New logo. New ski wear. New web address. Same old jokes, I’m afraid!

After quite a few winters sliding around the Alps, I thought it was time for a little makeover.

Nothing too dramatic. The skis are staying, the knees are still holding up, and the jokes haven’t improved.

But I do have a shiny new identity — Roddy.ski!

A fresh look for winter 2026/27

I’ve introduced a new logo and a rather nifty new web address: roddy.ski.

It’s short, simple and hopefully easier to remember after a long lunch on the mountain!

My main website remains roddywillis.com, and I’ll still be offering the same personal ski coaching in Verbier and Val d’Isère.

New threads, thanks to Forward Outdoor

I’m delighted that Forward Outdoor has kindly kitted me out for the winter with their Manifest Freeride Shell Jacket and matching trousers in Cold Granite.

The new Roddy.ski logo will be making its debut on the uniform, and I think it’s going to look rather smart.

A huge thank-you to the Forward team for their generosity. I’m looking forward to putting the kit through its paces in the Alps!

Check out my new Forward jacket here.

Same Roddy. Same mountains. Same passion.

The branding may be new, but nothing else has changed.

I’ll still be helping skiers build confidence, improve their technique and discover the best of Verbier and Val d’Isère — with plenty of laughs along the way.

So, if you spot the new Cold Granite jacket on the slopes this winter, come and say hello.

It’ll probably be me. Unless someone’s nicked my jacket!

See you on the slopes!

Roddy 🎿

A new look for winter! The roddy.ski logo brings a fresh identity to Roddy Willis Private Ski Coaching in Verbier.

Verbier snowfall goes up and down. Lift pass prices seem rather better at going in one direction.

Every autumn, normally around the same time we start getting excited about the first snow forecast, another number appears that isn’t quite as exciting: the price of the Verbier lift pass. For winter 2026/27, the official ticket-office price of a six-day 4 Vallées pass is CHF 409, although with Verbier’s dynamic pricing and advance booking you can pay less.

It got me thinking about whether skiing in Verbier is actually getting more expensive and, more importantly, what we’re getting for our money. Forget kilometres of pistes, number of lifts and vertical metres; I’ve decided to measure something much more important. Snow. Or, more precisely, how many Swiss francs are we paying for every centimetre that actually falls in Verbier?

Welcome to my completely unofficial new measurement of ski resort value.

Snovalue.

So What Is Snovalue?

The calculation is highly scientific. Take the price of a six-day 4 Vallées lift pass, divide it by the amount of snow that fell that winter and you have your cost per centimetre of Verbier snow. I’m fairly sure economists aren’t doing this yet, but perhaps they should be.

Go back to winter 2012/13 and Verbier recorded around 631 cm of snow, while a six-day 4 Vallées pass was approximately CHF 314. That works out at roughly 50 centimes per centimetre, which I would say represents pretty good Snovalue.

Then look at winter 2016/17. Verbier managed just 252 cm and the six-day pass was somewhere around CHF 340, giving us approximately CHF 1.35 per centimetre. Definitely not such good Snovalue.

Fortunately Mother Nature clearly realised she’d overcharged us because the following winter she delivered 823 cm. With the six-day pass around CHF 347, winter 2017/18 comes in at approximately 42 centimes per centimetre, making it probably the best Snovalue winter of recent years.

I’m slightly surprised Téléverbier didn’t notice and introduce dynamic snowfall pricing.

The Verbier Snovalue calculation: how much each centimetre of snow effectively cost against the price of a six-day 4 Vallées lift pass. Lower is better!

Are We Actually Getting Less Snow?

This is where my original theory started to fall apart slightly. I thought I’d discover lift-pass prices steadily going up while snowfall steadily went down, which would have made for a beautifully simple blog. Unfortunately, snow doesn’t seem particularly interested in my argument.

We’ve had 244 cm winters, 823 cm winters and pretty much everything in between. As recently as 2023/24 Verbier recorded around 618 cm, so I can’t really claim that it simply snows less every year because the figures don’t support it.

What the numbers do show rather nicely is that lift-pass prices are very good at consistently going up while Verbier snowfall is all over the place. Your Snovalue therefore depends enormously on the winter you happen to choose.

Of course, even that doesn’t tell the whole story. Anyone who spends enough time here knows that 30 cm falling gently overnight with a freezing level at 800 metres has considerably more value than 30 cm arriving horizontally at 120 km/h with rain in Verbier village.

Perhaps I need a Snovalue quality adjustment. This could get complicated.

What Are We Actually Paying For?

