St-Luc and neighbouring Chandolin are just two of the five resorts that make up the beautiful Val d'Anniviers, and which jointly offer 220km of piste on a single ski pass. The resort, which lies deep in the Swiss Alps, is located on the opposite side of the Rhone valley to Crans Montana and a very short distance from Verbier and Zermatt. St-Luc is a charming, picture-postcard mountain village with narrow winding streets with traditional mazots and century old chalets dotting the hillside.
St-Luc is located on the sunny south-west side of the French speaking Val d'Anniviers, with views over the Rhone valley far below, and from the top of the Bella Tola mountain, a 360 degree panorama of some of the highest peaks in the Alps. The area has been rightly described as “an undiscovered gem”.
The Skiing
The skiing at St-Luc is between 1650m and 3000m, with the vast majority above 2000m and snow-sure. The resort, the largest in the Val d'Anniviers, offers 75 km of pistes with varied and interesting slopes on the open mountain, which meander back through the forest to the village. Perfect for intermediate and more advanced skiers, and with lots of confidence-inspiring slopes for beginners, the pistes at St-Luc are often untracked, and for the more adventurous there are extensive off-piste areas with couloirs and powder fields. Access is via the funicular railway in the centre of the village, and chair lifts at Chandolin. A mix of T-bars and button lifts serve the upper slopes.
For longer and more challenging slopes, together with extensive off-piste powder, the neighbouring resorts of Grimentz, Zinal and Vercorin are all within 30 mins by car or the free bus service, and are covered by the same ski pass. By combining two resorts in the day, you can follow the sun and gain an extra hour's skiing on sun bathed slopes.
The Swiss ski school provide instructors for all levels, from beginners to the most advanced, and can arrange guides for off-piste, ski touring and even heli-skiing.
Apres Ski in St Luc
If you are looking for crowded pubs, extensive shopping and nightlife, St-Luc is not the place for you. If however you want the atmosphere of an authentic alpine village, surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, and with a good mix of bars, restaurants and hotels, all run by friendly locals, then you will not be disappointed.
Whether you return to the village via the funicular or black run to the open air Tapouk bar in the Place de la Marmotte, or ski the magnificent Prillet back to the Gite du Prillet and Tipi bar, you will enjoy a warm welcome, and a few beers after a long day's skiing. On Monday's the locals of St-Luc offer a complimentary welcome Vin Chaud in the village square.
There is a good choice of restaurants within the village and on the ski slopes, all serving renowned Valaisan food, and for something a little special a visit to the 4-star Grand Hotel Bella Tola is well worthwhile.
The village supports a variety of shops, including patisseries, two supermarkets, a boutique and excellent sports shops with a selection of the latest ski and snow boarding equipment plus hire and repair facilities. There is an art gallery, wine cave, and tourist office.
