June 22nd, 2010 - Posted by: Powder Monkey

Sion to Nendaz – The shortest ski transfer in the Alps?

When Snowjet launched its ski flights to Sion last winter we knew the route would take off because of the proximity of Sion airport to big name resorts such as Verbier (45mins), Saas Fee (1h15 mins) and Zermatt (1h40mins) but we weren’t aware that there is masses of skiing even closer by.  Nendaz, an up and coming ski resort in the heart of the 4 Vallees – the largest ski area in Switzerland – is just a 20 minute transfer away from Sion.  So close, in fact, that you can already see it perched on the mountainside when you arrive at the airport and you keep the runway in sight for most of the short drive up to resort.

View of runway en route to resort

Nendaz kindly hosted the Snowjet team at the weekend and we were surprised by the size of a resort which remains relatively unknown among British skiers (6% of visitors).  The ski village, which has been expanding rapidly since the installation of the first lift in the 1960s, lazes elegantly across the mountain sides in a manner reminiscent of neighbouring Verbier.  Despite rapid growth there are few unsightly high-rise blocks and the majority of the 7000 tourist beds are in either small apartment complexes or catered chalets.   There are few high-end hotels but a there’s a  5* project in progress, due for completion in 2012 and today you’ll find catered luxury with chalet specialists such as Ted Bentley.  With demand exceeding supply in high profile resorts like Verbier, Nendaz is also becoming a popular choice for Brits buying second homes.  If you’re in the market for one Savill’s is a good starting point.

Visitors to Nendaz benefit from extensive doorstep skiing in the massive 4 Vallees ski area without paying Verbier prices.  The resort lies at a modest 1400m, but on north facing slopes with extensive snow cannon coverage skiing back to the village is near guaranteed even late in the season.  From Nendaz the lifts extend up to 3330m, the summit of Mont Fort, and the pistes stretch out over 400km across the 4 valleys – Thyon, Veysonnaz, Nendaz and of course Verbier.   The slopes close to Nendaz are great for learning and progressing; while further a field there is plenty to challenge experts, including acres of world class off-piste terrain. 

Being June, we didn’t get to experience the skiing on this trip, but we discovered that Nendaz and the Valais region also has a lot to offer when the snow melts.  We strolled along the Bisses – centuries old channels carved into the mountainside to divert water onto the terraced vineyards – which offer spectacular views of the Rhone Valley.  En route we paused to sample local wine and cheese.  Fortunately, Bisses walks are almost flat, so ideal for young, old, and 30 somethings who’ve over-indulged.  The walks can be enjoyed from May to October while the local produce can of course be enjoyed year round: an assiette valaisienne or assiette de l’alpage – cured meat and cheese platters – make great skier’s lunches.  Of the local wines we highly recommend the marvellous Fendant white.

Our Nendaz trip coincided with a cow fight.  Sharing nothing with the blood thirsty bull fights of Spain, cowfights are held between heifers – unmated females – which naturally push one another and posture to establish dominance when they first meet. It is all about which farmer of the local Herens cattle breed has the queen of the season and no animal suffers more than the odd sore head.  At the rate they were quaffing the Fendant, I suspect most of the farmers were feeling worse than any of their stock by the next morning.

Nendaz  had a gentle buzz about it, even in mid-June before the summer holiday season really starts and the lifts open for hiking and mountain biking. A surprising 30% of Nendaz’s visitors come in the summer, quite a contrast with many French ski resorts, which become virtual ghost towns for 7 months of the year. 

Having sampled what Nendaz has to offer in the warm months I’m keen to go back once the snowfalls.  Only June and already I’m waiting for winter…

For more information about Nendaz visit www.nendaz.ch.

For flights to Nendaz’s local airport, Sion visit www.snowjet.co.uk.  Snowjet flights to Sion currently operate from December to April only.

Tags: Flights to Nendaz, Flights to Sion, Nendaz, Nendaz Flights, Saas Fee, Sion Airport, Skiing in Nendaz, Skiing in the 4 Vallees, Snowjet, Summer in Nendaz, Verbier, Zermatt
Posted in Events in the Alps, News from the Alps, Skiing in Switzerland, Snowjet, Travel to the Swiss Alps | 2 Comments »