Visitor reviews for Grimentz Ski Resort

• January 28, 2017
  Tim from United Kingdom
  

  We have owned an apartment in Grimentz for the last ten years or so, so clearly have a bias but I will try to be objective!

  Firstly, the skiing. The ski area is limited in quantity even with the very welcome addition of the cable car over to the Zinal area and free buses to the neighbouring resorts of Vercorin, St Luc and Chandolin. However the quality is excellent; good pistes and first rate off-piste opportunities for the more adventurous. For those like me who are largely piste skiers but like the odd adventure there are some nice signed itinerary routes and Piste Chamois offers a challenging semi-groomed route back from Zinal to Grimentz; though there is a long track element to it after you've done the exciting part.

  It's about as snow sure as the Alps can be with high level skiing and decent snow-making. The worst we've seen it in terms of snow depth was this last Christmas where it suffered from the same drought as everywhere else in the Alps. But to a high degree it benefits from demand adjusting to supply. There are virtually no pre-booked package holidays to Grimentz and the vast majority of skiers are either locals or apartment owners/renters who tend not to bother if the snow is bad. So in the lead-up to Christmas the ski area was very limited. But the pistes were virtually empty and in excellent condition.

  Queues are relatively rare but they do happen at busy peak times. Generally, when it's nice weather during a holiday and a weekend, the resort is busy and the locals are out in force as well. The main bottlenecks are the gondola and the four man chair from the top of the gondola up the mountain. Longest queue experienced in ten years: about 20 minutes (other than very occasional lift malfunction). If you are not an all day, everyday skier avoid the gondola at the peak times: when the ski schools are about to meet and the four man chair just after they've met!

  The old village is beautiful and chocolate box perfect. The resort has been heavily developed over the last decade and whilst the development is 90% in keeping with the traditional architecture, there is no doubt that the village has a much 'bigger' feel to it than it did ten years ago, particularly on the Chez Florioz (the only slope side apres-ski venue) side of the piste. But it is still stunning.

  Facilities wise, it is limited. There are a number of good restaurants; virtually all traditional Swiss though there is a very good pizzeria and a creperie. There are a number of bars, but it is not lively. Those looking for a St Anton experience will be disappointed so stay away (please, please, please!). Chez Florioz is fabulous for a post-ski drink and a quick meal, though the menu is restricted, but it closes at around 8pm. It can be rammed at busy times and when there is a band on (not that often!), but I love it there.

  It's also very beautiful and very quiet in summer; fabulous walking.

  I've bored myself now, so enough!

• Grimentz Ratings

  Overall: 4.0. Based on 20 votes and 17 reviews. Vote

  Access: 3.4 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Grimentz.	Public Transport: 4.0 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Grimentz, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 4.8 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 3.8 (1) No places to stay in/near Grimentz, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 3.1 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 2.7 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Grimentz.
  Ski in/Ski out: 4.0 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 3.4 (1) There are no child care facilities at Grimentz, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 4.6 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Grimentz is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 3.8 (1) Grimentz relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 4.4 (1) There are no snow groomers at Grimentz, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Grimentz are groomed daily.	Shelter: 3.8 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Grimentz is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 4.5 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Grimentz, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.8 (1) Grimentz usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 4.6 (1) The staff at Grimentz are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Grimentz are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 4.6 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 4.4 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 4.7 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 4.4 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Grimentz has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 3.7 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 4.1 (1) No intermediate terrain at Grimentz, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 4.8 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 4.0 (1) Not even a kicker at Grimentz, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 4.9 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 3.1 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Grimentz, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 3.6 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Grimentz has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 3.8 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 3.6 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 3.1 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 3.4 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 3.2 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 4.0 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 4.2 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 4.3 (1) Overall, Grimentz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 4.0 (1) Overall, Grimentz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Show all 35 ratings

• January 01, 2016
  Robert Winston from United Kingdom
  

  I don't understand these sometimes negative reviews. Simply put, Grimentz is wonderful. I have spent years skiing in virtually every major Swiss resort, big and small, and many French ones. But I am new to Grimentz which has it all. Charming old village, really hospitable people, few queues, good food, amazing views and remarkably well-kept runs. And it's less expensive than bigger resorts. Excellent service in the Intersport ski shop. Most important, the kids gained confidence and hugely enjoyed the excellent ski school.Yes, we have just come back after a massive drought combined with warm weather, so the skiing was limited as it is everywhere at present in the the Alps. But anybody with a modicum of intelligence should be able to see the opportunity for really great off-piste skiing when there is snow and the connection with Zinal increases the skiing considerably.

