Mediendossier Sommer und Herbst 2023 EN

Media and information
English
The Saas Valley
in summer and autumn
1

Contents
04
10
Welcome to the Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region
Sustainability
Authentic mountain villages
Overnight stays, guest nationalities and lengths of stay
Facts and figures
2023 summer/autumn highlights
SaasFeestival
Allalin Adventure Terrace
Mattmark Half Marathon Adventureland Kreuzboden
Stomping Grounds
Treasure hunt
Culinary Mile
Autumn festival 2023
Kreuzboden flowtrail
12
Families
Ice Cave
Foxtrail
Marmots
Aqua Allalin
Feeblitz
Märliweg
Scooterbikes
Adventure Forest
14
17
18
19
20
Activities on the mountain
Hiking
Day-trip destinations
A world of hight mountain adventure
Adventure
Via ferratas
Trail running
Bike Skills Park Kreuzboden
Bikes and e-bikes
Gorge Alpine/Alpine Canyon
Culture/heritage
Cuisine
Art Gallery Werner Zurbriggen
Saas Museum
Exhibition on Father Johann Josef Imseng
Winter sports in the summer
How to get here/contact info
2 3

Welcome to the
Saas-Fee/Saastal
OVERNIGHT STAYS, GUEST NATIONALITIES AND LENGTHS OF STAY
DEVELOPMENT OF OVERNIGHT STAYS IN SAAS-FEE
2000-2022
holiday region
SUSTAINABILITY
Saas-Fee is – and has always been – a car-free village.
The road which connects us with the valley was
built in 1951 – but Saas-Fee made the decision to remain
car-free. Up here, you either travel on foot or in an
electric vehicle. What’s more, Saas-Fee has introduced
measures to combat the health hazard represented by
particulate pollution and is equipping the municipality’s
250 wood burners with filters. The village’s entire electricity
supply – including that required for the cable cars
and lifts – is generated by renewable hydropower from
the Valais. No other Swiss residential and tourist area
uses as much natural energy as consistently as we do.
It was in recognition of all these endeavours that Saas-
Fee was awarded the accolade of ‘Energiestadt’ (‘Energy
Town’) by the Energie Schweiz energy programme
in June 2002. This accolade honours the introduction
of clear standards of quality in energy and transport
policy and is awarded for outstanding achievements in
the sustainability field. More about sustainability in the
Saas Valley:
Sustainability
AUTHENTIC MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
The Saas Valley is made up of four traditional mountain
communities: Saas-Fee, Saas-Grund, Saas-Almagell
and Saas-Balen. Saas-Fee is the biggest and most
tourist-focused of the four communities – yet it has still
managed to keep all of its rustic village charm. In the
Saas Valley, visitors can stroll down cobblestone alleys
between centuries-old barns and charming Valais-style
houses. In these communities, there is a special charm
in everything that is authentic, traditional and rustic.
-> Saas-Grund
Saas-Grund enchants visitors with its rustic buildings
and narrow, winding streets. The village is the
starting point for numerous hiking trails, such as the
Almageller and Gsponer mountain trail or the popular
‘18 Four-Thousanders’ circular trail in Hohsaas;
the latter offers the best views of the Mischabel
massif.
-> Saas-Almagell
Nestled between picturesque side valleys, Saas-Almagell
is the southernmost village of the four. It’s
particularly popular with hikers, as Saas-Almagell
is the starting point for many different trails. This is
where the adventure trail from Furggstalden to Almagelleralp
starts, as well as the route to the Monte
Moro Pass and Antrona Pass via the Mattmark Dam.
-> Saas-Balen
The village of Saas-Balen is located at the mouth of
the Saas Valley. Visitors should make time for a detour
to the imposing Fellbach Waterfall. Saas-Balen
is also the starting point for tons of hiking trails,
such as those leading to the hamlet of Matt or to
the Heimischgartu alpine pasture. Architecture fans
shouldn’t miss the late baroque Round Church built
in 1812. It’s the only one of its kind still standing in
Switzerland.
