Absolutely Snow - Tzoumaz

Ski Verbier at a fraction of the cost - Tzoumaz

Where? Tzoumaz is a beautiful Swiss Alpine Village that links into the fabulous Verbier and the 4 Vallees ski area. Verbier is renowned for its great snow and world class but also for being somewhat expensive! Tzoumaz offers Swiss charm and efficiency linking directly into to the Verbier ski area for a fraction of the cost of staying in Verbier.

Tzoumaz is situated at 1500m high above the Rhone Valley. The gondola lift from Tzoumaz (just 30m from the Hotel Post) rises to 2350 to the Savoleyres ridge above Verbier providing the direct ski link into Verbier and the 4 Vallee system. Tzoumaz is a small Swiss Alpine resort under 2 hours from Geneva. There are a number of bars and restaurants, shops, ski hire facilities and a supermarket. Tzoumaz is a friendly Alpine village, it is not a big bustling ski resort. Après ski kicks off at The Etablons at the foot of the pistes down in Tzoumaz. Both the Poste Hotel and Harrys Bar are popular for evening drinks and entertainment.

What is unique about Tzoumaz is that it offers a direct link into the fabulous Verbier and 4 Vallees ski area for the fraction of the cost of staying in Verbier along with easy access to the ski lifts and a warm Swiss Alpine welcome.

The Hotel Post is a friendly comfortable hotel situated in the centre of the village and just 30m away from the pistes and gondola lift. Accommodation is offered in twin or double ensuite rooms on a half board basis.

The Post Hotel

The Post is a traditional Swiss Alpine Hotel situated 30m from the chairlift that connects into the main bubble lift out of the village. The Hotel has been recently taken over by local High Mountain Guide Pascal Falco. There are 30 charming ensuite bedrooms all have views either over the ski area or over the Rhone Valley. Facilities within the hotel include restaurant, pizza restaurant, cellar bar, games rooms with pool, pin ball and video games. Wi-Fi is free throughout the public areas and all ensuite bathrooms have hair dryers.

Ski Hire

Parraudin Sports situated in the main square is one of the longest established ski shops in the village. Run by David Parraudin an avid skier and ski mountaineer under the banner of Intersport you are assured not only of a warm welcome but the latest equipment all maintained and service to the exacting standards that Intersport demand.

Ski School (Tzoumazbooking.com)

The Swiss Ski School in Tzoumaz first opened in 1969. They run courses with English speaking instructors for both children and adults. Adult beginner courses run from Monday to Wednesday every week, while children's courses run Monday through to Friday.

Throughout the season, group lessons are available for children from age 4 to 12 years, mornings from 09:00 to 12:00, Monday to Friday. During busy periods, group lessons are also available during the afternoons from 13:15 to 16:15 and the day 9:00 to 4:15 p.m. including meals and supervision during the noon hour. More details can be found at www.tzoumazbooking.com

Crèche / Kids Club

Tzoumaz runs an indoor/outdoor crèche for children from 2 to 6 years of age. The club is run by the Tourist Office - bookings by email to info@latzoumaz.com or telephone 0041 (0)27 305 16 00. A full day including lunch is 70chf per child (approx. £50)

Flights and Transfers

Tzoumaz is just under 2 hours from Geneva Airport. Transfers are by coach or train. Train from Geneva Airport to Riddles where the hotel bus will pick you up for the 20 minute drive up the mountain to Tzoumaz.

Flights to Sion are also available. The transfer from Sion is just 45 minutes by taxi.

The Skiing

Verbier and the 4 Vallees ranks as one of the premier ski areas in the world. 84 lifts link 412kms of marked piste from 1500m up to 3330m over 4 valleys. Tzoumaz is situated on the north side of the Savoleyres mountain - a fast bubble lift up to 2354m lets you ski or board over to the Mayentzet quad chair which links into the Verbier Mid station at Les Ruinettes.

Beginners
The Swiss Ski School in Tzoumaz have 2 beginner areas - one in the village and one up at the top of the bubble. Under their careful instruction beginners will soon gain confidence to tackle the blue runs down to Tzoumaz and perhaps even further afield to Les Ruinettes then back to Verbier before taking the ski bus to the Savoleyres bubble lift and back on to the familiar blue runs down to Tzoumaz.
 
Intermediates
Intermediate skiers and boarders will revel in the Verbier 4 Vallees area. An abundance of Wide open blues and red runs inspire confidence to venture further afield. Warm up with a blast down to Tzoumaz before heading over to Les Ruinettes above Verbier. Here there are a couple of decisions to make - either the Chaux express and head over to the 'Chaux Bowl' then maybe up to Col des Gentianes at 2950m for the glorious red back down to La Chaux. Or take the Funispae lift up to Atlas and start to explore the rest of the ski area. If you don't fancy trying the legendary Tortin bumps just jump on the bubble lift and enjoy the views on the way down to Tortin. Thyon 2000 is well worth a visit with the Piste d'Ours being perhaps one of the most perfect red runs in the Alps!
 
Heading back towards Tzoumaz - perhaps try the off piste route which is well marked from Lac des Vaux down Vallon d'Arby finishing off at Les Etablons for some good après ski!
 
Advanced
Advanced and expert skiers and boarders will know all about Verbier - though take some time to explore Savoleyres - the reds back down to Tzoumaz offer wide fast pistes perfect for carving! There are a number of off piste itineraries - Mont Gele down to La Chaux is steep and bumpy - while in the other direction down to Tortin starts with a steep narrow ridge before opening up in to steep bumps down to Tortin. Mont Fort is worth the experience - wonderful views but steep moguls down! From Tortin take the blue at pace the head left up to Plan du Fou before dropping down the blacks to Prarion and over to Nendaz.
 
Heading over to the fourth Valley - go early and from the top of Greppon Blanc at 2700m take the off piste itinerary down to Heremence - glorious wide open slopes - but make sure you get the ski bus back to the Masses chairlift and start to head back over to Verbier.
 
The final runoff the day down Vallon d'Arby is a long off piste itinerary ending at the fabulous Etablons for some Après Ski!