Anzere Ski Resort Switzerland
Anzère ski resort is one of the many fabulous Swiss Alps ski resorts in the Valais near Sion. With a backdrop of peaks including the provocatively named Sex Noir & Sex Rouge, loads of freeride powder potential on deserted, sunny slopes and a ski-in ski-out village, we can’t wait to check out Anzere for ourselves.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
For skiers & snowboarders, there are over 60km of south-east aspect slopes on 920m of skiable vertical, served by 13 lifts. This ski resort has ample terrain for all abilities including marked off-piste routes and masses of freeride terrain. Despite having 8 surface tows amongst its lift infrastructure, all terrain can be accessed via the main gondola and 4 chairlifts.
Until we add more information about lifts & terrain, check out the ski trail map for Anzere below.
A novice ski area is situated in the heart of the village, and up at one the higher points of the lifted ski area (accessible from the top of the gondola).
Where is Anzère Switzerland?
Anzere is in the French-speaking, western half of canton Valais, south-west Switzerland. The resort is on the north side of the Rhône River close to the major town of Sion and overlooking some the Swiss Alps most splendid alpine peaks. By road, Anzère is 16km (25min) north of Sion, 177km east of Geneva (2¼hr drive), 290km (3¼hr drive) south-west of Zurich and 70km (65min drive) west of Brig.
It is easy and quick to drive yourself in a rental car to Anzere, but you are in Switzerland, so why drive? Take the train & bus; instead. We did!
The nearest international airport is Geneva (GVA) which has easy transfers to Anzere via taxi, shuttle bus or train. The small airport at Sion (SIR) airport is close to Anzere and is an option for travellers from London, Zurich and those with their own private plane!
The Swiss railway system & bus network provides a perfect mode of travel to Anzère via Sion. Trains from Geneva airport take a little over 2hr (on IR90 service, direction Brig) to get to Sion, where buses or private transfers can finish the journey up to the resort. From Sion train station, the regular route 342 or 351 PostBus services connect to the Anzère village in around 45min. The sheltered bus terminal is right out the front of the train station.
Search & book here for train tickets to Sion. Purchase bus tickets from the driver.
If public transport is not your thing, one can easily fork out the francs for a private transfer direct to your hotel from the airport. Whilst it can be quite time efficient & affordable for groups of 3 or more people, part of any Swiss ski experience is using the trains, so get on board. Costs can be reduced by organising the transfer to meet your train service at Sion. In this case, using the train for most of the journey, you will be doing the environment a favour too - POW (Protect Our Winters) .
Search & book here for all airport transfers to Anzere.
Once in the village, free ski buses circulate regularly throughout the day, shuttling guests to the lift bases. If doing day trips by car to Anzère from other locations, parking is avaialble fro a small fee at the gondola base in the village. An alternative to the main village is at the extremely quiet far-eastern end of the resort at Les Rousses, where a chairlift takes one from 1,770m elevation all the way to the highest lifted point at 2,420m La Bate. Note that this end of the resort can be closed during winter storm days.
For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Swiss ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Switzerland page.
Anzere Accommodation
The village at Anzère is located on a sunny, south-facing bench at 1,500m altitude, high above the Rhône River valley. A purpose-built resort village, it consists mainly of apartment building & chalets constructed in a modern Swiss alpine style, not displeasing to the eye, but lacking some the charm of a truly traditional mountain village. The village has an adequate town-centre with all the bars, restaurants & services one could require whilst visiting.
Lodging options include a limited number of reasonable hotels (including the Eden Resort Anzère, Hôtel de Charme la Poste and Hotel Zodiaque), plus many individual apartments spread across the village. Most of the upper village accommodation is ski-in, and occasionally ski-out as well.
Search & book here for all Anzere ski accommodation.
Sion is the gateway city for several ski villages & resorts, plus a sightseeing location of note. Perfect for day-trippers to the many ski resorts in the region, access to the city is fabulous via the train. Buses from the train station make regular journeys to the ski lifts at Anzere. The city centre has full services and some comfortable, well-priced hotels (including the Hôtel Elite, Hôtel du Rhône), a few lovely guesthouse rooms (like Chambre d'hôte Valère) and an affordable youth hostel with private rooms (Sion Youth Hostel). Upon arrival at Sion, you will immediately notice the castles looming over the town; three are all up - Majorie Castle, Valère Castle, and Tourbillon Castle. They make a classically European diversion on a down day.
Sion can also be used as a base to explore resorts up & down the Rhone Valley, utilising the train & buses to get to 4-Vallees, Crans Montana, Aletsch Arena & even Zermatt.
Search & book Sion ski accommodation.
Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski rentals & lessons are available from our local partners in the centre of the village just near the gondola. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Anzere Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
[AdListings Filter="Anzere Guiding"]
Nearby Ski Resorts
Anzère is in the heart of a major Swiss ski region. On the north side of the Rhone River valley in the Valais, its neighbours include Crans Montana & Leukerbad-Torrent to the east and Ovronnaz to the west. On the south side of the valley, the massive 4-Vallees is the obvious choice, but smaller offerings at Nax Mont Noble, Vercorin, Saint Luc-Chandolin & Grimentz-Zinal have definite powder hound appeal.
Review
The Powderhounds visited Anzère in January 2023 and were gob-smacked by the lack of people skiing its powder-laden slopes during some serious winter storms, by how quiet the village was during the week and how good the value was. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how Anzere compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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