Our weekend in Nendaz

Ideal for families, the Valais ski destination offers plenty of variety - both on and off the piste.

Experience ...

... Awarded the «Familydestination» label by the Swiss Tourism Federation, the Valais ski resort of Nendaz has slopes to suit all tastes: from challenging, steep slopes for sporty parents and advanced youngsters to baby lifts. Future ski stars have two beginner parks at their disposal: Siviez, with its Borer baby lift, snowtube carousel and mini slalom course, and Lac de Tracouet, which is frozen, quiet and sunny in winter. There is also snowtubing and a snowtube carousel and the beginners' park offers a magic carpet, beginners' lift and Borer baby lift, where even the youngest children can make their first attempts on two boards. They can also do this under the guidance of a ski instructor while their parents take a break in the lakeside bar or venture downhill from Mont-Fort (3300 metres above sea level). If you are still a beginner, you will also find flat beginner slopes at Lac de Tracouet.
Day pass 4 Vallées: adults: 75 francs (low season 71), young people up to 24: 64 francs (60), children up to 10: 38 francs (36), 10 % discount on ski passes for families. Snowtubing at Lac de Tracouet is included in the price.

... Full moon in Nendaz means: Full Moon Party. The evening begins with a themed dinner or an entrecôte in the Restaurant de Tracouet, after which the «Jean-Pierre» piste is open until after 10 pm, illuminated by moonlight.

  • 6. Januar: «Racler comme jamais», Raclette à discrétion mit Konzert von David Charles; 
  • 3. Februar: «Rockabilly night», Double Steak Burger Royal mit Konzert von den Coconut Kings; 
  • 3. März: «Vintage», Paella mit 80er­, 90er­ und 00er­Party; 
  • 31. März: «Traditions» mit Kilbi­Menü.

 Mit Themendinner im Selfservice 43 Franken für Erwachsene und 31 Franken für Kinder, mit Entrecôte im bedienten Restaurant 55 bzw.38 Franken. Platzzahl begrenzt, Infos und Buchung unter 027 289 52 00.

Enjoy ...

... Once you've had enough of the pistes, why not venture out onto the ice: on the sports centre's ice rink you can do pirouettes, chase the puck or dance until the ice melts at the ice disco. The disco takes place once a week in the high season.
Ice rink open daily from 10 to 11.45 am and from 2 to 4.30 pm. Extended opening hours in the evening during the high season. Hockey is allowed in the mornings. Adults 6 francs, children 4 francs, skate hire 4 francs.

The ice rink is used as a hockey pitch during the day and is transformed into an ice disco in the evening.
The ice rink is used as a hockey pitch during the day and is transformed into an ice disco in the evening.

... You can immerse yourself in the winter landscape away from the pistes on seven signposted snowshoe routes. One of them is especially suitable for children. On a treasure hunt, the youngest learn about nature, animals and the history of Nendaz.
A map with the routes described is available free of charge from the tourist office. This is also the starting point of the treasure hunt. Snowshoes can be hired from all the larger sports shops in the village for 20 to 30 francs per day.

Overnight stay ...

... Several agencies offer family-friendly flats near the city centre. They are equipped with games, baby monitors, cots, highchairs and cutlery.
At EspaceVacances, InterAgence and Interhome. Several hotels offer a discount for children. See www.nendaz.ch/tourismus/familienunte rkunft

Learn more about the history of Nendaz on the treasure hunt.
Learn more about the history of Nendaz on the treasure hunt.

... Hotel Les Etagnes is located next to the valley station of the gondola lift. It offers eight rooms, including a family room with a master bedroom with a double bed and a children's room with bunk beds. Both are equipped with a television and DVD player.
Hotel Les Etagnes, Route de la Télécabine 69, 078 659 90 12. The family room (35 square metres) costs CHF 320 per night for 4 people and CHF 350 for 5 people.

Good to know ...

... If you want to spend half a day or a whole day travelling without children: There is a crèche in Nendaz that is open all year round from Monday to Saturday and can be booked a day in advance. If you want to go out in the evening, you can consult the babysitting list on the tourist website.
P'tit Bec" crèche, Route des Ecluses 71, Haute-Nendaz. Cost: one morning 35 francs, morning with lunch 50 francs, afternoon with lunch 70 francs, afternoon 40 francs and a full day (8.30 am to 4.45 pm) 90 francs, registration in winter with Nendaz Tourisme, 41 27 289 55 89, info@nendaz.ch.
www.nendaz.ch/tourismus/kinderhort-babysitting