Category: Valais

This pretty mountain village lies on a sunny plateau south of Visp in the valley that leads to Zermatt. It’s family friendly, but not really a beginners resort with most runs, including the run back to the village, designated as reds.

Ski Area	Grächen
Resorts	Grächen
Ski Region	Valais
Piste (km)	40
Top run (m)	2864
Bottom (m)	1600
Max Drop	1264
Snow’n’Rail	Y
Black (km)	3
Red (km)	26
Blue (km)	6
Lifts (#/hr)	13500
My Rating	4
Alpine	2
SnowPark	2
Nordic	2
Hiking	2
Family	5
Apres Ski	1
Free Ride	Y
Snow making	Y
Fun park	Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa

In Brief

In this picturesque valley the two villages of Evolène and Arolla have broadly similar lengths and style of piste, and rather antiquated lifts. Arolla is a particularly lovely village, but rather remote, situated on the Haute Route ski tour between Chamonix and Zermatt. The skiing in the valley is perhaps somewhat overshadowed by the nearby and more accessible Quattre Vallées resorts, but these slopes are quiet even at weekends, the snow record is very good, the resorts are relatively inexpensive and, as a consequence, the valley has a loyal following of repeat visitors.

Ski Area	Val D’Hérens
Resorts	Arolla, Evolène, Nax, Mont-Noble
Ski Region	Valais
Piste (km)	47
Top run (m)	3000
Bottom (m)	1700
Max Drop	1300
Snow’n’Rail
Black (km)	6
Red (km)	22
Blue (km)	24
Lifts (#/hr)	6000
My Rating	4
Alpine	3
SnowPark	1
Nordic	2
Hiking	1
Family	1
Apres Ski	2
Free Ride
Snow making	Y
Fun park	Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa

In Brief

Leukerbad has some beautiful skiing and stunning scenery, and the bonus of the wonderful spas in the village make it a perfect escape for relaxed skiers. The Torrentbahn up to the main ski area can get busy at weekends – the answer is to start early or wait until after lunch. For beginners there’s Park Erli nursery slopes in the village itself.

Ski Area	Leukerbad
Resorts	Leukerbad
Ski Region	Valais
Piste (km)	52
Top run (m)	2700
Bottom (m)	1411
Max Drop	1289
Snow’n’Rail	Y
Black (km)	17
Red (km)	25
Blue (km)	8
Lifts (#/hr)	12000
My Rating	4
Alpine	3
SnowPark	2
Nordic	3
Hiking	2
Family	5
Apres Ski	3
Free Ride	Y
Snow making	Y
Fun park	Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa	Y

In Brief

This small, sunny, south-facing resort half an hour from Sion was established in 1965 and provides very pleasant cruising for intermediates – it doesn’t get too busy so it is perfect for weekend skiing, although sadly not yet part of the Snow’n’Rail scheme.

Ski Area	Anzère
Resorts	Anzère
Ski Region	Valais
Piste (km)	52
Top run (m)	2462
Bottom (m)	1500
Max Drop	962
Snow’n’Rail
Black (km)	5
Red (km)	34
Blue (km)	3
Lifts (#/hr)	10750
My Rating	4
Alpine	2
SnowPark	3
Nordic	3
Hiking	4
Family	4
Apres Ski	4
Free Ride	Y
Snow making	Y
Fun park	Y
Snow park
Half pipes
Spa

In Brief