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With a 150km ski domain, plus an abundance of extra-curricular offerings - such as adventure tours on the glacier, via ferrata in the Fee Gorge, an exciting winter via ferrata and an epic non-stop ski descent of 1,800m - The Saas Valley is the perfect destination for every skier who can't resist a personal challenge.
But don't run away with the idea that this is an experts-only resort! Although the area has a strong tradition in the history of Alpinism, it's also a very family-friendly winter-sports resort, packed with rustic charm, that's well suited to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders alike. The highest viewpoint in the area is even accessible by pedestrians, courtesy of an underground funicular railway, the Metro Alpin, and hosts the world's highest revolving restaurant at the Mittelallalin at 3,500m. As well as superb skiing for all abilities, Saas-Fee ski resort's non ski activities are among the best in the Alps.
Where is Saas-Fee?
Saas-fee/Saastal lies in the south of Switzerland in the canton of Valais. The region is made up of four communites - the car-free main village of Saas-Fee, which sits on a beautiful mountain plateau at 1,800 metres above sea level, and the smaller villages of Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund and Saas-Balen.
The Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region is easily accessible by car or public transport: Although the closest airport is Sion, just over 46km away, most UK visitors will fly to Zurich, Basel or Geneva, from where onward connections via Visp can get you to Saas-Fee/Saastal in about three hours. Private transfers are available from Geneva Airport.
With the guest card (SaastalCard) the ski buses in the Saas Valley are included from the first night. So, you can explore the three ski areas of Saastal in the best way.
Skiing in the Saas Valley: One of the best ski resorts in Switzerland
Saas-Fee ski resort is one of the longest-established mountain resorts in Europe. It's charming yet buzzy pedestrian-friendly village, reliable snow and stunning scenery absolutely epitomises most people's image of an idyllic Swiss Alpine destination. Great for family ski holidays, as well as advanced skiers, it's also well-suited to young and lively beginners and intermediates.
Between 3,600m and 1,500m, the snow-assured areas in the holiday region Saas-Fee/Saastal are home to 150km of pistes, from extensive nursery slopes on the flattest ground closest to Saas-Fee village, to high altitude skiing on the glacial sector on the Mittelallalin, which is best suited to intermediates, and some wooded ski slopes in the Plattjen sector.
For extra variety, there are two further smaller ski areas in the valley below Saas-Fee, both easily reachable by the local bus service. Saas-Almagell provides visitors with a paradise for families and young children with Kian's Adventure Land being a particular highlight. Read more info about this below! Saas-Grund is a charming, sunny village, with a funslope for the kids and lovely snowshoe trails for when you're resting your ski legs.
One of the ski highlights is a Sunrise Skiing experience at the highest point you can reach with the cableways above Saas-Fee. As the first rays of sunlight hit the perfectly prepared slopes you can carve your tracks through the fresh snow in an atmosphere of complete tranquility and stunningly scenic views. Before you start, savour a sumptuous breakfast in the revolving restaurant Allalin.
The best things to do off the slopes in the Saas Valley
As superb as the pistes are, today's visitors want a bit more from their ski holiday and the Saas Valley delivers a diverse winter-sports destination, with loads of non-skiing activities to tempt its guests. Here are 10 of the best non-ski activities in Saas-Fee/Saastal:
Excursions on the Fee Glacier
An absolutely stunning high-altitude snowshoe tour over the Fee Glacier. Starting from the Längfluh Mountain Station, the trail heads out across untouched powder up to the panoramic platform. Equipped with ski poles and a climbing harness, you will pass breathtaking giant ice jags and glacier crevices while roped to a mountain guide and then make your way down to the Spielboden Station. The tour lasts 4-5 hours and prices start at @£170 per person as part of a 6-7 person group.
Gorge Alpine and Via Ferrata
Undoubtedly one of the best non-ski activities in Saastal. A high-speed Tyrolean zipline and cable pulleys are the highlights of this mountain guided trip through the wild and rugged Fee Gorge leading from Saas-Fee down to Saas-Grund. The spectacular tour passes frozen waterfalls and takes you across suspension bridges, ladders and steel ropes. Visitors are warned to never attempt to cross this gorge without a mountain guide!
The winter via ferrata in Saas-Grund also presents an adventurous challenge, but with a little fitness and a head for heights, the 150m of difference in altitude are easy to master. The tours are accompanied by a mountain guide and ends with a spectacular 40m abseil. The whole experience takes about two hours and is ideal for families, companies, clubs or other groups.
