December 2010: on 19th and 26th
January 2011: every Sunday
February 2011: every Saturday and Sunday
Meeting point: 9:50 am or 1:50 pm in front of the Champex-Lac tourist office

Prices*:
• Adults: 45 Fr. including tax
• Children 6 – 16 years old: 9 Fr. including tax
• Children < 6 years old: free of charge
*By paying to participate in these activities, you are helping to support the work of the Barry Foundation
to further the well being of the St Bernards on the Great Saint Bernard pass.

To book: The number of participants is limited to 16. Minimum number of participants: 6. Please book a place by the Monday before the walk at the latest by contacting the Barry Foundation (Telephone 027 722 65 42 or
E-Mail st-bernard@fondation-barry.ch). If you decide to come at the last minute, you can register directly at the Champex tourist office, provided that there are still places available (please check beforehand by telephoning 027 783 12 27).

Montagne-Alternative's three lodges have been carefully crafted from 19th century barns. Tastefully renovated to blend with their surroundings, comfortable and ecologically sound, the barns retain their traditional character whilst offering every modern convenience – the perfect solution for guests in search of a refined, authentic vacation in the mountains.

Perched at 1450m and tucked away from the world, Commeire, an exquisite reminder of the past, is a special place where nature and the mountains are of paramount importance. Just a few slopes away from Verbier, Commeire offers a spectacular view of the majestic peaks of the Mont Blanc and Mont Velan. Its location at the picturesque crossroads of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps provides a stunning panorama, making Montagne-Alternative the perfect destination for mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Visit Montagne-Alternative and enjoy a genuine mountain experience, while finding peace and serenity in harmony with nature.

For further information please contact info@montagne-alternative.com - www.montagne-alternative.com - tel + 41 27 783 21 34

Talented soprano Sylvia Schwartz will be accompanied on the piano by Kirill Gerstein and by violist,Veit Hertenstein, for an exceptional concert. Christmas carols will be on the programme and the evening will take place in the warm atmosphere of the “Fêtes de Noël”. Tickets will be on sale on +41 (0) 21 925 90 66 or by email (amis@verbierfestival.com) at CHF 60 each (public price) and CHF 50 (friends and Bagne residents) and CHF 30 for children under 16.

Our comprehensive and modular training program for freeriders is unique in the marketplace. To benefit each and every participant, the training sessions will take place at different levels, from Rookie to Advanced. The camps appeal to alpine skiers wishing to acquire the necessary freeriding skills, freeriders aiming to develop their powder technique or to gain a deeper understanding in the areas of avalanche prevention, searching for buried victims or orientation and behavior in the field. Experienced mountain guides will share their comprehensive knowledge during theory sessions and practical field exercises. And real freeride pros like Flory Kern will teach you how to pull off a wicked powder turn.

Locations
Arlberg/Stuben, 18/19 December 2010
Mt.-Fort/Verbier, 15/16 January 2011

TRAINING OBJECTIVE
To learn or develop downhill and ascending techniques. To understand the prerequisites and skills for freeriding on your own.

Equipment
Bring your own equipment along. Freeride skis from several manufacturers including bindings and skins as well as safety equipment will be available for testing.

Registration And Additional Information
By end of October at www.freeride-education-camp.com 
Contact : +41 33 672 14 25, E-Mail: stefan.burki@fritschi.ch

As part of the plan to give Verbier St-Bernard a new injection of energy, the Board is delighted to announce the appointment of a new director – Mr Yvan Baczkowski.

This38 year-old bi-national franco-american is the ex-Director of the Baule Tourist Office (Loire Atlantique), and was selected from more than 50 candidates. 

Born in the mountains of the State of New York, Mr Baczkowski spent ten years working as Director of the “Maison de France” (French Ministry of Tourism abroad) in New York, representing the regions of the “Grand Ouest” (Normandy, Brittany, Central Val de Loir and Poitou-Charentes).

More than 17 years of experience in international tourism and the fact that he is perfectly bilingual in French/English (in addition to a working knowledge of Spanish and Russian), will undoubtedly be key assets in Mr Baczkowski’s ability to bring a whole new rhythm to our magnificent region.