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
-200000
633’049
708’681
624’404
701’827
623’988
719’004
678’358
737’710
643’052
723’346
601’931
703’696
553’053
653’387
502’300
578’609
494’096
548’129
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Annual Report
480’460
546’791
449’245
534’477
526’239
482’379
641’427
546’025
Korrektur im Folgejahr
Hospitality-adjacent industry
Hotels and groups
695’406
557’959
692’073
535’264
655’881
451’373
709’463
429’741
769’642
475’096
-> Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee is located at the base of the Dom, the tallest
mountain in Switzerland. Cars are not allowed in
the village, which is one of Switzerland’s more popular
winter destinations. The Saas-Fee glacier is home
to one of Europe’s rare summer ski areas, and the
Mittelallalin features the highest-altitude revolving
restaurant in the world. With its sun-bleached barns,
cobblestone streets and wooden Valais-style houses
framed by the Mischabel mountain range, Saas-
Fee has a special charm that attracts up to 9,000
guests in the high season.
4 5

OVERNIGHT STAYS BY COUNTRY AND SEASON FOR THE 2020/2021 FISCAL YEAR
Land
LN
Winter Sommer Jahr
Marktanteil
in %
LN
Marktanteil
in %
LN
Marktanteil
in %
Switzerland/Liechtenstein 369'214 72.12 182'767 51.65 551'981 63.75
Germany 56'375 11.01 45'441 12.84 101'816 11.76
France 9'167 1.79 10'351 2.93 19'518 2.25
Italy 1'631 0.32 7'279 2.06 8'910 1.03
Austria 660 0.13 5'480 1.55 6'140 0.71
Great Britain 18'490 3.61 17'060 4.82 35'550 4.11
Netherlands 26'557 5.19 23'733 6.71 50'290 5.81
Belgium 12'406 2.42 16'024 4.53 28'430 3.28
Luxembourg 3'188 0.62 748 0.21 3'936 0.45
Denmark 1'036 0.20 622 0.18 1'658 0.19
Sweden 844 0.16 1'026 0.29 1'870 0.22
Norway 101 0.02 3'773 1.07 3'874 0.45
Finland 305 0.06 229 0.06 534 0.06
Spain 1'311 0.26 2'357 0.67 3'668 0.42
Russia 313 0.06 121 0.03 434 0.05
Poland 1'242 0.24 1'399 0.40 2'641 0.31
Czech Republic/Slovakia 1'213 0.24 5'812 1.64 7'025 0.81
Slovenia 212 0.04 1'443 0.41 1'655 0.19
Rest of Europe 2'214 0.43 3'528 1 5'742 0.66
USA 1'400 0.27 10'888 3.08 12'288 1.42
Canada 322 0.06 4'061 1.15 4'383 0.51
Rest of the Americas 346 0.07 359 0.10 705 0.08
Africa 359 0.07 130 0.04 489 0.06
Israel 324 0.06 2'950 0.83 3'274 0.38
Japan 436 0.09 1'287 0.36 1'723 0.20
China/Hong Kong/Taiwan 204 0.04 418 0.12 622 0.07
Rest of Asia 1'730 0.34 3'794 1.07 5'524 0.64
Australia, Oceania 298 0.06 643 0.18 941 0.11
Other 65 0.01 132 0.04 197 0.02
Total 511'963 100.00 353'855 100.00 865'818 100.00
OVERNIGHT STAYS BY MONTH FOR THE 2020/2021 FISCAL YEAR
Winter Saas-Fee Saas-Grund Saas-Almagell Saas-Balen Total
November 18'480 3'255 1'013 109 22'857
December 51'325 18'671 8'581 1'099 79'676
January 60'592 22'775 11'320 894 95'581
February 94'148 45'867 21'428 2'651 164'094
March 74'865 33'618 14'398 1'645 124'526
April 49'186 17'834 5'504 1'266 73'790
Total: Winter 348'596 142'020 62'244 7'664 560'524
Summer Saas-Fee Saas-Grund Saas-Almagell Saas-Balen Total
May 2'716 3'147 597 114 6'574
June 10'346 16'670 6'696 677 34'389
July 51'662 48'218 16'490 2'049 118'419
August 63'590 48'550 17'549 1'690 131'379
September 34'095 22'347 9'924 735 67'101
October 30'918 12'895 4'205 309 48'327
Total: Sommer 193'327 151'827 55'461 5'574 406'189
Total Year
(excluding all-inclusive)
541'923 293'847 117'705 13'238 966'713
All-inclusive 213'086 38'490 18'509 7'940 278'025
Total: 2021/22 year 755'009 332'337 136'214 21'178 1'244'738
Winter | Summer 64% 36% 48% 52% 53% 47% 58% 42% 58% 42%
Mountain huts 2'352 21'024 23'376
Shared house 46'209 31'310 77'519
All-inclucive 137'763 140'262 278'025
Total: Destination 698'287 546'451 1'244'738
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FACTS AND FIGURES
-> The Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region is surrounded
by 18 four-thousand-metre peaks. The ones in
brackets are those not that are not visible from
the location: Allalin, Alphubel, Täschhorn, Dom,
Lenzspitz, (Nadelhorn), (Stecknadelhorn), (Hohberghorn),
(Dürrenhorn), (Strahlhorn), (Rimpfischhorn),
Weissmies, Lagginhorn.
