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Grimentz |
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If you are an expert skier or boarder and you love going off piste then Grimentz could be the place for you. Often described as Switzerlands 'hidden gem' here you will find uncrowded pistes and 220 km of piste to play with. Read our resort guide and discover more.
Where?
One of 12 villages in the Val d'Anniviers Grimentz is everything you expect from a Swiss ski resort. Beautiful cobbled stones adorn the village and the scenery is spectacular. Here you will get great views of the Imperial Crown-the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Bent Blanche and of course the mighty Matterhorn. Getting here can be a bit more tricky than elsewhere- 3 hours transfer from Basel and Geneva but well worth it when you finally arrive!
On the Slopes
The local slopes in Grimentz only offer up some 45 km of piste but from here you can access the pistes of St Luc/Chandolin, Zinal and Vercorin giving you a total of 220 km of piste to enjoy. Free buses take you around the villages or if you are a good skier or boarder you will enjoy the black run from Zinal back to Grimentz. A new cable car is however planned for November 2013 which will link up Zinal with Grimentz.
But it is the off piste which is really awesome here. Get yourself a guide and explore the area off the back of the Roc d'Orziva, this will certainly get the adrenaline going! We would also advise getting yourself a car whilst you are here to make travelling between the villages much easier.
Ski Area
If you ski in Grimentz you are also in the ski area of Valais.
Off the Slopes
You wont find wild apres ski on offer here although there are some good restaurants, a couple of pubs and 1 disco. There are 33km of sign posted walks, snowshoeing, ice climbing, paragliding,tobogganing and ice fishing. Or you could just lay in the snow and admire the views!
Who's it Best For?
Experts will love it here, particularly if they love off piste.
Those who love off piste will love it here! It's a very pretty village linked with Zinal. Its neighbours are big hitters like Zermatt and Verbier and whilst Grimentz has never taken off in the same way, it's all the more charming for that.
If you are looking for a ski package then check out the holidays we have. If however you are an independent traveller and you want a hotel room or chalet then check out our accommodation listings, compare online and book directly with the owner.
Why Choose Grimentz in Switzerland?
1. Beautiful, rustic Swiss village.
2. Great off piste for experts.
3. Uncrowded, quiet pistes.
4. Reasonable prices compared to the rest of Switzerland.
Is Grimentz Right for You?
If you are sure this is the right resort for you then check out the holidays we have on offer. If it's just accommodation you need check out our accommodation listings.
Chalets are for many the epitome of what a ski holiday is all about. Chalets really can come in all shapes and sizes and to suit most budgets. So if your budget stretches to a luxury chalet you could get a swimming pool and private chef.
Many skiers do find St Luc a better place to stay than in Grimentz. It sits across the valley from Grimentz and gets more sun. However the skiing isn't as good here so if you do want to ski or board base yourself in Grimentz.
Where Do I Look For a Ski Chalet?
Accommodation here includes hotels, chalets and apartments. There are a lot of second homes here which companies like Grimentz Location have on their books.The Grimentz tourist office also has a lot of chalets on its lists, so well worth looking at.
Mountain Heaven is a chalet company that has a number of good chalets here so do check them out. So whether you are looking for catered or non catered there are a good choice of chalets on offer here.
Ski apartments have become more popular of late. For many they offer better value for money over other forms of accommodation and many of the newer apartment buildings offer tremendous facilities that would rival many a hotel.
When looking for apartments here check out Grimentz Location as a lot of the accommodation in Grimentz is made up of second homes. Accommodation here really does vary from the ultra modern to rather outdated. On a positive note it is slightly cheaper to stay here than others resorts in Switzerland.
Are Apartments Really Such a Good Idea?
Some of the older apartments in purpose built French resorts were soulless buildings which tended to give apartments a bad name. mMny of the newer apartments being built by the likes of MGM come with gyms and swimming pools so the facilities can be very good.
In addition, if you are travelling with other families or in a large group, if you book apartments in the same block you will get more space and privacy than in a large chalet.
Hotels can be a great idea on a ski holiday. Many offer exceptional service, transfer options and even babysitting services. For families, hotel family rooms can also offer great value for money.
Much of the accommodation in Grimentz is made up of second homes so if you are looking for a chalet or apartment then do check the local accommodation agencies. Accommodation really does vary here from the ultra modern to the older, slightly outdated buildings.
What Type of Hotels Are On Offer Here?
Hotel Alpina, a 3* hotel offers amazing access to the lifts as it is only 30m from the telcabine.Due to its location it is a popular hotel in the resort. If budget is an issue check out Hotel Moiry a 2* hotel.
You wont find 5* luxury hotels here but if you want a bit more check out the famous Hotel Bella Tola. The downside of this hotel however is that it's situated in St Luc, the other side of the valley to Grimentz.
Grimentz is located in the Val d'Anniviers in the Valais area of southern Switzerland.It is a fairly easy resort to get to. The nearest airports are Geneva, 2 hours 20 minutes away, Basel 2 hours 45 minutes and finally Zurich and Milan are both 3 hours away. So there is a good choice of airports and airlines.
Transferring from Geneva
It is possible to get a train from Geneva airport to Sierre. From Sierre there is a Post Bus service directly into the resort of Grimentz. As you would expect from the Swiss the bus service ties in with the train timetable. It is about a 30 minute drive from Sierre to Grimentz.
It is possible to take a train from the UK. The Swiss Alps Ski train connects St Pancras and Ashford with the Valais ski area. You would take the Eurostar to Lille and then change onto the TGV.
Driving from Geneva is quite easy as you simply follow the motorway past Lausanne. If you plan to drive the whole thing the journey from London is about 12 hours.
Compare Grimentz ski schools and then book or reserve your ski and snowboard lessons before you arrive in resort! Reserve your spaces in group or private lessons in Grimentz so saving yourself a lot of hassles!
Ski Schools in Grimentz
Whether you want to have ski lessons or snowboard lessons, most Grimentz ski schools offer a wide range of options including half day lessons, private or group lessons. Use GoSki.co.uk to find out more.