Take part in our photo competition on our Facebook page by sending us your best winter picture from the VERBIER St-Bernard version, addressed to concours≤@v-sb.ch by November 19^th.

Votes will start at noon on November 22^nd and run till noon on December 10^th. The person whose photo gets the most “likes” will be declared the winner. And if you want to win, don’t forget to tell your friends about the competition on Facebook!

During this early season, you will have access to the following links:

Châble – Verbier –by gondola only
Médran – LesRuinettes – by gondola only
Les Ruinettes – Les Attelas – by gondola only
Lac des Vaux I - Ski

If conditions permit, the Attelas-Ruinettes piste will also be opened.
Opening hours: 8.45 am to 4.45 pm
Visit the www.verbierbooking.com website for day-to-day information
 

It is an ideal opportunity to sample raclette cheeses from various mountain pastures in the area, accompanied by wines from a featured local village.

The highlight: the procession of Herens cows!

The herds return to the plains after spending the summer months grazing on mountain pastures.

Schedule: morning procession to La Fouly, afternoon to Sembrancher and craft markets.

A chance for amateur cyclists to pit their skills against professionals.

166km with 9400m of positive altitude change... in our region from La Fouly to Champex-Lac!

The oldest pedestrian mountain race will be celebrating its 45th edition in 2011!

The “classic” Trophy takes runners from Fionnay to the Panossière hut (7.8 km).

Although the focus is firmly on classical music, the event also features some jazz and world music. Including free concerts in bars and cafes, rehearsals and open workshops, concerts and conferences, to entertain music lovers and spectators from all over the world.

This year’s line-up includes Charles Dutoit and the Verbier Festival Orchestra, Martha Argerich, Yuja Wang, Evgeny Kissin, Hélène Grimaud, Daniel Hope, Joshua Bell and Sarah Chang. 2010 looks set to be an exceptional vintage!

Other activities are organised around the event:

• Calling all young talent: the Verbier Festival Academy organises master classes led by international stars, which are open to the public! Every day at 4.30 pm, aspiring performers have a chance to showcase their talent at a free concert.

• Two orchestras - the Verbier Festival Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra – will be performing at different events. The first orchestra features talented young musicians, while the second is made up of former members of the Verbier Festival Orchestra.

•  Verbier Festival Discovery organises a range of fun activities and workshops for children.

• Fest’Off! In the streets or on mountain pastures, keep your eyes and ears open: you never know where you might come across a group or a musician...

There are two alternative routes:

• La Boucle, 110 km, Verbier-return, with an altitude difference of 6900 m.
• La Traversée, 61 km between La Fouly and Verbier, with an altitude difference of 4,000 m.
   

Possibility to register on the website

Three exhibitions in VERBIER St-Bernard :

• Jardin alpin Flore-Alpe in Champex-Lac: exhibition "simplement complexe" of Etienne Krähenbühl.
• Maison de la Forêt in La Tzoumaz: exhibition "nicher sans cliché".
• Hospice du Grand-St-Bernard: photo exhibition "La maison du maître de Weisi – Les chanoines du Grand-Saint-Bernard dans les marches tibétaines".

The race starts at Sembrancher and join the Alpage Catogne after 6 km of run and 1100 m of altitude!

Second round of the mountain's Cup Valais , it is addressed primarily to hillclimb's specialists .

Registration on the spot the morning of the run.

Verbier
• The fully renovated Médran station offers users new left-luggage facilities able to accommodate 2,300 pairs of skis and shoes. As an added bonus, after a day’s skiing, you can request to have your skis freshly waxed and your shoes dried for the next morning.
• The Gentianes-Tortin cable cars were replaced last year: this year it’s the turn of the Mont-Fort II ones, which will now enable users to admire panoramic views of the Mont-Fort Glacier!
• The four-star Vanessa hotel is pursuing the renovation of its rooms that it began last year. The lobby, the restaurant and the hotel’s wellness centre will also be modernised so that the winter season begins in brand-new facilities!

Le Châble
• The Giétroz hotel has renovated its dining room and is now equipped with a new conference room.
• At the start of December, the enlarged and renovated Escale restaurant will welcome its first guests of the season.

La Fouly
• The La Fouly ski area is extending its offer for young children by adding a 34-metre sliding carpet.

