Veysonnaz is best known for the Piste de l’Ours, the legendary red run that has hosted over 30 Alpine Ski World Cup races.
But once the snow melts, the village is totally different. Veysonnaz summer is built around nearly 300 km of marked trails, restored 15th-century irrigation channels, and many family activities.
This guide covers what to do, where to hike, and how to plan a trip for summer in Veysonnaz.
Visit Veysonnaz in summer
Veysonnaz sits at around 1,200 metres above sea level. The position gives the village strong sun exposure and clear views across the Rhône Valley to the Bernese Alps opposite.
In winter, it’s part of the 4 Vallées ski area, with access to over 400 km of pistes. In summer, that same lift infrastructure reopens to take hikers and bikers up into the high pastures instead of skiers.
What are the best outdoor activities in Veysonnaz?
The activity list for Veysonnaz summer is extensive. Alongside the bisse walks, there’s biking, paragliding, and a handful of activities you won’t find in every Alpine resort.
- Mountain biking: Marked alpine routes for all levels, with the lifts running through summer. Veysonnaz also hosts a stage point for one of the most demanding one-day mountain bike races in the world.
- Paragliding: Tandem flights launch from Thyon and descend to the valley floor. Enjoy views of the Rhône Valley and the Bernese Alps.
- Mountain scooters: Guided descents through the high and mid-mountain pastures on all-terrain scooters, a popular option for families, group outings, and corporate events.
- Disc golf and yoga path: Two of the more relaxed options in the village, both accessible without a lift pass.
Hiking and mountain trails
Hiking is a must during the summer in Veysonnaz.
With close to 300 km of marked trails, the resort works as a base for everything from a flat half-hour stroll to a full day in high alpine terrain.
- Bisse de Vex (Grand Bisse de Vex): Built in the early 15th century, it runs 12 km between altitudes of 1,350 and 1,500 metres, taking roughly 3 hours one way.
- Bisse Vieux and Bisse de Vex combined circuit: A loop of around 14 km (roughly 4 hours), using the local bisses shuttle bus to walk one way and ride the other. Booking the shuttle is required through Veysonnaz or Nendaz tourist offices.
- Chemin du Grand Bisse de Vex (wheelchair-accessible section): An 11 km stretch with only 45 m of elevation gain, graded intermediate but genuinely manageable for most fitness levels.
- Educational masks trail (Thyon to Veysonnaz): A themed descent featuring ten totem poles depicting original Valais masks and traditions, ideal for families!
- High bisse de Chervé: The highest bisse in the Valais, departing from Thyon and reaching the Les Chottes restaurant. A more demanding route with bigger views.
If you want to see the famous ski terrain without the snow, the Piste de l’Ours itself is walkable in summer, as well as several other ski lifts across the Nendaz-Veysonnaz region.
Family-friendly summer attractions
Veysonnaz has many family activities.
- Club des Oursons: Supervised activities for children aged 4 to 9, freeing up older children and adults to take on more demanding activities elsewhere in the resort.
- Mountain scooter descents: A genuinely fun, low-skill activity that works well across a wide age range, guided through the pastures above the village.
- Laser Game in the forest: A shared activity for the whole family, set in the woodland above the village.
- Mushroom workshop: A guided foraging walk, from CHF 25, focused on identifying edible species in the surrounding forest.
- Make your own tomme cheese (summer): A hands-on workshop, from CHF 32, where you make traditional Valais tomme cheese under guidance.
- Educational masks trail: The themed walk from Thyon mentioned above doubles as a good option for children, with ten stopping points to break up the descent.
Local gastronomy and events
Food in Veysonnaz typically includes raclette, tomme cheese, and local wine. For a more formal meal, Café du Mont-Rouge is the Michelin-recognised option in the village, known for its wine list and seasonal cooking.
Annual traditions worth planning around:
- Inalpe (June): The traditional ascent of the cows to the alpine pastures, a genuine working agricultural event rather than a staged tourist one.
- Ehringer cow fights: Bloodless contests between the local Hérens cattle breed, a long-standing Valais tradition that draws crowds comparable to the ski World Cup events held on the same slopes in winter.
- Convivi’Alp evenings: Community gatherings held through the summer season, focused on local food and an informal social atmosphere.
Essential travel tips for your visit
| Tip | What to know |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Train to Sion, then bus or taxi to Veysonnaz (13 to 15 km). From Geneva, around 1h45 by car via the A9. |
| Bisses shuttle bus | Connects the start and end points of the main bisse walks. Booking required through the local tourist office. |
| Lift access | Several lifts run through summer for hikers and bikers. Check the seasonal opening dates before you arrive, as not all lifts run the full summer. |
| Footwear | The bisse paths are mostly gentle, but routes like the Piste de l’Ours descent need proper hiking boots given the gradient. |
| Best months | July and August for full Bisse water flow and warmest weather; June for the inalpe tradition; September for quieter trails. |
| Currency | Swiss Francs (CHF). Cards widely accepted, but carry cash for mountain huts and small village vendors. |
Must-do checklist for a week in Veysonnaz summer:
- Walk at least part of the Bisse de Vex
- Take the Ours gondola up and walk the Piste de l’Ours on foot
- Book a mountain scooter descent for the family
- Try tomme cheese making or a raclette evening
- Drive or take the bus to Sion for an afternoon
- Catch a sunset at Veysonnaz 3000 if you’re up there for hiking anyway
Book your summer trip to Veysonnaz today
Whether you’re drawn by the trails, the family programme, or simply walking the famous ski slope without the snow, summer in Veysonnaz is a great escape.
Alpvision Résidences offers a range of apartments and chalets in Veysonnaz. Browse our selection of accommodation and reserve your summer holiday today!
