Here at Chalet Ski Holidays it is fair to say we have a big soft spot for Verbier and hence we will be featuring new chalets in Verbier from 2026. And with one of our former directors having had two chalets there, and still holding onto one, it is a ski resort we know a lot about.

With such experience it would be easy to write an expert ski guide that focuses on the really extreme expert skiing that Verbier has to offer, of which there is much to choose. However, such a travel blog would only be of use to a small minority of skiers and here at Chalet Ski Holidays we would much rather share something that is of use for the majority rather than the minority. With this in mind, the routes we have highlighted are either marked black runs or off-piste itineraries. They are therefore skiable by any competent expert skier without a mountain guide. Caution is of course still needed as all are challenging and long falls are still possible in places, but with his caveat noted we think they are some of the best ski runs in Europe and we hope you enjoy in ski seasons to come. 

The Wall – Mont Fort

Most experts will probably first head to Mont Fort. At 3,330m it is situated on a glacier and the first challenge is to navigate the steps and then the ice blocks to the top of the Wall. Looking down you will soon see why it gets it nickname – it is for a very good reason! As one or two skiers disappear a little too quickly out of sight,it is at this point that a few stomachs may start to tremble, even amongst some of the more hardy Chalet Sk Holidays guests.

The on-piste Verbier Wall is on the left, and whilst challenging, most competent experts will be able to happily ski the mogul field that dominates below. However, for the ultimate challenge expert skiers you will see head right (in the old days the right off-piste run was marked black and strangely the left-hand run was marked red, the latter being far from a red we hasten to add). At the bottom there is a long run out but from my own experience many years years ago, it is still a long way to fall and serious injury is not unknown so we strongly advice that you don’t take it lightly (if you fall, typically you  only stop when you reach the runout). Staying left, the moguls start off very steep but slowly start to decrease in gradient as you ski further down. The views are stunning both at the start (looking over the back of Mont Fort) and during the run. Just watch out for falling skiers however as it isn’t unknown for competent skiers to be knocked over by hurtling novices who have fallen above them.

Tortin – From Mont Fort

Once at the bottom of Mont Fort, if you still have the ski legs to carry on, turn right under the Mont Fort Cable Car. You will then pass the nursery area on the right. This flat area quickly drops away and you are now on one to two Tortin itinerary runs with Nendaz someway below you. This is our favourite run in the whole of the region. The second of the Tortin itinerary runs start from Mont Gele, more of this later, but this is by far our favourite due to the pretty terrain and real backcountry off-piste feel.

The scenery is as we have alluded to is truly majestic. Once it was a black piste but the terrain meant it wasn’t ever possible to be pisted, hence the modern itinerary classification over the last decade. It is steep, but not excessively so and in good conditions most competent skiers will be able to navigate down it. That said, in places it cuts through a gorge, this is what makes it spectacular, but also more challenging so still best not to be taken too lightly. On the latter point, whilst, except in bad conditions (icy hard pack snow), long falls are not as high a risk as Mont Fort, they still exist in places so caution is advised, particularly due to the nature of the terrain and the fact that even in good snow conditions rocks maybe prevalent. 

As you navigate through the gorge and down to where it starts to flatten out, don’t forget to look back and marvel at the challenge and marvellous scenery you have skied – it really is a photo moment to take back home. By now you will have virtually reached Nendaz where the scenery is equally as beautiful, but the gradient one to relax and enjoy before taking one of two lifts back up (to Mont Fort or mont Gele).

Tortin – Mont Gele

It may not be as pretty as  the Mont Fort run, but it is impressive. As you cut through the back the bowl come into view. We say bowl, but it is more an arc with a steep drop. Novices will head further down the path before turning their skis to the left and tentatively over the edge. The reason for continuing is probably a psychological one to try and reduce the length of fall and gradient. To be honest, you probably save 10m in height and as for the gradient, there isn’t much difference, if at all.

Our advice is take the descent early (avoid the path), mainly as the snow is less skied out and you avoid lesser experienced skiers traversing. The latter is another reason staying left is best. Too far right and there are typically some deep cuts in the snow where nervous skiers have traversed left and right across several moguls making rhythm nigh on impossible to generate and the terrain icy and nigh on impossible to ski.  

Once towards the bottom of this steep and for many unnerving section it is then more relaxing as the runs cut to the right and into a pretty section with Nendaz below. Time for a quick photo before you head throught. Soon the second Tortin route starts to come into view and not too long afterwards you will meet towards the bottom with thighs somewhat burning and another of Verbier’s wonderful expert runs completed.