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From hurtling down a snowless ski run on an e-bike to cooking raclette on an open fire, Clare Vooght swaps winter for warm weather in Switzerland’s Valais region
’m pedalling an e-bike up what would, in winter, be a red ski run, just outside Nendaz in the snow-free 4 Vallées ski resort area. To my
E-biking in the Nendaz region of Switzerland
PICTURE: Inghams/E-BikeWorldTour/Kifcat
right, there’s a grassy mountainside and to my left, breathtaking views of jagged mountain peaks grazed by a few fluffy clouds – then a sheer drop down. I’m thankful we’re here with knowledgeable mountain guide Romain, who’s leading us on a day’s excursion, offering a heads-up when we encounter a particularly steep path. On the downhills we must shift our weight backwards over the saddle to stay upright. Next comes a particularly steep incline. “Local kids call this the death trail,” says Romain with a chuckle, as he instructs us to drop gears, raise our saddles and power up in ‘turbo’ mode. Needless to say, e-biking in the Swiss mountains – even with the power pack doing some of the heavy lifting – is a tough-yet-exhilarating workout that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, the rewards are gorgeous vistas across this part of the Valais region – tree-clad mountainsides, grassy
swathes of green dotted with Alpine cows and summer cabins, spiky peaks with just a hint of snow and, I would argue, a licence to eat as much of the local cheese-based dishes as you want afterwards. With the growing appetite for active breaks, along with warmer winter temperatures affecting snow levels, spring, summer and autumn are starting to garner more attention. And Valais is one of several Swiss regions making the most of the uptick in interest with a mix of activities to enjoy outside the ski season.
SEASONAL SIGHTINGS Nearing the village of Verrey – little more than a clutch of traditional wooden buildings – we spot a marmot. She spots us too, hunkering down beside a rock and peering out at us from her hiding place. It’s a moment you’d miss during winter, when these animals would be hibernating. From May onwards, clients can see wildflower- sprinkled meadows, while in September, trees are just beginning to turn golden. It’s the ideal climate for
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travelweekly.co.uk 20 MARCH 2025 53
DESTINATIONS SWITZERLAND | SHORT BREAKS
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