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PRESS KIT<br />

<strong>2025</strong>


CONTENTS<br />

PAYS DU SAINT-BERNARD<br />

An auth<strong>en</strong>tic alpine region<br />

Map of villages<br />

Key figures<br />

St. Bernard dogs<br />

WINTER ACTIVITIES<br />

Winter in the great outdoors<br />

Key figures<br />

Map of the slopes<br />

The PASS Saint-Bernard – Winter<br />

The natural ice rink at Champex-Lac<br />

SUMMER ACTIVITIES<br />

A land of landscapes<br />

Key figures<br />

Hiking map<br />

The PASS Saint-Bernard – Summer<br />

The Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a<br />

Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être<br />

CULTURAL HERITAGE<br />

A region with a 1,000-year-old history<br />

Key figures<br />

The artillery fort at Champex-Lac<br />

GASTRONOMY AND TERROIR<br />

A taste of the peaks<br />

Key figures<br />

The Grand-Entremont gift hamper<br />

ACCOMMODATION<br />

From huts to luxury hotels<br />

Key figures<br />

The Alpine Club<br />

A COLOURFUL CALENDAR<br />

FURTHER INFORMATION<br />

AND CONTACTS


PAYS DU<br />

SAINT-BERNARD<br />

AN AUTHENTIC<br />

ALPINE REGION<br />

In an exceptional and largely<br />

unspoilt natural setting, the Pays du<br />

St-Bernard is an op<strong>en</strong> invitation to<br />

discover a wi<strong>de</strong> range of sporting<br />

and cultural activities.<br />

In summer, there's something for<br />

every hiker, with cabins, lakes,<br />

nature reserves, walks alongsi<strong>de</strong> St.<br />

Bernard dogs or treks lasting several<br />

days sure to keep our guests happy<br />

until October, wh<strong>en</strong> our forests are<br />

<strong>de</strong>cked out in their brightest colours.<br />

The summer months can also inclu<strong>de</strong><br />

a visit to the museum and k<strong>en</strong>nels<br />

at the Hospice du Grand-St-Bernard,<br />

one of the best-known in Valais, or<br />

the Flore-Alpe botanical gar<strong>de</strong>n at<br />

Champex-Lac, one of the most prestigious<br />

in the Alps!<br />

In winter, our charming resorts offer<br />

ski and freeri<strong>de</strong> slopes for all levels,<br />

with breathtaking panoramic views,<br />

cross-country ski trails in incredible<br />

natural settings and snowshoe trails<br />

in the heart of our snowy forests.<br />

Proud of their region and their terroir<br />

repres<strong>en</strong>ted by the famous Corbeille<br />

du Grand Entremont, the inhabitants<br />

of the Pays du St-Bernard have kept<br />

alive and well a wealth of traditions<br />

that we look forward to sharing with<br />

you.


MAP OF<br />

THE VILLAGES


2,472m.<br />

Altitu<strong>de</strong> of the<br />

Great Saint<br />

Bernard hospice<br />

1050<br />

Year the hospice<br />

was foun<strong>de</strong>d<br />

3<br />

Bor<strong>de</strong>rs at the<br />

summit of the<br />

Dol<strong>en</strong>t (France,<br />

Italy, Switzerland)


4,314 m.<br />

Height of the<br />

Grand Combin<br />

1<br />

leg<strong>en</strong>dary dog<br />

breed<br />

3 rd<br />

highest road pass<br />

in Switzerland


ST.BERNARD<br />

DOGS<br />

St. Bernard dogs can be recognized<br />

by their massive build and<br />

reddish-brown and white coat.<br />

St. Bernards are known for their<br />

rescue instinct. Their exceptional<br />

s<strong>en</strong>se of smell and height make<br />

them capable of <strong>de</strong>tecting human<br />

life ev<strong>en</strong> un<strong>de</strong>r several metres of<br />

pow<strong>de</strong>r snow.<br />

In 2005, the Barry Foundation<br />

took over the famous St. Bernard<br />

k<strong>en</strong>nel. Since th<strong>en</strong>, the foundation<br />

has be<strong>en</strong> the owner of the<br />

world's ol<strong>de</strong>st breeding facility of<br />

the Swiss national dog. The Barry<br />

Foundation was named after<br />

"Barry", the leg<strong>en</strong>dary avalanche<br />

dog. Its task is to continue the<br />

more than 300-year-old breeding<br />

facility at the St. Bernards place<br />

of origin of and to preserve the<br />

special features of the hospice<br />

dogs.


