Grimentz
Grimentz is 205 km from Geneva Airport, about 2 hours 40 minutes by road along Lake Geneva and the Rhône valley to Sierre, then up the Val d'Anniviers. The trip stays in Switzerland throughout. Its dark wooden chalets and linked ski area with Zinal make it a favourite of families and lovers of traditional villages, and AirportsTransfers.ch takes you there without changes.
- Distance from GVA: 205 km
- Drive time: about 2 h 40
- Border crossing: none, Swiss route
- Ski area: Grimentz-Zinal
- Suits: families, intermediates, village atmosphere
The journey from Geneva Airport
Most of the trip is motorway: from the airport around Lake Geneva past Lausanne and Montreux, then up the Rhône valley via Martigny and Sion to Sierre. There you leave the valley floor and climb into the Val d'Anniviers, a long side valley. After Vissoie, the road forks, and the branch to Grimentz winds up through forest to the village, perched on a sunny shelf.
The valley roads are kept open in winter, but they are slow, with many bends, and the journey time reflects that. After snowfall you may need chains. By public transport, the trip means train to Sierre then a post bus, usually with a change at Vissoie, which is fine with a backpack but heavy going with skis and young children.
Skiing in Grimentz
Grimentz's slopes rise above the village through larch forest to open terrain. The ski area is linked by a large cable car to Zinal's Sorebois sector, forming the Grimentz-Zinal ski area. On the Grimentz side, runs are broadly friendly, with long blues and reds that suit intermediate skiers and families, plus a good place to learn near the village.
Experienced skiers will appreciate the freeride terrain the valley is known for, and the link to Zinal opens up steeper slopes. Grimentz also has a reputation for good snow thanks to its altitude, making it a reliable option across the season. As always, off-piste routes should be skied with a qualified guide.
A village of larch-wood chalets
Grimentz is often described as one of the most attractive villages in Valais. Its old centre is a maze of narrow lanes lined with sun-darkened larch chalets and raccards, the raised granaries that stand on stone discs to keep rodents out. Many of the buildings are centuries old, and the village has preserved its character carefully.
The village is also known for its traditions, including the cellar where the local glacier wine, a specialty of the Val d'Anniviers, is aged. Evening life is gentle and relaxed. For non-skiers there are winter walks, sledging and snowshoe routes, and the scenery is as much a reason to come as the skiing.
The old centre, with its narrow lanes, is made for walking, and visitors who arrive by car tend to leave it parked for the week. Arriving by private transfer means you do not need a car at all: the chauffeur drops you at your accommodation, and ski buses and walking cover the rest of your stay.
When to go and practical tips
The season typically runs from December to April. January brings cold, quiet days; February is the busiest month due to school holidays; March offers longer days and a solid snow base. Because Grimentz is popular with families, holiday weeks book up early, so plan accommodation and transfers in advance.
- Allow time for the valley road, especially after fresh snow.
- Bring warm layers: the Val d'Anniviers can be very cold in midwinter.
- Request child seats when booking if you are travelling with young children.
- Declare skis and snowboards so we send a vehicle with enough room.
If you want to explore beyond Grimentz-Zinal, the other Anniviers resorts, such as Saint-Luc and Chandolin, are nearby and can be visited for a day.
Getting back to Geneva
On departure, allow around 2 hours 40 minutes of driving time plus a buffer, and aim to reach the airport two hours before your flight. Traffic on the Rhône valley motorway can build on Saturday afternoons, and snowy weather slows the descent from Grimentz. We operate 24/7, so early-morning departures are easy to arrange.
If you want to break up the journey, a stop for lunch beside Lake Geneva or a night in Lausanne before an early flight are both easy to arrange as part of your booking, and many families appreciate a pause halfway through the drive when travelling with small children.
Booking your Grimentz transfer
Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch is simple: select your vehicle online, check the fixed price before paying, then pay securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with your name on a sign and follows your flight in real time, so a late landing is no worry. Families usually choose a Mercedes V-Class, which holds up to seven passengers, skis and luggage; child seats are fitted on request. Please declare skis when booking. You can reach our team any time on +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp.
