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Verbier, Switzerland. Picture: iStock
The Swiss ski resort of Verbier has been thrust into the spotlight after Prince William was caught having an intimate lunch there with Aussie model, Sophie Taylor, while the rest of the Royal Family was attending Commonwealth Day services.
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So where exactly is Verbier and what makes it such a magnet for celebrities and royalty alike?
Verbier is a premiere resort located in Switzerland’s largest ski area called the ‘Four Valleys’. Filled with traditional chalet-style buildings, the valley is 1500m above sea level and situated in southwestern Switzerland near the French and Italian borders.
There are 93 lifts providing access to more than 410km of ski runs — all reachable through a single lift pass. From the summit at Mont-Fort glacier (at 3300m above sea level), you can see all the way out to the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
The combination of its sunny and scenic spot in the Swiss Alps, guaranteed snow, accessible off-piste skiing and pumping lightlife attracts the rich and famous from around the world.
Top skiers and snowboarders are also drawn to the area for the extreme terrain and each year, the resort hosts Xtreme Verbier, the final stop on the Freeride World Tour.
As Prince William discovered, there are plenty of swish dining and drinking options in town. And in keeping with the celebrity lifestyle gondolas run late into the night to bring you back to your room.
While Verbier is renowned for its more challenging terrain and celebrity clientele, there are also plenty of runs for beginners and accommodation options that are friendlier on the wallet.
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Traditional Swiss mountain ski lodge in Verbier.Source:istock