Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon (Printze) Ski Resort Switzerland
Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon (Printse) ski resort is a quieter sector of 4 Vallèes & a wonderful alternative to staying in expensive Verbier. With several villages, funtastic (sic) terrain & an affordable lift pass, Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon represents a fabulous Swiss Alps ski holiday destination for everyone from families to experts. Located in the French speaking part of Switzerland's Valais, the ski area is easy to get to by train & bus via the important transport hub of Sion.
Pros & Cons for Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon Ski Resort
Pros
- High elevation & generally north-aspect terrain guarantee consistent snow-pack throughout the ski season.
- Very good overall ski lift infrastructure & connection to 4 Vallees & Verbier.
- Extensive (almost endless), high quality on-piste & freeride skiing terrain for all abilities.
- Includes the best beginner ski & snowboard terrain & lifts at Thyon.
- Resort includes the Siviez base area which is the best way to access the huge freeride terrain around Mont Fort.
- Least crowded of the 4 Vallées resorts.
- Great après ski activities at the numerous base areas;
- Exceptionally good value lift pass price as part of Ski Arlberg;
- Amazing skiing amongst ancient larch trees
- More affordable lodgings when compared to the 4 Vallées Verbier.
- Fabulous on-mountain restaurants across the entire resort.
- Public transport access is straight forward by train to Sion & then bus to the relevant village.
Cons
- Poor lift connection at the Greppon Blanc between Nendaz-Siviez & Veysonnaz-Thyon.
- None of the villages are particularly pretty, but that’s why you go to Evolene after visiting here!
- Aside from Nendaz, the other ‘villages’ feel rather soulless.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Relatively few hotels, but many chalets & apartments for holiday rental.
- Villages & base areas are spread across the entire base of the resort distributing the overnight crowd across a wide area (no central vibrant village atmosphere after après);
- Whilst there are bars & restaurants aplenty, and an enthusiastic après ski drinks scene in a few places, after-dinner entertainment is generally limited.
- If you are in the wrong part of the resort when lifts are closing, getting back to your Nendaz, Thyon or Veysonnaz accommodation may involve an extremely lengthy journey!
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon skiing & snowboarding terrain is a fantastic mix of ancient larch groves & pine forest, wide alpine bowls, long rolling pistes, and a multitude of peaks with playful & complex off-piste descents plus super, steep alpine pitches & couloirs. All the villages have wonderful fast groomed valley trails which make a fast start or finish to the day.
We skied Nendaz-Veysonnaz-Thyon in 2023 and are slowly putting together more info on this page. In the meantime, check out the ski trail map for Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon (Printse) below.
Lift Passes
Lift pass options in the ski resort are numerous & now includes the 'Vail Resorts' Epic Pass, albeit conditionally. The 'local' lift pass provides access to the combination of Nendaz, Veysonnaz & Thyon and is called the Printze (or Printse) lift pass. IMPORTANT TO KNOW is that the Printze lift passes do NOT include Verbier, or the top three cable cars in the 4 Vallees (including Mont Fort). The 4 Vallèes lift pass is the only one that includes ALL lifts. Put simply a 4-Vallées ski pass allows access to the entire interlinked resort including: Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, Savoleyres, Thyon & Bruson, plus the Mont Fort sector.
See the 4 Vallées ski lift pass validity area map.
For Epic Pass holders, one can get 5 consecutive days of lift passes free to ski the entire 4-Vallees, BUT it requires each day to have an associated lodging reservation booked directly with the resort. With associated accommodation bookings at a participating resort lodging property, the five complimentary days are consecutive, and allow skiing & riding at all 4 Vallèes ski areas - Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon, Verbier, Bruson, and La Tzoumaz. To redeem lift access, Epic Pass holders must book their lodging directly with the participating property, and they will deliver lift tickets to the Pass Holder upon confirmation of their Epic Pass card.
Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon Accommodation
The accommodations available in Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon is in the resort base villages of the same names, with the addition of a few others. Nendaz is the largest and liveliest of the options and is worthy of primary consideration.
Search & book here for all Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon ski accommodation.
