A ski area, trails through mountain scenery and an old clustered village: Chandolin brings together different sides of the Val d’Anniviers. In winter, the focus is on ski slopes, a snowpark and snowshoe trails; a visit to the village is about architectural heritage, local history and Vin du Glacier. Which themes you combine also depends on the season and when you travel – for seasonal activities, it is worth checking the latest operating conditions.

Mountain village beneath Illhorn

Chandolin lies at around 1,936 m above sea level, beneath Illhorn on the steep western slope of the Val d’Anniviers in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The village is one of the highest-elevation parishes in Europe. From Chandolin, the view stretches across the Valais Alps, including Zinalrothorn, Besso, Ober Gabelhorn, Zinalspitze and Dent Blanche.

The village’s appearance includes an old clustered settlement – a form of settlement in which buildings are grouped closely together. Since 1950, a more dispersed settlement shaped by tourism has also developed. The two distinct settlement forms thus stand side by side: the old village and the more spread-out buildings that came later. This distinction offers a useful starting point for seeing Chandolin not only as a winter sports destination, but also as a mountain village that has developed over time.

Skiing and snow activities

The St-Luc/Chandolin ski area stretches from 1,650 to 3,000 m and includes 60 km of ski slopes. In the Chandolin sector, there is a snowpark next to the Tignousa ski lift. Since operations and opening times are seasonal, check the conditions for your trip.

Chandolin has two Swiss Snow Kids Villages for younger skiers. One is at the entrance to the village and has a conveyor belt; the second children’s snow park is right next to the ski slopes. Here, too, opening times and access details may depend on the season. It is best to check them before your trip.

The Chando KMs offer routes with markedly different distances and elevation gains. The short KM Vertical covers 3.2 km with 1,000 m of elevation gain to Illhorn at 2,716 m. The Double KM starts at La STEP in Fang and also leads to Illhorn, covering 7.7 km with 2,000 m of elevation gain. In between is the shorter Kid’s Vertical: between Mayens de la Rèche and Chandolin, it covers 300 m of elevation gain over 1.2 km and is open to children aged five and over. Check the participation requirements and event format for the relevant year. The competition on the Trail Double KV Chando takes place annually in mid-September; you can check the exact dates in advance.

Trails through forests and landscapes

The Parcours de l’Alpage de Chandolin is a snowshoe loop. It leads through the forest above the village to the hamlet of Pramarin and the Illhorn ski slope. The trail also offers panoramic views of the mountains at the far end of the valley. Check snow and local conditions before setting out.

Those interested in nature and information along the way can explore the Botanical Walks: 22 information panels are placed along various footpaths. Highlights include orchids and a 860-year-old larch. Individual trails may be subject to seasonal conditions.

The Pontis–Chandolin–St-Luc stage of the Tour du Val d’Anniviers also offers a different perspective on the landscape. It follows wooded slopes and passes through historic hamlets and villages. Combining this stage with the snowshoe loop reveals two distinct kinds of trail: wooded slopes and historic settlements on the one hand, and a loop above Chandolin taking in Pramarin and the Illhorn ski slope on the other.

Village history, architectural heritage and wine

The House of the Bourgeoisie stands in the old village. Its cellar houses traditional jugs called “Channes” as well as larch barrels containing Vin du Glacier. The “Vin du Glacier and Visit to the Bourgeoisie” experience combines a tour about the history of Chandolin’s bourgeoisie with a wine tasting.

The permanent exhibition Espace Ella Maillart is housed in the former Sainte-Barbe Chapel. Chandolin’s architectural heritage also includes the communal bakehouse, the Maison Bourgeoisiale and the Ella Maillart Museum. A guided village tour explores its history from the past to the present and is led by a local resident. It also includes a visit to the Edmond Bille exhibition.

For planning purposes, you can distinguish between active days in the mountains and visits to the village. If you are looking for accommodation in Chandolin, first consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay; then check seasonal activities and current timetables for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Icogne, Crans-Montana, Vercorin, Crans-Sur-Sierre, Sierre, Venthône, Saint-Jean Vs, Anniviers.

Travel by PostBus

Chandolin and St-Luc are served by PostBus on the Pontis–Chandolin–St-Luc stage. Check the current timetable when planning your trip.

Go to the overview of destinations: Siders.