  The Hotel Cristal is lovely with a short walk to the lifts. Oliver and his outstanding staff are delightful, kind, hospitable and always smile taking trouble to make you feel really welcome. Some mindless people are bored in the evening? How about taking a good book or Kindle and relaxing comfortably with a drink.
  

• March 20, 2015
  Dave Chesney from United Kingdom
  

  March 20th, 2015.

  Just back from a wonderful long weekend in Grimentz. An ideal village for 3 days skiing but probably not big enough for a longer visit if you like clocking up the miles. Stayed at the very hospitable Alpina Hotel right next to the lifts to both Grimentz and Zinal. The piste conditions were very good but off-piste was crusty and tracked out. The skiing was fantastic with great descents over long well groomed and mostly deserted runs. Lona is stunning top to bottom! The Alpina was a great place to stay with good food and really nice staff. We loved the quiet ambience of the village and look forward to returning soon.

• January 28, 2014
  Sarah from United Kingdom
  

  Just back from our short first visit, which coincided with the opening of the new cable car over to Zinal. The village is very pretty. Yes, it is quiet, but that suits us. We rented an apartment in the middle of the old village, a short walk from the lifts. We were lucky as about a foot of fresh snow had fallen up the mountain on the day of our arrival. The first thing we noticed was how quiet it was. Yes, there are slow drag lifts, but it helps keep the numbers down.
  The great new snow continued into the Saturday when we spent a day playing in the powder over in Zinal. Still making fresh tracks at 3.30pm! The wind then blew it all away overnight, and that's when the more interesting topography of the pistes over in Grimentz proved more attractive.
  We ate at the Hotel de Moiry twice and were very impressed by the food. We also thought that the prices compared very favourably with the big French resorts-5Chf for vin chaud, for example. Not as extortionate as some places in Switzerland. We will be back. Having said all that, I wouldn't recommend either Grimentz or Zinal as the best places for beginners or early intermediates, The red runs are proper reds, and there are few easy slopes. The runs to the bottom on the mountain are steep. If you're an aspiring off-piste enthusiast then this is a great place. Next time I think we will book a guide and really explore.

• October 27, 2013
  Rock from United States
  

  - pro is that it is not very crowded.
  - cons are that there is no nighlife, np other activities
  - small resort with slow horrible and old lifts
  - high prices at the resort

• January 05, 2012
  Nicola Dealtry from United Kingdom
  

  To another reviewer: I think I see where you are coming from ... I agree wholeheartedly - stay away everyone!

• December 28, 2011
  Graham Ellis from United Kingdom
  

  I've been going to Grimentz for 4 years now including New Year week, February half term & Easter. I don't think I have queued longer than 5 minutes at any lift and the majority have no queues whatsoever.

  As for night life, yes, it's virtually non-existent, as are drunken yobs and Hooray Henrys singing in the street at 3AM!

• December 27, 2011
  Andrew St Johnston from Switzerland
  

  We need more reviews like those from two other reviewers. Having only known Grimentz for 25 years it is difficult to reconcile reality with their views. There is no night life - the only correct statement. We love it that way. I am, for one, delighted they didn't enjoy their stay. They should go to Verbier and learn what queuing is really like.

• December 06, 2011
  Richard Perkins from United Kingdom
  

  Would not bother going here

  Long queues, poor snow and nothing to do in the evening

  Recommend everyone stays away !!

• October 07, 2011
  Nicola Dealtry from United Kingdom
  

  I was surprised by what another reviewer said about a long lift wait at Easter last year because I too was in Grimentz and had no waits at all! There can be a small queue first thing in the morning to get onto the gondola but it moves very quickly because the gondolas go every minute or so .. Maybe he was unlucky and found a lift with a temporary glitch?
  Also, the snow in Grimentz was amazing compared with just about anywhere else in the Alps! We had friends skiing elsewhere who had no snow at all below 2,000m - at least Grimentz is high enough and has enough snow-making to be fairly snow-sure!
  Admittedly, there is limited scope for teenage partying .. but maybe they missed the Shaddock disco and the Country Pub and Pub Domino??