Zinal

Zinal is a village located in Valais’ region at 1670m of altitude in Val d’Anniviers (Switzerland), at the heart of a spectacular landscape with peaks higher than 4000m such as Weisshorn, Bishorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Cervin and Dent Blanche.

It is a true village of alpine shepherds full of legends : since more than 150 years they take their flocks to Zinal’s slopes where they have typical wooden huts. Zinal-Sorebois’ skiable domain offers a “Snow Guarantee” and provides you with 70km of pistes in front of a spectacular high mountain panorama.

The freeride area in “Gardes de Bordon” is a key element because Zinal is now a popular place for off-piste demarcated descents. It also offers an area especially dedicated to trainings in case of avalanche where volunteers can expose themselves to false dangerous situations, use an ARVA system to locate victims of an avalanche.

For cross-country skiing lovers, the ski resort offers 19km of maintained and prepared routes. The five skiing areas of Val d’Anniviers (Zinal, Grimentz, St-Luc, Chandolin and Vercorin) offer a common ski pass to have access to more than 200km of pistes.

The ski resort also has Zinal’s glacier, reachable if you go for a snowshoeing hike or if you practice ski touring. Every year, Zinal organises the Mauler Cup, a special meeting for hang-gliding lovers.

Skiing in Zinal: the resort’s highlights

At the bottom of the Val d’Anniviers, surrounded by peaks over 4,000 meters high, the village of Zinal offers one of the most authentic and spectacular alpine experiences in Switzerland. Together with Grimentz, it forms a shared ski area with 115 km of slopes, combining high-altitude snow, tranquility, and majestic views of the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, and Dent Blanche peaks.

An alpine domain with Swiss character

The Grimentz-Zinal area extends between 1,570 and 2,900 meters in altitude, with wide, technical, and perfectly groomed runs. The two sectors are connected by the Grimentz-Zinal cable car, a modern structure that allows you to travel from one valley to the other in less than 10 minutes.

Zinal is the highest point in the area, with snow guaranteed from December to April thanks to its northern orientation and altitude.

Intermediate skiers will particularly enjoy the red runs of Sorebois and Tsirouc, while experts will find real challenges off-piste towards Bessard, Chamois, or Col de Sorebois, legendary areas for freeriding.

Authenticity and tranquility

Unlike large commercial resorts, Zinal retains the spirit of traditional Swiss mountain villages: wooden chalets, a leisurely pace, and a serene and welcoming mountain atmosphere.

The village, located at 1,670 m, is ideal for those seeking a peaceful getaway, quality snow, and authenticity.

Accommodations are mainly small family hotels, apartments, and chalets, and the gastronomic offer combines Valais cuisine with Alpine specialties made with local products.

A paradise for freeriding and ski touring

Thanks to its terrain and the orientation of the valley, Zinal is one of the Valais’ freeriding hotspots. Every year it hosts stages of the Freeride World Tour Qualifier, and its glacial environment allows for high-altitude powder skiing well into spring.

It is also a popular destination for ski touring enthusiasts, with routes to the Cabane du Petit Mountet or the Barrage de Moiry.

The Anniviers valley has managed to preserve an exemplary coexistence between tourism and nature, with adapted signage, risk control, and certified mountain guides.

Connection to the Val d’Anniviers ski pass

Zinal is fully integrated into the Val d’Anniviers ski pass, which gives access to the domains of Grimentz, St-Luc, Chandolin, and Vercorin, adding up to more than 220 km of slopes with a single pass.

This connection makes the valley one of the most complete and balanced destinations in Valais, both for families and for demanding skiers.

Off-piste activities and four seasons

In addition to alpine skiing, Zinal offers a wide range of activities:

• Snowshoeing and winter hiking in the Vallon de Zinal.
• Ice skating, curling, and sledding.
• In summer, panoramic hiking to the Zinal Glacier and climbs to the Weisshorn or Besso.

The destination maintains its dynamism throughout the four seasons, with a clear commitment to sustainable tourism and respect for the natural environment.