WINTER<br />

ACTIVITIES


THE WINTER<br />

OF WIDE<br />

OPEN SPACES<br />

An unspoilt region far from the big<br />

ski resorts, the Pays du St-Bernard<br />

offers a wi<strong>de</strong> range of activities with<br />

ski areas perfect for learning to ski,<br />

as well as beautiful cross-country ski<br />

trails and fun activities such as the<br />

sev<strong>en</strong>-kilometre-long sledge run at<br />

La Breya or the natural ice rink on the<br />

froz<strong>en</strong> lake at Champex.<br />

There’s pl<strong>en</strong>ty to keep ski touring fans<br />

<strong>en</strong>tertained with a marked excursion<br />

park at Vichères, a nocturnal op<strong>en</strong>ing<br />

of the run and the restaurant at La<br />

Breya in Champex-lac and above all<br />

40 ski touring itineraries leading to an<br />

altitu<strong>de</strong> of more than 4,000 metres or<br />

to the Fr<strong>en</strong>ch-Italian-Swiss bor<strong>de</strong>r!


1<br />

subscription for<br />

all winter activities<br />

46 km<br />

pass for winter ski<br />

run activities over<br />

three ski areas from<br />

1,490 to 2,270 m<br />

above sea level<br />

7 km<br />

sled run from the<br />

summit of La Breya<br />

to Champex-Lac


MAP OF THE SLOPES


PASS<br />

SAINT-BERNARD<br />

WINTER<br />

Launched in 2016, the PASS<br />

Saint-Bernard is an annual pass<br />

which gives access to more<br />

than 15 activities, including not<br />

only ski areas and cross-country<br />

trails but access to public transport<br />

by bus from Orsières, all<br />

for only CHF 139!<br />

For those who have a ski pass<br />

from another resort, the PASS<br />

Saint- Bernard costs only CHF 69!<br />

Ski aficionados can <strong>en</strong>joy the<br />

PASS Saint-Bernard as well as<br />

the slopes in Verbier at the<br />

beginning and <strong>en</strong>d of the season<br />

for just CHF 199!


THE NATURAL<br />

ICE RINK AT<br />

CHAMPEX-LAC<br />

At an altitu<strong>de</strong> of 1,470 m, the<br />

village of Champex-Lac offers<br />

one of the most beautiful ski<br />

areas in Switzerland. Wh<strong>en</strong> winter<br />

arrives and the lake is transformed<br />

into a huge ice rink over<br />

150 metres long and about 70<br />

metres wi<strong>de</strong>, skaters of all ages<br />

come to <strong>en</strong>joy the <strong>en</strong>chanting<br />

setting of the surrounding<br />

Alps and forest. Champex-Lac is<br />

not nicknamed the "Little Swiss<br />

Canada" by chance!


SUMMER<br />

ACTIVITIES


A LAND OF<br />

LANDSCAPES<br />

With its wi<strong>de</strong> op<strong>en</strong> spaces, the Pays<br />

du St-Bernard becomes a hiking paradise<br />

during the summer months,<br />

with the Mont-Blanc, Combins and<br />

St-Bernard Tours and the cultural<br />

itinerary of the Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a as<br />

highlights. Other more original activities<br />

to discover inclu<strong>de</strong> pedal boats<br />

on Champex Lake with the Combins<br />

mountain range as a backdrop,<br />

"rap jumping" down the wall of the<br />

Toules dam or the Flore-Alpe botanical<br />

gar<strong>de</strong>n at Champex-lac, one of<br />

the largest gar<strong>de</strong>ns in the Alps with<br />

4,000 species!


