Doug Coombs Steep Ski Camps Worldwide - Offering guided steep skiing in Valdez, Alaska, Verbier, Switzerland & La Grave, France

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VERBIER STEEP CAMP - TRAVEL

Things to bring

Your passport.

Credit cards: Visa or MasterCard are accepted in most Verbier businesses. You can get cash advances from credit cards in Verbier banks. You often get your best exchange rate by using credit cards; however, in some small stores and restaurants, credit cards are not accepted.

ATM card: There is an ATM machine in Verbier. Be sure you know your PIN in numbers, not letters (many European ATM keypads have only numbers, no letters). We have found the ATM to be the easiest way to get Swiss francs.

Cash: You can exchange your cash to Swiss francs in Verbier at the banks.

Exchange enough money to Swiss francs before you arrive in Verbier, as banks are closed Sunday. You may wish to purchase coffee, water, or food at one of the many mountain restaurants or in downtown Verbier.

It is customary in Europe to purchase lunch and drinks for your guide. Your group may choose to share the cost of your guide’s lunch, so it is easiest to have small Swiss franc notes when paying the lunch bill.

Swiss electrical plug adapters for any electric appliance you bring (hair dryer, computer, razor, etc).

Electric transformers to reduce the amount of electricity to your appliance (220 volts in Switzerland -- this will destroy your appliance).

If you bring a laptop computer and you need to send or receive email, purchase a phone cord for the Swiss phones. We have a spare cord if you can’t find one. There is a computer at the hotel which you can use to access the Internet. There is also an Internet café next door to the hotel.

Keep the Hotel de Verbier phone number with you when traveling in case of delays:

Outside Europe: 011-41-27-775-2121
In Switzerland: 0-27-775-2121

If calling from Switzerland, drop the international code (011) and the country code (41) and add a (0) at the beginning of the number.

Please send or email us a copy of your itinerary.

Email or voice mail is the best way to contact us after November 2003. Our mail is forwarded from the USA, but there is a several week delay for us to receive mail.

Between November 2003 and April 1, 2004, you can use the following mailing address for faster delivery:

Doug Coombs
Pierre Sauvage #3
Les Terrasses
05320
La Grave
France

Home telephone in La Grave: 33-(0)4 76-79-9641

We check voice messages at our USA number every few days: 206-604-0798

Getting to Verbier

Fly directly to Geneva. Upon arrival in the airport, pick up your luggage and go downstairs to the train station. Purchase a train ticket to Verbier. The train to Martigny passes through Lausanne, and continues on through Sion after Martigny. There are many trains a day, some changing trains in Lausanne, some going all the way to Martigny. Get off the train in Martigny and change trains to Verbier.

From Geneva to Verbier is 170 km. The trains are punctual and fast, with short stops along the way. It is an easy trip, assuming you pay attention and get off at the correct stations and on the correct trains!

In Martigny, take a small train up the Verbier valley to La Chable. In La Chable get off the train and take the connecting bus up to Verbier. This bus will take you to the Post Office in downtown Verbier.

The Hotel de Verbier is across the street from the Post Office. As you walk outside from the Post Office, the hotel is across the street slightly to the left. It is to the left of the Verbier Tourist Office.

Returning to Geneva: Take the train back to Geneva. There are many departing options throughout the day, and the train takes you directly to the airport. The Swiss trains are punctual and efficient; there is minimal layover when switching from one train to another.