Our thanks to Val Anniviers specialist Zuba Ski for supplying content and images for Snowjet’s guide to Grimentz.
Grimentz Overview
Grimentz is a real hidden gem of a ski resort combining high snow-sure skiing with the charm and romance of a traditional alpine village. Nestled on the side of the mountain at 1500m of altitude against an impressive backdrop of 4000m peaks, Grimentz is one of 5, centuries-old, alpine villages that make up the Val Anniviers ski domain. The 220km of pistes in the domain are high and mainly north and east facing making them as snow sure as any in the Swiss Alps. Plus Grimentz has yet to be discovered by the mass ski market, so you won’t experience a lift queue or a crowded piste even on peak holiday weeks.
Getting To Grimentz
Snowjet’s unique scheduled service from London Stansted to Sion has made Grimentz far more accessible to British skiers. Choosing a flight to Sion saves an hour and a half in transfer time compared with flying to the nearest alternative airport, Geneva. Direct transfers from Sion airport to Grimentz take just 40 minutes.
There are also excellent public transport links from Sion airport to Grimentz. A free shuttle bus meets all Snowjet flights to take passengers to the railway station from where a frequent train service runs to Sierre. Grimentz accommodation specialists such as Zuba ski will be happy to organise for you to be picked up from Sierre. Alternatively, you can catch the bus to Grimentz changing at Vissoie. The whole journey by public transport should take around an hour and a half including waiting time and you can plan and book all stages online in advance at www.cff.ch.
You can also hire cars from Sion airport although be sure to book in advance to ensure availability and to get the best price.
Skiing in Grimentz
Grimentz Piste Map - http://www.rma.ch/anniviers/suisse/ski-valais/pistes-anniviers.html
The high snow-sure slopes in the Val Anniviers, are north and east-facing with the highest lift-accessed skiing at an altitude of over 3000m. The aspect and 1570m altitude of Grimentz itself, together with good artificial snow making facilities, make it possible to ski back to the village the full length of the season. The area has varied skiing from open pistes to forest runs and steep blacks to easy blues. There are two snowparks with a 2500m one above Grimentz itself. The bang up to date lift system includes a variety of Gondolas, Cable cars, a funicular and fast six man chairlifts.
The Val d’Anniviers domain is great for exploration, made up of three spectacular ski areas: based around the five villages of Grimentz, St Luc, Chandolin, Zinal and Vercorin. St Luc and Chandolin comprise a fully integrated area; Grimentz and Zinal are partly integrated and Vercorin is a standalone area. The immediate Grimentz area 50km offers stunning views of the five 4000+m peaks known as the imperial crown - Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Dent-Blanche and the Matterhorn.
To get to the other resorts in the Val Anniviers ski area and a further 170km of pistes there are free buses – a constant circuit bus goes from Grimentz to Zinal with a separate service operating to the other resorts. It’s well worth catching the bus to Zinal, especially if you are a competent skier, as there is a beautiful long black run all the way from Zinal back to the main lift station in Grimentz. It starts steep and then meanders through the forest, with some fantastic freeride terrain just off the sides and wide open bowls for the more adventurous.
Grimentz Restaurants & Bars
Grimentz would probably not be the first choice for hardened party animals, but it has a clutch of good bars and a fun late night venue. The best après ski venue is Chez Florio. Located at the bottom of the slopes, playing good music and serving great snacks, the place is always packed as the lifts close. Of the bars, Le County Pub is the most popular, offering something for everyone from pub games (pool, table football, darts), to karaoke, live music and even wine tasting. Disco Shaddock is open until 3 a.m, for the night owls.
There are also a number of excellent restaurants in Grimentz. A particular favourite is Meleze which has a wide choice on its menu - including a cook yourself hot stone, with endless meat - together with a great ambience. Restaurant Moiry also comes highly recommended, with an old world feel: ancient paintings of the famous fighting cows of the valley and an open oven that’s really cosy at night. Arlequin serves good pizzas and Claire Fontaine - right in the centre of the village - serves a wide variety of crepes.
Grimentz Après Ski
Grimentz offers a wealth of wintersports other than skiing, including ice-climbing, ice skating, tobogganing and snowshoe walking. For something extra special take to the skies with a paragliding flight – there’s no more spectacular way to see the mountains. If rest and relaxation is more what you’re looking for, at least after a long day’s skiing, then there’s a great indoor pool and also a beauty salon where you can get any muscle aches massaged away.
Something for the Kids
Grimentz is a great place for families to ski. There’s a snow-garden and a magic carpet for the real littlies and the resort’s compact ski area has a good variety of runs all leading back to the main gondola, allowing family members to ski at their own level and easily meet up again. In addition to the family friendly ski slopes there’s also a total of 12km of tobogganing runs, including a central baby slope. Off the mountain, the pool and the ice rink should ensure it’s possible to leave contentedly exhausted even the most energetic children.
Accommodation Links
Other Snowjet.co.uk Resort Guides:
Crans Montana Resort Guide
Grimentz And Le Val Anniviers Resort Guide
Nendaz Resort Guide
Saas Fee Resort Guide
Verbier Resort Guide
Zermatt Resort Guide
Zinal Resort Guide