This week has been a great week in Verbier. We have finally been blessed with plentiful snowfall and my boyfriend has been out to visit, so I took some time off work and experienced the resort from more of a tourist perspective.

Winter sports travel insurance including repatriation cover for snowboarders and skiers

Firstly we had to hire a board and boots for which we went to No.1 next to the main lift station. Although it is not the cheapest, you are guaranteed good service and reliable hire wear. Seven day hire for a board and boots came to 170 Swiss francs which is around £85. Then we needed to buy a ski pass. Verbier is known to be one of the most expensive resorts in the Alps but you do get great skiing in return; a variation of slopes, a huge ski area, ranging over four valleys, and the best off-piste in Europe.

A full Four Valleys seven day ski pass came to 375 Swiss francs, around £187. It has been snowing heavily on and off for three days and finally the slopes have turned from slushy brown to beautifully powdered white. This week we went to take advantage of the powder up at Mont Fort, the highest point in the resort. Although at the top the piste is a steep mogul field (a good early morning warm-up), the slope evens out into a beautiful powder run. As conditions for the majority of the season have been icy and hard-packed, I find it very difficult to adjust to powder and the different technique required.

Next week, after the half term rush, I have booked a powder lesson with a good friend and great snowboard instructor James, who works for Altitude, a top-quality ski school based in No.1. From this I hope to learn the techniques needed for me to be able to ride some of the more challenging off-pistes and be able to take full advantage of any new powder.

Over the week we have also been out enjoying the fine cuisine on offer in the resort. For anyone visiting the Alps, tasting the traditional cheese fondue is a must. For the first night we visited Le Caveau in Place Centrale. At 20francs a head for cheese fondue, the restaurant is very reasonably priced and absolutely delicious with a great atmosphere. If you are visiting Verbier this season, other quality restaurants worth a visit are the Fer a Cheval, and the Lounge Bar, both guarantee a good price and a great evening.