In 2010 we published a post on skiing options near Nyon and in resorts further afield.
Here is a new article written by a reader who is also a keen skier. He writes about some of the smaller resorts that are about a two hours drive from Nyon, resorts that are less well known than the “big name” ski resorts but are definitely worth considering if you are looking for new slopes to explore!
Photo above -Copyright “Val d’Anniviers”
Shorter Lift Queues and Rural Charm
The Valais has a variety of small villages with intriguing ski slopes which when viewed collectively provide a real alternative to the larger resorts such as Verbier, Flaine, Villars, Les Portes du Soleil or Saas Fee. Whilst these smaller resorts may not justify the drive from the Nyon area for a day trip, they do make a real alternative for a weekend’s skiing and they can easily be combined to make a week’s ski holiday whilst enjoying much the rural charm, good snow conditions and smaller lift queues. Less well known than the well known “big name” ski resorts, here are two valleys that you may wish to consider.
Val d’Anniviers
The first alternative is the Val d’Anniviers, a valley which is accessed from Sierre. There are a variety of resorts – Grimentz, Zinal, St Luc, Chandolin and Vercorin covering both sides of the valley and providing over 200 kilometres of slopes. These villages are all about 2 hour’s drive from Nyon.
Photo above – Copyright “Val d’Anniviers”
St Luc and Chandolin are on the eastern side of the Val d’Anniviers and are linked together, whilst Grimentz and Zinal, on the western side of the valley are connected by a cable car allowing these two distinct resorts to be easily skied in one day (or enjoyed separately). Vercorin is set apart and faces north overlooking Crans Montana. With slopes that face east, west and north, and reaching almost 3000m, snow conditions in these resorts remain good well into March. The scenery is spectacular too with views of the Weisshorn, Dent Blanche and glimpses of the Matterhorn (though from an unfamiliar angle).
Photo above -Copyright “Val d’Anniviers”
The villages are pretty and offer a good range of accommodation from chalet rentals to a four star boutique hotel and the famous Weisshorn hotel situated in an isolated position at over 2300m. The skiing is varied too. Grimentz has a range of long blue and red slopes, whilst Zinal will appeal more to those who like steeper gradients (whilst at the same time catering to those preferring easier slopes). St Luc and Chandolin are a topographical delight with undulating wide open slopes and vistas allowing a ski-safari up and down the valley. Any of the villages would make good bases, though of course if you wish to ski “the other side of the valley” a short car ride is necessary. Lift tickets are quite a bit cheaper than the larger resorts.
Piste map above – Copyright “Val d’Anniviers”
Val d’ Herens
The second option is the Val d’Hérens, a village accessed from Sion and an hour and three quarters from Nyon. The villages here with ski slopes are Evolène, Arolla, Nax (Mont Noble), La Forclaz, and Thyon 2000 (which links to the 4 Valleys resort). The 4 Valleys resorts have 400km of skiing whilst the rest of the villages in the Val d’Hérens collectively have 130km of slopes.
Here the skiing is far more informal and low key. These are essentially village slopes, with 4 or 5 lifts but offering great a variety of skiing, spectacular views and charming small buvettes where you can get a drink and simple (mountain) food. Lift prices are even lower than the Val d’Anniviers.
These resorts have different styles. Evolène is a pretty village that keeps mountain customs alive, and acts as a good base. The ski slopes face east and provide great views onto the Dent Blanche. Arolla is the starting off point for mountaineers and many of the users of the ski-lifts are getting a head start for ski-touring to nearby peaks. There are only a few lifts though there are long open slopes, no queues and you are in the middle of some wild country. As you ski the groomed pistes its possible to watch off-piste skiers coming down glaciers and pristine vertiginous slopes. This is Switzerland though, so there is of course a buvette at close to 3000m to enjoy the sun and the view! If you want a blast, then head off to Thyon 2000 which has more than enough skiing for days on end.
