Nendaz is the ideal base for making the most of the backcountry terrain in Switzerland’s biggest ski domain Located in the heart of the massive 4 Vallées ski area, the largest in Switzerland, Nendaz ski resort boasts more than 2,000m of vertical descent from the highest peak to the lowest piste.  This thriving modern resort sits between upmarket Verbier and Veysonnaz The modern resort centre - a mix of mainly chalets apartments and small hotels - is just up the road from the old village of Haute Nendaz a rustic hamlet of traditional wooden buildings and a lovely Baroque chapel Offering spectacular views over the Rhône Valley guaranteed snowfall and skiing up to 3,330m The 4 Vallées pistes range from the mellow beginner pistes (33% of the runs) to red runs (53%) and masses of powdery backcountry beyond.  you can ride the lifts to the highest point in the area: the peak of Mont Fort at 3,300m above sea-level With seven separate freeride itineraries – marked but un-pisted – snaking down from its peak this is one of Europe’s greatest lift-access backcountry areas and a must-ski if you like to get off the beaten track With more than 80 lifts spanning the four valleys there’s more than just the Mont Fort to explore there’s terrain to suit all conditions Combine this peerless skiing with the incredible array of off-slope activities and you have one of the finest all-round resorts in the Alps.  With snow coverage that’s guaranteed from December to April Nendaz extends a snowy welcome to all-comers throughout the winter.  As well as the 410km of pistes, the 4 Vallées is blessed with some of the most spectacular off-piste freeride terrain in Europe, all readily accessible from Nendaz. For experts, the big attraction of this area is the seven Freetrack itineraries The highest point of the ski area is Mont-Fort at 3,330m which offers an amazing 360degree view over the Alps and famous summits such as the Matterhorn is rightly hailed for its intimidating gradients while backcountry fans will enjoy the deserted valley run down the back of Mont-Fort departs from the Col des Gentianes and includes the longest mogul run in Europe allowing advanced skiers to explore the four valleys ski area to the max With ski touring becoming increasingly popular, Nendaz is the perfect base from which to enjoy this backcountry pleasure, with five touring tracks These clearly-marked climbs take you through fields and forests Each finishes at a picturesque mountain restaurant where you can enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing vin chaud The touring tracks offer something for every level of ski tourer is a blue itinerary especially adapted to beginners it allows you to discover the valley of the Printse its wild pastures and its pristine scenery is a more challenging route with some fairly steep sections Renowned for its majestic scenery it crosses the Novelly mountain pasture and takes you to the Combatseline restaurant And the Plan du Fou track offers both forest and pasture with some superb panoramic views and some potentially tricky technical sections best tackled after some proper training.  The Nendaz Freeride is one of the most prestigious events of the World Freeride Qualifier tour and even a day dedicated to children in the fun village The 4-star event is a particular highlight as thrill seekers are drawn to Nendaz from all over the world for the opportunity to take on the famous face of Mont-Gond with its unique atmosphere and near infinite choice of lines Head to nendaz.ch for more information about these events Why not try the world’s highest zipline? Running from the peak of Mont Fort to the Col des Gentianes, the Mont4Zipline whisks you over the Tortin glacier at speeds of up to 100km/h It’s not a holiday experience you’ll forget in a hurry Also, don’t miss the chance to relax and recharge your batteries in Nendaz's fantastic Spa des Bisses The Spa  offers a range of saunas and pools seven treatment rooms and two private spas When the time comes to wind down or start the party shops and restaurants – all of which are considerably easier on the wallet than those in Verbier There are some lively bars in Nendaz and even a couple of nightclubs But mostly it's about working your way through the 20+ reasonably-priced restaurants serving everything from Swiss specialities to pizza The central location of Nendaz right in the heart of Switzerland's Valais region means that it is easy to reach by road, rail and by air. Although there is an airport at Sion just 30 minutes away, it's much easier to fly in and out of Geneva. The road transfer from Geneva airport to Nendaz takes about 2hr 30mins or you can take the train to Sion Nendaz in Switzerland's Valais region offers unforgettable experiences immersed in nature High up in the mountains and surrounded by glorious scenery Nendaz brings you a multitude of breath-taking landscapes just waiting to be discovered on foot With five summer lifts ready to whisk you up to the highest points it takes no time at all to reach the best viewing spots and trailheads to begin your adventures And amidst all the mountain splendour, the Nendaz area has one unique feature that makes hiking here unlike anywhere else - the 'bisses' These historic mountain water irrigation channels form a striking network of waterside walks that at times thread through both unspoilt nature and delightful villages Flowing through a variety of landscapes from meadows to perching high up on hillsides children and adults will love these easy-level walks Nendaz is in the heart of Switzerland's 4 Vallées in the Valais region a popular winter destination for skiers eager to test themselves on the slopes here and in neighbouring Verbier as well as being close to the motorway network with fast links to the rest of Europe by car You can also take the train to Sion from all European capital cities and every region of Switzerland and there are daily bus connections between Sion railway station and Haute-Nendaz Nendaz is appreciated for its 400km of ski runs during the summer these