Zermatt or Grimentz from Basel??

I have never been to either area, will be taking a train from Basel in mid-January. Both areas seem to be excellent for expert skiers, and since I have not heard of Grimentz in the US, I am very interested! I like a mix of on/off pieste and hate lift lines.

Which is going to be easier for me to get to via train?

I am assuming that Grimentz is smaller, therefore less crowded - is this true?

Any other considerations that will help me decide?

Zermatt has access by train right into the village. For Grimentz you will need to catch the PostBus up from Sierre rail station.

Grimentz is small and rural when compared with Zermatt which has a village for 6,000, compared with Grimentz which has 500+ year round.

There are rarely queues in Grimentz, I was appalled to see a sign in Zermatt which read "30 mins from here" for access to the Klein Matterhorn top lift.

Of course there are far fewer big restaurants, long pistes, no glacier etc

Grimentz however is a totally authentic ancient wood built alpine village with access to 110km of slopes in the immediate vicinity as it's linked with Zinal.

I'm hugely biased, as the pic in my Avatar is on Bendolla in Grimentz. I never get bored, and I'll be there mid Jan.

Link to the Lift company for piste details:

http://www.rma.ch/

Also see my post on here about the French Alpine Team who have been training in Zinal all month!

Thanks for the reply, Bandit - sounds like my cup of tea! I'll work on convincing the collegues.

I will take your bias as a good thing!

Could you give some advice on lodging? Are there B&Bs within walking distance to the lifts?

I assume that I can deal with equipment rental at the ski resort?

Thanks for the help!

There are a number of Hotels within easy walking of the main Gondola. They range from 1 star B&B to 3 star. The Tourist Office can help you with a booking.

http://www.sierre-anniviers.ch/index.cfm?&Langue=en

You may wish to opt for half board basis, it may be more economical. Look for deals on the website ^^

My favourite place for kit rental is Valsport, which is about 150m from the Gondola. Good range of skis available, including Freeride and Touring eqpt.