Zoe’s Uni Group’s Alpine Reunion

Zoe and her university friends were long overdue for a reunion after the pandemic had kept them apart, and they hadn’t skied together in over a decade. With varying levels of skiing ability and a shared love for the slopes, they chose the picturesque village of Grimentz, nestled within the Jewels of the Imperial Crown Cluster, as their base. Their plan was to explore Grimentz and Zinal from this cozy village setting.

They booked a spacious chalet that came with a delightful surprise – a steam room to pamper their tired ski legs. Once they had settled in, the group’s discussions turned to the other local ski resorts in the valley, sparking a desire for exploration. Having hired two cars, they had the flexibility to tailor their skiing experience to their individual preferences. The more advanced skiers set their sights on St Luc, Chandolin, and Nax, while the less experienced ones opted for Vercorin and a day of hiking with a memorable destination restaurant experience in Val d’Herens.

Each day ended with the group gathering in the chalet to share stories and unwind over a glass or two of wine. For four nights, they savored our delectable ‘demi catering,’ featuring gourmet meals ready for reheating. On one evening, they embraced self-catering, enjoying a lighter supper after a hearty lunch on the slopes. They also ventured out for a few nights to local Grimentz restaurants, relishing authentic local cuisine rather than the ubiquitous melted cheese offerings.

Their ski adventure in Grimentz and Zinal offered the perfect mix of challenging slopes and memorable experiences. And now, the group is already planning next year’s adventure, guided by their shared sentiment: “I don’t want to ski the standard crowded slopes ever again!”

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

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

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