Veysonnaz combines the Les 4 Vallées ski area with winter routes and historic bisses. Plan your stay around the time of year and your interests: in winter, the ski area and snowshoe trails take centre stage; in the warmer months, forests, pastures and paths alongside the irrigation channels offer more to explore. The village’s cultural history and sports activities round out the options.
Ski Area and Winter Routes
The Les 4 Vallées ski area linked to Veysonnaz has 412 kilometres of pistes and 82 lifts. These infrastructure figures may change. World Cup races are held on the Piste de l’Ours above Veysonnaz. If you want to plan your trip around a race, check the dates in advance.
The Veysonnaz Touring Tracks start just outside the village, on the road to Mayens de l’Ours. The ascent takes about two hours and covers 740 metres of elevation gain; the winter route depends on snow and piste conditions. The Veysonnaz–Thyon snowshoe trail is 5.8 kilometres long, takes about three hours and 40 minutes, and involves 770 metres of elevation gain. It is accessible by public transport and has a viewpoint. When planning your time, note the different duration details: the time given for the Touring Tracks is for the ascent, while the snowshoe trail duration is for the route. Check access and route conditions before setting out.
Bisses, Forests and Alpine Meadows
Bisses are historic irrigation channels with a very gentle gradient. They carried water from the mountain streams on the valley floor to villages on the slopes to irrigate crops. On the Grand Bisse de Vex, there is a tree-shaded section between Veysonnaz and Les Mayens-de-Sion. Larches in particular provide cool air and a soft carpet of fallen needles along the paths.
Along the Bisse de Vex between Veysonnaz and Le Chity, there is a treasure hunt with eight clue boxes; the walk takes about an hour. The activity may vary by season. The Thyon–Veysonnaz hiking trail follows the local herds’ seasonal route through pastures and alpine meadows. The landscape changes over the course of the year. The Veysonnaz–Thyon–Siviez mountain biking and e-bike loop also passes through alpine meadows and forests. It starts in front of the tourist office, on the road towards Mayens de l’Ours.
In summer, guided rides on all-terrain scooters are offered in Veysonnaz, taking you through alpine meadows and mayens. Reservations and lift operation are relevant. On the Combire–Meina Trail, the route leads from the Veysonnaz station at 1,350 metres to Greppon Blanc at 2,671 metres and starts in front of the Hôtel Magrappé. It is not specifically marked for trail running; follow the hiking trail markers and the trail map.
Sports Activities and Practical Information
The disc golf course has nine baskets, takes about an hour and is located on the plateau near the mountain station of the Veysonnaz gondola, at the top of the Piste de l’Ours. Access may vary by season. The indoor swimming pool is open in summer and winter; the pool is ten metres wide and 20 metres long. Opening times and access may change, so it is worth checking the latest information.
Veysonnaz has two tennis courts: Ramuge and Magrappé. The Magrappé court is lit and can also be used at night; availability varies by season. In the Botza forest below the tennis courts, there are two pétanque courts open to the public. Pétanque boules can be rented from the Veysonnaz tourist office. Check the latest information on use and rentals.
Village Layout and History
The municipality of Veysonnaz extends across three levels: the station linked to the Les 4 Vallées ski area is at the top, the village of Veysonnaz is in the middle, and the hamlet of Beauperrier is at the bottom. The village’s present-day church was built in 1908 in the Neo-Gothic style and renovated between 1962 and 1968. Together with the history of the bisses, it offers a different perspective on Veysonnaz from its winter sports activities: here, the focus is on architectural history and the former irrigation of the slopes.
Discover more destinations: Savièse, Sion, Grimisuat, Saint-Léonard Vs, Arbaz.
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