An ski region with good slopes especially on the verbier side but equipment is old and really skiing the entire region is challenging because the slopes from Verbier to the other vallies are not prepped thus only for very experienced skiers. A lot of very long drag lifts cover the connections between the vallies with long waiting times.
Hard any of the chairlifts have covers. Looks like very little investments being made.
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There's likely a lot of words you could use to describe the 4 Valleys...but the one that I zero'd in on would easily be: "Enormous".

I visited in Jan of 2023 which sadly saw one of two weird warming spells for the 22/23 winter. The only new snow that came in the 5 nights that I was there was a dusting mid-week...but it wasn't enough to soften up the off-piste options that I so often love to get into. My scoring takes into account what I know the terrain would be like with normal snowfall and without the bizarre warmth that hit the region.

To really get into the 4 Valleys and explore most of the region, you absolutely have to stay there for nearly a full week. We're talking over 400kms of slopes not even counting all of the side/off-piste options that are scattered absolutely everywhere throughout. Plan accordingly.

The system of lifts is, naturally, pretty expansive and very up-to-date. The highest and most extreme portion of the region that I got to (had kids in ski school which further restricted my exploration) was the Mont Fort freeride area which had all but become moguls at this point without newfallen snow. Having said that, I still really enjoyed the expansive terrain. There are endless options nearly everywhere to be had both on and off the groomers...I'd recommend this place to anyone.

It's of course subjective, but I thought, taking into account the size of the resort as well as the fact that it's Switzerland (land of 25 dollar/Franc McDonald's Meals), the value of 4 Valleys was pretty good. You can buy lift tickets that get you to about half the resort (still 200kms!) or the entire resort. I forget what the names of the regions are called, but make sure you ask/pay attention to it if you visit.

The place, due to its location and popularity, is quite busy...but from my memory, the size of the place didn't allow for a lot of crowding with the exception of the "Printse" run which serves as the only connector between the Prarion and Siviez lifts. The runs and off-piste options are big and wide enough to give everyone all the space they need. I mentioned it already, but I had kids in ski school for the entire week's morning sessions. I went with my standard: Swiss Ski School since they have a national program and your kids sort of receives a "Ski Resume/CV" after they finish. Kids were 7 and 9 at the time and I didn't really have any big issues with the exception of a French language barrier between myself (English and German) and my 7-year-old's instructor (straight up only French). Aside from that, the kids were well taken care of and were challenged on the slopes. They even did the normal end-of-lessons race day which was cool to watch.

My nightlife rating is only at an average simply bc I didn't get to experience it = Dads 4 lyfe!!

Visit 4 Valleys...but don't think a 3 or 4 day visit is enough. Do yourself a favor and make the journey and lift ticket costs worth it. Stay longer and get the most out of this expansive winter wonderland.
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I have been to the 4-Vallees (or parts of it) a few times now, and the more I go, the more my appreciation of the place grows. For good skiers & snowboarders, when the snow is deep, it is a true nirvana.

Inevitably in the world’s great ski areas, they become victims of their own success. Too many people, terrain getting tracked out too quick, crammed cable cars, no tables for lunch ……… you know what I mean. At times, 4 Vallèes suffers from that too. But if you time it well, get up early, go hunting out wide, there is so much to love about this huge, interlinked resort.

It is because of its size that you will always be able to find a place that suits your needs. Be it untracked larch glades, steep bowls, long super groomed pistes, or just a safe sheltered beginner area, the 4-Vallees can provide. Case in point, several days after the last snowfall, we skied gorgeous powder with just a short boot pack and traverse off the Etherolla lift. And we could have spent the day repeating the dose, by moving toward the flanks of Mont Rouge if we were so inclined.

A key to enjoying the place is understanding that the 4 Vallèes is more than Verbier. Anyone with the disposable cash can afford to do as they like, and so Verbier is an easy option. And far enough, it’s a great spot. But equally other villages are fantastic places to stay, and generally with less humans, and often with better terrain and conditions.

Sometimes, the 4 Vallees is best when you ski the outlying sectors like Bruson or Thyon. Getting to the top of Mont Fort isn’t necessarily that good from Verbier, but its very quick and easy from Siviez. Nendaz can be a super fun village AND has some incredible old growth larch forest skiing nearby, plus super terrain beyond that into Siviez. Veysonnaz can feel deserted. Its long trails into the village are sooo good in the early morning. Thyon’s ski lifts & terrain are amongst the best novice & beginner ski areas in Switzerland. And then the further you go out, or bootpack a little, untracked powder awaits. You get the drift…

From where we sit, the biggest issue with 4-Vallees (aside from too many humans in high season) is the ski lift links between Siviez and Veysonnaz-Thyon. They simply don’t stack up to what one finds throughout the remainder of the resort.

On this visit we visited midweek in January and stayed in Nendaz at the Hotel Edelweiss. A hundred metres from the gondola base, great meals, comfortable rooms, and a fantastic beer selection to go with the very enthusiastic après ski session that ended at an incredibly polite 8.30pm. Slumbered like a cherub.

Transport to Nendaz was the PostBus from Sion train station. As an international traveller there is no real excuse to have a car in Switzerland. Train & bus can get you most places with ease, and that certainly the case at 4 Vallèes.

I’m heading back here in season 2024 for sure. You should too. Just don’t get sucked into thinking that you have to stay in Verbier during the ‘high season’ in February, there are plenty of alternative times, dates & villages. And once you spent a week here, head into the adjacent Val d’Herens and cleanse your soul at Arolla-Evolene. You can thank me for it later.

Read more about the pros & cons of the resort on the 4 Vallees overview page.

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I spent a week at Verbier/4 Vallees. It was one of the best weeks of my life. The views are incredible, the lifts are very efficient, groomers are immaculate, off-piste bowls are otherworldly, and on-mountain dining is amazing. A bluebird powder day at Verbier is to date the best skiing experience I've ever had. The only reason you shouldn't go is if you're new to skiing. I think to get the most out of the trip you should at least be able to handle steeper groomers (red's in Europe, double-blues in the USA).

This is also the most expensive ski trip I've ever been on. I stayed in La Tzoumaz instead of Verbier and the accommodations are more reasonable. You do miss out on Verbier apres, which I've only heard great stories about.

Do this trip before you die. If I ever come into generational wealth my vacation home will be in Verbier!
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We dipped our ‘toe in the water’ at 4 Vallees via a visit to Verbier in 2018. The possibilities are endless for off-piste shenanigans, but there is quite the crowd seeking the same thing. Finding the paths less travelled is the key & that means probably getting as far as away as possible from Verbier as well or getting a guide to get immediate access to local knowledge!

Whilst staying in Verbier is on many people’s bucket list, it is expensive & super-busy in the mornings. The lifts can be seriously crammed. The most efficient access to the best freeride zones around Mont Fort, Nendaz & Veysonnaz is from Siviez, where 3 lifts head in all directions. Staying in Siviez overnight isn’t easy, as the relatively limited number of apartments for rent are rightfully popular. But it is possible & worth it if interested in having the best opportunity at fresh tracks. It’ll be easier of your wallet too! just dont expect too much after hours action - Verbier is the place for that & your credit card will get a far workout.

Our fleeting visit to the 4 Vallees requires us to return for an extended period as soon as is humanly possible. There is so much to see & ski here that it will require a lengthy stay! Looking forward to it.

You can see our thoughts on the pros and cons on the 4 Vallèes overview page and also see our European ski resort ratings page regarding how we score it compared to other skiing areas.

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