The Chalet life
LES RINDUEZ IS A QUIET alpine field by Les Collons, a village at 1800m which links into the Verbier and Nendaz ski system, under two hours from Geneva by rail or car and less than 20 minutes from Sion (some direct flights in the winter from the UK). When these services start in December Les Collons will have the fastest transfer in the entire Alps.
Located at the end of the Four Valleys, on the “Old Piste”, it is part of one of the largest and highest ski regions in Europe, and the ski area immediately around Les Collons is marvellous; open and sunny and not at all crowded – you can ski anywhere quite quiet with lots of off-piste opportunities. Less than two hours from Geneva, one of the best ski areas in the Alps, and under one km to Les Rinduez, is the start of a new fast chair lift, direct to Thyon 2000. Plus one km on the other side, a cable car will take skiers to the top of the famous Piste de l’Ours on the Nendaz, Veyzonnaz ski domain.
In the centre of Les Collons there are a couple of hotels, several restaurants and a few bars. While the food is good and the views, magnificent, the real charm of the area is the feeling of traditional Switzerland, gazing down at the larch forests with the delightful chalets and churches in the quaint villages on the other side of the valley. There is a swimming pool and other facilities at Thyon 2000 and Veyzonnaz, just ten minutes away on the free ski bus, with bars and local restaurants in the local neighbourhood.
A new spa centre and other facilities are being built in the historical village of Heremance, 5 minutes away. Most of the surrounding land though, is is reserved for alpage and recreational activities.
The views from Les Rinduez are magnificen, with the Matterhorn in clear sight. The ski area above Les Collons is also fabulous; wide, open and sunny slopes perfect for beginners and intermediates, while for those who like to ski fast, it boasts one of the most famous ski slopes in the Alps. But best of all, there are no crowds; Les Collons is at the very end of the ski system so most of the skiers in Verbier don’t get the chance to enjoy the slopes of Les Collons.
There are also wonderful possibilities for off piste adventurers, and after skiing to Verbier in one or two hours there is over 450km of piste to explore. TheSwitzerlandski area also continues to grow and improve; a new télécabine from Veysonnaz opened last year, as did a better lift at Siviez, more snow cannons, and there are also plans to link Les Collons to the ski area of Evolene.
In the summer and mid seasons, there is still a lot to do in the area, including golf courses in Sion and Sierre, hiking, mountain biking and other sports. Wandering along the Bis de Vex under the shelter of pines and lark or siding the refreshing water streams are fun ways to spend the day. Plus there are the swimming pools and spas in the valley in Saillon and Evolene is just 20 minutes drive away, one of the most attractive villages in Switzerland, boasting a lot of organised activities in the summer and some good restaurants. In Martigny, the Fondation Gianada also offers art exhibitions of international standard.