The biggest ski area in Switzerland has a seemingly endless amount of groomed slopes and world-famous off piste – accompanied with stunning views of Dent Blanche, the Mont Blanc massif and the Matterhorn. The charming chocolate-box villages cater for everyone from newbies and families (Nendaz) to seasoned pro’s and night owls (Verbier).
Switzerland: the land where rustic barns meet modern chalets; where natural beauty meets luxurious spas; where melt-in-your-mouth chocolate meets cheese fondues and where the sunny resorts of Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Thyon meet to make up the 4 Valleys. 412km of gorgeous pistes make this the largest ski area in Switzerland and third largest in Europe, but it’s the off piste which really distinguishes the region, including the famous Mont-Fort glacier at 3330m with its terrifyingly steep descents.
The area connects the 5 inter-linked resorts, each with their own individual character.
Verbier’s the best known - world famous for its après ski and off piste, which makes this a fantastic resort for adults and serious skiers. Its Swiss-chocolate box village is regularly frequented by the rich and famous which is reflected by the amount of sophisticated bars, designer boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants you’ll find here.
Nendaz and Veysonnaz have long been family favourites thanks to their much quieter atmospheres, great infrastructure for beginners and value for money. Relatively untouched, both have retained a real rustic charm with traditional chalets and cosy local restaurants.
La Tzoumaz is a smaller town offering heaps of sporting activities, and Thyon is the king of the castle at over 2000m, with traffic-free roads amongst old barns and chalets, and panoramic views over the impressive Dent-Blanche, Matterhorn and Val des Dix below.
At the moment, the 4 Valleys lift pass comprises all 5 ski areas, but there are reports that the lift operators have failed to reach an agreement for next year, meaning it may no longer be possible to buy a pass linking the whole domain. If you don’t need the mileage of the whole region anyway, you can get passes to the Verbier or Printse ski areas. Verbier Grand Ski spans from the low-down village of Bruson to the peak of Mont-Fort. The 220km Printse sector encompasses Haute-Nendaz, Siviez, Veysonnaz and Thyon/Les Collons.
Although Verbier is far from cheap, there are few better resorts for après ski. Enjoy a drink (or two – there’s often a happy hour on) at Pub Montfort, which is buzzing as the lifts close. You can’t beat The Farinet when a live band is blasting out – the Lounge Bar next door couldn’t be more different: classy with big leather sofas and a great selection of cocktails. If you’re looking to really blow off some steam, try Casbah, Le Rouge and Farm Club which stay open into the early hours.
The other resorts generally have quieter après ski, but with the added benefit of being a lot easier on the wallet!
Veysonnaz is probably best known for its mountain-side bars and restaurants, especially open-air Le Tipi serving snacks and pizza with live music on its sun-terrace. The Café Bon Vin is nestled in the heart of the old village and puts together dishes of Valais specialities – there’s nothing like a classic cheese fondue.
Family-friendly Nendaz has lots of great restaurants and big terraces to soak up the sun. La Lanterne et le Vieux Chalet is a home away from home, the perfect location to sample the cheesy delights of tartiflette and raclette. It’s not all cosy and relaxing, with Cactus Saloon and The Canadian Pub putting on lively live music and DJs until the early hours.
La Tzoumaz’s Les Fougères has a great drinks selection, with locally sourced game and varied salad bar. In Thyon, head to La Cambuse, where there’s a specially designated Raclette Corner. Disco le Cosmos is the perfect place to go with mates, either to embarrass yourselves on the dance floor or play indoor bowls, table football and pool. Le Pinocchio is a bit posher, serving local specialties and pizzas alongside breath-taking views.
Search all 4 Valleys ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:
Need help choose your 4 Valleys ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!