495 km<br />

marked footpaths<br />

7<br />

mountain bike<br />

routes<br />

10<br />

trail running<br />

routes


4<br />

major excursions:<br />

Mont-Blanc, Grand<br />

Combins, Tour,<br />

Saint-Bernard and<br />

Via Francig<strong>en</strong>a<br />

2<br />

botanical gar<strong>de</strong>ns<br />

19<br />

Alpine pastures


Grand Combin<br />

4314m<br />

Cabane <strong>de</strong> Valsorey<br />

Mont Vélan<br />

3722m<br />

HIKING MAP<br />

Col du Grand<br />

Saint Bernard<br />

2469m<br />

F<strong>en</strong>être <strong>de</strong> Ferret<br />

2695m<br />

Grand Golliat<br />

3238m<br />

Grand Col Ferret<br />

2536m<br />

Mont Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />

3819m<br />

Gran<strong>de</strong>s<br />

Jorasses<br />

4208m<br />

Mont Blanc<br />

4808m<br />

Glacier <strong>de</strong><br />

Boveire<br />

Cabane du Vélan<br />

Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être<br />

Le Tsavre<br />

2977m<br />

Bivouac du Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />

Glacier <strong>de</strong> Corbassière<br />

Lac <strong>de</strong>s<br />

Toules<br />

BOURG-SAINT-<br />

BERNARD<br />

Col du Névé<br />

<strong>de</strong> la Rousse<br />

2752m<br />

Ferret<br />

Aiguille d’Arg<strong>en</strong>tière<br />

3898m<br />

Glacier d’Arg<strong>en</strong>tière<br />

Petit Combin<br />

3668m<br />

Pointe <strong>de</strong>s Toules<br />

2726m<br />

BOURG-SAINT-PIERRE<br />

Dranse d’Entremont<br />

Gîte <strong>de</strong><br />

Champlong<br />

Combe <strong>de</strong> l'A<br />

Cabane <strong>de</strong><br />

la Tsissette<br />

Tour <strong>de</strong> Bavon<br />

2476m<br />

Val Ferret<br />

LA FOULY<br />

Dranse <strong>de</strong> Ferret<br />

Cabane <strong>de</strong> l’A Neuve<br />

Cabane <strong>de</strong> Saleinaz<br />

Glacier <strong>de</strong> Saleinaz<br />

Glacier du Tri<strong>en</strong>t<br />

Cabane du Tri<strong>en</strong>t<br />

Pointe d’Orny<br />

3271m<br />

Glacier du Tour<br />

LIDDES<br />

Praz-<strong>de</strong>-Fort<br />

Cabane d’Orny<br />

F<strong>en</strong>être d’Arpette<br />

2665m<br />

Cabane <strong>de</strong> Mille<br />

Vichères<br />

Tsamonay<br />

2111m<br />

La Breya<br />

2374m<br />

Val d'Arpette<br />

Génepi<br />

2882m<br />

Issert<br />

Six Blanc<br />

2445m<br />

Somlaproz<br />

CHAMPEX-LAC<br />

Lac <strong>de</strong> Champex<br />

Pointe Ron<strong>de</strong><br />

2655m<br />

Commeire<br />

Bovine<br />

ORSIERES<br />

Catogne<br />

2598m<br />

Champex d’<strong>en</strong> Bas<br />

La Rosière


PASS<br />

SAINT BERNARD<br />

SUMMER<br />

Launched in 2016, the PASS<br />

Saint-Bernard is a pass that gives<br />

access to a number of activities<br />

in addition to public transport by<br />

bus from Orsières.<br />

During the summer, everyone<br />

staying in accommodation in the<br />

region b<strong>en</strong>efits from the summer<br />

version of the PASS Saint-<br />

Bernard for only CHF 29.


THE VIA<br />

FRANCIGENA<br />

It’s the year 990. After being<br />

ordained Archbishop of<br />

Canterbury by Pope John XV,<br />

Sigeric returned home, noting<br />

on two pages the names of the<br />

80 places where he had stopped<br />

to sp<strong>en</strong>d the night. The Via<br />

Francig<strong>en</strong>a was born! A cultural<br />

itinerary of the Council of Europe<br />

since 1994, it crosses the Alps<br />

via the leg<strong>en</strong>dary Grand-Saint-<br />

Bernard Pass, the highest point<br />

of the route.


THE LACS<br />

DE FENÊTRE<br />

About two hours on foot from<br />

the bottom of the Val Ferret or<br />

the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard,<br />

the three Lacs <strong>de</strong> F<strong>en</strong>être form a<br />

small paradise on earth. Far from<br />

any trace of humans, the reflections<br />

of Mont-Blanc, the Gran<strong>de</strong>s<br />

Jorasses and the Mont Dol<strong>en</strong>t<br />

shimmer in the cold waters<br />

before becoming postcards!


