Arolla & Evolene Ski Resorts Switzerland

In a classically Swiss Alps alpine valley, with high mountain peaks and glaciers snaking down their flanks, the Val d’Herens has long been a secret hideaway for skiers seeking a quiet outpost in an ever-maddening world. The Val d'Hérens ski resorts of Arolla, Evolène & La Forclaz make up the collective ski region called Espace Dent-Blanche (presumably named after the looming 4,357m peak, Dent Blanche = white tooth!). Simple lifts, a relaxed attitude, affordable prices, and mountains full of off-piste freeride potential make it a guarantee that we will visit at some point soon in our powder privileged lives.

Pros & Cons for Arolla & Evolene Ski Areas

Pros

• High-altitude, generally snow-sure ski areas.
• Long skiable verticals of over 1,000m at Arolla & Evolene.
• Uncrowded slopes & negligible lift lines.
• Wonderful off-piste freeride, ski touring & backcountry skiing opportunities.
• Quality on-piste trails for intermediate skiers.
• Good value lift pass combining all three ski areas under Espace Dent Blanche.
• Affordable accommodation.

Cons

• Aging lift infrastructure that mainly consists of long surface tows (which may challenge beginners, snowboarders and those gone soft on a diet of 8-person hooded express chairs with seats designed by Porsche!).
• Few advanced piste trails.
• Limited public bus services to Arolla (but better to Evolene).

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

• The Val d’herens is a quiet, traditional Swiss Alps valley with a remote feel and without all the ‘bells & whistles’ of other ski regions.
• Limited to no snow-making so the slopes are totally at the mercy of mother nature.
• Sunny slopes in the morning on easterly aspect terrain (except the smaller La Forclaz which is westerly aspect so sunny in the afternoon).
• Accommodation can be limited in the valley, particularly on weekends.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lift & Terrain

The Espace Dent-Blanche skiing & snowboarding terrain is spread across 3 small to medium ski areas and includes 104km of mostly intermediate piste trails on predominantly east-aspect slopes. Arolla is the largest with 47 km of trails, 1,000m of skiable vertical above a 2,000m altitude base, and the most advanced runs (9km of black trails). Closely following is Evolene with 42km of trails, of which 80% are rated intermediate, and 1,280m of skiable vertical from a 1,400m elevation base. Between them, the westerly aspect La Forclaz has 15km of both easy and intermediate pistes, providing a perfect place to learn the art of sliding on snow!

Check out Arolla & Evolène on the Espace Dent-Blanche ski trail map.

Away from the piste trails, Arolla in particular has a multitude of off-piste freeride opportunities. The many surrounding peaks & glaciers, coupled with relatively few people compared to adjacent valleys, make it a land of promise for powder hounds. Ski touring from the lifts at Arolla or up the valley expands the freeride terrain immensely and includes all manner of high alpine Swiss pleasures. Look at some of the possibilities on the Arolla ski-touring map.

The ski lifts in the Val d’Herens are a stark reminder of the way things used to be before you grew lazy on a diet of 10-person heated seat gondolas and hooded 6-seater express chairlifts. Only one chairlift, an aging double, is in the entire valley, used to access the high alpine terrain at Evolène. Everywhere else it is a case of testing one’s leg strength on surface tows, both T-bars & J-bars. The old-style lifts do two things. One is to limit the crowds visiting these resorts. Two is to test beginner snowboarders, possibly limiting their numbers in the valley too!

Lift Passes

Lift tickets in Val d'Hérens are available in two flavours. The Espace Dent-Blanche lift pass is valid in all 3 ski resorts (Arolla, Evolene & L Forclaz) & represents reasonably good value for the 104km of ski trails. The smaller La Forclaz ski area has a more affordable ‘local’ lift pass; great for novices & progressing beginners.

Where is Arolla & Evolène Switzerland?

The Espace Dent-Blanche ski region is in the Val d’Herens, a valley south of the Rhône River valley in the French speaking part of Valais. The furthest ski resort up the valley, Arolla, is 39km (1hr) by road south of the major town of Sion. Evolene is closer; 24km or a shade over 30 minutes by rental car.

The closest gateway airports is Geneva (GVA), 195km (2½ to 3hr) drive east to Arolla. The small airport in the Rhone valley at Sion (SIR) is an option for travelers from London, Zurich and those with their own private plane! Search & book here for all airport transfers to Arolla Evolene.

Rail & bus services to the Val d'Hérens villages of Evolene or Arolla are via Sion. Trains from Geneva airport take a little over 2hr (on the IR90 service, direction Brig) to get to Sion, where buses or private transfers can finish the journey up the valley to Arolla. From Sion train station (gare), bus route 381 heads to Les Haudères via Evolene. From Les Hauderes, a change is required to the bus 382 for Arolla. Arolla Magine is the main stop at the ski lifts in Arolla village, with the journey from Sion taking around 1¼hr. Unfortunately the route 382 bus services to Arolla are limited to 5 per day so check the timetables carefully if using them to get around the valley. For Evolène, the route 381 bus runs at least 9 times per day and takes around 35min to the village. Search & book here for train tickets to Arolla Evolene. Buy bus tickets direct from the driver.

Arolla Evolene Accommodation

The accommodations available in the Val d’herens close to the main ski areas is in the villages of Arolla, Les Haudères or Evolene. The entire valley has propensity for simple affordable, family run lodgings rather ‘over-the-top’ luxury hotels. Numerous apartments are available on the road near the ski lifts at Arolla.

The most central location to all the Espace Dent Blanche skiing, plus convenient to the valley’s bus transportation, is in the traditional village of Les Haudères. A few great hotels like the 3-star Hôtel Dents de Veisivi & Hotel Les Mélèzes provide a tranquil night’s rest in this quiet town.

Search & book here for all Espace Dents Blanche ski accommodation in Arolla, Les Hauderes or Evolene.

Climbing up the valley sides, the village of Arolla offers a mix of traditional & contemporary lodgings in hotels, pensions & private rental apartments. Surrounded by forest at 2,100 m above sea level, the Grand Hotel offers wonderful views over Arolla & the Valais Alps. Whilst in reality a simple 3-star hotel, the building & surrounds are nonetheless ‘grand’ and the price is affordable for mere mortals. The ski lifts & slopes are right outside. Hotel du Pigne is also located in Arolla, close to the ski lifts, with panoramic views of the entire valley. Down the road on the valley floor, Hotel Aiguille de La Tza offers convenient & affordable lodgings in an idyllic setting, a short bus ride from the ski area.

Search & book here for all Arolla ski accommodation.

In the heart of authentic Evolene, around 1½km distance from the ski lifts, the unpretentious Pension d'Evolène includes a nice local bar and simple, affordable, comfortable lodgings. A free ski bus links to the Domaine skiable de Télé Evolène, whilst other local bus services or a rental car will get you further up the valley to Arolla or La Forclaz.

Search & book here for all Evolene ski accommodation.

Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Ski equipment rentals are available via our local partners near the ski lift base in the village of Arolla. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Arolla Evolene Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Review

The Powderhounds will review Arolla & Evolene next season. More information about this European ski resort will come after our visit. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.

See how the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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