Anzere Ski Resort Guide
Overlooking the Rhone Valley, Anzere ski resort not only offers incredible views but some great snowboarding that often gets overlooked for bigger-name resorts nearby. Next door to Crans Montana and across the valley from the 4 Vallees it is fair to say that Anzere can be the forgotten child. This is a bit unfair on Anzere, a ski resort that has plenty to offer both local and international skiers and snowboarders alike. Close to the town of Sion, Anzere can be busy on weekends, however leave it for a Mon - Fri visit and you can be lapping powder all by yourself.
ANZERE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Anzere was having a dry spell during my visit with not much in the way of new snow over the course of the 10 days I was based there. This coupled with the south-facing aspect had left Anzere looking a little weathered. It made me think about the possibilities of this ski resort. There are plenty of peaks that would grab the interest of anyone freeride orientated, all that was needed was the right conditions.
From prior reading about Anzere, it had been mentioned that the slopes are often empty. This however was not my experience. The slopes were busy with sizeable lift queues but you have to accept this is going to be the case during major holiday periods and weekends.
ANZERE SKI AREA
In a beautiful setting a short drive from Sion, Anzere offers 60km of slopes that are suitable for all abilities. The village at 1500m provides access to 920m of vertical drop. with the highest point Le Bâte standing at 2420. The ski area is easy to navigate using the 12 available lifts. The majority of skiable terrain in Anzere is suited towards advanced intermediates with some great long red runs. The combination of pistes 20 (Combe d'Hérémence) and 21 (Les Rousses) makes for one of the longest runs in the resort.
BEGINNERS TERRAIN AT ANZERE
The beginner’s plateau is found at the top of the gondola at Pas De Maimbre. The area is serviced by magic carpets and has a decent gradient for learning those first turns. The is another beginner’s area in the village with another small magic carpet and rope tow. When beginners feel ready to leave the learners area and try some blue graded runs, their best option is to take the gondola to the mid-station, where they will find blue terrain.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN AT ANZERE
Anzere is best suited for intermediates with nice long blue and red graded runs across the whole mountain. Heading to any of the lifts in Anzere will give you the possibility to ski a nice long groomer! The lower section of Les Rousses run (Piste 21) was a particular favourite with the route lined by trees.
ADVANCED TERRAIN AT ANZERE
There is enough to keep the advanced skier or snowboarder entertained at Anzere. On piste, the pick is the long Les Masques run (Piste 1 & Piste 5) which takes you from Pas De Maimbre back down to the village. Elsewhere there are a number of itineraries if you prefer ungroomed terrain.
Touring within the resort is a possibility with dedicated routes marked on the Anzere piste map. You have to be fairly motivated to ski tour around Anzere with all of the paths easily accessible by lift. Exploring further away from the slopes remains a possibility.
FREESTYLE TERRAIN AT ANZERE
Anzere has a mini family park call FlyPark Anzere. The mini-park has some entry-level features perfect for your first foray into freestyle but little in the way of progressive features. Consider Leysin or Saas-Fee if you are more interested in Freestyle
LIFTS AT RESORT ANZERE
Anzere has 12 lifts, the majority of which are fast and modern. The main access to the resort is from the village via the gondola, although there is also parking at Les Rousses on the far side of the resort. Once in the resort, there are a number of modern quad chairs, a slow three-person and the interesting two-person Duez-Le Bâte lift which forms a crossroads with the Grillesses quad. The major bottlenecks and queues during my visit were found at the bottom of Les Rousses where the three-person chair also provides access for the toboggan run.
Since my visit a new 10 person gondola has been installed. I look forward to getting back to try it.
ANZERE PROS
Anzere ski resort gets plenty of bluebird days
The ski resort of Anzere is well-suited to intermediates skiers and snowboarders
The town of Anzere is well stocked with everything you would require.
Anzere has 60 km of slopes which is more than enough to keep most people entertained.
Getting to Anzere is easy via car or public transport.
The Wellness Centre in Anzere is great for soaking those muscles after a long day on the slopes.
ANZERE CONS
The close proximity to Sion can be a bit of a curse for lift queues on the weekend or during peak periods.