-> From Hohsaas, 18 four-thousand-metre peaks can
be seen (‘18 Four-Thousanders’ circular theme trail
on Hohsaas).
-> The road to Saas-Fee was first built in 1951. They
decided to stay car-free. Saas-Fee has remained
that way ever since.
-> There are 300 electric vehicles in Saas-Fee (private
individuals cannot apply for an electric vehicle. Only
hotels, businesses, craftsmen and landlords with
over 20 beds).
-> The first tourists were from England. That’s why
there is an Anglican church in Saas-Fee (today the
Evangelical church). The Britannia hut was also built
by Englishmen in 1912 (hence the name Britannia).
-> Initially, there was only summer tourism (mountaineers,
researchers, botanists); winter tourism began
in 1951.
-> Johann Josef Imseng (statue in front of the church)
was a tourism pioneer and pastor. He built the first
hotel in the Saas Valley (in Saas-Grund) in the middle
of the 19th century. Johann Josef Imseng was the
first Swiss skier. He laid the foundation for the development
of skiing. In 1849, he mastered a downhill
run to Saas-Grund on self-built skis.
-> The only Alpine World Cup to take place in Saas-
Fee was held in 1988. Adelboden had too little snow,
so the giant slalom was moved from Adelboden to
Saas-Fee to the Plattjen ski area’s black piste. Alberto
Tomba (Tomba la bomba) won. An investment
of three million francs would be needed to make the
piste able to host the World Cup – an unrealistic
sum.
-> In 1984, Wham shot their famous video for ‘Last
Christmas’ in Saas-Fee. They actually wanted to film
in Gstaad, but there wasn’t enough snow. Here is the
tour itinerary for the ‘Last Christmas’ video shoot:
Felskinn valley station, Hotel FerienART (now known
as Walliserhof), Steinmatten cultural centre (indoor
shots were filmed there) + chalet in the hamlet of
‘Schliechte’: the famous Last Christmas chalet.
-> Saas-Fee is only 120 kilometres from Milan as the
crow flies. In clear weather, you can see the lights
of Milan from the revolving restaurant. And vice versa:
from the Torre Branca lookout tower in Milan, you
can see the Mischabel massif of Saas-Fee.
-> The Monte Moro Pass and the Antrona Pass were
once important crossings to the south, also known
as smuggling routes.
-> The Counterfeiters (1925), the most famous work
of the Nobel Prize in Literature winner André Gide
(1869–1951), is set in Saas-Fee (and Paris).
-> Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902)
spent two weeks in Saas-Fee in 1896. There is a
bust in front of the Saas Museum + plaque at the
Hotel Metropol, the successor of the building he
originally stayed in.
-> Carl Zuckmayer (1896–1977), one of the most-performed
playwrights in the German-speaking world
in the second half of the 20th century, lived in Saas-
Fee from 1957–1977 (in Haus Vogelweid). There is a
Carl Zuckmayer trail with quote stones.
‘A day not spent here in Saas-Fee is like half a day
for me.’ (Carl Zuckmayer)
-> Visitors to the Saas Fee/Saastal destination can
benefit from numerous discounts thanks to the
SaastalCard. All patrons of our partner organisations
receive our SaastalCard visitor ticket and can thus
take advantage of countless attractions in the area,
such as unlimited usage of the PostBus throughout
the entire Saas Valley. In summer, visitors with the
SaastalCard can use all mountain lifts (except for
the Metro Alpin) in the Saas Valley for free, starting
from a stay of one night.
