Nendaz: skiing in the 4 Vallées between Tracouet, Siviez and Mont-Fort

Introduction

Nendaz lies at approximately 1,400 metres above sea level on a sunny plateau overlooking the Rhône Valley in the Swiss canton of Valais. The village offers views of the Bernese Alps and forms a central gateway to the 4 Vallées, Switzerland’s largest connected ski area.

The 4 Vallées offer approximately 410 kilometres of pistes and connect Nendaz with Veysonnaz, Thyon and Verbier. Visitors who do not need access to the complete area can choose the Printse sector, with around 220 kilometres of pistes surrounding Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon.

For a convenient start to your holiday, reserve your ski hire in Nendaz online in advance with SKiSET. Choose skis, boots, a helmet or a snowboard suited to your ability and planned routes.

A mountain village above the Rhône Valley

Haute-Nendaz is the main tourist centre and includes chalets, apartments, hotels, restaurants and shops. The buildings are spread across the sunny mountainside, with views over the Rhône Valley and the surrounding peaks above 4,000 metres.

The gondola to Tracouet departs from the centre of the village. Free local shuttle buses connect the different neighbourhoods, accommodation areas, car parks and the bus route to Siviez.

Nendaz combines a modern winter sports offering with traditional Valais hamlets, wooden barns and historic irrigation channels known as bisses.

The 4 Vallées ski area

The 4 Vallées extend from the pistes above Nendaz and Veysonnaz to the high-mountain sectors surrounding Tortin, Mont-Fort and Verbier. Approximately one-third of the pistes are classified blue, more than half are red and the remaining runs are black.

Beginners can practise close to Nendaz, while experienced skiers can plan long excursions towards Thyon, Verbier and Mont-Fort. The distances are considerable and require careful daily planning.

Check the current lift status every morning. Wind, snowfall and poor visibility may cause temporary closures, particularly around Mont-Fort, Tortin and the highest connections.

The gondola to Tracouet

The twelve-person gondola from Haute-Nendaz carries skiers and walkers to Tracouet in just a few minutes. The upper station lies near Lac Noir and forms the main starting point for ski days from the village.

Around Tracouet, you will find blue and red pistes, a restaurant with sunny terraces and a beginner area beside the frozen lake. From the higher slopes, you can enjoy views over the Rhône Valley and the Valais Alps.

At the end of the day, you can return to Haute-Nendaz on the piste or use the gondola when the valley descent is unsuitable for your ability or the snow conditions.

Tracouet for beginners

Near Lac Noir, there is a snow garden where children and adults can practise their first turns. A short blue piste with a conveyor belt provides easy-to-read terrain for learning to stop, turn and maintain balance.

Nendaz ski schools offer group courses and private lessons in skiing, snowboarding, telemark and cross-country skiing. After their first lessons, beginners can continue on the easier pistes around Tracouet.

Not every connection towards Plan du Fou and Siviez is suitable for complete beginners. Ask an instructor which pistes allow you to avoid steep red or black sections.

Plan du Fou

Plan du Fou lies at approximately 2,430 metres and forms the link between the Tracouet and Siviez sectors. From Haute-Nendaz, you can reach the mountain via the pistes and the gondola departing from Prarion.

The red piste from Plan du Fou to Siviez is approximately 3.2 kilometres long and descends more than 700 vertical metres. The route provides views of the Val de Nendaz and the Cleuson dam.

Experienced skiers can use the steep black piste towards Prarion. Visitors who do not wish to attempt this descent can return safely by gondola.

Siviez: the crossroads of the 4 Vallées

Siviez lies at approximately 1,733 metres at the end of the Val de Nendaz. The hamlet forms an important crossroads between Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon, Tortin, Verbier and Mont-Fort.

A free shuttle connects Haute-Nendaz with Siviez. You can therefore start directly beside the connecting lifts without first skiing through Tracouet and Plan du Fou.

Siviez has car parks, restaurants, ski schools and a beginner area for young children. The sector also forms a starting point for tobogganing, snowshoe walks and ski touring.

The connection towards Veysonnaz and Thyon

From Siviez, you can ski via Combatseline towards the pistes of Veysonnaz and Thyon. This sector offers wide blue and red pistes, woodland descents and several panoramic routes.

The well-known Piste de l’Ours near Veysonnaz is a sporting competition run. Less experienced skiers can choose alternative pistes to avoid the steepest sections.

Check the closing times of the connecting lifts before departure. A late return may make road transport necessary.

Tortin and the route to Verbier

In the opposite direction, Siviez provides access to Tortin and the connection with Verbier. The sector lies in high-mountain terrain and is particularly suitable for intermediate and experienced skiers.

Around Tortin, there are red pistes, marked ungroomed routes and lifts towards Col des Gentianes and Mont-Fort. These itineraries can become technically demanding on hard snow or when large bumps develop.

Skiers wishing to reach Verbier should start early and leave sufficient time for the return journey. Check in advance that all necessary connections are open.

Mont-Fort at 3,330 metres

Mont-Fort is the highest point of the 4 Vallées and reaches 3,330 metres. The summit is accessible from Siviez via Tortin and Col des Gentianes using several lifts and cable cars.

From the panoramic platform, you can see peaks including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Grand Combin and Dent d’Hérens. Non-skiers can also visit the summit when the lifts are open.

The black descent from Mont-Fort is steep, ungroomed and often covered with large bumps. It is suitable only for highly experienced skiers with controlled technique.

