La Tzoumaz
Part of the Verbier 4 Vallees ski area, in the commune of Riddes, Valais. Now better than ever connected to Verbier thanks to the new Télémix lift. 1hr 40 minutes from Geneva airport.
La Tzoumaz is a gentle Swiss village that has become known for it’s super skiing and lovely summers on the Savoleyres mountain. Stunning views, from high above the Rhone Valley. Linked directly to Verbier with a high speed gondola (winter and summer) and access into the whole 4 Vallées ski domain. The ski area boasts some of the best skiing in Europe and you can ski straight back to the village on easy blue runs or down the itinerary run Vallon d’Arby.
Originally a farming area (the verb “Tzoumer” means to take a break) where the cows where brought to graze on the summer pastures – and still do – was first developed as a ski resort in the late 1960s and has always been linked to Verbier, drive or cycle over once the snows have melted, but we prefer to ski down the road in winter – a blue slope suitable for most skiers and boarders !
From the top of the Savoleyres lift station you can sledge down the 10km toboggan run through the trees back to the village, most definitely not just for the children!
In the spring, summer and autumn there are easy and beautiful walking routes along the “Bisse” the ancient Saxon irrigation systems, visit the Maison of the Forest and its pushchair & wheelchair friendly footpath (Sentier des Sens / Footpath of the Senses) as well as some far more demanding hiking into the high mountains.
The village has a good selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. There is a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor ice skating rink (winter only!). There are several play areas for children including zip wire and pump track at Le Tailley, climbing frame, swings, slide and water-based fun in the centre! There’s another play area up at the House of the Forest, along with an educational and interactive about the animals and birds of the area. You can rent mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes too, there’s the Verbier Bike Park with purpose built descents, and La Tzoumaz has some fabulous single track, as well as the flow trail, designated a blue slope.
Slightly further afield other options include cosmopolitan shopping in Martigny and Sion, spa baths at Saillon, art and sculpture at the renowned Fondation Gianadda, the ancient monastries of Château de Valère and Château de Tourbillon are situated on twin rock outcrops over looking Sion.
Perhaps a little unexpected, and partly due to the high number of sunny days we enjoy in the region, there is a thriving wine industry with literally hundreds of artisan producers; wine bars are prevalent where you can taste the relatively unknown varieties. The fertile plains of the Rhone valley provide ideal conditions for agriculture and the region is also famous for asparagus in spring, strawberries, apricots, apples, pears, and all manner of other fruits and vegetables.
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