Have you ever considered a ski safari with the family? Nothing like a typical African Safari, but a winter ski safari where you will be skiing in different ski resorts within the same region in Switzerland .
Pays du Saint Bernard is the perfect location in Canton Valais in Switzerland for a ski safari.
Its’ three ski resorts – Champex-Lac, La Fouly and Vichères all offer something unique and special.
But what they all have in common are amazing Swiss mountain views and great ski runs for the whole family.
Over two days we tested the three ski resorts that the Pay du Saint Bernard region offers, which combined make a fantastic area for a ski safari for families.
Read on and find out which of the three-ski resorts of the Pays du St. Bernard is our favourite, where the sun stays the longest and how best to go about this ski safari.
List of Contents
- 1 Pay du Saint Bernard Ski Resorts
- 2 Wehre to stay in the Pays du Saint Bernard Region
- 3 La Fouly Ski Resort – Valais
- 4 Champex-Lac Ski Resort – Valais
- 5 Skiing at Vichères-Liddes Resort
- 6 Other winter activities in Saint Bernard Region
- 7 Our thoughts about the Saint Bernard Ski Resorts
- 8 Summer in the Pays du Saint Bernard Region
- 9 Swiss Ski Resorts – Pick one!
Pay du Saint Bernard Ski Resorts
Located in the Bas Valais (lower Valais region) adjacent to France and Italy is the beautiful and very versatile Pays du St. Bernard Region.
It stretches from the Grand St. Bernard Pass bordering with Italy over to Chamonix in the French Alps.
On the ski resort map of Saint Bernard below, you can see the three different ski areas. CLICK ON THE MAP to get full access.
Champex-Lac, Vichères and La Fouly.
Wehre to stay in the Pays du Saint Bernard Region
Given that these three ski domains are dispersed but still conveniently close, we recommend opting for accommodation in one base location. Our suggestion is to consider finding a hotel in Champex-Lac.
This area is not only perfect for skiing but also offers opportunities to stroll around the lake, experiencing the charm that many fondly refer to as “Little Canada.”
For those on a budget, we recommend Hotel Splendide, a cozy family-run establishment located on the outskirts of Champex-Lac, providing an affordable and welcoming stay for families.
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience, consider indulging yourself with a stay at Au Club Alpin. However, it’s advisable to call ahead before booking, as there might be restrictions on children accessing the spa area.
La Fouly Ski Resort – Valais
On our first day (arrival day) we skied in La Fouly.
It is a beautiful drive along Val Ferret in the Canton of Valais and the deeper you drive into the valley the bigger and raggedy the mountains become.
You will start your ski day at 1600m at La Fouly ski station, where parking is limited so better to be there early. I have seen though that there is a shuttle bus from the larger car park at the beginning of La Fouly dropping people off by the ski lift.
The ski domain has three lifts and the highest one terminates at 2200m altitude. From there you have some amazing views over the Alps.
The area is an extensive back country ski domain. People that are on the Haute -Route from Chamonix to Zermatt use La Fouly as a stopover. In good snow conditions there are some amazing off-piste runs to be discovered.
But for our family ski safari we stayed on the official groomed pistes which where fantastic and with many jumps on the way the kids where more than happy.
Restaurants at La Fouly
At the top of the only chairlift is a great igloo like restaurant with yummy alpine food served with a view.
Another restaurant can be found at the bottom by the beginner’s area and the car park. Ideal if you have family members in your group that maybe do not ski but want to join you. There are some great winter walks nearby also.
After lunch we skied one more run from the top to the bottom and made our way up to Champex-Lac where we spent the night.
Champex-Lac Ski Resort – Valais
We arrived in Champex-Lac, lying on a small plateau in the beautiful Pays du Saint Bernard.
As it was only afternoon, we had time to go ice-skating on the frozen lake which was a great change from the morning on the skis.
The next morning after a restful night at the Glacier Hotel in Champex-Lac and a great breakfast we continued our ski safari at Champex-Lac itself.
The small chairlift will take you from 1486m to a staggering 2202m altitude at La Breya. Before we started our first turns we had to take in the absolutely beautiful view over to the 4 Vallées Ski Domain with Verbier and the local ski resort of Vichères which can be clearly seen from La Breya.
This ski domain is perfect for a morning ski before carrying on with your family friendly ski safari in Valais. And as it was quite cloudy in the lower areas of the region, La Breya was ideal and cloud free.
With four ski lifts (including the beginner’s area) you can enjoy 15 km of runs some of which are long and steep. You have the choice of mainly blue runs but the advanced skiers amongst the group have the choice of an itinerary run and even a black run. If the snow conditions are great the black run will be amazing.
Restaurant at Champex-Lac Ski Resort
At the top of La Breya is a restaurant overlooking the valley and the neighbouring mountain peaks, an absolutely amazing place and it is right in the sun.
Skiing at Vichères-Liddes Resort
The third and last ski resort on our ski safari within the Pays du Saint Bernard is Vichères-Liddes. The resort is bordering with the Italian alpine border, a route used for many years to cross the alps from the north to the south of Europe and vice-versa.
