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High above the Rhône Valley in the Valais region of Switzerland, Les 4 Vallées links 410km of pistes and freeride routes, making it the largest ski area in the country. Slopes run from the forest above the villages up to open, high-altitude terrain beneath the glacier of Mont-Fort. Its resorts include Verbier, Nendaz, Thyon-Les Collons, and La Tzoumaz. Verbier is the best known, with a lively, international feel, smart chalets, and a busy centre. Nendaz is a family-friendly resort, where old wooden granaries still stand among the chalets. Thyon-Les Collons sits high on the slopes above the old town of Sion. La Tzoumaz is tucked into the forest just over the ridge from Verbier. One of the best things about a trip here is taking the cable car up to the 3,330m summit of Mont-Fort, where the panorama stretches from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
Skiing in Les 4 Vallées suits every level, with most of the terrain on reds and a good spread of blue and black runs. Beginners can learn on nursery slopes in each resort, including wide, easy runs around Thyon-Les Collons and a learning area above Nendaz, reached by gondola. For intermediates, there's a huge amount of ground to cover, from wide, open reds high above the treeline to long, flowing runs that wind down through the forest to the villages. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find steep blacks and big mogul fields across the upper slopes of the area. Off the pistes, a network of signposted freeride itineraries is secured but never groomed, from steep, bumpy bowls to long descents through wild side valleys. Verbier is one of the great names in freeride, and the Bec des Rosses face above the resort has hosted the Xtreme Verbier competition since 1996. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders can also try out the jumps, rails, and boxes in the snowpark above Verbier, with lines for every level.
Valais has a strong alpine culture, rooted in mountain farming and winemaking, and you'll taste it in the food across the area. Melted Raclette du Valais is the local speciality, served alongside cheese fondue and air-dried meats, and wines from the vineyards of the Rhône Valley below are on every menu. Après-ski in Les 4 Vallées covers every mood, from packed bars and live music to a quiet glass of wine by the fire. Verbier is known for its lively après, with bars at the foot of the slopes filling up as the lifts close, while in other resorts, evenings centre on cosy village bars and long dinners in traditional restaurants.
There's plenty to keep you busy away from the pistes, too, from racing down a 10km toboggan run to flying over a glacier on Europe's highest zipline, which starts at the summit of Mont-Fort. You can head out with a team of huskies in Verbier or Thyon, take a tandem paragliding flight above the Val de Bagnes, or follow snowshoe trails through the forest. When you want to rest tired legs, there's a spa scene here too, with wellness areas in many of the hotels. In Nendaz, the Spa des Bisses is open to everyone, with a range of saunas, salt and ice caves, and a heated outdoor pool looking out over the mountains.
| Country | Switzerland |
| Region | Valais |
| Total piste km | 410 km |
| Altitude | 1,400 m (Nendaz) - 3,330 m (Mont Fort) |
| Linked resorts | 4 Verbier Nendaz Thyon-Les Collons La Tzoumaz |
| Lifts | 82 |
| Runs | 116 (6 green, 28 blue, 50 red, 32 black) |
| Season | Late November - late April |
| Ski pass name | 4 Vallées ski pass |
| Nearest airports | Geneva (~2 hr) Sion (~30 min to Nendaz, ~45 min to Verbier) Zurich (~3 hr) |
| Glacier skiing | Yes - Mont Fort glacier (3,330 m), accessed from Verbier |
| WeSki services | Lessons: Verbier Transfers: private to all 4 resorts Ski equipment hire: Verbier, Nendaz, Les Collons (Thyon) |
Verbier's skiing rises straight from the village to high, open slopes beneath the glacier at Mont-Fort. Beginners have two dedicated learning areas in the village, as well as easy blues higher up the mountain. Intermediates can cruise a big network of reds above the village, from fast, open runs high on the mountain to quieter, tree-lined pistes on the slopes facing La Tzoumaz. Advanced skiers at Verbier can tackle steep blacks and mogul fields, or take the cable car to the top of Mont-Gelé, where marked freeride routes drop away in several directions. With a guide, you can head off the back of Mont-Fort into long, wild descents far from the lifts.