Commeire
• Montagne Alternative has renovated a new barn in the village of Commeire, Le Rogneux. It can accommodate eight people and features the same facilities as the two other barns.

If you prefer to buy a range of different regional products, the traditional annual market in Champsec on October 30th 2010 is the place to be!

Open from Tuesday through Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm until November 14th.

Alongside the incredible scenes to be witnessed throughout the weekend, the emphasis is on preventing risks linked to offpiste skiing : athletes share their passion while insisting on the importance of acquiring a full knowledge of mountain conditions and of using the indispensable freeride equipment.

The resort centre will be enlivened by a number of freeride fi lms shown on giant screens, as well as base jump shows and autograph sessions with the riders.
 

The autumn in mountains, it is the prikly air, crackling branches, bright sun and an envy of venaison in the plates...

But it is also...
Mating call of the stag in the Combe de l'A or in the heart of the Vallon de Chassoure
Mushrooms taken from the wood
Venison and chestnuts to eat in the restaurants
And the Winter Season that is coming back!!!

Schedule:
La Fouly
• 9.45 am – Official start of the day’s proceedings
• 10.15 am – Parade of 250 “queen cows” decked in flowers for the occasion
• 2 pm – Heifer fight
Throughout the day, a market featuring regional produce and plenty of good things to eat. Music.

Sembrancher
• 9 am – Official start of the day’s proceedings
• 1.30 pm – Parade of the “queen cows”
• 3 pm – Musical entertainment with Grégoire Fellay and a puppet show
 

This new cycle race will start from the World Cycling Centre in Aigle and end in Verbier (a stage arrival town for the Tour de France 209).

Carefully organised along the entire route – working with an infrastructure similar to that of a professional group of cyclists on the Tour de Romandie – it will enable participants to time themselves between Le Châble and Verbier in order to compare their efforts with the best in the sport!

The meeting point is in front of the La Tzoumaz tourist office at 9 am, and the experience ends around 2 pm.

For bookings and/or further information, call 027 305 16 00 or send an e-mail to latzoumaz@v-sb.ch

The Verbier Bike Park and its three trails is open daily until September 20th and every weekend until October 24th.

And for a little added bonus, time yourself on the “Tire’s Fire” track that hosted a leg of the European Cup!

...Fishing: You can enjoy fishing in several of our mountain lakes. The reward for the effort of hiking up there is a moment of delightful serenity. Day passes are required, and our tourist offices will provide any information you need. The Louvie, Vaux and Mauvoisin lakes are all open for fishing. Competition the 7th of August in La Tzoumaz at the Lac des Vaux ! 

GREAT-ST-BERNARD
- 1 ticket for the museum of the Grand-St-Bernard Hospice
- 2 walking maps

PRICE: Adults: 15.- / Kids: 6.-

Offer your kids an unforgettable experience: the chance to walk with the St-Bernard dogs.
Price including the walk: Adults: CHF 50 / Kids: CHF 10
(reservation mandatory, limited number of participant).

CHAMPEX-LAC
- 1 way ticket for the chairlift of “La Breya”
- 1 ticket for the alpine botanic garden “Flore-Alpe”
- 1 ticket for the Artillery Fort of Champex-Lac
- ½ hour rawing/pedal boat trip
- 2 walking maps

PRICE: 1st adult: CHF 49 / Further adults (max. 3): CHF 29 / Kids (6-16 year): CHF 19

More information in the offices of VERBIER St-Bernard.

The package includes:
- One night in a hotel of your choice (depending on the availabilities)
- A concert ticket in the evening at 7pm at the Combins Hall in the B category
  Conditions:
- The night is spent the same day as the concert
- The reservation is done 2 days before the concert

Verbier

Xtreme Sports is to be taken over by Christine and Louis Borloz.
The Terra Cotta boutique is moving into the premises of the former Paulette boutique on the Rue de la Poste.
Téléverbier is renovating its Médran station: new ski and ski shoe lockers, lifts and an escalator will enhance its user-friendliness
The Garbo Hotel is undergoing renovation work and will be closed this summer.
The Rois Mages hotel is also being renovated.
The façades of the La Poste and Médran arcades are being given a facelift.
 

