Verbier is the place where royals come to holiday, from Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, it boasts all the luxuries befitting of blue blood. In this quaint little alpine village, lavish chalets and chic nightlife abounds, all in the shadow of the great Mont Fort.

Verbier is renowned for its superlative skiing, and for good reason, with its extensive, versatile slope range and world-class off-piste. But for those wishing to rest their weary ski legs or simply try something different, this wintery playground has many other delights to offer. Situated in the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland, Verbier is the main resort of the 4 Vallées ski area, homing something for every visiting gadabout.

Toboggan

If you’re seeking the adrenaline-rush of skiing without the actual skiing, the Verbier toboggan run has you covered. Jettisoned from the top of the mountain in a trip-trap sleigh with only a questionable steering device in hand, you will travel at speeds unbeknown for some old rickety-rackety wooden planks. Despite the overwhelming feeling of being out of control and the rapid thumping of your racing heart, this sledge experience is pure joy. With the spray of powdery snow in your face and the whipping alpine air in your hair, the childhood thrill of plunging down a slope at top speeds nostalgically rushes back. Traversing over 10km of mountain terrain down 848m from Savoleyres to La Tzmoumaz, you’ll experience the beauty of the entire mountain and be completely immersed in the surroundings.

Take in the views

Putting your skis aside doesn’t prevent you from being able to enjoy all the views that Verbier boasts. From Mont-Fort, the highest summit in the 4 Vallées at an altitude of 3300m, the mountainous panorama is truly a sublime sight to behold. Peaks dot the landscape as far as the eye can see, from the great summits of the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, clouds and snowy mountaintops merging into one another. At Igloo du Mont-Fort, savour the vista and warm the soul over a steaming chocolat chaud, vin chaud or the house speciality – Rock Café Abricotine – cane sugar, espresso and whipped cream.

Paraglide

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is not one for the faint-hearted. Spread your wings and become a golden eagle of the Alps, gliding through the Verbier Valley, borne on the wind, as close as humanly possible to flying. Travelling in tandem, you will be safe in the hands of an experienced paraglider. Identical twins Mike and Stu of Verbier Summits are legendary for their exhilarating wintery flights from La Ruinettes into La Chaux.

Hit the Spa

There’s nothing quite like wallowing in the warmth of a heated pool surrounded by snowy mountains or basking in the sauna before dashing into sub-zero temperatures to receive that biting Alpine hit. Luckily, Verbier’s spa-scene is second to none: from the suave Away Spa at W Verbier (hosting 9 treatment rooms, a hammam, jacuzzi, steam rooms and a heated indoor-outdoor pool) to the lavish Spa Elemis in the Hotel Nevai. But the crème de la crème of this luxurious relaxation selection has to be the rustic spa site at La Cordée des Alps. Decked out with traditional chalet fittings, this underground pool and jacuzzi is an altar of luxury: sun streams in through high shutters, light radiates off mosaic tiles while wood smoulders under high-beamed ceilings. Whichever spa tickles your fancy, take advantage of the wellness benefits of the Alps by relaxing your aching joints and detoxing the body.

Verbier is home to so much more than just skiing. Fine dining and spa retreats, a notoriety for extreme sports (sledging and paragliding included) and its magnetic night-life are all part of its haute monde culture.