Nendaz

Nendaz is less fashionable than nearby Verbier but it is more affordable and it shares the same enormous 4 Valleys ski area. It's also easy to reach from either Sion or Geneva airport.


Nendaz at 1400m above sea level is 100m lower than lift-linked Verbier, but the slopes immediately above it often have better snow than those of its more famous neighbour, because they face north and are less crowded. These easy-cruising, motorway-like pistes are well suited to beginners and less-confident intermediates who can save money by buying a special Sector Printse ski pass which excludes Verbier and covers ‘only’ Nendaz, Siviez (without Mont-Fort), Veysonnaz, Thyon and Les Collons. That still amounts to 220kms of pistes and 50 lifts which is more than enough for a novice, or a fairweather skier who is easily tempted off the slopes by the many mountain restaurants.

But for keen intermediates and above, Sector Printse is just a starter, and they will want to invest in the expensive-but-worth-it 4 Valleys ski pass, which covers over 400km of ski runs, including some famous ungroomed but marked trails. The whole area is connected by lifts, although it’s a very long journey from Les Masses and Veysonnaz to Le Grand Tsai at the top of the Bruson sector. Luckily Nendaz is near the centre, so everywhere is just about within reach, although an early start and a very quick lunch are recommended.

And the 4 Valleys is not just a big ski area, it’s also a high one. The peak above Nendaz (Dent de Nendaz) might be a comparatively modest 2463m, but Greppon Blanc at nearby Siviez reaches 2700m, and Mont-Gele and Mont-Fort near Verbier exceed 3000m. That means there is always good snow higher up, and enough vertical drop to make the 4 Valleys a magnet for freeriders and off-piste skiers.

Away from its skiing, Nendaz is a middle-of-the road type resort: it’s neither pretty nor ugly, and whilst there is some pleasant après ski and nightlife, Nendaz does not try to attract the jet-set party crowd like its neighbour over the hill. Accommodation in Nendaz is cheaper too.

Getting to Nendaz is easy. The small airport at Sion is only a very short drive (or a very long walk) away, whilst Geneva airport is within 2 hours’ drive.

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Nendaz Pros & Cons

+ Choice of mid sized ski area (Printse) or a big one (les 4 Vallées)
+ Quick airport transfers / ‘Weekendable’
+ North facing local slopes hold their snow well
+ Access to the 4 Valleys’s highest snowsure slopes
+ Access to great off-piste and freeriding

– Poor piste map and sign posting
– 4 Valleys suffers from  overcrowding in some areas
– Getting across to Mont-Gele and Mont-Fort takes time
– Nendaz is only inexpensive compared to Verbier

Read More...

Getting to Nendaz is easy. Sion airport is just 30 minutes away by car, but there are more flights to Geneva which is only two hours away if you hire a car or use a specialist transfer company. Driving all...

There is a lot of accommodation in and around Nendaz, including hotels, apartments, chalets and hybrid ApartHotels in the village itself, and in Siviez, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and other bases in the 4 Valleys ski area. You can also stay...

Book Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Nendaz online Looking for private or group ski lessons? Ultimate-Ski and partner CheckYeti work with leading ski schools and ski instructors in over 500 ski destinations throughout Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland....

Nendaz Ski Area Nendaz is well placed for exploring the extensive Four Valleys ski area which it shares with Verbier and half a dozen other villages. Nearby Siviez is the gateway to the wider area but Nendaz has good pistes...

Nendaz Ski Lifts & Lift Passes There are a large number of lifts serving the Four Valleys’ runs using a convenient electronic card system. Nendaz Ski Lifts The four-person Etherolla lift in Thyon was installed recently opening up the skiing...

Nendaz Beginners Although the Four Valleys has a lot of challenging skiing, Nendaz is a beginner’s dream. Beginner Skiing in Nendaz At the top of Tracouet, a quick bubble ride from Nendaz town, there are rope pull lifts, magic carpet...

Nendaz Intermediates There are plenty of opportunities for intermediates to find good pistes for carving and to push themselves to the next level. The two main areas that intermediates will enjoy are the runs off the back of Ethérola, including...

Nendaz Advanced & Off-Piste From tough, thigh-burning itineraries, to powder skiing and ski touring, Nendaz has it all for advanced skiers and freeriders. The Four Valleys has some of the gnarliest terrain anywhere. The infamous Bec des Rosses, which you...

Nendaz Boarding Bountiful backcountry options make Nendaz ideal for advanced snowboarders. The Four Valleys are home to some world-class snowboarders such as local heroes Alex Courdray and Geraldine Fasnacht for one simple reason: the backcountry riding options are almost limitless....

Nendaz Mountain Restaurants Nendaz has a lot of self-service options but it is worth booking ahead in the best mountain restaurants. The difference in price of basic dishes does not vary much. There is a Tardis-like restaurant at the top...

Nendaz Vilage There’s something for all ages in Nendaz village and a unique slice of pastoral history. And it’s good value too. Nendaz is situated on the mountainside overlooking the Rhône Valley. The old part of town is downhill, further...

Nendaz Bars & Restaurants Nendaz has a couple of apres ski hotspots as well as a variety of themed bars, a nightclub and plenty of restaurant for rarified cuisine to traditional Swiss favourites done well as well as Mexican, Italian...

Nendaz Other Activities Make the most of your winter holiday in Nendaz by exploring other options as well as skiing. Nendaz offers something quite special in the form of moonlit skiing three times each winter in January February and March...

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