Vichères ski resort is located at the entrance to the Combe de l’A nature reserve. An area spectacular also during the summer for biking and hiking.
When you arrive at the ski station of Vichères at 1595 m, there is really not much, a car park and an old two-seater chairlift. But don’t worry you are about to discover a hidden gem. The lift is amongst tress and it was quickly clear to us that these terrains would be epic on a powder day.
But even on piste, the large runs within the unspoilt nature between the Mont-Blanc in France and the Grand Combin massif in Valais offer spectacular panoramas no matter which piste you are skiing on. 15km of groomed runs with the majority of blues will give the whole family an epic days on the skis.
It was for sure our favourite ski area of the three. The highest point is at La Chaux – 2267 meters above sea level.
A few rocks next to the drag lift invite for a picnic or simply to rest a bit whilst admiring the surrounding peaks.
It gives you a nice view over to Champex-Lac and down Val Ferret on one side, whereas the 4 Vallées Mountains with the Grand Combin are on the other side.
Restaurant at Vichères ski resort & beginners ski area
The place to be and soak up the sun even more is at La Vuerdette. A big outside place with good food and you guessed it, splendid scenery.
Next to the restaurant is a great beginner’s area with a rope tow drag lift. Whether you are trying your first snow board turns or you are with the kids, the area looked great to us.
Other winter activities in Saint Bernard Region
Cross Country Skiing
A wide range of cross-country skiing tracks from the classic style to the freestyle are available on the frozen lake in Champex, around the forest in Liddes and on the A Neuve plateau in La Fouly.
Good to know: Cross-country ski passes are on sale at the lift ticket offices, Zanskar sport in La Fouly, Look sport in Champex-Lac and at the Champex-Lac tourist office.
A day pass is Chf 12.-. If you are in possession of the PASS Saint-Bernard all cross-country skiing tracks are included.
Ice skating on the Champex-Lac
There is something special about ice skating on a frozen lake and even more if it is on such a beautiful lake area like at Champex-Lac.
Before you are planning to go Ice skating at Champex-Lac check with tourism whether it is accessible (frozen). You can rent skates from the sport shop “Look Sport” in Champex-Lac.
If the lake is not accessible there is an ice rink as well.
Ski touring at the Vichères Rando Park
Around the Vichères-Liddes area you can find 4 great rando trails with different gradings. For more information check out the official brochure.
Ice Climbing at Champex-Lac
If you are a climber and always wanted to try ice climbing, you can take up the challenge at Champex-Lac. A 16m artificial icefall pyramid is at your disposal at the Place des Forts next to the ice skating rink. (Not the frozen lake)
If you never participated in ice climbing before, I strongly recommend that you hire a qualified ice climbing guide.
Sledging at Champex-Lac
If skiing or any of the other winter activities in the Saint Bernard Region is not your cup of tea, maybe sledging is.
From Champex-Lac take the chairlift up to la Breya from where the starting point is.
Enjoy the 7km long sledge run with a 700m altitude drop.
It is also the skiers run down to Champex-Lac therefore be careful when on the run.
Our thoughts about the Saint Bernard Ski Resorts
First of all we absolutely loved this new discovery and to do it on a Ski Safari has brought a lot of joy and fresh enthusiasm to our ski day. If you wondered whether it was tiring to move around the different resorts, no is the answer. Travel time between the resorts is short and the break in the car helped rejuvenate our energy levels.
Below you will find some key points about all three resorts which will help you to decide which one is best for you and the family especially if you do not have the time to explore all three.
Champex-Lac Ski Domain
- Perfect for a quick ski either in the morning or afternoon.
- The beginners area is not close by the main chair lift. You will find it in close proximity to the lake.
- Mostly in the shade. The sun will hit the area more in March.
La Fouly Ski Domain
- Perfect if you have beginners and non-skiers in your group. Winter walks, cross country skiing, beginners ski area and a restaurant are all at the same place next to the parking.
- The resort is fully in the sun and offers enough fun for a morning on skis.
Vichères-Liddes Ski Domain
- Stunning place for all skiing levels.
- Fully in the sun
- Non-skiers could walk up along the winter hiking path to the restaurant and spend the day there. This is where you also find the beginners ski area.
Summer in the Pays du Saint Bernard Region
Not only in the winter months is the Pays du St. Bernard Region an outdoor paradise but also during the great Swiss summer.
Read here – Hiking to Lacs de Fenêter from Great St.Bernard Pass and A Family Weekend at Champex-Lac
Here are some day trips you may also like.
Swiss Ski Resorts – Pick one!
- Val d’Anniviers Ski Resorts in Valais
- Ski Crans Montana
- Lauchernalp Valais – Ski the Magic Ski Resort
- Winter at the Hasliberg in Meiringen
- Zermatt – A family winter dream vacation
- Bettmeralp Ski Domain
- Villars Family Resort
- Family skiing 4 Vallées – Verbier
I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when planning your Ski Safari in the Pays du Saint Bernard Ski Resorts in Valais Switzerland.,
If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.
Note: This was a collaboration with Pays du St. Bernard Region. And as always with these great partnerships, the purpose is for us to test the area and report back to you with an honest review which we always do.
Thank you & Never Forget to Explore
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