Whether skating or classic: these ten cross-country skiing destinations are all reachable from Zinal by public transport. From romantic forest tracks to scenic high-altitude loops, there’s something for every level of Nordic skier.
The destinations below are sorted by travel time from Zinal, centre to make your planning easier. Make sure to visit the map to explore all cross-country skiing areas and thousands of other outdoor activities reachable from any starting point in Switzerland.
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Perched on a sunny plateau high above the Rhône Valley, this renowned Valais resort offers sweeping views of the Alps from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Trails traverse forests and open terrain across the broad, gently rolling highland landscape.
9km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (funi) (10:04) | |
| 2225 (13m) | |
| Crans-Montana gare (10:17) |
| Crans-Montana, gare (10:23) | |
| 436 (8m) | |
| Crans-Montana, Lac Moubra (10:31) |
Famous for its thermal baths, this Valais resort village sits in a dramatic mountain basin beneath towering cliffs. An extensive network of trails winds through the valley floor and surrounding terrain, combining winter sport with the possibility of wellness relaxation.
16km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:22) | |
| R91 (8m) | |
| Leuk (10:30) |
| Leuk, Bahnhof (10:41) | |
| 471 (25m) | |
| Leukerbad, Birchen (11:06) |
High above the Lötschental valley floor, Lauchernalp presents a compact cross-country experience at altitude. The sun-drenched plateau offers sweeping views of glaciated peaks and the dramatic valley below, creating an intimate alpine atmosphere.
4.9km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| IR90 (24m) | |
| Brig (10:32) |
| Brig (10:36) | |
| RE1 (25m) | |
| Goppenstein (11:01) |
| Goppenstein, Bahnhof (11:03) | |
| 591 (8m) | |
| Kippel, Altersheim (11:11) |
A renowned high-alpine destination in the Bernese Oberland, Kandersteg offers extensive cross-country terrain winding through a dramatic glacial valley. Surrounded by towering peaks and frozen waterfalls, this historic mountain village provides a comprehensive network suitable for skiers seeking varied distances and scenic immersion.
24.7km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| IR90 (24m) | |
| Brig (10:32) |
| Brig (10:36) | |
| RE1 (37m) | |
| Kandersteg (11:13) |
Traditional wooden chalets and Valaisan heritage define this authentic village in the Val d'Hérens. The network spreads across the valley floor and surrounding terrain, offering a genuine mountain experience away from heavily developed resort infrastructure.
19.7km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| R91 (11m) | |
| Sion (10:19) |
| Sion, poste/gare (10:45) | |
| 381 (37m) | |
| Evolène, Village (11:22) |
Situated in the Matter Valley just below the car-free zone of Zermatt, Täsch provides a quieter alternative with views toward the surrounding four-thousand-metre peaks. The high-altitude setting ensures reliable snow while maintaining easy access to the famous Matterhorn region.
11.2km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| IR90 (15m) | |
| Visp (10:23) |
| Visp (10:37) | |
| R42 (55m) | |
| Täsch (11:32) |
The Goms Valley stretches through the upper Rhône region, offering one of Switzerland's most extensive cross-country networks. Snow-sure conditions and a gentle valley floor make this a premier destination, connecting charming Valaisan villages from Oberwald to Fiesch along a scenic corridor.
63.4km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| IR90 (24m) | |
| Brig (10:32) |
| Brig Bahnhofplatz (10:48) | |
| R42 (34m) | |
| Fiesch (11:22) |
| Fiesch, Bahnhof (11:24) | |
| 142 (9m) | |
| Niederwald, Bahnhof (11:33) |
Perched on a sunny terrace high above the Rhône Valley, Ovronnaz combines cross-country skiing with striking views of the Muverans massif and distant peaks. The resort town is also known for its thermal baths, adding a relaxing après-ski option.
6.8km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| R91 (22m) | |
| Chamoson-St-Pierre-de-Clages (10:30) |
| Chamoson-St-Pierre-de-C., gare (11:05) | |
| 314 (32m) | |
| Ovronnaz, Chevaley (11:37) |
A picturesque lake village surrounded by forests and peaks along the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking route. Champex-Lac maintains a peaceful atmosphere with trails circling the frozen lake and extending into the surrounding woodland and alpine meadows.
10.7km| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| R91 (36m) | |
| Martigny (10:44) |
| Martigny (10:51) | |
| R81 (16m) | |
| Sembrancher (11:07) |
| Sembrancher (11:09) | |
| R (9m) | |
| Orsières (11:18) |
| Orsières, gare (11:30) | |
| 271 (16m) | |
| Champex, Le Signal (11:46) |
The perfectly groomed cross-country ski trail meanders through snow-covered larch forests along the frozen Saaser Vispa and offers fantastic views of the Saas Valley’s mountains and glaciers.
12.8kmTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (1h 7m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière (09:58) |
| Sierre/Siders (10:08) | |
| IR90 (15m) | |
| Visp (10:23) |
| Visp, Bahnhof Süd (10:44) | |
| 511 (29m) | |
| Saas-Balen, Edelweiss (11:13) |
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