Welcome to Zinal

Winter in Zinal

Zinal's ski area is built for people who take their skiing seriously. The local Grimentz-Zinal domain covers 115 kilometres of piste, stretching from a base of 1,670 metres up to 2,900 metres at the summit. This is not a beginner mountain. It is a skier's mountain, and it has been deliberately developed to attract the kind of discerning alpine enthusiast who also happens to be a serious property buyer.

The headline run is Le Chamois, a 7-kilometre descent with 1,280 metres of vertical drop connecting Zinal's high-altitude sector directly down to Grimentz. It is one of the most dramatic valley-linking descents in the Swiss Alps and a key reason why the Grimentz-Zinal cable car connection has been such a game-changer for the resort's reputation. For those with a lift pass covering the full Val d'Anniviers network, the combined domain extends to 220 kilometres of piste spanning Grimentz, Zinal, St-Luc, Chandolin, and Vercorin.

Snow reliability at this altitude is exceptional. Average annual snowfall reaches 263 cm at the village, while high-altitude measurements regularly record up to 600 cm of cumulative seasonal snowfall. Approximately 30–40% of the pistes, around 30 kilometres, are equipped with 259 snow cannons. For investors analysing the 20-year viability of their asset, this altitude profile matters enormously.

Beyond the pisted terrain, Zinal has built a strong international reputation as a freeride destination. The vast powder bowls and steep couloirs accessible from the Sorebois sector hold untracked snow for days after a storm. There is a dedicated Freeride Zone and an Avalanche Training Centre, and the Anniviers Guides Office operates an extensive programme of backcountry itineraries, including descents to the Moiry Dam and multi-day ski touring routes.

For families and younger skiers, the Snowpark Grimentz-Zinal at Roc d'Orzival offers kickers and rails for experienced freestyle riders, while the Family Park Zinal on the Combe slope provides a more accessible introduction. Après-ski at this location is laid-back and genuinely welcoming. Bars like Le Téléphérique and Edelweiss provide a friendly atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back year after year, without the high prices.

Summer in Zinal

Zinal has become a genuine year-round destination, strengthening its appeal for buyers who want both personal use and reliable rental demand outside the ski season. The wider Val d’Anniviers offers around 490 kilometres of hiking trails, with Zinal positioned at the centre of some of the valley’s most scenic routes. One of the most popular hikes leads to Cabane du Petit Mountet, a 10.3-kilometre round trip climbing 608 metres and delivering panoramic views of the Zinal Glacier and the surrounding 4,000-metre peaks. More experienced hikers and alpinists continue higher to Cabane du Grand Mountet (2,886m), which provides access deep into the glacial terrain of the Grande Couronne.

Mountain biking is another major draw. The area offers 150–170 kilometres of marked trails ranging from forest singletrack to high-alpine terrain between 1,400 and 3,100 metres. Zinal also hosts a key stage of the Grand Raid, a 125-kilometre mountain bike marathon from Verbier to Grimentz held each August. The event attracts international riders and creates strong short-term rental demand. The Sierre-Zinal race, a 31-kilometre mountain running event held since the 1970s, takes place at the same time of year and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier mountain races.

Despite its small size, Zinal offers a good range of summer activities for families. The Pass Anniviers Liberté provides free or discounted access to transport and attractions across the valley, making longer stays more attractive for visitors. Children’s facilities include the Zau Zoura educational trail, mini-gliss slopes, playgrounds, a natural ice rink, and an indoor pool and spa complex in the village centre. For more adventurous visitors, the Via Ferrata at Moiry Dam offers challenging routes, while the Niouc Bungy Park features a 190-metre jump.

The valley also has a distinctive cultural tradition known as Vin du Glacier. This wine is aged in old larch-wood barrels that are never emptied, only topped up with each vintage, meaning some barrels contain traces of wine more than a century old. It is not sold commercially and can only be tasted during cellar visits organised by local Bourgeoisie families, usually in villages such as Grimentz and Chandolin. For visitors, it is one of the most unusual traditions in the Swiss Alps and adds a unique cultural element to a stay in Val d’Anniviers.