Pistes for intermediate skiers

Intermediate skiers will find numerous options around Tracouet, Plan du Fou, Siviez, Combatseline and Veysonnaz. Long red pistes make it possible to explore a different sector each day.

The route from Plan du Fou to Siviez is an attractive first long descent. You can then continue towards Veysonnaz or return to Nendaz through the same sector.

Start early when planning a complete circuit through the Printse sector. Queues and connecting lifts may take more time than the piste map suggests.

Freeride and freetracks

Nendaz is known for its freeride opportunities. The ski area has marked freetracks: controlled and signposted routes that are not groomed in the same way as standard pistes.

These descents may include deep snow, bumps, narrow passages and changing conditions. They require sufficient experience and should only be used when officially open.

Outside the marked pistes, avalanche danger and snowpack conditions are not fully controlled. An avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel are essential, and guidance from a local guide is strongly recommended.

Ski touring

Nendaz has several marked routes for ski tourers. Popular itineraries cross the forests and alpine pastures around Siviez, Plan du Fou and Pracondu.

The routes vary in length, vertical gain and technical difficulty. Beginners can book lessons or guided tours before heading out independently.

Follow the indicated direction and remain aware of piste preparation work. Before departure, check the avalanche bulletin, weather forecast and current route status.

Families and children

Nendaz has three beginner areas, ski schools and activities for families. The snow gardens at Tracouet and Siviez provide a safe environment for first lessons.

Children’s equipment includes lightweight skis, small boots, snowboards and helmets. A good fit helps children learn more comfortably and remain on the pistes for longer.

For longer excursions, agree on a clear meeting point. Tracouet, Plan du Fou and Siviez are far apart and cannot always be reached quickly when a lift problem occurs.

The Tortin toboggan run

Near Siviez, there is a separate toboggan run in the direction of Tortin. The official route is approximately 2.2 kilometres long, descends more than 300 vertical metres and is classified as sporting.

The chairlift carries visitors to the starting point. Toboggans can be hired from sports shops in Siviez.

Wear sturdy winter footwear and preferably a helmet. Adjust your speed to the snow, bends and other users.

Winter walking and snowshoeing

Nendaz offers more than 130 kilometres of marked winter routes. The network includes eleven walking trails, seven snowshoe itineraries and two cross-country ski tracks.

Popular walks follow sections of the Bisse du Milieu or lead from Siviez towards Tortin and Cleuson. The routes combine forests, alpine pastures and views over the Rhône Valley.

Use only open routes and wear sturdy, waterproof footwear. Conditions can change quickly because of snowfall, wind and temperature differences.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiers can use the routes at Prachavio and Pra da Dzeu. The tracks pass through peaceful forests and suit different ability levels.

The Prachavio route is approximately two kilometres long and provides an accessible introduction to cross-country skiing. Pra da Dzeu is longer and includes more vertical variation.

Check in advance that the tracks have been recently groomed. Free shuttle buses connect Haute-Nendaz with several starting points.

Valais gastronomy and après-ski

Restaurants and mountain huts with panoramic terraces are located at Tracouet, Plan du Fou, Siviez and Tortin. Typical dishes include raclette, cheese fondue, rösti, dried Valais meat and cheese platters.

Haute-Nendaz also offers pizzerias, international restaurants, cafés, wine bars and hotel bars. The atmosphere is lively but generally less intense than in Verbier.

Several wellness facilities are available for relaxation after skiing, including Spa des Bisses, with swimming pools and facilities dedicated to recovery and rest.

The SKiSET shop in Nendaz

In Nendaz, you can collect your equipment from OnTheMountain Outdoor and Rental Store. The shop is located at Route de la Télécabine 18 in Haute-Nendaz, close to the gondola to Tracouet.

The range includes skis, snowboards, children’s sets, telemark equipment, snowshoes and freeride safety equipment. A large part of the rental fleet is regularly renewed.

The shop offers boot fitting with a 3D scanner, locker hire, a clothing boutique and a professional workshop for edge sharpening, waxing, maintenance and repairs. The team speaks French, German, English and Italian.

Why book online with SKiSET?

By booking online, you can provide your preferred equipment category, sizes and requirements in advance. The shop can then prepare your equipment before your arrival.

When you collect the equipment, the team checks the fit of the boots. The bindings are adjusted according to your height, weight, age and experience.

If the equipment does not feel comfortable during the hire period, you can return to the shop for assistance, maintenance, a replacement or a technical adjustment.

Other SKiSET destinations nearby

Veysonnaz lies in the same Printse sector and provides access to Thyon, Siviez and the well-known Piste de l’Ours.

La Tzoumaz lies on the opposite side of the 4 Vallées and is connected to the wider ski area through the Verbier-Savoleyres sector.

Verbier is the best-known international destination in the 4 Vallées and provides access to high-mountain pistes, freeride routes and Mont-Fort.

Conclusion

Nendaz combines a sunny Valais mountain village with direct access to Tracouet, Siviez and the complete 4 Vallées. Beginners and families benefit from the snow gardens, while experienced skiers can plan long excursions towards Veysonnaz, Verbier and Mont-Fort.

Reserve your ski hire in Nendaz online with SKiSET, collect your equipment from OnTheMountain Outdoor and Rental Store and combine your ski days with freeriding, tobogganing, cross-country skiing and winter walking.