Resort Spotlight: Verbier – Insider tips from our Bramble Ski Pro Luke

Our Bramble Ski Pros are one of the elements of our service that we are most proud of, who make every holiday so unique and special. Highly trained and highly knowledgeable, the mountains are their passion. They have been carefully selected for not only their expertise, but also for their personable natures and the drive to share that passion with our guests.

Meet Luke, who’s been working with Bramble Ski for eight seasons now. Originally from Leicester, he has previously done seasons in Canada, Japan, France and Australia, before settling here in beautiful Verbier.

First time skiing – where it all began

We got down to the nitty gritty with Luke, to figure out why being a BSP in the Alps has stolen his heart. But first, we asked him where his love of skiing began. “I first learned to ski on a school holiday in Italy in the 90s. My instructor was this cool retro Italian guy with a full onesie, headband and aviators. He was responsible for my love for skiing.” We understand that the initial spark is often down to who guides you for your first time on the mountain. This is why it is so vital that we choose instructors with real people skills and empathy. Whether you are new to the slopes or you’ve been skiing since before you could walk, our BSPs will innately understand what you want out of your luxury ski holiday. 

More than just a ski instructor

After university, Luke travelled to Canada to begin his ski instructor training. All of our instructors come to us already highly qualified, and it’s our job to fine tune their skills to reflect our exceptional standards. So what makes our training a cut above the rest? “Bramble Ski’s training is very inclusive and interactive. We luckily have a lot of returning staff with a wealth of knowledge and experiences to draw upon. Our training with the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (the best hospitality school in the world) provides us with great luxury service skills” Luke says.

What makes our BSPs so unique is the introduction of the concierge element. “We are the main point of contact for the guests and have a deep insight into their needs and desires. This works well in conjunction with ski instructing, as the guests are always in direct contact with a representative from Bramble Ski, ensuring that the service runs fluidly and consistently” Luke explains. Be it booking you a recharging sports massage after a good day’s skiing, or reserving you the best table at your favourite restaurant for a special meal, you can trust your BSP to make it happen.

A day on the mountain with a Bramble Ski Pro

After years on the job, we knew Luke would have some great recommendations. Let’s start with a day on the mountains. Looking for an on-piste cruise? Luke recommends the Piste de l`Ours in Veysonnaz. “I like taking the Fontanet red run back home to Verbier as it’s always less busy than the M25” (an affectionate nickname given to the busiest piste in Verbier). Luke continues, “both sides of Plan-du-fou are also great pistes. The black run down to Prarion is super steep, and the red run to Siviez has so many cool features and hits.” All of our BSPs are well versed in the terrain, meaning you spend less time following the crowds and more time skiing the best slopes in the four valleys.

For those a little more experienced and adventurous, Luke offers guidance on some incredible off-piste routes too. For those wanting to make fresh tracks, he says “Greppon Blanc itinerary is a nice adventure away from the powder hounds” (make sure it’s open though).

Don’t be fooled; sledging is no less exhilarating than skiing. Luke suggests visitors “definitely try the 10km luge at Savoleyres, not for the faint hearted. Always wear a helmet.”

Verbier’s best food and drink

What about the village itself? With contacts at all the best establishments in town, your BSP can nab you a table even on the busiest of nights. Luke’s picks? “Carrefour and La Marmotte are great for lunch, or Le Rouge for a late lunch leading into après. Check out Les Chottes restaurant in Veysonnaz for the best local food, they have a hot tub outside too.”

For those wanting to sample the finest dishes in town, Luke recommends “Le 22 by Crock No Name for an awesome speakeasy fine dining experience. Chalet Adrien is amazing too, you can have traditional Swiss or fine dining next door.” After dinner, there are a wide range of great bars in Verbier to try. Luke suggests “go to see Giles, Connor and Faye play live music”, who can often be found performing sing-along tunes at Lumi bar, which Luke tells (warns?) us “has an espresso martini machine”. Blessing or a curse? We will let you decide. 

The best part?

Overall, we wanted to know what the highlights of being a Bramble Ski Pro are. “I love being out in the mountains everyday. Also meeting new people from all over the world and hearing their stories. Creating unforgettable experiences for people is very rewarding.” And finally, what have been Luke’s most memorable days on the job? A simple answer: “when you take someone up the mountain skiing for their first time.” Our BSPs ultimate goal is to spark that same passion for skiing that inspired them to pursue a career in it. Maybe you’ll see Luke in a retro onesie and aviators on the slopes when you visit!

All Bramble Ski bookings include a BSP and, if you book one of our properties on a catered basis, you will receive two complimentary days of ski instruction with a BSP. You then have the option of extending your instructor for the remainder of your stay.