Verbier is a big, cosmopolitan resort spread across a broad terrace at around 1,500m, looking out to the peaks of the Grand Combin. Chalet-style buildings line the streets around Place Centrale, the heart of the village, with shops, bars, and restaurants all a short walk from the main lifts. Accommodation ranges from luxury catered chalets and boutique hotels to apartments. Staying near the centre puts the main lifts and the après within walking distance. Le Châble, a traditional village down in the valley, makes a good alternative base, with its own railway station and a gondola up to Verbier.
There's plenty to fill a day away from the pistes in Verbier, from paragliding over the Val de Bagnes and husky rides high on the mountain to curling, ice karting, and swimming at the village sports centre. Après-ski is what Verbier is famous for after dark, with the evening starting at terrace bars on the slopes above the village and moving down the main street to Place Centrale, where bars and clubs keep going late into the night. Food ranges from refined, chef-led restaurants to cosy dining rooms serving fondue and raclette. Up on the mountain, huts serve hearty Valais dishes with views across to the glaciers.
Nendaz sits right at the centre of Les 4 Vallées, and its skiing rises from the village to a high, open plateau at around 2,200m, with lifts linking on to the rest of the area. If you're a beginner, you can learn on a magic carpet in the village or ride the gondola up to a dedicated learning area. Intermediates have wide, easy-going blues across the plateau, along with long, steeper reds dropping into the neighbouring valley. Advanced skiers at Nendaz can take on long, steep blacks and mogul runs from the top of the local lifts, and the glacier slopes of Mont-Fort are within reach on the lifts, too. Off the pistes, marked freeride routes lead down from the high ridges above the resort.
Nendaz is a large, spread-out resort on a plateau high above the Rhône Valley, with wide views across to the mountains on the far side. Just down the road from the modern centre, the old village of Haute-Nendaz has narrow lanes of traditional wooden houses and granaries. Accommodation is mostly in apartments and chalets, along with a handful of hotels, and many places are within walking distance of the gondola. Staying in the centre keeps the lifts, shops, and restaurants close by, which makes life easy with children.
Off the slopes, there's a traditional mountain atmosphere in Nendaz, with plenty to keep you busy, from snow tubing and tobogganing to skating on the open-air ice rink in the centre. Nendaz is known for its bisses, historic irrigation channels that carry water across the mountainside, and in winter, you can follow one on snowshoes through the forest. As a Family Destination resort, Nendaz runs a weekly activity programme with something for every age. Restaurants in the village serve hearty Valais cooking such as raclette and fondue, and après-ski centres on a handful of bars in the village. When you want to unwind, the Spa des Bisses has pools, saunas, and salt and ice caves open to everyone.
Thyon-Les Collons climbs the mountainside in a series of small villages, and from the highest, Thyon 2000, you can step straight out onto the snow at around 2,100m. Beginners have two learning areas with magic carpets, one in Les Collons and one at Thyon 2000, both on wide, gentle slopes close to the apartments. Intermediates can cruise long, wide blues and reds from the top of the local lifts at around 2,700m, with views across the Rhône Valley to the Bernese Alps. Advanced skiers at Thyon-Les Collons can take on steep blacks, including a long descent that drops around 800m from the top of the local slopes. After fresh snow, there's plenty of open off-piste terrain to explore between the pistes.
Thyon-Les Collons is a quiet, family-friendly resort, made up of small villages stepped up the slopes above Sion, the capital of Valais. Les Collons is the main village, with wooden chalets spread across terraces among stone pines and larches. Thyon 2000, at the top, is a car-free cluster of apartment buildings set right on the slopes, ideal if you want ski-in, ski-out convenience. Accommodation is mostly in self-catering apartments and chalets, which suit families and groups who want more space.
Activities away from the pistes in Thyon-Les Collons range from husky sledding and ski joring (where a horse tows you along on skis), to snowshoe walks and winter hikes through the forest. Après-ski is relaxed, centred on a few bars in Les Collons and an igloo bar that hosts DJ evenings during the season. Restaurants range from cosy village spots serving raclette and fondue to mountain restaurants with terraces facing the peaks. Down in the valley, Sion makes a great day trip, with an old town beneath two hilltop castles and wine cellars where you can taste the local wines.
