---
type: "Article"
title: "Winter wonderland “4 Vallées” – snow sports paradise in Valais"
description: "The \"4 Vallées» (4 Valleys) tourist destination in the Swiss canton of Valais ranks among Europe's largest ski areas offering limitless snow sport possibilities. Join us on a winter hike."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/4-vallees-winter-wonderland-in-valais"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 18
tags: ["Alps", "Winter", "Switzerland"]
entities:
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/wallis"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/matterhorn"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/europe"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/review"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T13:13:56+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2019-02-03T13:42:12+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: 4-vallees-winter-wonderland-in-valais.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
    last_modified: 2019-01-19
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:13:56+00:00
---

# Winter wonderland “4 Vallées” – snow sports paradise in Valais

> The 4 Vallées (4 Valleys) ski region in the Swiss canton of Valais is one of Europe's largest ski areas, linking Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon via 92 lifts across more than 250 miles of pistes, with additional trails for snowshoeing, hiking, and paragliding.

## Destination
Swiss canton of Valais, encompassing the four valleys of Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon.

## Getting there
The article notes the authors traveled to the region by train.

## When to go
Winter, when snow is guaranteed across the ski area.

## Why visit
One of Europe's largest ski areas with over 250 miles of runs for all levels, 60-plus miles of marked winter trails, and a 360-degree panorama from Mont Fort taking in the Matterhorn, Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc.

## What to see
- **Mont Fort** — The area's highest peak at nearly 11,000 feet, offering a 360-degree panorama including views of the Matterhorn, Grand Combin, and Mont Blanc.
- **Cleuson Dam** — A nearly 300-foot high dam wall visible from a distance, reachable via an easy loop trail from Siviez along Printse creek.
- **Ancient Larch Trees on Balade Panoramique** — More than 250 larch trees aged between 300 and 800 years line the high-altitude trail between Tracouet and Les Fontaines.

## What to do
- **Skiing and snowboarding** — Over 250 miles of pistes served by 92 lifts, suitable for beginners through advanced skiers; beginner areas at Siviez and Haute Nendaz.
- **Balade Panoramique winter hike** — An easy 3.1-mile trail from Tracouet to Plan du Fou at around 7,200–8,000 feet, taking approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
- **Cleuson Dam winter hike** — An easy 2.1-mile loop from Siviez to the Cleuson Dam and back, taking approximately 1 hour.
- **Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing** — More than 60 miles of marked winter trails across the region.
- **Paragliding** — Launch sites at Mont Fort and Plan du Fou, with dedicated snow runways prepared for paraglider take-offs.

## Good to know
The tourist office provides comprehensive maps and information for all winter activities including snowshoe tours and hiking trails. The 4 Vallées website also lists winter hiking routes. Accommodation options in the region include the Hotel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa and the W Verbier Designhotel. A postal bus connects Siviez back to Nendaz.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Staumauer-Lac-de-Cleuson-Winterwanderung-Plan-du-Fou-4-Vallees-Wallis.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung zum Plan du Fou"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Plan du Fou", "Wandern", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Siviez-Winterwanderung-8.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Haute-Nendaz-Wallis-Winter-4.jpg"
    caption: "Haute-Nendaz im Winter"
    keywords: ["Haute-Nendaz", "Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Winter", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis", "verschneit"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Mont-Fort-cable-car.jpg"
    caption: "Cable car up Mont Fort.The upper piste segment is extremely steep!"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SBB-Railaway-Panorama-Mont-Fort-Matterhorn.jpg"
    caption: "Mont Fort panorama at 11,000 feet above sea level, with the Matterhorn to left of the picture's center"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Wegweiser-Winterwanderung-Plan-du-Fou-4-Vallees-Wallis.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung zum Plan du Fou"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Plan du Fou", "Wandern", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Winterwanderung-Plan-du-Fou-4-Vallees-Wallis-12.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung zum Plan du Fou"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Plan du Fou", "Wandern", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Winterwanderung-Plan-du-Fou-4-Vallees-Wallis-11.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung zum Plan du Fou"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Plan du Fou", "Wandern", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    geo: {latitude: 46.1406, longitude: 7.295}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Katja-Walter-Pla-du-Fou.jpg"
    caption: "... before it's time for that selfie with Walter."
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Siviez-Winterwanderung.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Siviez-Winterwanderung-2.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Siviez-Winterwanderung-7.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Siviez-Winterwanderung-10.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Galettes-de-Sarrasin-Restaurant-les-Bergers.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung bei Siviez"
    keywords: ["Siviez", "Wandern", "Winter", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    captured: 2019-01-19
    geo: {latitude: 46.1376, longitude: 7.3164}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Gleitschirm-Selfie-Winterwanderung-Plan-du-Fou-4-Vallees-Wallis.jpg"
    caption: "Winterwanderung zum Plan du Fou"
    keywords: ["Gleitschirm", "Gleitschirmpilot", "Hôtel Nendaz 4 Vallées & Spa", "Plan du Fou", "Wandern", "Winterwanderung", "https://reisememo.ch/europa/schweiz/4-vallees-wallis"]
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
```