Sion

Sion has a climate the rest of the country resents: it is among the driest and sunniest places in Switzerland, and outdoor sessions here run comfortably in months when the lake towns are damp and grey. The Rhône valley floor is flat and fast, while the vineyard terraces and the two castle hills rising straight out of the town give you serious gradient without leaving the centre.

It is also the practical base for the Valais resorts, so a session here often pairs with something else — conditioning before a ski week, or recovery after one. If you are here for the mountains rather than the town, say so when you book and your coach will plan accordingly.