La Tzoumaz's skiing runs down the forested north side of the Savoleyres ridge, with a lift up to the top at around 2,350m, where the slopes connect over to Verbier. Beginners have a small learning area with a magic carpet right in the village, away from the main runs. Intermediates can follow reds that wind down through the spruce forest back to the village, a good choice on snowy or flat-light days, when the trees help with visibility. Advanced skiers at La Tzoumaz will find steeper pitches on the north-facing slopes. For freeride, the Vallon d'Arbi, a marked itinerary through a wild side valley, finishes close to the resort.
Surrounded by spruce forest on the slopes high above the Rhône Valley, La Tzoumaz is a small, quiet chalet village at around 1,500m. Its compact centre has a supermarket, ski shops, ski schools, and a handful of restaurants and bars, all within a short walk. Accommodation is mostly in self-catered chalets, many with their own sauna or fireplace, along with apartments, a hotel, and a small hostel. Staying in La Tzoumaz suits families and groups who want a calm, close-knit base in the forest.
La Tzoumaz's best-known attraction is a 10km toboggan run, which twists down through forest from the top of the ridge to the village, with views over the Rhône Valley along the way. There's more to discover in the forest, too, with snowshoe trails, winter walking paths, and the Maison de la Forêt, a forest house with wildlife exhibitions and a café. Back in the village, you can swim in the indoor pool or skate on the outdoor rink in the central square. Après-ski is friendly and easy-going, centred on a pub and a few bars in the village. Restaurants serve Valais classics such as cheese fondue, and mountain restaurants on the ridge above make a good stop for lunch with a view.
Les 4 Vallées is a rewarding place to learn, with dedicated nursery areas in every resort and gentle slopes for taking your first turns. Several of the learning areas sit high on the mountain at around 2,000m or above, where the snow tends to stay in good condition through the season. Most are set apart from the main runs, so you can take your time without faster skiers passing close by. Ski schools in each resort run lessons for adults and children, whether you're starting from scratch or brushing up after a few years away.
For learning high on the mountain, Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons are both strong choices. In Nendaz, the gondola takes you up to a learning area at around 2,200m beside a frozen mountain lake, with wide, easy blues across the plateau around it. Thyon-Les Collons has two learning areas, one in Les Collons and one at Thyon 2000, and with ski-in, ski-out apartments right by the slopes, it's an easy set-up for families. In Verbier, the main nursery area sits on a wide, gentle slope on the edge of the village, reached by shuttle bus, and a smaller area in the centre is home to a children's club. La Tzoumaz has a small, quiet learning area with a magic carpet in the village, with tree-lined runs nearby that are pleasant on snowy days. Wherever you stay, you'll find nursery slopes and ski schools close by, so you can start learning from your very first morning.
Most of the skiing in Les 4 Vallées is on reds, with plenty of blues mixed in, so confident intermediates have a huge amount of ground to cover. High on the mountain, wide, open pistes sweep across bowls above the treeline, with big views over the peaks of the Valais Alps. Lower down, the runs narrow into forest trails that wind back to the villages, and these are the best places to be on snowy, flat-light days. Some descents are long, too, with runs from the high ridges above Verbier dropping more than 1,000m back to the village. A few reds are steep in places, so it's worth warming up on the local runs before heading further afield.
Verbier has the largest network of intermediate terrain, with fast, open reds between the high lifts and the village, and quieter, tree-lined runs on the slopes towards La Tzoumaz. Nendaz suits skiers who like wide, easy-going cruising, with blues across the plateau above the village and longer reds dropping into the neighbouring valley. Above Thyon-Les Collons, the slopes are wide and often quiet, with long reds from the top of the local lifts and views across to the Bernese Alps. From La Tzoumaz, reds wind down through the spruce forest to the village. For a bigger day out with a full area pass, ride up to the Col des Gentianes, at 2,950m, and take the long red towards Tortin, a steady descent through high, open terrain that links the Verbier side with Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons.
Les 4 Vallées is known worldwide for its challenging skiing, from steep blacks and big mogul fields to a network of signposted freeride itineraries. The itineraries are marked and secured against avalanches but never groomed, so they ski like off-piste, with steep walls, deep bowls, and long descents through wild side valleys. Much of the terrain sits high and above the treeline, topping out at 3,330m on the glacier at Mont-Fort. The longest run in the area drops around 1,600m over 8km, from the summit of Mont-Fort down to the small hamlet of Siviez.