8 9

Highlights and new features in
summer and autumn 2023
SAASFEESTIVAL
The second edition of the SaasFeestival offers five
concert moments at three different locations. For four
weeks, the entire Saas Valley will be transformed into
a large open-air stage for four weeks. The festival will
kick off on Saturday, 8 July with children‘s activities as
well as exciting stories and sounds from Bruno Hächler
& Band. The highlight of the new festival will be the
three evenings on the village square in Saas- Fee: Dada
Ante Portas, Black Sea Dahu, Florian Ast, accompanied
by Andrea Bignasca, Üsserorts, Kalpetrane promise
unforgettable musical evenings in the heart of the of
the car-free glacier village. The grand finale will take
place on 11 August on the village square in Saas-Almagell
with the bands Frost & Fog and Nickless.
Admission to the concerts is free, in keeping with the
concept of an open concept of a festival that is open
and accessible to all.
SaasFeestival
MATTMARK SEMI MARATHON 2023
In September 2023, the Mattmark Semi Marathon will
take place for the 5th time. The start is at the round
church in Saas-Balen. The route leads through beautiful
larch forests, past Saas-Grund and Almagell to the
hamlet of Zermeiggern. On historic paths, the dam wall
is reached on a pleasantly manageable climb. Finally,
the most beautiful part follows for the runners, the almost
flat 7-kilometre loop around the picturesque Lake
Mattmark!
Shorter race tours are also available, the 8 km course
around the Mattmark dam or the Nordic Walking/Fun
category.
Mattmark Semi Marathon
THE STOMPING GROUNDS
HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CAMP
In October, the Stomping Grounds will be gearing up
for the next round of training in Saas-Fee! This high
performance training Camp for ski and snowboard
slope-style, big air and half-pipes takes place on the
Fee Glacier every autumn. Attendees can train in ten
different Olympic disciplines. Over 200 freestyle ski
and snowboard pros prepare for the season here in two
ten-day freestyle training sessions. Charles Beckinsale
is one of the best park and jump builders in the world;
every autumn, he builds the best pre-season freestyle
training area in Saas-Fee in collaboration with Jeremy
Carpenter and Brandon Dodds from the USA.
The Stomping Grounds
FLOWTRAIL KREUZBODEN
The approximately five-kilometre-long Flow Trail between
Kreuzboden and Trift was built for spring 2022.
This will complement the Bike Skills Park, which was
built in summer 2021, from summer 2022.
Flowtrail
ALLALIN ADVENTURE TERRACE
Situated at an altitude of 3,500 m, the site will be transformed
this year into a place of leisure, adventure and
tourism. Thanks to our partner Cupra, the large terrace
at the foot of the Allalin (4‘027m) will be staged with
bobbycars. Younger visitors will be able to enjoy the
bouncy castle and the slackline, as well as the preparation
of the slopes from the point of view of our staff
in the groomer equipped with VR glasses. Other highlights
include the world‘s highest revolving restaurant,
the world‘s highest underground lift and the large ice
cave.
Adventure terrace
ADVENTURELAND KREUZBODEN
Since summer 2022, there is a new and modern playground
for children of different age groups at Kreuzboden.
It is made of natural materials and is characterized
by its size and its spectacular installations such as towers,
climbing elements, water games and much more,
water games and much more. Of course with the breathtaking
view of the four-thousand-metre four-thousand-metre
peaks.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2023
For four days in october, the village centre of Saas-Fee
is transformed into a large festival area with games and
performances for the whole family.
On Wednesday and Saturday from 1 pm to 8 pm and
on Thursday and Friday from 3 pm to 8 pm, jugglers,
clowns and acrobats will ensure a cheerful and colourful
festival atmosphere. Young and old can enjoy themselves
on small carousels, take part in various playful
activities and fortify themselves with delicacies. For the
grown-ups, a good glass of wine or a typical Valais raclette
is of course a must.
Autumn Festival
Nostalgic Culinary Mile
The Nostalgic Culinary Mile turns back the clock and
presents authentic dishes from yesteryear, many of
which are now almost forgotten. A variety of menus
and exquisite Valais wines are waiting for you to try
them. In the village street, our “antique” hoteliers
and restaurateurs are waiting to spoil you with their
culinary delights. The selection of delicious food and
drinks is tempting and invites you to sin and feast.