To be fair to Téléverbier, we’re obviously not buying centimetres of snow with our lift pass. We’re paying for lifts, piste preparation, avalanche control, staff, maintenance and increasingly important snowmaking. In fact, the less reliable natural snowfall becomes, the more expensive some of those things probably become.

A ski resort can’t simply put a sign outside Médran at Christmas saying “Sorry, it didn’t snow. Try February.” People have already booked flights, chalets, restaurants, ski hire and hopefully ski lessons months earlier, so the mountain has to work whether Mother Nature decides to cooperate or not.

And on the right day Verbier can still offer spectacular Snovalue. Thirty centimetres overnight, blue skies, Mont Fort open and fresh tracks can make whatever you paid for your lift pass feel like the best money you’ve spent all winter. A warm, windy day with half the mountain shut might produce a slightly different calculation.

So, Snovalue or No Snovalue?

Which brings us to winter 2026/27. The official ticket-office price for a six-day 4 Vallées pass is CHF 409, although book online early enough and you should be able to do better than that. We know what the skiing costs, but we don’t yet know how much snow Mother Nature is going to give us for our money.

So I think Snovalue needs a target. If we want our snow to cost less than 40 centimes per centimetre, Verbier needs more than 1,023 cm of snow this winter — just over 10.2 metres. That’s a proper winter, but not completely beyond the realms of a big old-school Verbier season. If we somehow manage 11 metres, the price drops to around 37 centimes per centimetre. Now we’re talking serious Snovalue.

At the other end of the scale, if we get another winter like 2014/15, when Verbier recorded only 244 cm, our CHF 409 pass works out at around CHF 1.68 per centimetre. Same mountain, same lift pass, slightly different Snovalue.

Of course, this is all complete nonsense. You aren’t actually buying snow with your lift pass and, as far as I’m aware, Téléverbier has yet to offer a refund when it doesn’t snow. But I’ve already stuck my neck out with my Verbier Snow Prediction 2026/27 and said I think this could be a big winter, so let’s set the target now.

10.25 metres of snow. Less than 40 centimes per centimetre.

That’s what I want from winter 2026/27.

I’ll do the calculation again at the end of the season and we’ll finally have our answer.

Snovalue or no Snovalue?

Planning a Verbier Ski Trip This Winter?

Whatever the final Snovalue turns out to be, the best value normally comes from making the most of the snow when you’re actually here. If you’re planning a trip to Verbier this winter and want to improve your skiing, find the best snow and discover a little more of the mountain than you might on your own, have a look at my private ski lessons in Verbier or get in touch to discuss your trip.

And if we do get that 11-metre winter, book quickly. I might be busy.

A young skier enjoying their first days on snow in Verbier. Choosing the right ski lesson setup can make a huge difference to a family ski holiday during busy half-term weeks.

Verbier Ski Lessons for Children: Avoid This Mistake During Half Term

Most families booking ski lessons in Verbier assume all ski schools work more or less the same way. Honestly, they don’t. The teaching is often very good across the resort. The biggest difference is usually not the instruction itself. It is the logistics around the lesson, and that is the part many families only discover after they arrive.

During quieter weeks, the system generally works well enough. During New Year, February half term and other peak holiday weeks, it can be a completely different story.

I would split it into two sections. The first explains the beginner lesson logistics, then a separate section for stronger skiers who still get caught up in the group lesson system.

The Hidden Challenge of Children’s Ski Lessons in Verbier

Many of the larger ski schools now use the Les Esserts meeting point for beginner group lessons. The skiing area itself is excellent: a wide, gentle slope that is perfect for learning. The challenge is getting hundreds of children there at exactly the same time every morning.

The official group lesson meeting point, designated by the local council, sits at the top of the beginner area rather than the bottom. This means instructors often find themselves carefully guiding nervous first-time skiers downhill before the lesson has even properly started.

If you have ever tried moving a group of children who have never worn skis before, you will understand why some instructors compare it to herding cats. Most lessons eventually work their way down to the flatter section of Les Esserts where beginners can start learning in a calmer environment.

By the time some children have travelled across resort, stood waiting for buses, walked uphill to the meeting point and then made their way back down to the beginner area, they can already be cold, tired and slightly overwhelmed. Quite often the lesson starts stressed before it has even begun.

What If Your Child Is the Next Franz Klammer?

It is worth remembering that even stronger children are still part of the same group lesson system.

Whether your little one is taking their very first turns or is already skiing like the next Franz Klammer, they still have to follow the same morning routine. Meet at the official gathering point, wait with hundreds of other children and instructors, then often board another bus to reach lifts such as Savoleyres or Mayentzet.