Verbier puts the most advanced terrain within easy reach, with a steep black off the summit of Mont-Fort and a cable car up to Mont-Gelé, where marked routes drop away in several directions. The best-known challenge is the Tortin wall, a steep, north-facing bowl below the lifts that's often covered in giant moguls. Nendaz also gives quick access to the high terrain, with long, steep blacks and mogul runs from the local ridge and the Mont-Fort sector a few lifts away. Above Thyon-Les Collons, a black drops around 800m from the top of the local lifts, with open off-piste between the pistes after fresh snow. La Tzoumaz sits at the foot of one of the area's best-known itineraries, a long descent through a wild side valley that finishes close to the village.
After fresh snow, the off-piste around Verbier is some of the most famous in the Alps. With a mountain guide, you can head off the back of Mont-Fort into long, remote descents far from the lifts. Terrain outside the pistes and marked itineraries isn't controlled, so carry avalanche safety equipment and head out with a local guide. Verbier is also a major heliskiing base, with guided drops on high peaks such as the Petit Combin, at around 3,660m, and runs of up to around 2,000m of vertical back towards the valleys.
Snowboarders have long been at the heart of the freeride culture in Les 4 Vallées, and the Xtreme Verbier competition crowns snowboard champions alongside skiers each time it's held. On a powder day, the high, open bowls above Verbier and the marked freeride itineraries are made for big, fast turns, with steep walls and long, natural descents to explore. When the light goes flat, the spruce forest on the slopes towards La Tzoumaz is a sheltered place to ride among the trees. If you're learning, the wide, gentle learning areas at Tracouet above Nendaz and at Thyon 2000 give you plenty of space to practise linking turns, and Verbier's main nursery slope welcomes first-time riders too.
For freestyle, there are three parks across the area, in Verbier, Nendaz, and Thyon-Les Collons. Verbier's park sits in a natural bowl at around 2,250m, with lines that range from small rollers to kickers of 9m to 13m, a jib line of rails and boxes, and a giant airbag for landing new tricks safely. Above Thyon 2000, the area's largest park has lines for beginners, advanced riders, and pros, and has been named one of the best parks in western Switzerland. In Nendaz, the park is built with wooden kickers, rails, and boxes, giving it a creative, natural feel that suits riders who like to play with the terrain.
The Les 4 Vallées pass covers the whole linked area, with all 410km of pistes and marked freeride itineraries on a single pass, including the cable cars up to the glacier at Mont-Fort. It's the pass to choose if you plan to ski across several resorts during your stay, or want to reach the highest terrain in the area. Passes are available from a single day up to a full season, and multi-day passes run on consecutive days.
Most visitors settle into one resort for their trip, and a local pass covers plenty of skiing for most stays. The Verbier pass covers Verbier's slopes along with the ridge it shares with La Tzoumaz, which suits anyone staying on that side of the area. La Tzoumaz also has its own pass for the slopes around the village and over the ridge towards Verbier, a good fit for families and beginners based there. On the other side of the area, a single local pass covers Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons, with around 220km of linked pistes between them. Keep in mind that the local passes don't include the top cable cars up to Mont-Fort, which are covered only by the full area pass.
Most international visitors fly into Geneva, around 160km to 190km from the resorts, depending on where you're staying. You can also fly into Turin (around 190km to 240km), Milan Malpensa (around 210km to 265km), Chambéry (around 200km to 240km), Zurich (around 280km to 300km), or Lyon (around 300km to 330km). From any of these airports, you can hire a car or book a shared or private transfer.
Travelling by train is easy, too, thanks to the Swiss rail network. For Verbier, take the train to Le Châble, where a gondola runs straight up to the village, around 10km away by road. For Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons, the nearest station is Sion, around 15km to 20km away, with regular buses up to both resorts. For La Tzoumaz, the station is Riddes, around 13km below the village, with buses running up the mountain road.