Nostalgic Culinary Mile
Playgrounds
TREASURE HUNT
FURGGSTALDEN - SAAS-ALMAGELL
In cooperation with Valais/Wallis Promotion and SPICK,
a new treasure hunt has been created for families in
Furggstalden in Saas-Almagell. On the way there are
many interesting facts and information about the forest
habitat for young and old.
Treasure hunt
10 11

Families
Families always feel particularly welcome in the Saas-
Fee/Saastal holiday region! Whether they’re staying in
a hotel or holiday home or visiting a restaurant: families
feel right at home in our holiday region, no matter
the season. It is especially important to us to keep
the needs of our grown-up guests in mind and not just
those of the youngsters. The destination is affiliated
with the ‘Families Welcome’ seal of approval from Switzerland
Tourism.
FOXTRAIL
Foxtrail, a well-known scavenger hunt for families,
friends or companies, provides a playful way to explore
several regions of Switzerland. The fox has left its
tracks in Saas Valley, too. On the ‘Allalin’ Foxtrail, teams
in Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund follow in the footsteps of
the legendary Father Johann Josef Imseng. To uncover
all his secrets, they must search his historic home for
clues, coax important information from marmots, and
climb way, way up. An exclusive ride in an electric vehicle
will keep participants on their toes and provide
an unforgettable experience. The ‘Allalin’ Foxtrail has a
duration of around 2.5 hours. In addition, there are also
two shorter (approximately 90-minute) versions of this
trail: one for winter and one for summer
AQUA ALLALIN
Anyone who visits the Aqua Allalin can be sure to embark
on a very special alpine journey of well-being – the
spectacular mountain panorama that’s visible here,
even from the whirlpool, is simply breathtaking.
Various saunas and baths, adventure showers, quiet
rooms, an indoor pool with a 25-metre pool, children’s
pool and adventure slide.
Aqua Allalin
ROPE PARK “ADVENTURE FOREST”
In the adventure park, even the smallest children can
experience great climbing adventures. This is possible
thanks to the children’s courses in the Saas-Fee Adventure
Park. Equipped with continuous safety systems,
children from 4 years of age can climb from tree
to tree with great fun and without interruption.
Adventure Forest
Families
ICE CAVE
High above Saas-Fee, at 3,500 metres above sea level,
visitors will find the gateway to the interior of the Fee
Glacier. The Ice Cave, which measures 5,500 cubic metres,
was completely refurbished in the spring of 2016.
Now the history of this 2,000-year-old ice formation
is being retold for a new generation. Mythology, fairy
tales and legends. The Ice Cave in Saas-Fee offers new
insights into the fascinating world of ice and invites
visitors to marvel and dream. This also includes an avalanche
simulation with lighting effects and an impressive
pressure wave that can be felt all over the body.
Foxtrail
MÄRLIWEG - STORYTELLING TRAIL
In the middle of the larch forest between Mälchbodu
and Bärufalla, young people and families can discover
the story of Pia on theme boards. The panels are decorated
with beautiful drawings and the legend is set in
the surroundings with various natural elements that
can be touched up close.
MONSTER SCOOTERS
With no less than 2 scooter routes, the Saas-Fee/Saastal
holiday region guarantees fast descents and pure
action. A 3.5 km long track from Furggstalden is wide
and easy to ride and leads down to Saas-Almagell. And
from Kreuzboden to Saas-Grund, 11 km of downhill fun
awaits you.
Scooterbikes
Summer Highlights
Märliweg
Ice Cave
THE SAAS VALLEY AND ITS MARMOTS
Our marmots are probably the cutest villagers in Saas-
Fee. You’re likely to encounter them if you explore Spielboden
or Stafelwald. The rodents enjoy eating nuts and
carrots all summer long. In winter, the cute little critters
sleep peacefully in their burrows. Their winter hibernation
lasts between six and eight months. Starting
in mid-April, marmots can be seen out and about once
more. From summer 2023, families on the way to the
Murmeliweg, high up on Spielboden, families can listen
to the stories of Murmeli Eddie.