CULTURAL<br />

HERITAGE


A REGION WITH A<br />

1,000-YEAR-OLD<br />

HISTORY<br />

The Pays du St-Bernard is known for<br />

its emblematic dogs, but it is also<br />

a region rich in cultural heritage.<br />

Already in anci<strong>en</strong>t times, the Romans<br />

un<strong>de</strong>rstood the strategic importance<br />

of the pass and the surrounding area<br />

for tra<strong>de</strong> and pilgrimages. Around<br />

1050, the Arch<strong>de</strong>acon of Aosta<br />

foun<strong>de</strong>d the Hospice du Grand-St-<br />

Bernard, which welcomed travellers<br />

arriving at the pass. The St. Bernard<br />

region has always emphasised hospitality,<br />

while preserving its unique<br />

alpine <strong>en</strong>vironm<strong>en</strong>t.<br />

Mainly agricultural, Valais has<br />

<strong>en</strong>tered the age of tourism with <strong>de</strong>stinations<br />

such as the magnific<strong>en</strong>t<br />

lake resort of Champex. This region<br />

is a treasure trove for travellers in<br />

search of nature and culture, offering<br />

a variety of historical sites, museums<br />

and other places to discover. Come<br />

and explore the Pays du St-Bernard<br />

and find all it has to offer.


18<br />

places of worship<br />

1<br />

mill<br />

2<br />

artillery forts


THE ARTILLERY FORT<br />

AT CHAMPEX-LAC<br />

A fascinating world in the heart<br />

of the mountains with an unusual<br />

atmosphere: a fortress<br />

hid<strong>de</strong>n un<strong>de</strong>r the Alps. The<br />

Champex-Lac artillery fort is the<br />

c<strong>en</strong>tral point of the fortified system<br />

in the Grand St. Bernard<br />

region. Built in 1940 and 1943,<br />

mo<strong>de</strong>rnised and adapted in the<br />

ev<strong>en</strong>t of a possible nuclear conflict<br />

during the Cold War period,<br />

the fort was used by the Swiss<br />

army until 1998. With more than<br />

600 metres of galleries dug into<br />

the mountain and totally invisible<br />

from the outsi<strong>de</strong>, the fort<br />

could house 300 m<strong>en</strong>.


GASTRONOMY<br />

AND TERROIR


A TASTE<br />

OF THE PEAKS<br />

Our region is r<strong>en</strong>owned for its terroir.<br />

Do not hesitate to step insi<strong>de</strong><br />

doors of the various establishm<strong>en</strong>ts<br />

in the region to discover the flavours<br />

of Grand-Entremont.<br />

Fresh and regional produce guaranteed:<br />

be it raclette AOP, spicy<br />

dried meat or <strong>de</strong>liciously spiced rye<br />

bread, the region is filled with culinary<br />

traditions and Alpine <strong>de</strong>lights.<br />

Thanks to its unparalleled geographical<br />

location, the Pays du<br />

St-Bernard <strong>en</strong>joys an i<strong>de</strong>al climate,<br />

which is the source of the richness<br />

of its local products.<br />

Local specialities go hand-in-hand<br />

with high quality gastronomy and<br />

to which you will have no issue<br />

treating yourself to at the many<br />

restaurants in the region.


63<br />

<strong>de</strong>lightful<br />

establishm<strong>en</strong>ts<br />

with a gourmet<br />

restaurant<br />

21<br />

cheese<br />

tasting v<strong>en</strong>ues<br />

2<br />

butcheries


THE GRAND-<br />

ENTREMONT<br />

GIFT HAMPER<br />

La Corbeille d'Entremont was<br />

one of the first local produce<br />

gift hampers in Switzerland.<br />

Launched in 1996, it promotes the<br />

diversity and richness of Grand<br />

Entremont's agriculture, the commitm<strong>en</strong>t<br />

of its producers and the<br />

passion of its artisans in a hamper<br />

that brings together the best its<br />

mountains have to offer for a gift<br />

that is 100% from the region.<br />

Along with the products m<strong>en</strong>tioned<br />

previously, it inclu<strong>de</strong>s<br />

the famous PDO rye bread,<br />

Entremont honey, r<strong>en</strong>owned<br />

for the diversity of its flora, as<br />

well as wines from Vollèges and<br />

Bovernier produced by the best<br />

Valaisan winegrowers.


