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Unlimited ski & freeride
Euphoria in the 4Vallées
Verbier 4Vallées is the largest 100%-Swiss ski area, boasting a network of 73 runs that are spread over 410 kilometres, interlinking no fewer than six ski resorts. As such, it’s a highly favoured destination for European skiers, which is only further enhanced by a stunning backdrop and one of the most beautiful freeride ski areas on earth.
While Verbier’s name is almost always in the limelight, its skiable area is actually far bigger than the resort itself. The appropriately named 4Vallées ski area stretches all the way across the Val de Bagnes (in the west) to the Val d’Hérémence (in the east), passing through both the untamed Vallon d’Arbi and the Val de Nendaz. Together, these four valleys collectively contain so many summits that it’s difficult to even count them…
From the beating heart of Verbier climbs a collection of modern, comfortable and speedy ski lifts (82 of them at the last count) towards Savoleyres, La Croix-de-Cœur, Les Ruinettes, and La Chaux, which take riders across the resort’s southern-facing crests, with views of the Combins and Mont Blanc massifs. To say it’s panoramic is an understatement. And who can forget the vast array of blue and red runs for intermediate skiers, with guaranteed snow – should the weather fail to deliver – thanks to a battery of snow cannons.
To the east we find the peaks of Les Attelas (2,727 m), Mont Gelé (3,023 m), the Col des Gentianes (2,950 m), and Mont Fort (3,330 m), the ski area’s culminating peak that’s surrounded by gorgeous panoramic views of the Pennine Alps. Anything is possible from here, provided you have the skills. Your choices? The 1.7 km black run that drops from the summit with long mogul sections, or the yellow runs, which are marked but not groomed, offering a taste of the freeride life. For a pick-me-up, just visit one of the many high-altitude bars and restaurants.
On the northern side, we dip into the forest and La Tzoumaz, a tranquil family resort with a magic carpet lift that’s ideal for beginners. Here, blue and red runs also abound.
Just to the north of Mont Fort, Nendaz is famed for its snow cover and proud of its “families welcome” slogan, with two snow gardens, day-care centres, a wooden snowpark, a snow tubing park, an excellent toboggan run, and an outdoor ice rink. On the opposite side of the valley, the authentically unassuming Veysonnaz is home to just eight runs. Among them is the celebrated Piste de l’Ours, which has played host to several World Cup events.
On the western flank of the Val d’Hérémence, Thyon boasts three terraces that range from 1,600 m to 2,000 m, offering copious amounts of sunshine, facilities for children (including a snow garden), a beginners-only area (which is free!), and the excellent “Centralpark” snowpark.
And let’s not forget the smallest of them all: Bruson. To get there, take the Le Châble cable car down from Verbier and then go up the opposite side of the Val de Bagnes. There you’ll find a fistful of runs (most of them red), good snow cover, and some superb semi-wild runs through the forest for those who like to go off the marked track.