FEEBLITZ TOBOGGAN RUN
The Feeblitz in Saas-Fee is a very special experience.
First you take the steepest lift in the Alps to the starting
point, then you descend at a breathtaking speed of up
to 40 km/h. An adventure for the whole family, whatever
the season.
Feeblitz
Marmots
12 13

Activities on the
mountain
HIKING
Embark on a very special hiking adventure in the Saas-
Fee/Saastal holiday region. Experience the beauty of
the Valley across over 350 kilometres of hiking trails,
far away from everyday stress. Find your way back in a
unique natural landscape. Hike past lush alpine meadows
along the forest line or along glaciers into higher
territories. The majestic, mountainous world of the
Saas Valley is a delight for hikers. As you continue on
your path, new views of our 18 four-thousand-metre
peaks reveal themselves again and again.
SAAS HUT TOUR
The Saas Hut Tour, which lasts several days, starts in
Gspon and leads to the four mountain huts in the Saas
Valley along impressive paths. Unique views of the
4000 metre peaks are guaranteed. The Saas Hut Tour
allows you to discover the Saas Valley in its alpine way
in 5 days.
Saas Hut Tour
DAY-TRIP DESTINATION
-> Mittelallalin
The Metro Alpin – the world’s highest-altitude underground
funicular railway – will take you to the
Mittelallalin. Sitting in the highest revolving restaurant
in the world, at 3,500 metres above sea level,
the giants of the Alps are practically close enough to
touch. And right next door, in one of the largest ice
cave in the world, visitors can learn the secrets of
the glaciers. 20 kilometres of well-prepared slopes
at 3,500 metres in altitude, ski lifts, the unique view
of the highest peaks in the Valais and the heat of the
summer sun all contribute to an unforgettable summer
skiing experience.
-> Hohsaas
On the 1.4-kilometre-long circular trail from Hohsaas
(3,142 metres above sea level), visitors can see the 18
mighty four-thousand-metre peaks of the Saas Valley
‘in the flesh’ and on information boards and monuments.
-> Kreuzboden
Kreuzboden, above Saas-Grund, offers a unique view of
the Mischabel mountain range. Further up, in Hohsaas,
visitors can view the 18 four-thousand-metre peaks of
the Saas Valley on the 1.4-kilometre-long circular trail.
-> Längfluh
Längfluh takes visitors much closer to the glaciers
than most paths. If you want to go even further, it’s
best to connect with a mountain guide for a tour on
the Fee Glacier. The starting point for glacier trekking
is the Längfluh mountain hut. It takes around 20 convenient
minutes by cable car to get from the village to
around 2,800 metres above sea level.
-> Plattjen
Plattjen (2,570 m a.s.l.) is an excursion destination
above of Saas-Fee. Here it is stony, rough and exceptionally
wild. But not only because of the landscape
Plattjen is called a wild mountain here. Early in the
morning one has the best chances here, of seeing
impressive wild animals such as ibex and chamois.
chamois. The Plattjen cable car takes passengers in
a relaxed manner to the sun terrace of the mountain
restaurant Plattjen Terminus, where visitors can
enjoy the view of the Mischabel chain and enjoy the
fresh mountain air. Hiking and via ferrata enthusiasts
in particular get their get their money‘s worth
up here.
-> Heidbodme
Heidbodme is a lookout point above Saas-Almagell
that offers a stunning view of the Saas Valley all the
way to Saas-Fee, as well as a unique perspective of the
Monte-Rosa massif.
-> Mattmark
In the south of the Saas Valley is where visitors will find
the biggest earthwork dam in Europe: the Mattmark
Dam. It’s a popular day-trip destination, not only for to
its fascinating technical aspects but also because of
its wild and romantic setting. The modern mountain
restaurant and exhibition space is located at 2,205
metres above sea level. Visitors can enjoy the unrestricted
view of the reservoir lake and a breathtaking
panorama of the Monte Moro Pass. The dammed crest
of Lake Mattmark (2,200 metres above sea level) is
easily accessible by car or public transport. The easy,
flat circular lake hike starts from here (duration: 2.5
hours).
