WHERE IS IT?
Zinal is at the very end of the Val d’Anniviers, which sits between Zermatt and Verbier in the southern Swiss Alps of Valais. The nearest main town is Sierre, which is down in the main Rhone valley approximately 40 mins away by car.

GETTING THERE
Zinal is easy to get to. It is two hours’ drive from Geneva airport, or three hours by train and bus. Flights are £80 return in advance with Easyjet and the train and bus journey is £60 return. Flights are also available to Sion from London’s City Airport or from Gatwick on Saturdays during the winter. Cars can be hired in Sion or Sierre and there is parking available directly outside the apartment. It is approximately 570 miles from Calais.

DRIVING FROM GENEVA AIRPORT
This is a simple drive, if there is no fresh snow. It is 120 miles, most of which is on motorway. From the airport follow the signs for Lausanne and then Simplon. When you get to Sierre (after about 110 miles) the motorway ends and you should go in the direction of Brig. After about 200 metres take a right turn into the Val d’Anniviers. Zinal is at the end of this valley, 14 miles away. This is a serious mountain road and if there is any fresh snow, you will need snow chains or 4 wheel drive with winter tyres. If you do not have winter tyres on your car and are involved in an accident any where in Switzerland, you will be held responsible, even if it wasn’t really your fault. Drivers with little experience of winter alpine conditions may be advised to book a taxi transfer or get the bus. When you get to Zinal fork right in front of the cable car. Fork left after the tree on the left and you have arrived. There is one allotted parking space in the car park directly outside the apartment building.

Hiring a compact car like a VW Golf costs about £280 excluding fuel(Dec 2006) for the week from Easyjet at Geneva airport.

TRAIN AND BUS FROM GENEVA AIRPORT
This is also straightforward. Tickets can be bought on-line at rail.ch. Type in from ‘Geneva airport’ and to ‘Zinal, poste’ (the post office). The ticket covers the train and bus journey. It is advisable to reserve a seat which can also be done on the web site. The 15.01 from Geneva airport arrives in Zinal at 18.03. The last connection leaves at 16.27 and arrives in Zinal at 19.47.

You will have to get off the train at Sierre station and from there take the bus to Zinal via Vissoie, where you have to change. From the bus stop in Zinal it is a 100m walk to the apartment. Have a look at the village map.


TAXI FROM GENEVA
Taxi transfer to from Geneva airport or Sion airport can be arranged on request. A minibus for up to 8 people from Geneva Airport costs £480 for the return trip.