Zinal is a ski resort located in the Val d'Anniviers in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. It sits at an altitude of 1,670 meters, nestled in the Swiss Alps, and is part of the Grimentz-Zinal ski area. Ski area offers the interconnected sections of the Bendolla and the Sorebois, surrounded by high mountains at the end of the Anniviers valley.
Zinal ski resort
Hidden in the back of the Val d’Anniviers, just 15 miles as the crow flies from its more famous Swiss cousins, Verbier, Crans Montana and Zermatt, and towered over by the 4,000m + peaks of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn and Dent Blanche... , Griment-Zinal its the largest connected ski area in the valley. The ski area runs along a wide ridgeline with stunning panoramic views of the ‘Imperial Crown’ and offers everything from wide smooth pistes to challenging narrow couloirs.
Grimentz and Zinal are two separate villages that form the resort, with narrow cobblestone streets and wooden chalets.
Recent lift upgrades mean the resort has fantastic uplift and it’s rare to find the pistes or lifts particularly busy. This is one of the main draws of Zinal, lack of crowds, even during the holidays it’s not unusual to find yourself the only person on one of the pistes.
Zinal offers a welcoming environment for beginners, with a dedicated beginners’ area located in the village. The beginner area, also known as the ‘Jardin des Neiges’, offers easy, comfortable terrain for new skiers to find their feet and build confidence. Once ready to venture further, beginners can try out the blue runs like Les Planards and Les Arolles. These runs are wide, gentle and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
From the top of the Sorebois cable car, intermediates can enjoy a range of red runs like L’Ar du Tsan and Le Tsapi, which offer challenging yet enjoyable skiing. A favourite amongst many is the panoramic red run from Corne de Sorebois back down to the village.
Zinal is a paradise for advanced skiers. With 40% of the terrain being black runs, there are plenty of challenges for experienced skiers. The black run from Corne de Sorebois to Zinal is not for the faint-hearted, with a length of 3.5km and a vertical drop of 1,100m. Another challenging run is the Barthelemy, which includes steep sections and requires great technical skills.
The area also has a reputation for excellent lift-served off piste skiing and has a dedicated 100 hectare freeride area to the south of the domain — the first of its kind in Switzerland. The north-facing slopes hold the snow well and provide challenging terrain for experienced skiers. The area around Corne de Sorebois is particularly popular, with off-piste routes down to the village of Mottec. In addition, there’s an Avalanche Training Centre which can be used by all-comers.
The Grimentz-Zinal ski pass is also valid for the resorts of St-Luc, Chandolin and Vercorin in the Anniviers valley.
Zinal village
The town itself is mostly pretty traditional Swiss chalets dotted along the bright blue glacial river with one gondola up the mountain and one red piste back down. Local bars and restaurants serve traditional alpine fayre without the mega resort prices.
When it comes to après-ski, Grimentz and Zinal offer a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, where they can unwind and socialize after a day on the slopes. The resorts prioritize a more laid-back après-ski scene, focusing on quality food and drinks rather than a lively party atmosphere.
Zinal ski resort