-> Fellbach-Wasserfall und Rundkirche Saas-Balen
At 40 metres in height, the Fellbach Waterfall is one of
the top sights to see in Saas-Balen. It’s also the most
impressive waterfall in the Saas Valley. The Round
Church dating from 1812 is another (albeit man-made)
landmark. The church and the townscape are included
in the Swiss Inventories of National Significance due
to their importance and uniqueness.
Hiking
A WORLD OF HIGH MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Experience summer in the high mountain adventure world
of Saas-Fee/Saastal! The picturesque mountains offer
activities to suit all needs and allow for active relaxation.
The batteries are recharged on our hiking trails, mountain
bike tracks and via ferrata. Here, the many adventures
take place with views of 18 peaks over 4000 metres and a
fascinating glacier world!
World of adventure
14 15

Adventure
VIA FERRATAS
Experienced mountain climbers who don’t suffer from
a fear of heights will appreciate the opportunity to experience
belayed ‘Cliffside Adventures’ at various locations
in the Saas Valley.
-> Via Ferrata Britannia
Our latest via ferrata in the Saas Valley offers a breathtaking
climbing experience and a unique view of
the Allalin and Mattmark area. The Via Ferrata Britannia
promises thrills and unique views on the Saas
mountains. The difficulty level of the via ferrata is in
the range of K-3 (quite difficult) and K-4 (difficult)
and some climbing experience is an advantage.
-> Via Ferrata Jegihorn
Not only one of the most beautiful via ferratas in
Switzerland – it’s also the highest in the Western
Alps. Great scenery, with little iron and lots of rock
contact, this climb has a lot to offer for advanced
climbers.
-> Via Ferrata Mittaghorn
This via ferrata will take you to the peak of a
three-thousand-metre mountain – a spot from
which you’ll take in a breathtaking view of the Saas
and Rhone Valleys and nearby four-thousand-metre
peaks! An easy-to-moderate via ferrata that can
also be recommended for beginners.
-> Mini Via ferrata Saas-Grund
You don’t always have to take the highest route in
order to enjoy the sensation of a via ferrata. This
mini via ferrata is located just minutes away from the
Saas-Grund valley station for cable cars.
TRAILRUNNING
Trail running has become increasingly popular in recent
years. The Saas Valley is the perfect location for this
sport. Due to the high altitude the Saas Valley, athletes
can train their stamina and bring their body to new top
form. The reason? The body has to adapt to the to the
new altitude and reacts by producing more red blood
cells that transport oxygen.
Trail running
BIKE SKILLS PARK KREUZBODEN
Since 2021, our bike fans have been getting their money’s
worth at the new Bike Skills Park Kreuzboden
above Saas-Grund. The various routes are each around
380 metres long and the bikers are transported to the
start by a conveyor belt.
BIKE UND E-BIKE
There are eleven bike trails in the Saas-Fee/Saastal
holiday region. Some routes are easier and better
suited for families or seniors – the Mattmark Bike Tour
is one of these. But anyone in search of a thrill should
try the Hohsaas Trail. When choosing a trail, please
keep the difficulty level in mind. The upper part of the
Hohsaas Trail has been classified as difficulty level 5 –
so this section is a trail for experts only. The Mattmark
Bike Tour, on the other hand, is only a level 2 and thus
much easier.
Biking
Via ferratas
GORGE ALPIN / ALPINE CANYON
Thanks to its two Tyrolean traverses and the possibility
of abseiling, this route is one of just two dynamic
via ferratas in the Upper Valais. The route will take you
over suspension bridges, up ladders and along steel
cables through the rugged Fee Ravine from Saas-Fee
to Saas-Grund. The tour is not suitable for people who
are afraid of heights and is not permitted for children
under 12 years of age. All visitors must be accompanied
by a mountain guide.
Gorge Alpine
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Culture and heritage
CUISINE
Here, you’ll find everything from traditional Valais specialities
to international gourmet cuisine. The culinary
offerings of the more than 100 restaurants in the Saas-
Fee/Saastal holiday region are vast and diverse. And
countless cafés, bars and pizzerias provide additional
options. You can learn more from our ‘Cuisine in the
Saas Valley’ brochure:
Cuisine
ART GALLERY
WERNER ZURBRIGGEN
The Saas Valley artist Werner Zurbriggen has perceived
the people in this valley like no other and has reduced
them to the essential in his own way. He combined clear
forms of geometry with expressive ones and woven
a fabric of beauty from them. This is also the origin of
the long, miserable silhouette of the traditional Valaisan
woman, which he painted again and again until the
end of his life. Gifted with an extraordinary sense for
decorative values and a master of composition, the artist
created a figurative constructivism of unmistakable
originality.