Val de Bagnes

Mauvoisin: the Mauvoisin Hotel is now open! Magali Bohin and Laurent Landraud look forward to welcoming you.
Bonatchiesse: the Haut Val de Bagnes Sioux village has been enriched with three new tipis, making six in all.
Le Châble: the Giétroz hotel-restaurant features a 60-seat seminar room and has renovated its dining room.
 

Pays du St-Bernard

Grand-St-Bernard pass: the Hôtel du Grand-St-Bernard extends its offer for travellers by opening two dormitory room.
Liddes. Ronald Michellod has taken over the Hôtel du Grand-St-Bernard
La Fouly: The Auberge des Glaciers has inaugurated its new children’s playground, with a slide, swings and a trampoline.
Orsières: the Café Le National is being taken over by Ferdinand Lattion
Orsières: the Restaurant des Alpes has been taken over by Samuel Destaing
 

La Tzoumaz

The Buvette de la Maison de la Forêt has been entirely renovated and is now managed by Laura Perkins.

From 9 am to 1 pm every Sunday in summer, the Rue de la Poste in Verbier is enlivened by the organic and fair-trade market.
On the occasion of the Tzoumaz Trail Relais, a craft market and a flea market will be organised on July 24th. The next day, Champex-Lac will be highlighting the work of its own craftsmen, with donkeys and Saint-Bernard dogs as special guests!
August markets began with one in Orsières to mark the Swiss National Day, followed by a craft market in Liddes on Saturday August 7th. Fionnay also hosts a market f

For those who prefer two wheels, mountain-bikers will meet up for the 4th stage of the Rhône Trophy: La Tzoumaz Bike on July 11th and its three routes promise a fair share of thrills; while cyclists will race uphill from Martigny to Mauvoisin on the 25th!

Finally, hikers will join the international popular walk in Champex-Lac on July 24th and 25th.

Moreupon, you will equally find in the offices our summer special offers!

The programm:

08am Breakfast on the pasture
08am - 10am Hike on the pasture
10am Mass
11am Cors des Alpes
11am - 12am Official speech accompanied by an aperitif
1pm - 3pm concert of pastoral orchestra
3:30pm - 4:15pm 5th Symphony of Beethoven, by Verbier Festival Orchestra
5:30pm Last return in cabin

The jubilees of 60, 15 and 5 years profit from the day offered (excluded drinks and meals).

On Saturday the 3th of July:
5am in Verbier, departure of the Loop - 110km
12am in La Fouly, departure of the Traverse - 61km

Loads of animations are organised on the way of the trail Verbier St-Bernard:

Verbier, Place de l'Ermitage: Jacky Lagger et his new show at 2.30 pm
Ifolk at 4.30 pm

Sembrancher, La Fouly, Lourtier, Verbier: Fanfare Couche-Tard (musique balkanique)

Col du Grand-St-Bernard: Cor des Alpes

Bourg St-Pierre: Glouglouggen

You can subscribe for a free walk from Liddes to The mountain hut Mille the 3th of July. You can register here.

Your children can participate to the adventure of the Trail! Register there from 8 to 10am the 4th July in Verbier.

On Saturday the 26th of June, Le Levron (on the top of Vollèges) cheers up its streets for the St-Jean. You will find a market with regional products, a show from Alexis Giroud and Philippe Abbet and, at midnight, the St-Jean fires. On Sunday the party continues from 10 am. Programm.

If you like to mix hiking and sampling regional products, rendez-vous in La Tzoumaz from 9 am for the Escapade Gourmande! Details here!

Two races are waiting for you: the smaller, 16km, and the bigger, 32km for the tough ones.

Open category:
Registrations from 7.30am. The races begin at 10am.

Schoolchildren category:
Registrations from 12am. The races begin at 1.30pm.

The results will be given at 3pm for everybody.

The less sportsmen will go to La Tzoumaz for the Open of petanque! The matches begin at 9am. 

This summer, Etienne Krähenbühl is honouring us with his works. Entitled “Simplement complexe”, the exhibition is organised around the place of sculptures in their environment, an issue ideally represented by the sphere levitating on the surface of the lake. The first viewing is scheduled for June 19th! 

