Travel to Anzere with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Anzere ski resort is perched high up on the Valais Alps, west of Lake Geneva, and north of Bern, with exquisite surrounding vistas of Alpine scenery and the imposing Mont Blanc. The resort’s slopes are predominantly geared for intermediates, and options for other levels are limited; however, several challenging off-piste options will appeal to more advanced skiers.

Anzere village has significant historical merit, having been built on the site of an ancient pastoral settlement. Many old buildings remain - basic structures crafted from Alpine stone and wood, creating a charming, timeless atmosphere. Activity is centred on the village square, a pedestrianised zone surrounded by shops, ski schools, museums, a planetarium and an Alpine garden.

Anzere’s ski slopes consist of 40kms of downhill runs, served by 11 lifts able to transport 9,500 skiers per hour, and catering mainly to intermediate level skiers, with limited options for beginners and experts. The resort’s longest run stretches over five kilometres; additionally, there are some good off-piste and cross-country trails. Snowboarders have access to a terrain park and a half-pipe.

Additional skiing (heli-skiing) is available on the Wildhorn Glacier, at a towering 3,247m. The glacier also allows for summer skiing. For a break from the slopes, the provincial capital of Sion is an enticing town boasting two famous castles, along with plenty of shopping, cultural and entertainment possibilities.

The winter season at Anzere runs from December to April, with best rates offered at the start and close of the season and best snow conditions from February to March. The easiest way of accessing the resort is by flying to Geneva’s Cointrin Airport and hiring a car to reach the resort.

Skiing in Anzere

Anzere’s scenic position in the Valais Alps, combined with excellent intermediate slopes, impressive cross-country skiing and testing off-piste options make it an excellent winter destination. The resort is blessed with exquisite, 360-degree views of snow-blanketed Alpine peaks and the dominant figure of the Mont Blanc.

Of the 40kms of downhill slopes at Anzere, 60 per cent are classed as suitable for intermediate skiers, 20 per cent for beginners, and 20 per cent for advanced skiers/experts. Despite the limited number of challenging pistes, Anzere presents some excellent off-piste trails and 13kms of cross-country skiing for the upper levels. The resort’s slopes are linked by an efficient system of 11 lifts, including one cable car, two chairlifts and eight surface lifts, with the ability to transport 9,500 skiers per hour.

Winter skiing is offered in Anzere from December to April, with year round skiing on the nearby Wildhorn Glacier. Best rates are offered at the beginning of the season, in mid-January and at the end of the season. The resort can be directly accessed by road. Other options are to fly to Geneva or catch a train to Sion, then take road transportation the rest of the way.

Après-ski in Anzere

Winter alternatives to the ski slopes in Anzere include hiking (with 30kms of marked trails on offer), artificial ice-skating, mountaineering, snowshoeing, curling, sledding, bowling and indoor swimming. The resort’s après-ski scene is fairly laid-back, but there is a selection of bars and discos for those who like a party, and the larger hotels offer regular entertainment evenings. There is a broad range of accommodation, with 7,500 beds available in all style and budget ranges.

The nightlife at Anzere is more serene than at many Austrian resorts, and is not particularly suited to a frenetic, party-seeking crowd, but there are a few bars and discos to provide après-ski entertainment. As well as skiing, Anzere offers numerous other winter activities, such as hiking (with 30kms of marked trails on offer), artificial ice-skating, mountaineering, snowshoeing, curling, sledding, bowling, and indoor swimming. Accommodation options are vast and varied, suited to all preferences and budget allowances.

Transportation to Anzere

Anzere is situated in the Swiss region of Valais, north of Sion, the provincial capital, and south of Bern. The only direct route into the ski resort is by road – other options are to enter the country by air then take the train into nearby Sion station (30 minutes away from the resort), or take road transportation for 175kms from Geneva.

Driving from the UK involves an initial transfer across the English Channel to reach Europe– either by car ferry, or the Chunnel train service. From the French port of Calais, it is an 880-kilometre drive to Anzere via the cities of Reims, Dijon and Lausanne, mostly along major highways and main roads.

Another option is to fly into Geneva’s Cointrin International Airport and hire a car to continue your journey. From the airport, take the A-1, then the A-9 for Sion, exiting on to Route d’Herens. From here, follow the signs to Anzere. The drive is approximately 175kms, and takes about two hours.

Train travel is another option, but travelling from London involves four or more changes. Take the Eurostar to Paris’ gare du Nord, transfer to gare de Lyon, and take the TGV to Lausanne. Interregional trains move between Lausanne and Sion, from where there are bus transfers to the resort, taking about 30 minutes.

Geneva’s Cointrin Airport is the nearest international airport, situated approximately 175kms to the west. Trains run hourly from the airport to Sion, from where bus or taxi transfers to the resort are available. If your budget allows it, hiring a car from the airport is a faster and more convenient option of reaching the resort than public transport

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