ACCOMMODATION


FROM HUTS TO<br />

LUXURY HOTELS<br />

Looking for a unique and memorable<br />

travel experi<strong>en</strong>ce? The Pays du<br />

St-Bernard is full of unusual accommodation<br />

that is sure to inspire you.<br />

Nestled in the heart of nature, this<br />

region is known for its warm welcome<br />

and its <strong>de</strong>sire to help travellers<br />

discover all the riches of its territory.<br />

With over 9,500 beds available, the<br />

Pays du St-Bernard has a wi<strong>de</strong> variety<br />

of accommodation to suit all<br />

tastes and budgets.<br />

Choose from a wi<strong>de</strong> range of possibilities,<br />

from campsites to hotels, from<br />

group accommodation to mountain<br />

huts, from hostels to B&Bs and gîtes<br />

(rural holiday r<strong>en</strong>tals). Whatever your<br />

prefer<strong>en</strong>ce, you’ll easily find a reason<br />

to ext<strong>en</strong>d your stay in this picturesque<br />

region to discover all that the<br />

Pays du St-Bernard has to offer.


9<br />

mountain huts<br />

26<br />

hotels and<br />

campsites<br />

17<br />

group<br />

accommodation<br />

options


THE CLUB ALPIN<br />

Inaugurated in 2020, the latest<br />

hotel to be built in the Pays<br />

du St-Bernard is located in<br />

Champex. The Club Alpin offers<br />

rooms, suites and a top quality<br />

spa at its premises by the<br />

lakesi<strong>de</strong>. Its gastronomic restaurant<br />

"Au 1465" has already<br />

be<strong>en</strong> awar<strong>de</strong>d 16 Gault et Millau<br />

points and a Michelin star. The<br />

terrace on the water's edge<br />

alone is worth a visit.


UN A COLOURFUL<br />

AGENDA<br />

HAUT CALENDAR!<br />

COULEURS !<br />

MARCH<br />

END JULY<br />

Erika Hess Op<strong>en</strong> in La Fouly<br />

Champex-Lac craft market<br />

Trophée du St-Bernard<br />

FÉVRIER<br />

Tavolata sur le lac <strong>de</strong> Champex<br />

END JUNE<br />

Bourg <strong>en</strong> glisse<br />

MARS<br />

Op<strong>en</strong> Erika Hess à La Fouly<br />

JULY AND AUGUST<br />

FIN<br />

Daily discovery<br />

JUIN<br />

of the Pays du<br />

St-Bernard region and heritage<br />

Bourg <strong>en</strong> glisse<br />

Fridays on the c<strong>en</strong>tral square of<br />

EN Orsières JUILLET ET AOÛT<br />

Découverte quotidi<strong>en</strong>ne du terroir<br />

EARLY et du patrimoine JULY du Pays du<br />

St-Bernard Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB<br />

DÉBUT END JULY JUILLET<br />

Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB<br />

Trail du Vélan<br />

MI-JUILLET<br />

IAM Champex Chall<strong>en</strong>ge<br />

FIN END JUILLET AUGUST<br />

Trail UTMB, du CCC Vélan and OCC<br />

FIN MID-SEPTEMBER<br />

JUILLET<br />

Marché Désalpe artisanal <strong>de</strong> La Fouly <strong>de</strong> Champex-Lac<br />

(cattle <strong>de</strong>sc<strong>en</strong>t)<br />

FIN AOÛT<br />

EARLY OCTOBER<br />

UTMB, CCC et OCC<br />

Gathering-focused gourmet<br />

MI walk SEPTEMBRE<br />

around Val Ferret<br />

Désalpe <strong>de</strong> La Fouly<br />

DECEMBER<br />

DÉBUT St. Nicholas OCTOBRE<br />

Day<br />

Bala<strong>de</strong> gourman<strong>de</strong> autour<br />

<strong>de</strong> la chasse du Val Ferret<br />

DÉCEMBRE<br />

Fête <strong>de</strong> Saint-Nicolas


FURTHER<br />

INFORMATION<br />

AND CONTACT<br />

DETAILS<br />

MEDIA CONTACTS<br />

Angela Zoratti<br />

angela.zoratti@saint-bernard.ch<br />

+41 27 775 23 81<br />

#MyPSB

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