Ovronnaz Ski Resort Switzerland
A quirk of geography has blessed the small Swiss ski resort of Ovronnaz with an abundance of snow during winter storms from the north & west. Whilst the powder secret is out already, it is still one of those wonderful forgotten Swiss ski resorts that dwells partly in the past but provides powder snow freeriding for the present. Shame it is part of the regional Magic Pass! The Magic Pass is held by all sorts of freeride aficionados that converge on particular resorts during a winter storm. Avoid weekends & you should be OK in this absolute gem. Ovronnaz is on the officially unofficial Powderhounds SSSL (Super-Secret-Stash-List), so don’t tell anyone else!
Ovronnaz has a pleasant, easy-going village, backed by stupendous monolithic mesa-like peaks unlike just about anywhere in the Alps. The peaks provide an exquisite backdrop for ski-touring and add to the beautiful piste trails, off-piste larch forest skiing, no lift lines, and relaxed overall feel of the resort.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
Ovronnaz has over 1,000m of skiable vertical in its beautiful easterly aspect terrain. Interspersed with mesa-like peaks, the lifts & pistes are spread across 3 upper mountain valleys. Ski lifts number seven in total (4 quad chairs & 3 surface tows including one novice rope tow) serving 30km of predominantly intermediate piste trails.
Check out the latest version of the ski trail map for Ovronnaz below.
Terrain
On-piste, top to bottom, full vertical descents are possible and long enough to test the endurance of your legs. The advanced trail is in parts only 'occasionally groomed', so is rather sporty in a few sections. Piste terrain is very much for intermediate and above, with only two small novice areas, and nothing else for beginners (not accessible anyway).
The off-piste terrain gets rave reviews from hardcore powder seekers & includes tree skiing in the beautiful upper mountain larch glades. Generally quite steep, the open larch woodland graduates into heavy pine forest down low. The larches represent a potentially fun powder day experience but do get heavily tracked when fresh snow falls (blame the Magic Pass Holders!). Overall terrain aspect is from north, through east and partly south, avoiding the worst of the afternoon sun. We didn’t venture too far off the beaten track here, but it is clear that Ovronnaz has an abundance of spectacular sidecountry peaks easily accessed with the aid of the lift system, and with great alpine descents like off Tita Seri.
Ski Lifts
The new Petit Pré detachable quad chair is a boon for ski-tourers in particular, making returns into the resort more comfortable, and returns to the relative heights a lot quicker than the previous surface tow. The project removed another surface tow, Châtillon, in order to drastically reduce the high number of historic ski trail/ski lift intersections throughout the resort, vastly improving the visitor experience. We can attest to the improvement! Another surface tow, the Tsantonnaire, is one of those fabulous lifts that outlast everything else in a resort. Every nation a few of these gems. Long, amongst stunning surrounds, steep in parts, and with an obligatory bend at the top, it gets one up to the highest lifted point of 2,427m. Snowboarders will feel it for sure!
Of the other lifts, the main Jorasse chair from the base to Jorasse serves the entire 500m vertical of the lower mountain. The two other chairs (Col-Express & Bougnonne) serve around 300m vertical of pleasant, mainly larch-lined pistes for intermediates & advanced riders.
Whilst a relatively small ski area on its own (unless ski-touring from the lifts of course), the close proximity of diverse resorts including 4 Vallees, Anzere & Arolla-Evolene, make a visit to the region for an extended period an easy choice!
Lift Pass
A good value local lift pass is readily available from a good old fashioned ticket window near the lift base. Cheaper lift tickets are possible for anyone just ascending for ski-touring beyond the upper lifts.
The best value season pass in the world, Magic Pass, is valid at Ovronnaz. We suggest if heading to Switzerland for an extended period, check out whether Magic Pass will work for you.
Where is Ovronnaz Switzerland?
Ovronnaz is located above the Rhone valley in the French speaking part of the Valais in Switzerland. The village & ski area is on the opposite side (northern side) of the valley to 4 Vallees, midway between the towns of Martigny & Sion. Driving there is simple, but unusually for the Swiss, getting there by public transport is a little more complex than usual, but still easy.
The nearest major town is Riddes, 11km & no less than 27 hairpin bends down in the valley from Ovronnaz. The major town of Martigny is 24km (30min drive) to the southwest of Ovronnaz. Closest major airports are Geneva (GVA) or Zurich (ZRH). Search & book here for all airport transfers to the resort.
To help save the planet, the recommended mode of travel is a combination of train and bus, direct from the airport or the valley.
By public transport, Ovronnaz is accessed via the main railway line running between Martigny & Brig. Buses to Ovronnaz leave from two train stations along the line. From Riddes station the route 312 bus goes via Leytron to Ovronnaz in around 35minutes. Alternatively from the next station to the west of Riddes, called Chamoson-St-Pierre-de-Clages, the route 314 bus goes direct to Ovronnaz, via Chamoson. Buses also head to Leytron (& hence Ovronnaz) from Sion or Martigny (via Saillon) on route 311. If this sounds very confusing, it actually isn't, we did the journey via various permutations on the bs and found it straightforward. Perhaps the route map will help sort it out in your head.
Check out the latest version of the ski trail map for Ovronnaz below.
The village of Ovronnaz is a short distance below the ski lift base, and regardless of where one stays, use of the free shuttle bus will be required to reach it as it is just too far too walk, and there is no footpath. Buses head to the chairlift every 15min having completed a circuit of the village. If coming up the hill on the 312 or 314 PostBus, get off at the 'Croisée du Centre' stop, and then grab the next ski bus.
Search & book here for train tickets toward Ovronnaz. Buy connecting bus tickets from the respective bus drivers.
If hunting out a sneaky powder day, driving a rental car is easy from Geneva or Brig. Parking at the base of the chairlift is free, but does fill up surprisingly quickly on a sunny day.
For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Swiss ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Switzerland page.
Ovronnaz Accommodation
The village of Ovronnaz is larger than it has any right to be due to its popularity as a thermal spa destination. With a few hotels plus an abundance of chalets & apartments for rent, staying in the village during winter should be simple, but its actually not! Aside from the ability to frolic & soak in the large indoor & outdoor thermal pools, the village's services in the village include a Coop food market, a deli, numerous bakeries, a bank, fuel station & even a local doctor. Anything lacking is in Leytron, 8km away down the winding road. Spread across the mountainside, the village is connected by a free local bus, which heads out the ski area base too.
Older in style, but not old enough to be a truly pretty village, it has only a few hotels on offer. If desperate to stay in town and you don't feel like getting an apartment, try the Hotel Le Vieux Valais (Old Valais) which comes with a villages liveliest bar, a large outdoor deck, & restaurant. if you need quick access to the thermal baths, perhaps the Hôtel des Bains d'Ovronnaz will float your boat. The best budget lodgings are in the professionally managed La Cordée Guesthouse.
A useful alternative lodging location off the mountain is at Saillon, where the Hôtel des Bains de Saillon offers great rooms and full access to an impressive thermal spa & pool complex.
Search & book all Ovronnaz ski accommodation.
Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding
Ski rentals are available in the centre of Ovronnaz village. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Ovronnaz Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
Some ski or snowboard lessons & guiding can make all the difference to a stay at Ovronnaz, particularly if looking to explore the sidecountry. Search, compare & book via our Ovronnaz Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Review
The Powderhounds reviewed Ovronnaz in January 2023. We loved its quiet, unpretentious vibe & spectacular setting, & fun ski terrain. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how Ovronnaz 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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