Verbier – Switzerland

Verbier is one of the top resorts in the world but it is working hard to shed its image of only being suitable for big spenders and expert skiers. The compact town, sunny beginner slopes, and English-speaking instructors all help to warm novices to both the sport and the resort. Tour operators have responded too with the introduction of more competitively priced holidays in recent years. The ski area is vast and deserves all of the accolades written about it, but is no longer a year round option with Mont Fort closing its summer ski operation a few years ago.
 
The resort itself has grown quickly over the last 40 years, which means that in places, it has lost some of its Alpine charm and village feel. If anything it will only get busier from winter 2010 with the introduction of direct flights to Sion from the UK, and a transfer time of under an hour.