Vercorin
Vercorin is a mountain resort in the Swiss canton of Valais, perched on a sunny terrace above the Rhône plain and forming part of the municipality of Chalais together with the villages of Chalais, Réchy and Briey. It is a rural, family-oriented destination surrounded by nature, with panoramic views over the Alps and the Rhône valley that earn it the nickname of the balcony of the Valais. The village is the gateway to the Vallon de Réchy nature reserve, the region's natural jewel, and is characterised by its old wooden raccards, barns and granaries weathered by time. Vercorin is reached from the plain by road or by a gondola lift from Chalais, with the nearest train stations in Sierre and Sion. The resort offers a compact ski area, hiking and mountain-bike trails, and a lively programme of events, while remaining a small, authentic mountain village rather than a large city.
Summer activities
In summer and autumn, Vercorin is a playground for outdoor sports, with hiking routes through the Vallon de Réchy nature reserve, the Marmots' Trail play path and climbs to the top of Brintaz. Mountain bikers can ride two gondola-accessed flow trails, the red Crêt du Midi Flowtrail and the blue Family Trail, finishing at the Lavioz pumptrack in the village. The Forêt Aventures tree-top course in the Sigeroulaz pasture offers zip lines and aerial courses, while the free Espace du Lavioz provides tennis, football, volleyball, pétanque and play areas for families. All-terrain scooters, paragliding, mini-golf and a treasure hunt round out the summer offer.
Winter activities
Vercorin is a family ski destination with a compact ski area of 35 km of pistes served by five ski lifts, a chair lift and a covered walkway, plus a snow park and a dedicated beginners' area at the Lavioz. The Vercorin Rando Parc offers three signposted ski-touring routes, and snowshoe hiking and winter hiking trails complete the offer. The free Espace du Lavioz adds an artificial ice rink, a sledging run and a beginners' area with minigliss, carpet and rope, while the Swiss Ski School provides lessons.
Culture and entertainment
Vercorin is proud of its heritage, centred on the old village with its weathered wooden raccards, barns and granaries, which can be explored on a self-guided walk or with a local guide, complemented since 2025 by the Paroles de Mélèze project documenting the inscriptions on old house facades. The painter Édouard Vallet is honoured through the Édouard Vallet Foundation and the Fontany Gallery, and the village hosts a lively calendar of events including art and photography exhibitions, pétanque scrimmages, knitting workshops, jass evenings and a Saturday market with local produce.