The sunny south-facing aspect can mean that snow quality deteriorates quickly if there is no regular snowfall.
TRAVEL TO ANZERE SKI RESORT
Anzere is a mere 20 minutes from Sion, although it is likely that you will fly into Geneva. Getting to Sion is no hassle at all using the Swiss rail network. From Sion there is public transport that runs up to the mountain village.
During my trip, I was driving so arrived in Anzere via car. Driving to Anzere is easy enough with some decent connecting roads. Be careful to avoid the sat navs requests to take you the back routes through the vineyards if you are of a nervous disposition. There are free car parks in the village that are connected to the ski resort by a complimentary bus service.
ANZERE SNOW RECORD
According to OntheSnow Anzere ski resort received an average of 4.49m of snowfall annually. More recently, there have been some bumper years with both 2019-20 and 2020-21 receiving over 6m of snowfall.
ACCOMMODATION IN ANZERE
Anzère offers a neat range of accommodations to suit different tastes and budgets. For ski-in/ski-out convenience, the modern Hôtel Orizont sits right by the slopes with comfortable rooms and a heated outdoor pool. For a more traditional alpine feel, Chalet Edelweiss provides cozy wooden interiors, fireplaces, and family-friendly apartments a short walk from the main lift. Budget-conscious travelers will find good value at the Appartement Hotel Anzère, which has simple, clean units with kitchenettes and easy access to shops and restaurants. For longer stays or groups, privately rented chalets around the village give space, self-catering freedom, and fantastic mountain views.
During my stay in Anzere I stayed in this AirBnB. The Airbnb was perfect for a few days’ stay within a short 20-minute drive of the free car parking.
SEASON DATES ANZERE
Anzere ski resort opens in mid-December and closes in mid-April. In the 2021-22 season the ski resort of Anzere opened on the 17th December.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ANZERE
Anzère is a compact, Swiss resort that makes an ideal one-week getaway or a short weekend break. I visited when a combination of ill health and poor snow coverage curtailed what might have been a fuller experience, so I’ve put together the key reasons it’s worth returning — what to expect, what to do if conditions are limited, and why it’s a great candidate for a future trip.
Why Anzère works for a short trip
Size and accessibility: The resort is small and well-organized, meaning you can get straight into skiing without long transfers or complicated lift networks. For a weekend or a relaxed week, you’ll spend more time on snow and less time traveling between sectors.
Compact village atmosphere: The car-free main pedestrian area is charming and convenient — restaurants, shops, and accommodations are all within easy walking distance. That’s perfect after a long travel day or when you want a low-effort base.
Family-friendly terrain: Gentle, well-groomed runs dominate, with some steeper options for intermediate skiers. It’s relaxed enough for families or mixed-ability groups while still offering a few more challenging sectors when the conditions are right.
Why I want to revisit
My original trip was compromised: Illness cut down on my time on the hill and bad snow made many of the slopes inconsistent. I never properly sampled the full potential of the area — the quieter off-peak lift queues, the higher-altitude panoramic runs, or the late-season snowfields that make Anzère pleasant beyond just the village pistes.
What to do if snow is limited (useful for a future plan)
Take advantage of nearby resorts: On a one-week trip you have the flexibility to day-trip to neighbouring valleys with higher snow if conditions are poor. A regional pass (Magic Pass) or a day’s transfer can rescue an otherwise disappointing ski week.
Alternate activities: Spa time, winter hiking, snowshoe trails, and sledging are solid backups. Anzère’s walking trails and scenic viewpoints still deliver even when lift access is limited.
Timing matters: Aim for mid-season windows when snowmaking and natural snowfall overlap (typically January–early March), or target high-snow years. Flexibility with travel dates increases the chance of good conditions.
Bottom line Anzère is a delightful, small Swiss resort that rewards a relaxed, uncomplicated trip — ideal for a week away or a restorative weekend. My first visit was compromised, so I’m keeping Anzère on the list for a proper return when I can fully enjoy the higher slopes, the linked itineraries, and the nighttime village life. It’s one for the future.