During busy holiday weeks this can create significant congestion. Buses become crowded, lift queues build quickly and many groups may not actually start skiing until 10am or even later.

On full-day group lessons, the process often repeats itself at lunchtime. Children who are returning to parents for lunch need to travel back to the meeting point before retracing the entire journey again in the afternoon.

None of this is the fault of the instructors, who generally do an excellent job managing large groups in a busy resort. It is simply one of the logistical realities of ski school in Verbier that many families do not discover until they arrive.

The Bus Journey Nobody Mentions

This is the part many first-time visitors simply do not expect. During busy weeks the buses to Les Esserts become packed. Private cars are restricted from the drop-off area and police actively fine drivers stopping there. Even taxis are not normally allowed to drop directly at the meeting point.

You arrive in Switzerland expecting Swiss efficiency and smooth organisation. Instead you find yourself standing at a crowded bus stop in ski boots with tired children, carrying skis, poles, helmets, gloves and backpacks while wondering why this feels harder than it should.

Many parents spend a large part of the morning simply getting children to lessons. Then a few hours later they do it all again for pickup. For parents hoping to ski themselves, it can completely disrupt the flow of the day. This is honestly the part that catches most families out. Not the skiing. The logistics.

Not All Ski School Setups Are the Same

This is where choosing the right Verbier ski school starts to matter. Some ski schools operate private meeting points away from the main Les Esserts setup while others continue to use the official meeting point and transport system. The difference can completely change your Verbier experience.

Less time on buses. Less standing around. Less stress. More skiing. Happier children. Happier parents.

Most families have absolutely no idea these differences exist until they arrive and suddenly realise they are spending more time organising ski lessons than actually enjoying the mountain. When booking children’s ski lessons in Verbier, it is worth speaking to somebody local before booking anything. The week you are travelling, the age of the children, where you are staying and the ski school’s logistics can all have a huge impact on how enjoyable the holiday feels.

If you need help finding the right Verbier ski school, let me know. I am always happy to advise.

Why Families Often End Up Booking the Wrong Lessons

The problem is that many visitors leave ski lesson bookings until the last minute. By then, the choice is no longer about finding the best setup for your family. It becomes about finding anyone who still has availability.

That might mean you get very lucky and get a great ski instructor. It might also mean somebody who arrived in resort a week ago and has never worked a busy Verbier half-term before. The earlier you book, the better your chances are at ski school and ski instructor roulette! To help avoid the ski school roulette read my blog on independent ski instructor vs ski school.

Are Private Lessons Worth It?

This is usually where families start doing the maths. They have already spent a small fortune getting to Verbier. Flights, accommodation, lift passes, equipment hire, restaurants and transfers all add up very quickly. A family ski holiday in Verbier is not a cheap week.

Then suddenly every morning starts with crowded buses, stressful meeting points and dragging children across the resort before they have even had a hot chocolate. That is often the moment families start questioning whether saving money on group lessons is really saving money at all.

This is one of the reasons private ski lessons are so popular in Verbier, particularly for younger children and nervous beginners. The logistics become dramatically easier. Your instructor can usually meet you at the hotel, apartment, ski room, Médran or wherever works best for your family. No buses. No complicated drop-offs. No standing around waiting for transport. The whole day simply flows better.

Children are calmer. Parents are calmer. Everybody usually skis better. For nervous beginners especially, that flexibility can make a huge difference. The first ski experience feels personal, relaxed and enjoyable rather than intimidating and chaotic.

That said, group lessons can still be fantastic for confident children who enjoy skiing with other kids, particularly when booked with a ski school offering a smoother group lesson setup. The key is understanding the differences before you book. In Verbier, the lesson itself is only part of the equation. The logistics often shape the entire holiday.

Roddy’s Advice

Verbier is an incredible place to learn to ski, but it is not always the easiest resort for beginners to navigate without local knowledge. The right ski school, the right meeting point and the right instructor can make a huge difference to how the week feels.

After more than 30 seasons working in the mountains, I have seen how small decisions about ski schools, meeting points and lesson logistics can completely change a family’s ski holiday. The skiing itself is often the easy part. It is everything around it that catches people out. You can read a little more about my background and journey in the mountains here.

For a more personal alternative to traditional Verbier ski schools, explore Roddy’s Little Black Book or get in touch through the contact page and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Many skiers spend months planning flights and accommodation. The best Verbier ski holidays often start by booking the right instructor early.

