4 Valley Ski area, Switzerland:
Haute-Nendaz connects into the 412km of pistes of the 4 Valleys, one of the few 5 star ski areas. This includes the famous Mont-Fort mountain at 3330m, and connection into Verbier with its wide, open runs and 4 star restaurants. The local ski pass gives access to the slopes of Nendaz, Siviez, Veysonnaz and Thyon with its own cosy mountain restaurants, cafes and snow boarding parks, as well as tree-lined off-piste runs favoured by the locals.
The village of Nendaz, Valais:
The vibrant village of Nendaz has restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes (from Pizza to Thai food) but specialises in traditional fondue and raclette. There are night-clubs and bars to satisfy the needs of apres-skiers and bars on the slopes for those requiring a 'vin chaud' to steady the nerves during the day. There are several supermarkets, boulangeries for fresh bread and fantastic specialist butchers, fromagerie, charcuterie and shops stocking the local wines which are rarely seen outside Switzerland because they drink most of it themselves! There are many ski hire shops which sell other mountain equipment in the summer months and plenty of places to hire mountain bikes. The local buses have racks for bikes on the back and the Tracouet cable car allows you to take bikes in the lift so you can do the fun ride down on your own. Nendaz is a truly all year round destination, families live and work here which gives it its unique atmosphere.
Summer in the 4 Valleys:
In the summer the mountain reverts to green pastures full of wild flowers. There are marked paths for hiking and some of the best mountain bike trails in Europe are on your doorstep. The many ski hire shops convert into bike hire and the cable car is open for much of the summer ready to carry you and your bike up to the top. Visit the lake, hear Alpine horns and see black squirrels and eagles. A few excursions further afield might include a trip on the Chocolate train from Montreux, a visit to the thermal baths at Saillon or a cable car to the top of Mont-Fort and lunch in Verbier.
Other Activities:
Open air ice rink and guided snow shoe walks in Winter, wine-tasting and beach volley ball, children's play area, golf in Sion
