Verbier is the largest resort in Switzerland’s Four Valleys and offers the kind of entertainment and facilities found in top cities, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere to match. Prices here can vary from CHF18,000 per sqm to over CHF30,000 per sqm. We hone in on the different areas within this popular resort, useful for both property hunters and visitors alike.

Sonalon

Northwest of the town centre and the highest residential area in Verbier, Sonalon offers the most commanding views in the whole resort. With good snow conditions, residences here are easily ski-in, ski-out (off piste) but access is more difficult by foot, so residents tend to drive up from the town rather than walk. Le Sonalon is a popular local restaurant and well-known for its traditional Swiss fare.

Les Esserts

In the 'golden triangle' of Verbier, this prime area is more accessible than Sonalon but still offers great views. It’s a short walk from the the town and, set between two ski lifts, and offers good ski connectivity. Because it is one of the older residential areas, it contains more traditional dark wooden chalets and more standalone chalets with outdoor space as opposed to apartment complexes. The area has a golf course in the summer and is home to Verbier’s famous Carrefour restaurant – I recommend the steak.

Le Hameau

Le Hameau is a small-scale development, or ‘hamlet’, next to Le Rouge piste. There are around 20 chalets in total, each with a selection of apartments. These surround a small lake, complete with a waterfall, tennis court, beautiful chapel which regularly hosts weddings, the Little Swiss restaurant and even a museum. Some of the properties here are ski-in, ski-out and you can walk into town in 10 minutes.

Brunet

Brunet is still relatively central, and another connecting point to different areas of the resort. Great spot for reaching the bottom of Le Rouge.

Moulins

Les Moulins is a small drag lift in the centre of the resort, serving the smallest nursery slope in Verbier. It is home to the Ecole Suisse de Ski's kid’s club and a crèche and is also very peaceful, so not surprisingly, property here is popular with young families.

Sports Centre/Chemin de Plan Pra

So-named because the Sports Centre is here. I like it because it offers a feeling of space: the area behind the Sports Centre is not as built up as some and backs on to agricultural land which can’t be built on. The gradient here tends to be flatter, making more usable outside space.

Patier

Patier is one of Verbier’s more recently developed areas and is often dismissed by buyers for being too far away, though in fact, it’s only a relatively flat, 10-minute walk to the town centre from here and there are plenty of buses if you don’t want to drive. Some properties have fantastic panoramic views of the resort.

Place Centrale

Place Centrale is the town’s main hub, connecting all major roads through Verbier. The main street is lined with high-end boutiques and with so much retail in the area, residential property is hard to come by. One of the most recent residential developments is Rosalp Residences.

Médran

Médran is the resort’s main ski lift and residential properties close by demand an exceptional premium: we are selling an outstanding duplex apartment, for CHF18.1 million, making it almost CHF36,000 per square metre – a new high for the resort, and overtaking Courchevel 1850 in terms of price per square metre. One word of warning: during peak season queues can build up at Médran by around 9am so residents tend to get up early.

Swedish Quarter

The Swedish Quarter is perched on a lovely sunny plateau very close to town. It’s not too built up and some of the properties have ski-in access into the back of their chalet, which is a rarity in Verbier. Due to the steepness many of the properties are accessed by private funiculars and heated roads. Consequently, this is one of Verbier’s most expensive residential areas: prices can frequently go over the CHF30,000 per square metre mark. Resales here are hard to come by as it is such an exclusive area.

Le Rouge

Another popular destination with visitors and buyers, Le Rouge boasts a couple of well-known restaurants and a ski lift. Properties here are highly sought-after due to the skiing access and proximity to the town centre.

Savoleyres

This is a high residential area, much like Sonalon. Savoleyres is the name of the ski lift which links Verbier and La Tzoumaz and the main advantage of being in this lovely, sunny area is the extensive range of blue and red runs that are shared by the two resorts. Residents also benefit from being close to Chalet d’Adrien, a five-star hotel, restaurant and spa.