Bruson Heads Into A New Era

12th January 2023

Last modified on January 16th, 2023

The ski area linked to and opposite Verbier has had something of a transformation in recent years with new lifts, new restaurants and much else besides. PlanetSKI has been sampling its delights.

Bruson used to be one of those little-know secrets of Verbier – frequented mainly by locals and regular visitors who know of its treasures.

It has a unique atmosphere and is somewhat of a contrast to the brash approach to things that Verbier offers.

Bruson has some wonderfully varied and steep pistes.

But its real treasure is the off piste – you can find powder long after Verbier has been skied out.

It’s tree skiing is second to none.

Above all Bruson has an authentic and genuine feel.

But don’t just take my word for it.

A certain Xavier de Le Rue – multiple winner of the Freeride World Tour, a French Olympic snowboarder and utter mountain legend – ranks it as one of his favourite areas in the 4-Vallees.

As we had met up it seemed rude not to hit some of the powder in Bruson with the man himself.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

Not quite the Bec des Rosses, but fabulous all the same.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

Another rather important voice in Verbier also sings the praises of Bruson and its freeride terrain to me – the Director of Verbier Tourism, Simon Wiget.

“Bruson is a different type of skiing to Verbier and a different atmosphere up on the slopes,” said Simon.

“We all know about the tree skiing and the pistes of Bruson, but it is also a fabulous freeride area and a new lift coming in a couple of years will only make it better by offering more terrain.

“It is accessible for those who are not experts off piste, or you can hire a mountain guide and really explore the terrain on offer,” added Simon.

When I passed through there was a round of the Junior Freeride World Tour underway that I spotted from the button lift.

Simon Weglet also advises that people who head up to Verbier and find large queues at Le Chable might want to try Bruson instead.

There were certainly long queues for Verbier at the weekend in the morning:

And the queue for Bruson?

Not even a dozen people.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

Apart from the skiing, there has been a transformation to the village of Le Chable that gives access to Bruson from the valley floor.

I’m staying in Le Chable and will be updating this article on why it may be worth considering staying in Le Chable, rather than up in Verbier itself.

It has much to offer.

But first the skiing in Bruson.

It sits at the extreme end of the mighty 4-Vallees ski area, the largest in Switzerland.

Verbier piste map

A new gondola lift was put in the few years back to make it easier to access.

It used to be a local bus and then an ancient 2-person chairlift to get to the skiing.

The lifts in the ski area remained the same after the new gondola was put in.

Not now.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

A 6-person high-speed detachable chairlift is new for this season – replacing a very slow 3-seater.

We wrote about it earlier on PlanetSKI so if you want to know all the facts and figures then see here:

Bruson gets a makeover

Now we are riding it.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

It reduces a journey time of 11-minutes to around 5.

And at the top these views await.

Then there is the skiing and of course the latest PlanetSKI snow report to post:

As well as the lift in Bruson there is a new restaurant to attract people over – La Pasay.

It is a modern affair – outside and in.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

“It is not just a restaurant but a statement of intent about how we see the Bruson ski area developing,” said Elise Farquet from the Verbier Tourist Office.

“It is a modern restaurant and we want to attract a modern crowd to this part of the Verbier ski area.”

And the food :

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

I had nettle soup .

Though it sounds better on the menu in French – L’Incontourable Soupe a l’Ortie.

Bruson, 4 Vallees, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

It tasted as good as it sounds in French,

Utterly delicious.

La Pasay is now my joint-second favourite restaurant in the 4-Vallees.

Those who have skied with me in Verbier know my favourite.

Lenticular cloud - Cabanne Mont Fort November 2016

The Cabane Mont Fort is my favourite restaurant in the mountains.

Period.

Oh, and by the way that cloud over Mont Blanc in the distance is a Lenticular cloud formation.

Just so you know.

And as the day ended I looked over to Verbier across the valley.

I had just had one of the best days of the season so far in a little-know ski area with a handful of lifts and a paltry few kms of slopes.

Size is not everything.

Do check back later as I update from Bruson and Le Chable.

It is good to be back.

So good.

Fact Box

For more information about Verbier please visit www.verbier.ch

Accommodation

A seven-night stay at Hôtel A Lârze, starting 6 March 2023, costs from CHF510 (£455) pp, based on two sharing a room with balcony. Breakfast is included.

Lift Passes

An adult lift pass for the Verbier 4 Vallees sector costs from CHF74 (£66) for 1 day. A six-day adult lift pass for 4 Vallees sector costs from CHF324.9 (£290).

Ski Hire

Ski hire from Montagne Show in Le Châble.