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!
Pros & Cons for Les Marécottes Ski Resort
Pros
- A quiet ski resort devoid of international visitors.
- Deep, natural snowpack in the upper part of the mountain.
- Hefty skiable vertical of up to 1,110m.
- Modern ski lifts.
- Fun freeride terrain and fantastic ski touring nearby.
- Accessible by train from Martigny or Chamonix (with a walk up to the gondola!).
- Free car-parking at the gondola base area.
- Non-ski activities include a 5km+ sledding trail.
- Incredible views.
Cons
- Limited on-piste trails for beginners & intermediates.
- Smallish ski area that may not hold ones interest for more than a day depending on the snow conditions.
- Relatively low elevation base may, or may not, have snow!
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Sunny slopes in the morning on southeast aspect terrain.
- No snowmaking.
- Magic Pass is valid.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The Les Marécottes skiing & snowboarding terrain has a southeast aspect and includes up to 1,110m of skiable vertical. Its 28km of ski trails include amny ski routes. Actual designated piste trails are around 10km in tottl length. The off-piste ski possibilities here are extensive. All of the pistes are above the mid-mountain hamlet of La Creusaz (1,777m) on around 450m of vertical. Below that, the egress to the base is via the groomed 5km+ long sledding trail (piste de luge!) (which is open for skiers & winter walkers too) 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.
We have trundled past here on the train but sadly didn't stop to ski it. Before we get there to see it for ourselves, check out the Les Marécottes Ski Trail Map below.
Lift Passes
Lift tickets at Les Marécottes are very affordable by Swiss standards, or you can ski for ‘free’ here if you have the incredible Magic Pass! A Magic Pass also lets you explore a whole range of sneaky, unknown ski resorts nearby like Ovronnaz.
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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 (or 30min from Vallorcine). The gondola is an 800m walk from Les Marecottes 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. beyond that, Martigny or Vallorcine can also make sense as a base from which to experience the ski area.
The Les Marecottes 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.
The main two alternatives to staying near the skiing at Les Marecottes are either in the Rhone Valley at Martigny, or in the opposite direction just across the border on the Mont Blanc express train line at Vallorcine. The most convenient is Martigny; a growing city that has a host of decent hotels (plus a few not so decent!!), a small but pretty (and often overlooked) 'old town' (Martigny-Bourg), plus some Roman history & ruins. Most of the hotels are in the vicinity of the incredibly useful main train station in the newer part of town. Aside from the accommodation & transport links however, this part of town is of little interest to visitors. At the far end of town, Martigny Bourg has a delightful vibe and one of the better lodgings (for both price & quality), the Martigny Youth Hostel. Don't be put off by the name. There are as many single & double private rooms (with private bathrooms) as there are shared bunk-rooms, and the buildings, surrounds and included breakfast are exceptional.
Search & book a place to stay via the Martigny Accommodation Listings.
In Vallorcine, the bonus is staying in a place that is not only just 30min by train to Les Marecottes but also has a gondola up into Balme-Tour-Vallorcine ski resort at your doorstep. Located in France but right along on the Swiss border, Vallorcine is a fabulous base for skiing a whole of places, including all the Chamonix resorts. Whilst there are a few very good lodging options close to the gondola & train station in Vallorcine, the best is right next door at Dormio Resort Les Portes du Mont Blanc. The comfortable apartments are beautifully complimented by an extensive pool & spa area.
Search & book a place to stay via the Vallorcine Ski Accommodation Listings.
Reviews & More Info
The Powderhounds will review Les Marecottes in the coming season. We have driven nearby and gone directly past it on the train in years gone by. About time we checked it out, Magic Pass in hand! More information about this Swiss 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.