Les Marécottes Ski Resort Switzerland
Les Marécottes is a tiny, relatively unknown ski resort with BIG snowfalls & terrain located above the fabulous train line between Martigny & Chamonix.
Renowned locally as a paradise for freeriders & deep powder, Les Marecottes is one of those classic Valais ski resorts that we so adore. And the lack of snowmaking in the ski area says one of two things. Either 1, they cannot afford it, or 2, they don’t need it. We are going with 2 for now!
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The Les Marécottes skiing & snowboarding terrain includes up to 1,110m of skiable vertical. Its paltry 10km of ski trails are nothing compared to the off-piste ski possibilities here. All of the pistes are above mid-mountain at La Creusaz (1,777m) on around 450m of vertical. Below that, the egress to the base is via the groomed sledding trail (piste de luge!) or off-piste.
The ski lifts at Les Marécottes are simple but modern. A new 8-seater gondola (installed 2024), plus a high-speed quad (installed 2012) above that provide the heavy lifting. The quad serves all the piste ski trails from 1,770m up to the highest lifted point of 2,220m. A J-bar platter lift and surface conveyor provide easy access for novices from mid-mountain.
Lift Passes
Lift tickets at Les Marécottes are affordable, or you can ski for ‘free’ here if you have the incredible Magic Pass!
Before we get there to see it for ourselves, check out the Les Marécottes Ski Trail Map below.
Where is Les Marécottes Switzerland?
The Les Marécottes ski resort sits splendidly above the Rhône River valley in the Valais, southwest Switzerland. Conveniently, it has a stop on the Mont Blanc Express train line that runs between the towns of Martigny & Chamonix. Geneva is less than 2hr drive away, and the closest major town is Martigny, less than 10km by road down in the valley. The closest gateway airport is Geneva (GVA) .
The recommended mode of travel is a combination of train (and bus if you don’t want to walk), direct from the airport. Trains from central Geneva or the airport take less than 2½hr to make the journey with a change at Martigny. If staying in Martigny, the Mont Blanc Express takes less than 20min to get to Les Marecottes station. From Chamonix the journey requires a change at Vallorcine and takes around an hour to get just to the local train station. The gondola is an 800m walk from the train station or the local route 225 bus makes the journey, stopping at Les Marécottes, télécabine.
Search & book here for train tickets to Les Marécottes.
Anyone driving a rental car , the journey is less than 2hr from Geneva or 15min from Martigny. Ample free parking is at the base of the gondola or just across the road.
Les Marécottes Accommodation
The accommodations available at near the ski resort Les Marécottes is in the small village of the same name Les Marécottes or in the nearby village of Salvan.
The village location provides a feeling of splendid isolation from the woes of the world. The best hotel is the new, and intriguing, Zoo des Marécottes Boutique Hôtel. Alternatively, B&B Les Rochers has superb, lodge-style bunkrooms, each with a private bathroom for couples, families & groups. Just near the gondola base, the Hotel Aux Mille Etoiles is the most convenient. Numerous chalets, including some built along the most gorgeous traditional lines, are also available for holiday rental.
Search & book a place to stay via the Les Marécottes Ski Accommodation Listings.
Reviews & More Info
The Powderhounds will review Les Marecottes in the coming season. More information about this European ski resort will come after our visit. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how Les Marécottes 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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If you have a question about skiing & snowboarding at Les Marécottes or elsewhere in Europe, CONTACT US.