Grimentz/Zinal
1,330m vertical, 115km piste, 22 lifts linking Grimentz and Zinal. Northeast-facing terrain, Magic Pass access. Val d'Anniviers.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
141
Annual snow
1.3m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Grimentz/Zinal spans 1,570 to 2,900 metres across 115 kilometres of piste served by 22 lifts, with a vertical drop of 1,330 metres linking two authentic Valais villages 8 kilometres apart. The ski area opened in its current form in winter 2013/14 when a 3-kilometre aerial tramway connected the formerly separate sectors of Grimentz and Zinal. Terrain splits 23% beginner, 51% intermediate and 26% advanced across 40 runs, with northeast-facing slopes ensuring reliable snow coverage from early December through late April. Five 4,000-metre peaks form the Imperial Crown backdrop - Weisshorn at 4,505 metres, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Dent Blanche and Bishorn.
Beginner slopes cluster around Bendolla on the Grimentz side and Sorebois at Zinal, whilst intermediates spread across both sectors on wide, groomed bowls between 2,000 and 2,900 metres. Advanced terrain includes the 1,300-metre Lona black run at Grimentz and the 7-kilometre Chamois descent linking Zinal to Grimentz village. The Gardes de Bordon freeride zone at Zinal covers 100 hectares and includes Switzerland's first avalanche training centre, opened in 2014. Off-piste routes into Vallon d'Orzival drop 1,500 vertical metres to the hamlet of St Jean.
Grimentz village sits at 1,572 metres with dark timber chalets dating from the 15th century, whilst Zinal at 1,675 metres retains a quieter mountain character beneath the Imperial Crown cirque. Lift queues remain rare even during February half-term, and seven mountain restaurants serve the ski area including Espace Weisshorn at 2,700 metres. Snowmaking covers 30% of terrain with 250 cannons ensuring coverage on lower sections. The area attracts freeride skiers seeking untracked powder days after storms.
Daily lift passes cost CHF 72, rising to CHF 82 at peak periods, with the Val d'Anniviers pass adding St-Luc-Chandolin and Vercorin for CHF 89. Magic Pass holders access the resort as part of a CHF 459 season ticket covering 80 Swiss areas. Free ski buses link Grimentz, Zinal and neighbouring valleys throughout winter. The resort suits confident intermediates, advanced skiers and powder seekers, though limited mellow terrain restricts absolute beginners.
1330m
Vertical
40
Runs
115 km
Piste
1.3m
Annual snow
The Terrain
40 runs across 115 km of piste
Grimentz-Zinal joins two Val d'Anniviers villages into 40 runs and 115 kilometres of piste, dropping 1,330 metres from 2,900 metres down to 1,570 metres. Intermediates account for 51%, with 26% advanced and 23% beginner, and no expert grading. Most of the skiing sits above the treeline on wide, rocky slopes. The two sectors were linked in 2014 by a 3-kilometre cable car, and gondolas, chairs and nine T-bars now connect the bowls beneath the Weisshorn and Zinalrothorn. Northeast-facing slopes help hold snow from early December.
The Lona black run is the main on-piste test at Grimentz, and the 7-kilometre Chamois descent links Zinal back to Grimentz village. Freeriders head for the Gardes de Bordon zone above Zinal, around 100 hectares that includes an avalanche training centre, and for routes towards Vallon d'Orzival and St Jean. Beginner slopes cluster around Bendolla and Sorebois. Confident intermediates and advanced skiers get the most from it, while those wanting only gentle slopes will find the beginner share limited. Free ski buses connect the neighbouring valleys.
Terrain split
40
runs
40 runs across 4 grades
Beginner9 runs · 23%
Intermediate20 runs · 51%
Advanced10 runs · 26%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Grimentz/Zinal
The 2025/26 season runs 7 December 2025 through 21 April 2026, with weekend operations potentially starting mid-November in favourable snow conditions. Bendolla and Sorebois sectors typically open weekends from 15 November, transitioning to daily operations by early December. The season extends 19-20 weeks depending on snowpack, closing in mid-to-late April as spring temperatures rise. Altitude between 1,570 and 2,900 metres provides a 5-month operating window, longer than many mid-sized Swiss resorts.
Annual snowfall averages 430 centimetres across the ski area, with the resort recording 150-200 centimetres base depth each winter according to 10-year records. February delivers the heaviest precipitation with 30-plus centimetre storms occurring 3-4 times monthly from December through April. Northeast-facing terrain holds snow quality through spring, whilst 250 snowmaking units cover lower runs to Grimentz and Zinal villages. Base depths fluctuate from 20 centimetres early season to 60-165 centimetres by mid-winter, with summit zones retaining coverage into late April.
