Nendaz Ski Resort, Switzerland

Overview of Nendaz

Imagine an old Swiss mountain town with narrow streets, old houses, barns and cowsheds and a beautiful Baroque church dating from 1499.

Now imagine the perfect modern ski resort, with apartment-style chalets built in traditional style, subtly surrounding this unique slice of Swiss pastoral history. Throw in some north-facing mountainsides with gentle nursery slopes at the bottom and links to one of the best ski areas in Switzerland. Sprinkle some fun themed bars across the resort for the adults and a snow play area for the kids, then douse with a little luxury and a touch of exclusivity and voila, you have the famous Four Valley’s second ski resort; Nendaz.

Nendaz skiing delivers excellent facilities for first-time skiers, intermediates looking to progress and experts looking for a serious challenge. The resort has been awarded the Swiss Tourism ‘Families Welcome’ logo, so be sure to ski Nendaz for the perfect family ski holiday. However, Nendaz accommodation is also perfect for anyone looking to ski the delights of the Four Valleys ski area but stay away from the crazy prices and raucous party scene on the other side of the hill in Verbier.
Learn more about Four Valleys Ski area, or keep reading to learn more about this resort and why to go on a Nendaz ski holiday.

3 Things We Love About Nendaz

1. Located in the heart of the 4 Vallées ski area, Nendaz makes for a perfect base from which to explore the 410km of slopes that stretch from Verbier to Thyon.
2. Apres-ski in Nendaz is excellent, ranging from quiet informal cafes to lively bars with non-live and live music.
3. In the centre of the resort you will find the original village with traditional wooden buildings and narrow streets.

Skiing and Boarding in Nendaz

Ski Nendaz for cruisy wide slopes, plus links to some of the gnarliest terrain around for the more adventurous. Nendaz skiing is the best of the Four Valleys for beginners and children, starting with the pristine nursery slopes, followed by the gentle and exceptionally wide blues on Tracouet.

Once you’ve found your ski legs, longer blues and easy reds can be found back down to resort from the Prarion chair. The frozen lake makes the perfect spot for the children’s snow play area, with big inflatable toys to enjoy and plenty of sun (but don’t forget the sunblock).

There are good carving runs for intermediates from the top of the Alpage chair and the extent of the terrain will encourage you to push your skiing to the next level. For advanced skiers, the only way to ski Nendaz is on the marked but unpisted itinerary routes that the Four Valleys is famous for.

There are limitless backcountry options but if you really want to prove yourself, start on the Siviez-Chassoure route before building up to the one that tops most “Scariest ski runs in the world” lists – the Tortin Wall. Boarders may not love the gradient-lacking cat tracks that take you from one valley to the next (the one at the bottom of the Vallon d’Arbe is particularly tough on a board) but they will go mad for the two snow parks. The Nendaz Snowpark for beginners and the Burton Progression Park for the more advanced park rat, which even benefits from an airbag and on-site instructors to help you land that 1080.

Lift Passes in Nendaz

The 4 Vallées lift pass covers 412 km in Haute-Nendaz, Siviez - Mont-Fort, Veysonnaz, Thyon / Les Collons, Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Bruson and Evolène with each of the ski areas offer distinctively different skiing.

In Verbier expect cruising blues combined with Mont Gelé, where, from its 3023m summit, a multitude of ski runs will give even the most hardened experts a run for their money. Bruson offers a tree-lined escape from any low cloud conditions. La Tzoumaz brings you a large selection of runs dropping into the trees and finally Mt Fort which will keep the more expert skiers entertained for hours.

The Epic Pass

Activities in Nendaz

Nendaz apartments are perfectly located for a variety of non-ski activities. Explore the old village for a taste of what mountain life was like and get in the mood for dinner with a visit to the cow barn to find out all about fondue cheese production.

• Snowshoeing - Begin your guided walk at Siviez and enjoy an afternoon of breathtaking views and peaceful trails.
• Sledging at siviez -  A huge 3km run from Tortin offers a full track of fun.
• Ice skating - This runs every day apart from when ice hockey matches are on. The matches are free for public to watch!
• Parapente - Glide above the slopes taking in the stunning views. With a choice of a Classic Flight which takes 15 to 20 mins or a Magic flight which can be 30 minutes.

Après Ski in Nendaz

• Le Bob - Start apres on the slopes, just above Nendaz town.
• Cheers Bar -  A great place to start your après – Fun, music and dancing at the foot of the slopes – They also have novelty boot-shaped beer glasses.
• Edelweiss -  Great burgers! Lively bar and restaurant with regular live acts. Very friendly staff!
• Cactus Saloon - Good to go after Edelweiss closes at around 10 pm. Cool, Mexican themed with a grungy vibe.
• NYX - A place to go after Cactus. Live acts and is open late!

Places to Eat in Nendaz

• Edelweiss - A relaxed family-style atmosphere with friendly staff and fantastic locally sourced food (The best burgers in town). Traditional options including Fondue! Also an adjoining bar for after your meal.
• Trattoria Dei Savi - Beautiful interior, very Italian and rustic. A fantastic selection of traditional Italian cuisine.
• Le Carnot'z du Cactus - A wonderful mix of fondue and Mexican dishes!
• La Lanterne - Great if you want a fine dining experience or for a special occasion. Very high ratings on trip advisor.
• Le Raccard - A family restaurant with a wide selection of cheese fondues and seasonal dishes.