While hiking enthusiasts already know of our package deals for the Via Francigena, devotees of culture will gravitate towards Champex-Lac and the Grand-St-Bernard pass for some enriching visits. More information on our website at www.verbier-st-bernard.ch.

After several years of development and planning, building work on the “W Retreat Hotel” has finally begun.
The project scale model can be viewed in the company’s offices at 6, Rue de Médran, or on the dedicated website www.lestroisrocs.com.

The hotel comprising 131 rooms and suites, shops as well as a restaurant, will surround the Place Blanche (white square) at the top of the Rue de Médran and will complement the existing facilities available to guests. Opening is scheduled for December 2013.

The Vidondée in Riddes will be displaying abstract sculptures with the “Ikebana Patckwork” exhibition as of April 9.

In the Bagnes Museum in Le Châble, local artists will be featured at Bagn’art until May 2.

In the Verbier resort, the Laforêt gallery is showing an exhibition of “painting, sculpture and glasses”, open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The exhibition of Minerals and Fossils from around the world is still open at the Hameau until April 24; and the Garbo Hotel has an exhibition of cow photos by Alexandre Sanchez.

You can book via internet, post or phone.

contact:

Billetterie du Verbier Festival
Case Postale
CH-1936 Verbier
+41 (0) 848 771 882

New this year:

Placed in Perrin, the new tent promises you more comfort.
Shuttle busses bring you back to Martigny after the concerts.

Until the end of April, many events are scheduled for old and young alike.

This weekend :

Easter Egg hunting on Saturday in Liddes and La Fouly, and on Sunday in Verbier, Champex-Lac and La Tzoumaz.
 

On the ski area of Verbier:

On Saturday, big final of the Verbier Freestyle Team Contest, a competition for the young freestylers (ski/snowboard). On Sunday, Mini Speedski competition open to everyone.

Don’t miss also our big events at the end of the season:

XSpeedSki (17-24.4.2010)
Patrouille des Glaciers (21-25.4.2010)
Ultime Session (24-25.04.2010)

More information : www.verbier-st-bernard.ch

Is working on any mobile!

www.verbiermobile.com

Riders and spectators meet up on Saturday and Sunday for a big festive party at the heart of the resort, reserved for pedestrians only on this occasion.

In Vichères-Liddes you can ski for CHF 20 this week-end! On Saturday, music and gluhwine on programm! In the evening, spaghettis in the restaurant Chapelet.

The Escapade gourmande in La Tzoumaz on Sunday is postponed because of bad meteo conditions.

March 13th and 14th: Bruson A Coeur Ouvert; including tasting of regional products, mulled wine and a ski test

March 20th and 21st: Vichères - tasting of wine and music

March 27th and 28th: Champex-Lac - mulled wine

Programm:

Friday the 19th: 3pm boothes opening, 4.30pm Delinquent Habits concert, from 6pm Wii competition, from 6.30pm projection of ski competitions.

Saturday the 20th: 3pm boothes opening, 4.30pm Purplelips concert, from 6pm Wii competition, from 6.30pm projection of ski competitions.

Saturday the 27th: 3pm boothes opening, 4.30pm Blue Tongue Lizards concert, from 6pm Wii competition, from 6.30pm projection of the ski competitions. 

You will meet others Alinghi fans and follow the race or see the day results.

Open for everybody, from 4 to 7 pm!
 

Carnival perfectly embodies this clever blend of tradition – since carnival marks the start of the Catholic period of Lent; and conviviality, since each village celebrates the end of winter in its own way. From February 12th to 16th, look out for the various festivities in the villages and resorts!
 

From the Espace Super St-Bernard ski area, follow the signposted and non-packed trail that will lead you to Etroubles through a pleasurable one and a half hour experience. For the return journey, you can choose to take the postal coach at 4.50 pm that will bring you back to the resort; and the Espace Super St-Bernard ski lifts organise a shuttle service for groups (of around 20 people). Call +41 (0)27 787 11 10 from 9 am to check the snow and safety conditions.
 

The deal also includes a 20% reduction on the activities offered by the ski schools and a discount voucher on rental equipment.
 

