The Ski Resort
If you are looking to ski the Verbier Four Valleys for the New Year ski holidays, but would like something a little more low key than Verbier itself, not to mention a ski chalet where you can enjoy a touch more luxury during the ski New Years eve celebrations, Nendaz is not a bad choice< br/>
Whilst Nendaz will never compte with the Verbier apres-ski, or its unbelievably wild ski New Years Eve party, it would be wrong to think Nendaz was quiet. Once a humble small hamlet of traditional Swiss farms, it has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now a fairly large ski village with tastefully designed modern ski chalets. There are also some good bars and restaurants so both the apres-ski and eating out is good in comparison to many other New Year ski holiday destinations.
The New Year skiing probably needs few introductions generally, but being away slightly from the main pistes there are some differences. Starting with beginners, the beginners in the ski New Year party will start at Tracouet nursery slopes above Nendaz and then progress on to the long green run through the trees. There is just enough blue runs around Nendaz for the first week of skiing and few will need to venture away from here.
The intermediate skiing around Siviez, Veysonnaz and Thyon is also very good and most families during the New year ski holidays will spend a great time in and around the red runs. Access from Nendaz is straight forward and quick but coming back intermediate skiers will need to take a short bus ride from Siviez to Nendaz. It is either this or an itinerary run and then a black. Intermediates skiing at New Year the Verbier side will also face a similarly challenging story. Easy again going across, but the way home on skis means one of the Tortin itinerary runs. Fabulous for advanced New Year skiing, but most intermediates might prefer to take Col des Gentianes cable car or the gondola at Chaussoure. Once down there is a blue to Siviez and then the ski bus or itinerary and black as mentioned previously.
Advanced skiers will love the Verbier Four Valleys New Year skiing. Not only will they have to ski back home via either the Chaussoure or Col des Gentianes are itinerary runs every time they pop across to Verbier, but generally there is extensive New Year skiing fon and off the piste for experts.
Worth Knowing
Want to avoid busy airports at New Year, Snowjet fly to Sion which is just 20 to 25 minutes from Nendaz for the cool and calm way to start your New Year ski holidays.
Off Piste Skiing
Conditions permitting, and the Verbier Four Valleys normally open early November, the Col des Gentianes itinerary run is a great way to start the New Year (once hangovers have subsided) and to make it somewhat extrem, try starting at the top of the Mont Fort Wall, 4,000 vertical feet of off-piste. The Col des Mines and Vallon D Arby are relatively easy in good weather and the Greppon Blanc so plenty to enjoy.
Ski School
The main ski school is the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School but booking in advance is highly recommended for the New Year ski holidays.
Snow Boarding
The Verbier Four Vallees it has some excellent snowboarding for ski New Year break visitors. Nendaz side can have a few drags and flat parts, although it makes up for this with a good snow park. There are great reds at Siviez as well as across in Verbier. The off-piste is simply awesome and this really is a great snowboarders paradise.