Accom for single skier at Verbier/La Chable area

I'm a single skier planning a trip to Verbier (4 valleys) during the peak season of 2010 (Feb 7-19). What kind of accommodation options do I have? I don't want to spend too much money on accommodation but I'm flexible to choose within the range from dormitory (or a spare bed at a homestay)to Bed & Breakfast in a chalet or even a cheap studio. I also like to meet & chat with other skiers in town. I can do my own cooking to save some bucks or consider half-board in B & B. "Le-stop" is one of my option.

Anyone can provide me with some names of accommodation to search from internet. Do you know if there should be discount for me to commit for 2 weeks' stay? How can I get discounted ski pass for 12 days of 4 valleys around Verbier? Please advise.

I reckon The Bunker will be the cheapest place. Check it out on the internet.

jon willmott wrote:I reckon The Bunker will be the cheapest place. Check it out on the internet.

Yessss, it is for the next few weeks. The Verbier Municipality (the owners) are closing down The Bunker on 31 Oct 09.

Unless you know of a reprieve?

I know of no reprieve. That is a shame.

What's you accomodation budget? A 4-6 person apartment in La Tzoumaz is about £675/week so you may be able to get a studio for around, say £350. I suggest you contact the La Tzoumaz Tourist Office and ask them for something suitable. Verbier accomodation is notoriusly expensive, but the satellites are cheaper.

Thanks msej449 for your advice. I've never thought of staying at La Tzoumaz. Good inspiration! Do you know how good it is connected to Verbier? Can I just take one of the lifts or gondola to reach the top of the hill & then ski down to Verbier area? How long would it take? I heard that Nendaz has the problem of long queues in the morning to get out of the area. Do you know if La Tzoumaz has the same problem?

La Tzoumaz has a new fast gondola to Savoleyres (9 minutes) or a short bus ride to the baby-slope and a couple of chairs up (20 mins). Generally short queues at the télécabine, other than opening/closing time but nothing like the congestion of the Plan du Feu out of Nendaz. From Savoleyres summit, you can ski down to Carrefour (20 mins) and over to the (ancient) Mayenzet chair up to Ruinettes then La Chaux express or over to Lac de Vaux. No need to queue at the Médran in central Verbier. However, out of school hols and weekends, I can't deny that it will still take you an extra 40 mins to get over to the main Verbier slopes.

The other problem is if the snow is thin - worst case scenario is more likely in March but it has been bad even in February e.g. 2005 (I think) when the ski down to Carrefour was impractical and we had to take the old gondola down to Verbier (Savoleyres Sud base) then a bus and then join the Medran queues. Nightmare. So if the tourist office can find a small studio for you at a reasonable price then you will just have to accept that the price you pay for cheaper accomodation is the risk of a long morning transit if the snow is bad.

The other downside is that La Tzoumaz is oriented towards families and self-catering, so if you're a party hound then it's going to seem very quiet. More so because most of the accomodation is owned by Swiss locals and so the percentage of rented places is lower even than Verbier.

If you do opt for La Tzoumaz also bear in mind that the transfer options are more limited than Verbier: We now get the train to/from Geneva Airport and then the bus, or the (new this winter) Riddes-Isérables télépherique then bus. Cost is much cheaper than a Verbier transfer bus: about £60 return. But you need to schedule your flights to arrive on/before 10:30 and depart after 15:00, because the buses tend to be scheduled for people going skiing or working in the village i.e. transfers from the valley village of Riddes around 9am and 4pm Unfortunately, the winter timetables don't start 'till December and you may have to book your flight without being exactly sure about the train/télépherique/bus schedule.

I am staying here as a single in mid-December for $100/nt.
http://www.hotels-suisse.ch/gietroz/gietroz-en.htm