Nendaz

Nendaz is a Swiss municipality in the Valais canton and the geographical centre of the 4 Vallées ski domain. Built on a plateau above the Rhône Valley, the resort combines original alpine hamlets with modern apartment blocks. It provides direct access to Switzerland’s largest interlinked ski area. Nendaz is a quieter, more affordable alternative to its neighbour Verbier, while sharing the same high-altitude terrain.

Mountain culture & milestones

The Nendaz community was first mentioned in historical records in 984. For centuries, the local economy relied on agriculture and small-scale mining. The shift to winter tourism started in 1958 when the first cable car was built and Télénendaz was founded. The municipality now includes about 15 villages and hamlets. The area maintains some of its traditions, notably hosting an annual international alphorn festival.

Valley bases: where to stay

Tourist accommodation is mostly concentrated in Haute-Nendaz. This purpose-built resort centre sits between 1,300 and 1,500 metres, featuring a mix of chalets, apartments, and hotels. Further down the mountain is the original village of Basse-Nendaz. For immediate slope access, the outpost of Siviez (formerly Super-Nendaz) at 1,730 metres acts as a central lift hub connecting the different valleys of the domain.

Ski sectors at a glance

Skiers in Nendaz choose between two lift passes. The local Printse sector covers 220 kilometres of pistes across Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon, and Siviez, stopping short of Mont-Fort. This area has wide, cruising runs and is usually quieter than the Verbier side. The full 4 Vallées pass unlocks 410 kilometres of terrain, adding Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Bruson, and the Mont-Fort glacier at 3,330 metres.

The mountain & skiing

The skiing above Nendaz starts at Tracouet (2,200 metres), reached by a gondola from the resort centre. The area around the frozen lake at Tracouet serves as the main hub for beginners and ski schools. Intermediates can ski towards Plan-du-Fou (2,430 metres) and drop into Siviez to link up with the rest of the domain. Advanced skiers head to the 4 Vallées for its freeride terrain, which includes seven marked itinerary routes. The descent from Mont-Fort offers challenging moguls and a vertical drop of nearly 2,000 metres back to the valley floor.

The village & après-ski

Haute-Nendaz has a family-focused atmosphere. The resort centre has plenty of restaurants, bakeries, and bars, but the après-ski scene is much quieter than in Verbier. Visitors can walk along the historic bisses (traditional irrigation channels) that cross the mountainside. The village also has a spa, an ice rink, and a snow-tubing track.

Snow & season

The ski season in Nendaz runs from early December to late April. While the village is at 1,400 metres, most of the skiing happens above 1,700 metres. The slopes directly above Nendaz face north, which helps keep the snow cold and firm. The resort uses snow cannons on the main return routes to the village to maintain top-to-bottom skiing throughout the winter.

Summer & year-round

In summer, Nendaz is a base for hiking and mountain biking. The area is known for its bisses, with 98 kilometres of walking trails following these historic waterways. The Tracouet gondola runs in summer, giving access to high-altitude trails and the Mont-Fort zipline, which reaches speeds over 100 km/h. The International Alphorn Festival takes place here every July.

Safety & mountain etiquette

The 4 Vallées is famous for its off-piste terrain, making mountain safety a priority. The marked itinerary routes, like those from Chassoure or Mont-Gélé, are avalanche-controlled but they are not patrolled or groomed. They are meant for competent skiers. Anyone venturing completely off-piste should hire a local mountain guide. The resort has a freeride checkpoint where skiers can test their avalanche transceivers before leaving the marked areas.

Who it suits best

Nendaz works well for families and intermediate skiers who want a massive ski area without Verbier prices. The local Printse sector has enough terrain for a week-long holiday, while experts can buy the full 4 Vallées pass to ski some of the steepest lift-served terrain in the Alps.

Getting there

Nearest airports: Sion (15 km), Geneva (165 km). Nearest rail hub: Sion

Written by the Alps2Alps editorial team.

This guide is published by Alps2Alps for general information only. It is not affiliated with Wikipedia or any resort, airport, or lift operator. Facts were accurate at the time of writing; always check official sources before travel.