Travel: The backdoor to Verbier provides super skiing and laidback seclusion for families

Try pronouncing ‘Tzoumaz’ with a mouthful of Raclette.

From the ancient local dialect, ‘tzoumer’ translates as ‘taking a break’ and authentic La Tzoumaz is tucked away at 1,500 metres on a shelf above the Rhone valley, bordering France and Italy, less than two hours by road and a little longer with good rail connections from Geneva.

The permanent population of the village is under 400, serviced by a bakery, a small delicatessen selling local products ...