SAAS MUSEUM
When you visit the four-storey Saas Museum, you’ll
go on a journey back in time in the Saas-Fee/Saastal
holiday region. Some exhibits of the museum include a
Saas flat from the turn of the century, folkloric objects,
beautiful and traditional historic costumes, sacred art
and – a special highlight – the study of the famous
writer Carl Zuckmayer, who lived in Saas-Fee for twenty
years. The building housing today’s Saas Museum is the
former parsonage of Saas-Fee, which was built in 1732.
Another storey was added in 1855. In 1983, this old traditional
Saas-style house was reimagined as a museum
thanks to the initiative of local historian Werner Imseng.
Werner Zurbriggen
EXHIBITION
FATHER JOHANN JOSEF IMSENG
To this day, the work of the pastor and tourism pioneer
Johann Josef Imseng (1806–1869) is of great importance
in this region. He also went down in history as the
first person to ski in the Alps, on 20 December 1849.
On that day, the Saas Valley lay under a thick blanket
of snow. A distress call reached the ears of the valley’s
Father Johann Josef Imseng, who was staying in Saas-
Fee. He had been called to the bedside of a dying man
in Saas-Grund. In an act that marked a pivotal moment
in history, he tied homemade wooden boards to his hiking
boots and set off, completing the first-ever downhill
ski run in Switzerland. Johann Josef Imseng was not
just an excellent pastor. He also actively promoted tourism
in the Saas Valley with the aim of fighting poverty.
He opened his doors to guests, worked as a mountain
guide, and told his guests all about the history and customs
of the Saas Valley. The visionary pastor even arranged
for hotels to be built. It was thanks to his intervention
that people felt comfortable visiting this place.
He was himself a man of the mountains and took part in
many of the early mountain climbs. The memorial exhibition
in honour of this pioneer of Saas tourism can be
visited in the old parsonage of Saas-Grund during the
summer months.
Culture & Customs
Winter sports in the
summer
Starting in mid-July, 20 kilometres of slopes will be
available on the Fee Glacier. During the high season,
our summer ski area has around 1,200 visitors every
day (mainly professional training teams). Over 330
teams train on our glacier every year, about a quarter of
which are national teams. Around 20 countries in Europe,
as well as North America and Japan, send their
professionals to us to prepare for the season. Three
ski lifts have been in operation so far, the fourth was
completed at the end of 2018 and has since expanded
the capacity of the ski area on the glacier. The Swiss
Ski Team is particularly pleased about this – elite Swiss
skiers have always trained in the glacier village, so they
feel at home here. Our Freestyle Park on the Fee Glacier
is another magnet for athletes in summer. The park
is a state-of-the-art training space for freestylers. The
Stomping Grounds, a high-intensity training boot camp,
also takes place here every autumn. The park set-up
consists of a rail and kicker line as well as a halfpipe
and attracts top pros from all over the world to prepare
for the new season in private training sessions.
Summer ski
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Getting to the
Saas Valley
Whether you’re travelling by car or by public transport:
the Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region is easy to reach
from anywhere in Switzerland. There are direct train
connections from all major Swiss cities to Visp; from
there, you can reach the Saas Valley in just 50 minutes
by taking Bus 511. We may be practically at the southernmost
tip of Switzerland, but your journey couldn’t
be easier: you only need to change trains once, and the
unique scenery is included free of charge! The journey
takes three hours from Zurich, Geneva and Basle and
just two from Berne. If you’re arriving by car, you’ll find
plenty of parking spaces for car-free Saas-Fee in the
large multistorey car park right at the entrance to the
village.
CONTACT US!
Saastal Tourismus AG
Obere Dorfstrasse 2
CH-3906 Saas-Fee
Email: media@saas-fee.ch
Tel. +41 27 958 18 58
Media database
Saastal Tourismus AG
Obere Dorfstrasse 2
CH-3906 Saas-Fee
Email: sales@saas-fee.ch
Tel. +41 27 958 18 75
Tour operator
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