don't fall into the trope of overbooking your holiday. The most memorable holidays are rarely over scheduled; instead, I advise guests to lock in a few strategic bookings, and leave space for your holiday to unfold naturally.
Thank you Izzy, for your Verbier vacation tips!
We loved this look behind the scenes of a luxury family ski holiday in Verbier, and hope Izzy’s perspective offers inspiration as you plan your next trip.
