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.