same mountains offer some of the best alpine scenery in Europe by mountain bike or simply via the gondolas while the 250km of hiking trails wind up and down between the old villages Several lifts run during the summer making it easy to reach the high summits and offering numerous opportunities to admire the incredible views make it the Mont-Fort at 3,300m with its breath-taking panoramic view over the Alps and especially towards the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc And while you're there, don't miss the amazing Mont4 zipline - a chance to fly over the Tortin glacier over a distance of 1.4km Mountain bike lovers get 200km of marked itineraries and with the arrival of the electric mountain bike these tours are now accessible to everybody the 35 restaurants and bars of the region provide wonderful local mountain cuisine and delicious wines Families can feel confident here too: from the day-care centre to the play areas treasure hunts and a varied entertainments programme everything has been prepared to satisfy parents and children alike warm and welcoming with a rich sense of local authenticity You might even get a chance to discover the art of Alphorn blowing The mountain hikes - suitable for good walkers who are comfortable on steep paths - will take you to the most beautiful viewpoints in Nendaz while the bisse walks are a window into the history of this area From family-friendly pushchair strolls to an all-inclusive three to four-day hiking break around the Val de Nendaz area - there are options to suit every kind of walker Here are our pick of the best hiking trails in Nendaz With breath-taking panoramic views, photo spots, educational information boards and games, the easy panoramic path promises an unforgettable day out for the whole family Easily accessible from the top of the Tracouet gondola this walk teaches you all about the local fauna and flora of the area through both the fun information boards and the many diverse landscapes you walk through along the way The barefoot path is all about kicking off your hiking boots and letting yourself experience the sensations of the natural world around you This gentle walk guarantees an enjoyable experience that's perfect for families with children and adults alike the trail leads you to a tranquil picnic area by the river reached by stepping into paths made from sand introducing walkers to a unique sensorial experience For more information about family-friendly walks in Nendaz, go to nendaz.ch This beautiful loop along two bisses offers you magnificent views over the Val de Nendaz and the pretty villages of Basse-Nendaz and Haute-Nendaz and gives you the opportunity to explore the rustic With a construction dating back to 1453, the Bisse de Salins is the oldest bisse in the area and still irrigates the mid-mountain pastures the Bisse de Vex was originally used to irrigate the surrounding pastures it offers an easy and very popular walk that's suitable for all abilities This circular route from Nendaz takes you along two historic bisses with water flowing within their banks You'll have the chance to admire the lovely Planchouet Chapel at the start of the trail before following the bisse through peaceful forest landscapes as you soak in the history of the area along with the beautiful natural surroundings The Bisse d'en Bas is the wildest of all the bisses in Nendaz and its path is not as flat as the other bisses For more information about hiking Nendaz' bisses, go to nendaz.ch Best for sporty people who like a challenge This high altitude hike takes you from the Dent de Nendaz to the Basso d'Alou following the dramatic mountain ridge and enjoying the spectacular mountain views along the way simply hop on a gondola from Haute-Nendaz to Tracouet pass the lovely Lac Noir and join the winding mountain footpath to begin the climb to the Dent de Nendaz After reaching this point and taking a moment to appreciate the sights continue on towards the Pointe de Balavaux where you get a tremendous view of the Cleuson dam and the Val de Nendaz below The technical descent then zig-zags down through rhododendron-lined trails and hundred-year-old larches A challenging trek from the Bisse de Chervé to the Cleuson dam via the Grand Désert lake this superb hike takes you through unbeatable alpine landscapes You start the hike at the top of the Combatseline chairlift and follow the ancient Bisse de Chervé - the highest and most alpine bisse in the region it includes some steep and vertiginous sections but also wonderful views of the turquoise waters of the Cleuson dam The route continues towards the Grand Désert mountain lake along a red and white marked trail that demands both technique and stamina For more information about hiking in the mountains of Nendaz, go to nendaz.ch The Short Trek covers three days of hiking in the heart of nature between Nendaz and Veysonnaz it follows marked trails from hut to hut between Veysonnaz and Nendaz The effective daily walking time (without breaks) is around 4-5 hours a day this tour is aimed at the average hiker but does need some stamina It can be walked from July to mid-September depending on the conditions with highlights including the Bisse de Chervé natural park the Cleuson dam and the 2,491m Mont Rouge - famous for its red earth and its cross and which offers hikers a breath-taking 360° panorama Book your trip now for 180 CHF full board (minus drinks) and a shuttlebus from Nendaz to Veysonnaz If a Short Trek is not enough, then step up to The Long Trek - four days of hiking in the mountains with three nights in a cabin it offers the chance to really immerse yourself in the mountain landscapes Highlights of this trek include staying at the Saint-Laurent hut at 2,500m Tracouet Lake - also known as 'Lac Noir' for the dark colour of its water - and above all the hike along the mountain ridge to the Dent de Nendaz at 2,462m which offers a breath-taking view over the Alps and the Rhône Valley Book your trip now for 270 CHF For more information about trekking in Nendaz, go to nendaz.ch