Optimal timing spans mid-January through mid-March when base depths exceed 100 centimetres and powder remains untracked for days after storms. February offers peak conditions but attracts school holiday crowds, whilst March balances snow quality with longer daylight and warmer temperatures. December and early January suit early-season enthusiasts, though coverage remains variable below 2,000 metres. April delivers spring corn snow on sunny slopes, with softer afternoon conditions. Quieter periods include early December, January outside holidays, and post-Easter April.
No major events disrupt normal operations, though the Sierre-Zinal mountain race passes through the valley each August. Night skiing does not operate at Grimentz/Zinal. The resort maintains a low-key calendar focused on daily operations rather than special programming. Avalanche training sessions run regularly at the Gardes de Bordon centre throughout winter for groups and ski schools.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
141
Days open
1.3 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Grimentz/Zinal
Daily snow reports at Grimentz/Zinal go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
56 cm
Snowiest day
19 Jan 2018
83 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
132 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Grimentz/Zinal, and where to stay
Grimentz/Zinal occupies the upper Val d'Anniviers, a side valley branching south from the Rhône near Sierre in canton Valais, southwest Switzerland. Grimentz sits at 1,572 metres on the western fork, whilst Zinal at 1,675 metres lies 11 kilometres southeast up the main valley beneath the Imperial Crown massif. The valley extends 30 kilometres from the Rhône, narrowing as it climbs through traditional Valaisan hamlets including Vissoie at 1,200 metres, where the road splits toward both resort villages. Surrounding peaks include five 4,000-metre summits forming an alpine amphitheatre above Zinal.
Sierre lies 27 kilometres north via winding mountain roads, serving as the valley's transport hub at 533 metres in the Rhône corridor. From Sierre, the route climbs 16 kilometres to Vissoie through switchbacks and narrow sections carved into steep valley walls. Beyond Vissoie, roads diverge - 7 kilometres west to Grimentz or 11 kilometres south to Zinal. The journey from Sierre takes 35-45 minutes by car or PostBus, with road conditions requiring winter tyres November through April. Other Val d'Anniviers villages include St-Luc, Chandolin and Vercorin, accessible via separate forks from the main valley road.
Road access from Geneva follows the A9 motorway east through the Rhône valley to the Sierre-Ouest exit, then Route 9 into Val d'Anniviers. The 185-kilometre drive takes 2 hours to Vissoie under normal conditions, adding 15-20 minutes to reach either village. From Zurich, the 260-kilometre route via Bern and the Lötschberg takes 3.5-4 hours. Roads narrow considerably above Sierre, with buses using both lanes on tight switchbacks. Parking exists at both village lift stations, with Zinal charging daily fees whilst Grimentz offers free spaces near the Bendolla gondola.
Geneva Airport sits 185 kilometres west, with hourly direct trains to Sierre/Siders taking 2 hours 15 minutes. Zurich Airport lies 260 kilometres northeast, requiring train changes via Bern for a 3.5-hour journey. From Sierre station, PostBus route 451 serves Vissoie every hour, requiring a change to routes toward Grimentz or Zinal with journey times totalling 45-60 minutes. Free ski buses circulate between Val d'Anniviers resorts during winter, though services to outer villages run infrequently. Private transfer operators including Taxi Anniviers serve both airports, whilst car rental desks operate at Geneva and Zurich terminals.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Grimentz/Zinal, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Grimentz/Zinal's ski season?
Grimentz/Zinal's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 18. That window is roughly 141 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Grimentz/Zinal have?
Grimentz/Zinal lists about 115 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 40 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Grimentz/Zinal?
Trail grading at Grimentz/Zinal breaks down roughly as 23% beginner, 51% intermediate, 26% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Blue/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Grimentz/Zinal have?
Grimentz/Zinal operates 22 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 9 t-bars, 3 gondolas, 3 quad chairs, 3 surface lifts, 2 6-person chairs, 1 aerial tram, and 1 double chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Grimentz/Zinal?
Base elevation at Grimentz/Zinal is about 1,570 m (5,151 ft), with the summit around 2,900 m (9,514 ft), giving roughly 1,330 m (4,364 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Grimentz/Zinal get each season?
Grimentz/Zinal averages about 132 cm (52 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Grimentz/Zinal lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CHF 44 to CHF 99, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Grimentz/Zinal before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Grimentz/Zinal so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Grimentz/Zinal have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Grimentz/Zinal. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Grimentz/Zinal located?
Grimentz/Zinal sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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