Seconds out, round 8: Which is best - Val d'Isère in France or Verbier in
Switzerland. The winter sports editors of the Times and Sunday Times argue
it out. What do you think? Let us know your views on the comment form
MARK FRARY, wintersports editor of The Times:
When we decided to pitch two resorts against each other, the choice seemed
obvious – Val d’Isère versus Méribel. The top two resorts for Brit winter
sports lovers mano a mano. Sadly, neither of us could bring ourselves
to defend Méribel in the face of Val so you’re not getting that.
Then Sean threw up an interesting idea – what about pitting Val d’Isère
against Verbier. Now that’s much more of a challenge.
I have spent huge amounts of time in both. I learned to ski in Verb (not
something I’d recommend) while a season barely goes by without my own
personal hajj to the Mecca of Val.
So what draws me back to Val, year in, year out, like clockwork? It’s my job
of course but I don’t go to other resorts with such regularity.
Well there’s a very good reason that almost 1 in 10 British skiers and
snowboarders go to Val d’Isère each year – it’s because it has everything a
grown-up ski resort should have – vast ski area, loads of great terrain for
everyone, stonking après-ski and places to stay that are as cheap as chips
or as dear as diamonds.
So let’s look at that ski area. Val and Verb have similar sized areas – the
Espace Killy has 450 kilometres and the Four Valleys but consider this. In
Tignes, Val d’Isère has a world class resort in its own right as a next dor
neighbour. What does Verbier have – the sleepy hamlet of Nendaz. Enough
said.
I also love coming down the black Face de Bellevarde as my last run of the day
rather than over some flat golf course. When you get to the bottom, you
deserve to enjoy your après-ski.
And what après-ski it is – the best in France for my money. Whether you’re
downing frozen lageritas in Café Face, dancing on the sticky carpet in Moris
or having a quiet beer in Bananas, you’re having a blast. What does Verb
have? Overpriced flat Cardinal beer in Nelson pub or rich kids from the
international schools around Lake Geneva braying in your face at Pub Mont
Fort.
Verb does have its good points but if you’re a typical British holidaymaker
who saves hard to afford one skiing holiday in the year – the resort isn’t
really interested. It comes as no surprise that one of the world’s most
expensive cocktails - the ridiculously priced £4,300 Chalet is served in the
resort, which is apparently what
Sean has been up to recently.
Time to get real.