Once you arrive, you won't need a car to get around. Verbier, Nendaz, and La Tzoumaz all run ski buses linking the villages with the main lifts, and in Verbier, they also reach the nursery slopes on the edge of town. Nendaz has a shuttle bus to the nearby lift hub of Siviez, too. In Thyon-Les Collons, the apartments at Thyon 2000 sit right on the slopes, with chairlifts linking up from the villages below. Across the wider area, the lifts do the work, so with a full area pass, you can ski from one resort to the next without needing a bus or a car.
For the most dependable snow across the whole area, mid-January to mid-March is the best time to visit Les 4 Vallées. The season usually starts in early November, when Verbier's highest slopes open at weekends, and the full linked area is generally up and running by mid-December. Verbier stays open until late April, while the lifts on the Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons side tend to close a week or so earlier. Snowmaking covers the main runs back down to every village, which helps keep the resorts connected early and late in the season.
Christmas and New Year, February, and Easter are the busiest times, when Swiss and other European school holidays fill the slopes and the lift queues get longer. Weekends can be busier, too. If your dates are flexible, January, outside the New Year week, and the first half of March give you good snow with more room on the pistes. January is usually the coldest month, which helps keep the snow light and dry, especially on the high, north-facing slopes.
Spring is also a lovely time to come, with longer days and softer snow. Late in the season, the high slopes around Mont-Fort and Thyon 2000 hold their snow best, while the lower runs back to the villages depend on conditions. Verbier also has plenty going on at the end of the season, with the Xtreme Verbier freeride competition usually held in late March and festivals, concerts, and closing parties through April.
Choose Verbier if you want a lively international village, big après-ski, and quick access to the area's most challenging terrain. Nendaz puts you right at the centre of the area, with plenty going on for families. Thyon-Les Collons has ski-in, ski-out apartments high on the slopes above Sion, and La Tzoumaz gives you a small, quiet chalet village in the forest.
Yes. You'll find plenty to fill a day away from the pistes, from racing down a 10km toboggan run and flying over a glacier on Europe's highest zipline to husky sledding, paragliding, and snowshoe walks through the forest. In the villages, you can swim, skate, or unwind at a spa, and the old town of Sion makes an easy day trip from Thyon-Les Collons.
Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons are both great choices. Nendaz holds Switzerland's Family Destination label, with a weekly activity programme for every age and a learning area beside a frozen mountain lake. In Thyon-Les Collons, ski-in, ski-out apartments sit right by gentle slopes. Verbier has a children's club at its village nursery area, and La Tzoumaz offers a peaceful village base and a 10km toboggan run.
Yes, but it makes for a long day, and most visitors explore the area over several days rather than in one go. The route crosses several sectors and lifts, and the high cable cars can close in strong wind, so check the lift status before you set off. You'll need the full area pass to make the whole crossing.
You'll need to be a confident skier. Heading from Verbier towards Nendaz, the most direct way down is a steep, ungroomed mogul run, though you can take the gondola down instead. To ski between Nendaz and Thyon-Les Collons, you'll want to be comfortable on reds, with long runs across open slopes on both sides.
Not necessarily. If you're staying in one resort, a local pass covers plenty of skiing for most stays. Choose the full area pass if you'd like to ski across several resorts or ride the top cable cars up to Mont-Fort, which aren't included in the local passes.
Yes. The glacier at Mont-Fort rises to 3,330m and is reached by cable car from the Col des Gentianes, adding high-altitude terrain and views from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. The black run from the summit is steep and often covered in moguls, so it suits confident skiers. In summer, the lifts open for walkers and sightseers rather than skiers.
Thyon 2000 makes it easiest, with apartments set right on the slopes. In Verbier, Nendaz, and La Tzoumaz, runs lead back down to the villages, with snowmaking on the main routes home, and some chalets and apartments sit close to the pistes. The lower runs depend on snow cover, especially late in the season.
You'd need a long taxi ride back by road, so it's worth planning your return before you head across the area. The resorts are only a short ski apart, but the road route between the valleys is much longer. Check when the key links close on the live lift status, and leave plenty of time to make the connections back to your resort.
The Three Valleys is larger, with around 600km of pistes linked across three valleys in France. Les 4 Vallées is the largest ski area in Switzerland, with a glacier summit at Mont-Fort and a worldwide reputation for freeride, especially around Verbier. Its resorts range from a lively international village to small, traditional chalet villages, so you can choose the setting that suits your trip.
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