Why Booking Ski Lessons Early Makes a Bigger Difference Than Booking Early Flights

It’s probably over 35°C where you’re reading this.

Maybe you’re walking barefoot along a beach, leaving footprints in the sand with an ice cream or a cold drink in your hand. After this week’s extraordinary European heatwave, with another summer heat dome sitting over much of Europe, skiing is probably the last thing on your mind. Ironically, this is exactly when many of the best Verbier ski holidays begin. Not because people are booking flights or choosing a chalet. Those can usually wait. They’re booking the people who will shape their entire week on the mountain.

Every autumn I start receiving the same email.

“Our chalet is booked, the flights are organised, the children are excited… do you have any availability during February half term?”

Sometimes I do. Quite often I don’t.

The funny thing is that families will spend hours comparing airlines, researching Geneva transfers and debating whether to stay closer to Médran or Savoleyres. Yet the one decision that can have the biggest impact on the entire holiday is often left until the very end.

In my experience, booking the right ski instructor early makes a much bigger difference than booking your flights six months in advance.

Nobody Remembers Their Flight

Think back to your best ski holiday. You probably don’t remember which airline you flew with or where you were sitting.

What you remember are the ski days. The powder morning when everything clicked. The run that looked terrifying on Monday but felt easy by Friday. The laughs on the chairlift. Lunch on a sunny terrace. Watching your children suddenly ski with confidence.

Nobody comes home talking about seat 14A on the flight to Geneva. They remember the skiing.

Verbier Is Bigger Than Most Visitors Expect

Every winter I meet visitors who underestimate just how big Verbier and the 4 Vallées really are.

Many North American skiers arrive expecting something similar to a large American resort. Instead they discover four linked valleys, multiple villages and an enormous amount of terrain.

The first couple of days can disappear simply working out how the mountain fits together.

Which sectors ski best after fresh snow? When is it worth heading to Bruson? Which lifts get busy? Where are the quieter runs? What’s the quickest way back without skating across half the mountain?

These are the things local knowledge answers immediately.

A good instructor doesn’t just improve your technique. They help you unlock the mountain itself.

The Best Instructors Book Up First

The reality is that the best independent instructors rarely begin winter with an empty diary.

Many of my regular clients book next season before they’ve even left Verbier. By the time autumn arrives, Christmas, New Year and February half term are often already heavily committed.

Every season I receive enquiries from families who have already invested thousands in flights, accommodation and lift passes, only to discover that their preferred instructor has been booked for months.

It’s never a disaster and there are usually excellent alternatives.

But the earlier you plan, the more choice you have.

That’s particularly true if you’re looking for an experienced independent instructor rather than joining a large ski school. Both have their place, but they offer very different experiences.

Ski Lessons Aren’t Just for Beginners

This is probably the biggest misconception in skiing. Some of my favourite clients are already excellent skiers.

They don’t book lessons because they can’t ski. They book because they want to ski better.

Sometimes that’s powder skiing. Sometimes it’s steeper terrain. Sometimes it’s simply ironing out a few bad habits that have been there for years.

Others just want to spend a week skiing with somebody who knows the mountain inside out and can help them discover parts of Verbier they would never have found on their own.

Even after all these years, Verbier still teaches me something new every winter. That’s one of the reasons I still love skiing here.

Families Benefit More Than Anyone

Families are often the biggest winners when lessons are organised early. The right instructor doesn’t just help the children. They transform the whole holiday. Your children improve faster. Mun and dad can relax. Everyone spends less time worrying about where to ski next and more time enjoying the mountain together. That’s especially true during February half term when demand for children’s lessons is at its highest. Planning early means you have the best chance of finding the instructor who suits your family, rather than simply taking whoever happens to have space.

Start Planning While Everyone Else Is Thinking About Summer

It probably feels slightly ridiculous reading about skiing while you’re sitting on a beach or trying to stay cool during another European heatwave. But experienced Verbier visitors know this is exactly when winter planning quietly begins.

Flights will usually still be available. There will almost certainly be another chalet.

Finding the instructor you really wanted becomes much harder once autumn arrives.

The people who get the most from Verbier aren’t usually the luckiest.

They’re simply the ones who planned their skiing as carefully as they planned everything else.

If Winter 2026/27 is already on your radar, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your skiing. Whether it’s private lessons, children’s coaching, off-piste adventures or simply making the most of your week, booking early gives you the widest choice.

You can usually find another flight.

You can often find another chalet.

Finding the right ski instructor at the last minute is much harder.

The best ski holidays don’t happen by accident. They usually begin months before the first snow falls.