The Apartment

Snowmaking machines: 11% Total piste length: 4 Valleys- Transfer times: Geneva: 2 hrs
Resort height: 1,500m, 4,920ft Mont Fort 412km (Nendaz 70km)  
Highest lift: 3,330m, 10,925ft Snowparks: 2  
No. of lifts: 95 Purpose built: No  
No. of slopes: 100 Glacier: Yes  
What's New in Nendaz

Nendaz lies in the heart of the Four Valleys on a sunny terrace above the Rhone Valley. This unspoilt resort has everything a winter sports enthusiast could dream of and remains a brilliant kept secret. The resort has built up around the beautiful village with its traditional timber houses, barns and grain stores.
The Four Valleys is renowned for excellent and demanding skiing; Nendaz gives you perfect access to this, but also as an individual resort caters wonderfully for the beginner. Whatever it is you are looking for, from wide open runs to steep and deep, Nendaz has access to it all.

Overview of Nendaz

Imagine an old Swiss mountain town with narrow streets, old houses, barns and cowsheds and a beautiful Baroque church dating from 1499. Now imagine the perfect modern ski resort, with apartment style chalets built in traditional style, subtly surrounding this unique slice of Swiss pastoral history. Throw in some north-facing mountainsides with gentle nursery slopes at the bottom and links to one of the best ski areas in Switzerland. Sprinkle some fun themed bars across the resort for the adults and a snow play area for the kids, then douse with a little luxury and a touch of exclusivity and voila, you have the famous Four Valley’s second ski resort; Nendaz.

Nendaz skiing delivers excellent facilities for first-time skiers, intermediates looking to progress and experts looking for a serious challenge. The resort has been awarded the Swiss Tourism ‘Families Welcome’ logo, so be sure to ski Nendaz for the perfect family ski holiday. However, Nendaz accommodation is also perfect for anyone looking to ski the delights of the Four Valleys but stay away from the crazy prices and raucous party scene on the other side of the hill in Verbier.

Skiing and Boarding in Nendaz

Ski Nendaz for cruisy wide slopes, plus links to some of the gnarliest terrain around for the more adventurous.  Nendaz skiing is the best of the Four Valleys for beginners and children, starting with the pristine nursery slopes, followed by the gentle and exceptionally wide blues on Tracouet. Once you’ve found your ski legs, longer blues and easy reds can be found back down to resort from the Prarion chair. The frozen lake makes the perfect spot for the children’s snow play area, with big inflatable toys to enjoy and plenty of sun (but don’t forget the sun block). There are good carving runs for intermediates from the top of the Alpage chair and the extent of the terrain will encourage you to push your skiing to the next level. For advanced skiers, the only way to ski Nendaz is on the marked but unpisted itinerary routes that the Four Valleys is famous for. There are limitless back country options but if you really want to prove yourself, start on the Siviez-Chassoure route before building up to the one that tops most “Scariest ski runs in the world” lists – the Tortin Wall. Boarders may not love the gradient-lacking cat tracks that take you from one valley to the next (the one at the bottom of the Vallon d’Arbe is particularly tough on a board) but they will go mad for the two snow parks, the Nendaz Snowpark for beginners and the Burton Progression Park for the more advanced park rat, which even benefits from an air bag and on-site instructors to help you land that 1080.

Apres Ski in Nendaz

The Swissbliss Nendaz apartment is perfectly located for a variety of non-ski activities. Explore the old village for a taste of what mountain life was like and get in the mood for dinner with a visit to the cow barn to find out all about fondue cheese production. If you prefer the snow without the planks, ski Nendaz for an impressive 40km of snowshoeing paths, 100km of winter walking trails or 11km of cross country skiing. The well-equipped sports centre offers plenty of wintry pursuits including sledging, snow tubing, paragliding and ice skating, while Nendaz skiing’s Swiss Tourism ‘Families Welcome’ emblem means the little ones can enjoy weekly organised activities including mini treasure hunts, and make new friends in one of the resort’s two crèches. You could even lighten your suitcases a little by taking advantage of the resort’s games and toys library.

The Swissbliss Nendaz accommodation is never too far from a choice of bars from low-key to lively. The first vin chaud of the evening is ready to go straight off the slopes at the après ski terraces of Les Etagnes and Lime It’s Up bar. Nendaz chalet guests might also want to consider some fancy dress options for the wealth of friendly and relaxed themed bars the resort seems to like so much. Go Mexican with the chilled young crowd at the Cactus Saloon, or Moroccan with a decently priced beer at Le Malabar. Of course, you could always make friends with the stuffed moose head at the Canadian Pub(-cum-disco) or make like a celeb with a glass or two of fine wine at cosy piano bar, Tchin Tchin. Carrying on into the night is free at L’Oxygene Nightclub (unlike the door prices over in Verbier).

Dining Options in Nendaz

For a village with so much history, Nendaz accommodation is treated to a real cosmopolitan smorgasbord of eating establishments. There are 30 Restaurants in the village serving everything from local Swiss fondue to Thai and Mexican fare. The best in gastronomy is found at the Mont Rouge, whose 13* Gault and Millau rating (similar to the Michelin ratings) guarantees you excellent nosh in elegant surroundings. L’Arom’Antique serves up perfect wood-fired pizzas with cosy atmosphere or try the Trattoria dei Savi for Italian classics and sumptuous seafood. Swiss cuisine is found at Le Chant du Torrent, which is also good value and has a lovely informal atmosphere.

Up on the hill there are lots of self-service Restaurants for those enjoying the more leisurely pace of Nendaz skiing. Les Etagnes, just above the Tracouet bubble serves high quality food with tempting two-course lunch offers to draw you in out of the cold. For old-fashioned alpine charm, panoramic views and the best value in the Four Valleys, head over to the Cabane Mont Fort to sample the soups, paninis, burgers and amazing apple tart.

Childcare in nendaz

Nendaz has become a firm favourite with families, after being awarded the 'Families Welcome' by the Swiss Tourism Federation. There are child minding facilities for toddlers, toy hire; footpaths suitable for pushchairs and playgrounds, lots to keep the little ones entertained!