Nendaz
After Verbier, the second largest & second ‘liveliest’ of the 4-Vallèes villages is Nendaz. Located at 1,400m altitude in the ‘3rd valley’, Nendaz is easy to get to from Sion, has full services, loads of apartments & chalets to choose from, plus a few well-placed hotels near the gondola. If arriving last minute, two hotels next to the gondola station & top bus stop worth considering are the Hotel Edelweisss & the new (ish) MAD Mount Hotel & Spa. We stayed in the cosy Hotel Edelweiss had great food, & a healthy après ski session that ended at a good time to hit the pillow and comfortably get first tracks in the morning. For value, try the cosy & quiet Boutique Hôtel le Déserteur or the perfectly positioned Hotel Les Etagnes. For a tad more comfort, the Hotel Nendaz 4 Vallées is the best choice.
Search & book Nendaz ski accommodation.
Veysonnaz
On the opposite side of the 3rd valley, Veysonnaz is a wide-spread collection of chalets & apartments lining the mountainside. Located at 1,400m altitude, most of the accommodations lack any real charm, but will be more affordable than other locations closer to Verbier. For the ultimate location near the gondola, try the Hôtel Magrappé.
Search & book Veysonnaz ski accommodation.
Les Collons & Thyon
At the north-eastern extreme of the ski area in the 4th valley, the villages of Thyon-Les Collons (1,800m altitude) & Thyon 2000 (ironically located at 2,100m altitude!) are widely spread across a pleasant, forested mountain side. Accommodation tends to be self-contained chalets & apartments. The standout lodgings are at the superb Hotel La Cambuse, located directly across the road from the Les Collons ski lifts and slopes. Thyon is a collection of dated resort-style apartments, but in a prime alpine setting with wonderful access to the slopes, particularly for novices & families.
Search & book Thyon Les Collons ski accommodation.
Siviez
At the head of the 3rd valley, and often called the crossroads of the 4-Vallèes, Siviez provides the most efficient access to the best freeride zones around Mont Fort, Nendaz & Veysonnaz & Thyon. At an altitude of 1730m, ski lifts depart in all directions. Staying in Siviez overnight isn’t easy, as it is relatively convoluted to get to without a car (via Nendaz) and has a limited number of apartments for rent that 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! Try and stay at the Chez Chantal Apartments. If that fails, a short distance down the road is the excellent Gîte de Planchouet (a.ka. Planchouet Cottage) BnB.
Search & book Siviez ski accommodation.
Sion
Sion is the gateway city for the northern villages of the resort and a sightseeing location of note. Access to the city is perfect via the train. Buses from the train station make regular journeys to the ski lifts at Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Mayens de l'Ours, Les Collons & Thyon. The city centre has full services and some comfortable, well-priced hotels (including the Hôtel Elite, Hôtel du Rhône), a few lovely guesthouse rooms (like Chambre d'hôte Valère) and an affordable youth hostel with private rooms (Sion Youth Hostel). Upon arrival at Sion, you will immediately notice the castles looming over the town; there are all up - Majorie Castle, Valère Castle, and Tourbillon Castle. They make a classically European diversion on a down day.
Sion can also be used as a base to explore not only this resort, but other ski areas up & down the Rhone Valley, utilising both train & bus to connect to them. Arolla-Evolene, Anzère Crans Montana, Ovronnaz & even Zermatt.
Search & book Sion ski accommodation.
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Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski rentals are available throughout Printse ski area via our local partners in the villages of Nendaz, Thyon-les-Collons, & Veysonnaz. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon Ski & Snowboard Equipment Rentals page.
Navigating the extensive off-piste freeride terrain, particularly off the iconic Mont Fort & Mont Gelé can be made easier by having a local ski instructor or mountain guide with you. For more information & booking ski lessons & guiding, see our Nendaz-Veysonnaz-Thyon Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Review
The Powderhounds reviewed Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon (Printze ski lift pass area of 4 Vallèes) in January 2023. Staying in Nendaz, we had a wonderful time exploring this extensive ski area, finding some awesome freeride powder several days after the last storm. More information about this European ski resort will come soon. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how Nendaz Veysonnaz Thyon 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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