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 purpose build 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 visit and add more information about lifts & terrain, check out the ski trail map for Anzere below.
Where is Anzere 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!
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 travelers 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.
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. And by using the train for most of the journey, you will 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 shuttle guests to the lift bases, circulating throughout the day. If doing day trips by car to Anzere from other locations, an alternative to the main village is at the 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.
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 1500m altitude, high above the Rhône River valley. A purpose-built resort village, it consists mainly of apartment building & chalets built in a modern Swiss alpine style, not displeasing to the eye, but lacking the charm of a real 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 ( i.e. the Appart'Hôtel & Résidence Eden, and Hotel Zodiaque), plus many individual apartments spread across the village. Most of the upper village accommodation is ski-in, and sometimes 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
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 Mont Noble, Vercorin, Saint Luc-Chandolin & Grimentz-Zinal have definite powder hound appeal.
Review
The Powderhounds will review Anzère next season. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.
