The Bunker

http://www.thebunker.ch/

How not to arrive in Verbier: help out strangers at bus stop. Have arrogant swiss man drive over your snowboards trying to reverse his car. Arrive at the bunker, out of breath, drop bags everywhere, be ignored for 5 minutes, told to walk back up to the cashpoint for deposit for your lockers ;)

...

I stayed in Verbier for 10 days towards the end of the 06/07 ski season, the place has a reputation for awesome snow and awesome prices, and I was looking to extend my time as much as possible, and this place was cheapest by far.

There is a reason for this - it's a very basic backpacker's hostel in a disused nuclear fallout shelter under the local swimming pool (water is very good at scattering ionising radiation). This gives it it's own unique atmosphere and slightly creepy feel as you are tottering back from apre.

It's only real plus point is the cost. The rooms are sparsely furnished, and there is no common area to chill out or make a cup of tea. You get breakfast in the mornings, and shower in the facilites provided for users of the swimming pool. The board/ski store is a garden shed with huge windows, and the staff are not the friendliest. The impression I got was that they were workers at the sport centre, mildly inconvenienced by the ski bums living below the pool.

Security is a big worry. It is possible to walk in from the street and directly into one of the dormitories unhindered, and a few times we'd wake up to find some stranger sleeping off a hangover in one of the previously empty beds! I would be concerned if I were a single female staying here, but as an ugly and seasoned traveller I did not fear for my honour too much!

You can rent a locker (or two) from the staff to secure your valuables, but these are not generously-sized and have wire mesh doors so everything will need to be in a bag of some kind.

For a bit more money (and limited availability) you can opt to stay in 'the summerhouse', which is located above ground, a decent lock away from the street and has all the trappings of civilisation like windows! The Summerhouse also has a shared balcony area, where everyone normally congregates for a beer after coming down from the hill.

It's popular with the seasonal crowd, so book early.

Now, this may look like a very negative review. It's not, or at least not intended to be. I'm hoping that this will inform & forewarn you of the cheapest accomodation in a truly excellent ski resort (also good for paragliding and mountainbiking in the summer) I have ever found. Be warned, it is very basic, but the people and the snow more than make up for it.

Prices for the Bunker range from SFR 25-39 (swiss francs) per night, the summerhouse is SFR 35-49 per night, both including breakfast (make your own lunch bag when they're not looking).

It's a hostel, so you will need your own lightweight sleeping bag. Laundry can be done in town (under the Migros supermarche, service wash for about SFR 20), migros is also the cheapest place to buy food.

Lift passes for the whole area are standard european prices - 1 week in winter will cost you about SFR 350 (GBP £120)..but it is good skiing, especially for those looking for easily-accessible off-piste (always take a guide, transceiver, probe, shovel and your mommy) and phenomenal, but expensive nightlife.