Our thanks to Val Anniviers specialist Zuba Ski for supplying content and images for Snowjet’s guide to Zinal.

Zinal Overview

At 1670m, Zinal is the highest of the five centuries-old, alpine villages that make up the Val d'Anniviers; perhaps the least exploited ski area in Switzerland.  The 220km of pistes in the ski area are high and mainly north and east facing, making them as snow sure as any in the Swiss Alps.  Plus the Val Anniviers 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.   And Zinal itself is a charming historic village, set against an impressive backdrop of 4000m peaks; it would be hard to find a more beautiful spot.

Getting To Zinal

Snowjet’s unique scheduled service from London Stansted to Sion has made Zinal far more accessible to British skiers.  Direct transfers from Sion airport to Zinal take just an hour compared with two and a half hours from the nearest alternative airport: traffic filled Geneva. 

There are also excellent public transport links from Sion airport to Zinal.  A free shuttle bus meets all Snowjet flights, to take passengers to the railway station from where a frequent train service runs to Sierre.  Zinal 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 Zinal changing at Vissoie.  Even by public transport the whole journey should only 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 Zinal

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 1670m altitude of Zinal itself, together with good artificial snow making facilities, make it possible to ski back to the village the full length of the season.  In fact, Zinal is usually among one of the first Swiss resorts to open with good skiing from mid November.   

The 220km 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.  There is a good free bus service between the various areas.

The Val Anniviers has varied skiing from open off piste to forest runs and steep blacks to easy blues. There are two snowparks in the area - one above Zinal itself. The bang up to date lift system includes a variety of Gondolas, Cable cars, a funicular and fast six man chairlifts.  Plus the area offers stunning views of the five 4000+m peaks known as the imperial crown: Weisshorn; Zinalrothorn; Obergabelhorn; Dent-Blanche and the Matterhorn.

The immediate Zinal ski area already amounts to 70km of the Val Anniviers total, but strong skiers will also likely ski over to Grimentz, where many more acres of terrain are accessible.  From the summit of the Corne de Sorebois, the highest lift in the Zinal area, a beautiful long black run descends to neighbouring  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.  From Grimentz a regular free shuttle will run you back to base. 

Zinal Restaurants & Bars

Although not world renowned as a party town, Zinal hosts some great places to go for good meals and good times.  The Hotel La Pointe has a swish bar with a large sunny terrace, making it ideal for an après drink.  Formerly a school and post office, the historic Hotel du Trift is a cosy, welcoming place for a beer or a hearty feed.  The Hotel le Besso is a more upmarket venue with a gourmet menu and a very comfortable wine bar.  But you’ll need to pencil in your biggest night out for the weekend, as all hours venue the Alambic Disco, is not open during the week. 

Zinal Après Ski

In Zinal there’s a wealth of wintersports other than skiing on offer, including ice-climbing, ice skating (on a natural rink), 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 after a long day’s skiing there’s a great indoor pool and also a beauty salon where you can get any muscle aches massaged away. 

Something for the Kids

Zinal is a great place for families with virtually car free streets, great facilities and weekly family oriented events.  There’s a nursery for babies, snow-garden for toddlers - complete with magic carpet - and some gentle child-friendly slopes for bigger kids. Off the mountain, the pool and the ice rink should ensure it’s possible to leave even the most energetic children exhausted and contented.

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