Jewels of the Imperial Crown

About Jewels of the Imperial Crown

Picturesque and charming mountain villages, uncrowded slopes and oodles of local charm make this ‘end of the road’ cluster a true hidden gem. 

The Jewels centre around the Val D’Anniviers valley, which culminates in Zinal where 3 glaciers meet in spectacular fashion, beyond this lie the views and the mountains that make up the crown. The skiing in this area is excellent, varied and (at altitude) snow sure. The resorts remain small and slightly disjointed due to the natural geography of the area. This in turn keeps the crowds away and so the villages have kept their charm, the slopes are less skied out and you are in a perfect place for beginners and experts alike. 

Those in the know rate the snow quality in these resorts as second to none in Switzerland. These are the true hidden gems of Swiss skiing. 

Chalets

Located across the cluster, chalets give you the flexibility to choose where you would like to be based; from the centre of town to somewhere more remote. Our hand-picked chalets are a great solution for individuals or groups.

Chalet La Bergere

Chalet Grouse

Chalet Cuckoo

Val D' Anniviers Chalets

Hotels

From simple stays to luxury accommodation, hotels provide a diverse range of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for bed and breakfast or all-inclusive, we can find you the perfect hotel for your break.

Hotel Alpina Grimentz

What makes The Jewels of the Imperial Crown Unique?

Historic & traditional

The Valais area has some of the most authentic traditional villages and customs in the alps. Here you will be able to experience the proud history and strange traditions that helped the communities survive in this challenging environment

Great free ride / off piste

The beauty of this cluster of small resorts is that they all have access to some serious powder opportunities. As they are spread out the available powder does not get skied out in the few hours that often happens with larger resorts, and there are slopes facing every direction, so when there is a storm somewhere in this cluster will hold the snow exceptionally well.

Quiet slopes

The resorts in this cluster are medium or small sized and so do not feature for those seeking a huge linked ski area. The result is the mass crowds do not come and there are mostly very quiet slopes to enjoy to their maximum. The resorts are however close enough to zip between one and another depending on your mood or the snow conditions.

Grimentz – Zinal

GrimentzZinal offers fantastic skiing and picture-perfect rustic “Hogsmede” style villages. The ideal places to stay “Slope side” for those looking for the best snow in Switzerland and the most charming rural idylls. These are not crazy party towns but good for a little après and a nice variety of restaurants. 

St Luc Chandolin

St Luc and Chandolin are a pair of small resorts located high above the Val d’Anniviers floorThe small windy road opens up to these quality high-altitude gems offering beautiful views and seriously good skiing. 

Ayer

Halfway between the main ski resorts of Grimentz and St Luc, the small sleepy rustic town of Ayer offers a great base for those with a drive to explore. 

Ready to plan your next adventure?

Grimentz - Zinal

About

Picturesque and charming mountain villages, uncrowded slopes and oodles of local charm make this ‘end of the road’ cluster a true hidden gem.

The Jewels centre around the Val D’Anniviers valley, which culminates in Zinal where 3 glaciers meet in spectacular fashion, beyond this lie the views and the mountains that make up the crown. The skiing in this area is excellent, varied and at altitude snow sure. The resorts remain small and slightly disjointed due to the natural geography of the area. This in turn keeps the crowds away and so the villages have kept their charm, the slopes are less skied out and you are in a perfect place for whatever holiday you are after.

Those in the know rate the snow quality in these resorts as second to none in Switzerland. These are the true hidden gems of Swiss skiing.

Defining features

Non-skiing activities

Accommodation

Ayer

About

Half way between the main ski resorts Grimentz and St Luc the small sleepy rustic town of Ayer offers a great base for those with an eye to explore.

Armed with a car you can visit a different resort every day.

We have a catered chalet, available as a whole or by the room and two self cater chalets, one for up to 10 and the other for up to four.

Defining features

Non-skiing activities

Accommodation

St Luc - Chandolin

About

St Luc and Chandolin are a pair of small resorts located high above the Val d’Anniviers floor, the small windy road opens up these quality high altitude gems offering beautiful views and seriously good skiing. We have some very stylish hotels in these villages. 

Together they are the sunniest resorts in Val d’Anniviers. The villages are at altitude and combine the rickety rural charm of the area with a grand Victorian vibe, from the early grand tour hotels built here. The views from the top are breathtaking and there is plenty of skiing here. The best slopes are accessible only by surface lifts. Of particular note is the long red from Bella Tola at 3026 down to the fabulous bar Le Prilet, a fine way to end the day.

 

 

Defining features

Non-skiing activities

Accommodation