Winter hiking and snowshoe tours in The Saas Valley
From snowshoe tours to winter walking, the Saas Valley has some great ways of getting your snow fix without clicking into skis or grabbing a snowboard. A network of 120km of winter hiking and snowshoe trails, consisting of 14 different hiking trails, and another 13 snowshoe tours will easily keep you busy. Some highlights include the Längfluh circular trail, the Heimischgarte Trail, which goes through a beautiful forest reserve, and the hike to the frozen Mattmark reservoir.
Kian's Adventure Land for families
At the Furggstalden ski area above Saas-Almagell, is the adventure land of the dragon Kian. This family-friendly ski area in the breathtaking mountain world offers adults plenty of peace and relaxation, while fun and adventure are guaranteed for the little ones. Here children will discover a tepee, an igloo with movies for children, a free snowtubing track for the whole family and children's Skidoos (which have a top speed of only 20kph), as well as a ski slalom especially for kids. For the youngest ones, there is a carousel with a playground.
Exceptional sledging in the Saas Valley
Sledging is a terrific family activity in the Saas Valley. In Saas-Grund, you can sledge from Kreuzboden over a fabulous 11 kilometre run into the village and enjoy a spectacular view of the Mischabel massif and the Mattmark region. In Saas-Fee, a new interactive 6 kilometre-long run starts from the top station of the brand new Hannig cable car and leads over the so-called 'Sonnenberg' (sunny mountain) to the car-free glacier village. The 3k Saas-Almagell run leads from Furggstalden to the village. In all three destinations, you can hire sledges to the cable cars.
Kreuzboden by Night
The fun here doesn't stop when the sun sets. There's an evening programme for the whole family! Whether it's a fast-paced nightsledging run, an exciting torchlight hike or simply relaxing with a fondue evening at the charming Weissmies hut. And new for this winter is Night Biking - it's like night skiing but on special mountain bikes. You bike downhill on the floodlit piste! From 18:45 the cable car runs continuously and the last descent from Kreuzboden is at 21:45. An unforgettable adventure for adrenaline junkies.
Aqua Allalin
Embark on a wellness journey at this luxurious spa with spectacular mountain views. A range of saunas and baths, incredible 'feature showers', relaxation rooms, a 25-metre indoor pool, children’s pool and water slide – all this and more helps you unwind. The bio-soft sauna is suitable for elderly people and people with circulation problems, as the temperature is lower (between 55 and 60 degrees) compared to other saunas. The Aqua Allalin is also accessible to wheelchairs.
Fondue Gondola
For an evening with a difference try a fondue with a glass of wine or tea in a gondola. This one-hour evening gondola ride provides a fun, unique experience. The Saas mountains in the evening and the atmospheric lighting of Saas-Fee are sure to be remembered. There are even toys in the family gondola which is perfect for two adults with up to four children to keep them entertained, while, for a more romantic ride, the candle light gondola is a beautiful way to enjoy a fondue for two.
Culinary delights of Saastal
With around 100 restaurants, including many superb mountain restaurants, you get a great chance to explore the culinary delights of the Saas Valley both on and off the slopes. Ranging from traditional Valais specialities to international gourmet delicacies, the culinary offerings of the numerous restaurants are vast and diverse. One must-try is the world's highest revolving restaurant, Allalin. In one hour the restaurant revolves 360 degrees around its axis, providing you with ever-changing panoramic views.
Après-ski in Saas-Fee/Saastal
After a successful day on the slopes - or trying one of the great alternative activities - you can round things off in one of the Saas Valley's après-ski bars. The Saas-Fee après-ski scene is very lively and begins early in the cluster of snow-bars and music-pubs close to the lift terminals, the Black Bull Snowbar is a prime spot, as well as in the numerous animated bars on the main street leading into the heart of the village.
Some of the bars keep rocking right through the evening until late at night, others have a more sophisticated lounge-bar ambiance. Popular spots include Larix and Rudi's Snow Bar, and the High Life Après-Ski Club right at the start of Saas-Fee's legendary 'après-ski mile'.
Snow Magic Packages
Make the most of your stay in Saas-Fee/Saastal with a Ski Magic Package. Skipasses are included in every Snow Magic Package. Book 4-10 nights in an accommodation of your choice from 1 November 2024 to 27 April 2025, and you get a 6-day Flex ski pass at the best price, and a SaastalCard, which gives you free travel on the post bus throughout the Saas Valley.
