The question of whether the 4 Valleys will or will not be operational for the coming ski season remains uncertain.
The operators on two sides of the giant ski area, one of the world’s five largest, have so far failed to reach agreement on a way forward, with the key to their disagreement being revenue share, and mediation has so far not worked.
“The agreement that ensured a smooth connection for skiers between the various ski areas of the 4Vallées (Verbier, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon) was terminated by Téléveysonnaz as per 30 June 2014,” Téléverbier SA, which runs the Verbier side of the region, said in a statement in July, adding,
“Any discussions to draw up a new agreeement for the 4Vallées area, which would have ensured its long-term continuity, as well as suggestions for a temporary extension of the existing agreement in order to allow more time to finalise the complex issue, have failed due to Téléveysonnaz’ intransigence.”
Téléverbier has made contingency plans and launched a new area ‘Verbier Grand Ski’ which covers exclusively their own ski area (Verbier-Mont Fort (including Tortin), Savoleyres and Bruson (which was connected to Verbier last year with the new gondola Le Châble-Les Mayens de Bruson).
Statistically the area will have 195km of runs (compared to a claimed 400km in the 4 Valleys) of which 43% are blue runs, 29% red runs and 28% black runs, with 34 lifts, the highest going up to 3,330m.
So far the company has not issue lift ticket prices for the reduced area and it is believed negotiations continue which may yet see the 4 Valleys return next winter (there was a similar stand off approximately a decade ago, although that one appeared to be resolved more quickly,
“Téléverbier will continue its efforts to renew the agreement offering unlimited access to the entire 4Vallées area. If negotiations are successful, as Téléverbier hope, holders of a «Verbier Grand Ski» lift-pass will be granted access to the entire 4Vallées area with no additional fee,” concluded the company statement.
