Moving to Nendaz: chalets, resort and mountain access

Moving to Nendaz is not like moving on the plain: the commune stretches above Sion, from Basse-Nendaz up to the resort of Haute-Nendaz, and mixes chalets, second homes and village housing. To move to Nendaz without unpleasant surprises, it is best to plan for access, the season and the paperwork. By describing your project online, you receive free quotes from removal companies in the area who are used to mountain roads.

Nendaz, from Basse-Nendaz to the resort: the lay of the land

Central Valais has pronounced relief here. The commune climbs the slope from Basse-Nendaz to Haute-Nendaz, and it is known for its bisses, the old irrigation channels that recall its farming past. Depending on the area, you will find village homes, resort apartment buildings, chalets and many second homes.

Each type of home raises its own questions. A chalet may have a sloping approach, an outside staircase or a narrow path; a resort apartment often depends on a lift, a shared car park or a shared courtyard; a village house may sit in a lane where a large lorry struggles to pass. If the property is a second home, also think about the move-out inspection (état des lieux), handing over the keys and when someone will be on site.

Access, parking and floors in Nendaz

This is the point that needs the most preparation. As in the side valleys of Valais, the roads are mountain roads, sometimes narrow, with bends and slopes. The right lorry is not necessarily the biggest: a medium-sized vehicle or several trips may be needed. Mention this in your request so that the movers plan the right equipment.

Also look at the carrying distance between the lorry and the door, the number of steps, the width of the stairs and whether there is a lift. For a high floor, a balcony or a chalet on a hillside, a furniture lift can save carrying furniture up the stairs, provided the machine can be set up nearby.

A lorry, furniture lift or skip that takes up the public road may require prior permission from the commune or the police. Check with the commune a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date. In winter, snow and ice can make access harder: allow a margin, and read our guide to moving in winter.

When to move to Nendaz: lease dates and seasons

For a rented home, the notice period is in principle three months before the date set by local custom or, failing that, before the end of a three-month lease period (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless the contract provides for longer. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and local custom. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). For the family home, the express consent of the spouse or partner is required (art. 266m and 266n CO). If you leave before the end date, you can be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO). Our guide on terminating a lease explains these points in detail.

Around lease dates, removal companies are in high demand: book early. In Nendaz, the season also matters. In winter, snow can slow down or complicate access, especially towards the resort. In summer, the heat mainly affects the Rhône plain, but it also tires crews during long carries. The shoulder seasons, between the tourist periods, are often easier for getting around.

Paperwork for your move to Nendaz

Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the old commune, arrival in the new one, within the deadline set by the canton. In many communes, you can report online through eMoving (eUmzugCH). Then remember to change your address with your employer, insurers, bank and subscriptions.

When leaving your old home, prepare the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and handover: cleaning, any repairs, returning the keys. The rental deposit, capped at three months’ rent for a home (art. 257e CO), is paid into a blocked account in your name. If you are arriving from abroad, customs and the residence permit need to be planned for; if you are leaving for France, the customs formalities change too. Our page on registering with the commune guides you through it.

Useful services for moving to Nendaz

Residential moving

For a flat, a chalet or a house, residential moving covers loading, transport and delivery. Be sure to give the floors, the access and the slope in your request.

Furniture lift

On sloping ground or for a high floor, a furniture lift can make it easier to move bulky furniture. Where the machine can stand depends on the space available and on possible permission.

Packing and unpacking

Packing and unpacking protects crockery, frames and fragile items on winding roads. It is also useful for closing up a second home quickly.

Storage

If the dates of your two homes do not match, or if a chalet is not ready yet, storage lets you keep your belongings for a while.

Furniture assembly and disassembly

To get through a narrow staircase or a chalet with compact rooms, furniture assembly and disassembly avoids a lot of difficulty.

End-of-lease cleaning

Before handing back a home, end-of-lease cleaning helps prepare the move-out inspection. The cost depends on the surface area and the condition of the home.

Request a quote

1. You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, access, preferred date.
2. Professional removal companies in the area contact you, possibly for a visit on site.
3. You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose.

The cost varies with the volume, the distance, the floors and access, the furniture lift, the packing and the date. To get a quote, go to the request a quote page.

Around Nendaz

If your project involves a neighbouring commune, see our pages on moving to Sion, Conthey or Hérémence. For an overview, see the page on moving in the canton of Valais and all communes.

Frequently asked questions