La Tzoumaz

La Tzoumaz (also referred to as Les Mayens des Riddes) is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais. It is part of the "Four Valleys" ski area, which consists of various ski resorts, including Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz, and Thyon. As such it has direct access to over 400km of runs! Named after the word "tzoumer", which means taking a break, La Tzoumaz nestles against the same mountain as Verbier, Mont Savolyres, and is at the same altitude (1500m). However, unlike Verbier, it is situated on North-facing slopes and hence enjoys a longer ski-season, lasting from early December all the way through to late-April.

Quieter than Verbier, it is a resort popular with families, having a small ski lift for children, a natural ice rink, a heated swimming pool and the longest floodlit sledge run in Western Switzerland (at 10 kilometres). The resort has a population of just over 300 and is popular with British, German and Dutch visitors as well as Swiss Nationals.

Geography

La Tzoumaz is located in a green valley above the Rhône River, in the canton of Valais and has one main access road, which starts in the town of Riddes, 13 kilometres away (and at exit 24 of the Martigny motorway). La Tzoumaz is also at a base station of the Savolyres Cable Car (a 30 minute ride to Verbier).

Coordinates: coord|46.14469669243357|N|7.233059406280518|E|region:CH-VS_type:city|display=inline,title

Resort in Winter

The resort has 1 brand new 8 seat cable car, 5 chair lifts, 5 drag lifts and 1 children's ski lift. There are 12 ski runs with a total length 28 km (30 % easy, 60 % intermediate, 10 % difficult), a snowboard piste, a natural ice rink and a 10km toboggan-run (long 10 km). The resort is also directly linked to the Four Valleys ski area, with 98 more ski lifts and a total of 400 km of ski runs. The Verbier zone of the Four Valleys is renowned for its off-piste opportunities. In particular Tortin, Mont Fort, Valon D'Arby and Creblet are popular excursions.

Resort in Summer

The village offers 1 outdoor tennis court, fishing, paragliding and climbing. It is situated on the Bisse du Saxon (part of a 19th Century irrigation system that offers 100km of gently inclined paths suitable for walking and mountain biking). Within a short drive of the resort are many family, cultural and historical attractions including Lake Geneva, the Grand Dixence Dam, The Medieval town of Sion, Aqua park, Thermal Baths and underground salt mines.

Accommodation

As well as having 6 small guesthouses and hotels there are many privately owned apartments. These can be found through www.swissskiapartment.com which solely advertises apartments direct from the owners in La Tzoumaz.

References

* [http://www.latzoumaz.ch/?n_langue=en&p=home La Tzoumaz’s Official site]
* [http://www.ski-chalet-verbier.co.uk/valais/la-tzoumaz.html La Tzoumaz Activities]