Grimentz - Zinal

Grimentz is a picture perfect Swiss village in the Val d’Anniviers that dates back to the 15th century. Set at 1600m at the end of a winding mountain road, the area has a great snow record with skiing up to 3000m and has some of the best off-piste skiing you will ever come across.

The centre of the old village is traffic free and full of old barns, dark wooden chalets and narrow lanes giving the village a unique atmosphere. Grimentz has a good choice of restaurants, serving traditional and rustic Swiss cuisine, as well as a couple of hotels and cosy bars.

St-Luc, only 20 minutes away by car, and Zinal, which is now linked by a new cable car, both share the same charm as Grimentz, retaining the character of the classic Swiss Alps. On the mountains there are several cosy restaurants serving Swiss dishes on terraces with panoramic views of the valley.

The Val d'Anniviers has a total of 200km of pistes spread across five main villages of Grimentz, Zinal, St Luc, Chandolin and Vercorin. A new cable car now links Grimentz and Zinal, while a free ski shuttle bus service links to the other villages.

Reaching an altitude of 3000m, there is good snow coverage while the slopes are very quiet with no crowds and no lift queues to worry about. Each area provides something different; St Luc-Chandolin is best for beginners and intermediates, while Zinal has a Freeride zone which is dedicated to extreme skiers and snowboarders. Open only when the avalanche risk is low, this 100 hectare area between 2400 and 3000m is a real delight for powder enthusiasts and aficionados of wide open virgin snow slopes.

Grimentz has a good variety of slopes for most skiers, however it is experts that will find the most enjoyment here. While there are some highly rated black runs, Grimentz has earned its reputation through the extensive off-piste on offer. Explore with a guide to discover some world class powder that keeps fans returning year after year.

The Val d’Anniviers is simply traditional Switzerland in summer. In each of the main villages the old chalets are adorned with red geraniums and quaint old Valais hay barns are everywhere. There are over 100km of hiking trails and over 350km of mountain biking trails winding between forests and lakes, all enjoying a spectacular Alpine backdrop.

Other activities in the area include rock climbing, paragliding, archery, fishing, swimming, football and tennis. There are also four golf courses within a 45 minute drive including the Championship Course at Crans sur Sierre. For the ultimate adrenalin rush head to Bungy Niouc, where you can zip-line or jump off Europe's highest bungee bridge if you dare.