You can enjoy the opportunity to listen to the Dali Trio at 7.30 in Le Châble Church. Winners of the largest international chamber music competition in Osaka, this group is composed of Vineta Sareika (violin), Christian-Pierre La Marca (cello) and Amandine Savary (piano). Entrance is free but reservations are mandatory by sending an e-mail to hospitality@verbierfestival.com or calling +41 (0)79 615 37 99.
 

Information and registration on the website below.

Ski domains:
On Friday January the 22nd, night-time ski touring race between La Tzoumaz and Savoleyres. Registration from 5.30 to 7pm. Start at 7.30pm. For more info call 027.305.16.00

In La Fouly, every Wednesday and Saturday night, night opening of the Petite Combe slope from 7pm to 9pm.

Ski touring:
Every Tuesday and Thursday night, no cable are used for snow grooming before 10pm. The restaurant of la Breya is open as well!

In the ski area of Savoleyres-La Tzoumaz, the same until 9pm on Wednesday nights. The restaurant of Savoleyres is also open.
 

Harnessed to a sleigh, two Saint-Bernards will take chidren on an amazing journy through the Champex-Lac region the 31th of January (10am), the 13 and 27th of February (1.50pm). Booking and information on +41 (0)27 783 12 27.
 

Verbier Val de Bagnes
Je 24.12 Le Comité d’organisation de la Kermesse invite le Père Noël dès 16h00 devant le PUB Nelson à Verbier

Ve 25.12 VERBIER St-Bernard invite le Père Noël, dès 16h00 vin chaud sur la Place Centrale de Verbier

Sa 26.12 Challenge Philippe Roux & Ecole Suisse de Ski - Savoleyres

Sa 26.12 Fête patronale de Montagnier

Di 27.12 Mini KL - La Combe. Pour l’Après-ski, « Medi & the Medicine Show » au Farinet

Lun 28/Jeu 31.12 Vin chaud à Bruson

Ma 29.12 Concert de Noël des Amis du Verbier Festival : Hélène Grimaud, se produira à 18h30 à l’église de Verbier Station

Je 31.12 Animations sur les pistes de Bruson, vin chaud

Ve 1.01 Vin Chaud du Nouvel An, dès 16h00, Place Centrale, Verbier

Sa 2.01 Challenge Philippe Roux & Ecole Suisse de Ski - Savoleyres

Di 3.01 Mini KL - La Combe

Manifestations récurrentes : 5déc-29 janv La Dranse, Musée de Bagnes

Pays du St-Bernard
Ve 25.12 Champex-Lac : Arrivée surprise du Père Noël dès 15h

Sa 26.12 Sortie en raquettes à Bourg-St-Pierre, 18h30.

Di 27.12 Randonnée avec les chiens du St-Bernard à Champex-Lac

Lu 28.12 Champex-Lac: Disco-party sur glace

Ma 29.12 Projection du film d’Alain Rauss à Liddes : « Les Abbruzzes, sanctuaire de l’ours marsicain »

Sortie en raquettes à Champex-Lac

Je 31.12 Descente aux flambeaux à La Fouly

Nouvel An à Orsières avec la Guggen les Part’à Botson

Bourg-St-Pierre : Apéritif à la Lorette

Descente aux flambeaux à Champex-Lac

Ve 01.01 Bourg-St-Pierre : Vin chaud

Sa 02.01 Orsières : 10 ans de la Guggen les Part’à Botson

Di 03.01 Randonnée avec les chiens du St-Bernard à Champex-Lac

La Tzoumaz
Je 24.12 Noël à la patinoire et messe de minuit à la chapelle d’été

Ve 25.12 Culte oecuménique à la salle communale de La Tzoumaz, à 17h

Je 31.12 Feux du Nouvel An

The lifts of Médran 2 - Funispace will work for the connection. The week-end, the gondola Châble-Verbier will also work for the connection.

The gondolas Châble-Verbier will also work continuous from December 5th.

Price:
Adult CHF 40.- / Kids: CHF 20.-
The other lifts and slopes will open depending on the snowconditions.
 

Web TV travels around the various ski areas and resorts of the VERBIER St-Bernard destination and introduces you to the main players of this winter season, as well as providing updates on the state of the pistes.