Saas Fee, Switzerland
Saas Fee
Saas-Fee is a charming mountain resort, at a height of 5906 ft (1800 m) and in the middle of a gigantic mountain panorama. It is not as famous as its better known neighbor Zermatt, but just as charming. Carl Zuckmayer, a famous German author who made Saas-Fee his new home, once said: “You stand at the end of the world and at the same time at its beginning”.
Visitors travel to Saas-Fee for various reasons. The car-free resort is a favorite place not only due to its mild climate. Hike along 217 miles (350 km) trails and you have not seen it all. Or take a look from above: reach the Felskinn (9843 ft/3000m) by cable car and then board the highest underground funicular railway, the Metro Alpin to get to the Allalin at 11483 ft (3500 m). Or take time for a break at the highest revolving restaurant of the world. Stay at least for an hour to get around once and then step into the ice pavilion. Many couples tied the knot in the Glacier Chapel and igloos and slides await the youngsters.
Saas-Fee kept its traditions and maintained its original character. The Saaser Museum, which was built in 1732, exhibits treasures from the history of the Saas Valley. Saas-Fee also looks after his younger guests: children will ask you to stop at a museum more to their gusto, the Bakery Museum: baking from past and present is shown and kids can participate in a baking session. Saas-Fee is truly a place for the whole family, in every season.
Attractions and Activities
Discover Saas Fee
City Excursions in Saas-Fee
Zermatt
The famous neighbor of Saas-Fee can be reached in 2 hours by bus. Take lots of pictures of the world famous Matterhorn. This popular excursion can also be combined with a trip by cogwheel railway up the 10’135 ft (3089 m) Gornergrat.
Brig
Visit the impressing Stockalperpalast (Stockalp Palace) in Brig, built in the 17th century or relax in the Brigerbad, the biggest outdoor-thermal-bath of Switzerland (80.6 – 98.6 Fahrenheit/27 – 37 Grad). Spend some time in the first grotto pool of Europe, the longest alpine thermal-water slide, a turbulent river bath or the Olympic size pool. Brig is reachable by bus in approx 1 ¼ hour.
Summer Sports in Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee offers a wide variety of summer sports. Next to hiking, biking, swimming, golf and climbing, Saas-Fee is also one of the resorts where summer skiing is possible. The best ski racers in the world are not the only ones who choose Saas-Fee as their training camp and ski on the glacier slopes in fall, ski fans from all over come to the snow guaranteed Saas-Fee to get in shape before winter starts. A toboggan/bob run is open in summer as well as in winter and is a favorite place for children and adults.
Hiking
217 miles (350 km) hiking paths offer trails for every taste and level. High altitude-hikes or themed educational trails such as the Alpine Flower Walk (try to figure out 240 different species) or the Forest Walk, where you learn about the various types of trees, bushes and animals are just a few of the trails you can select from. A new Fairy-Tale trail is especially welcomed by young visitors.
Nordic Walking
This trend sport, coming originally from Finland, is also sought after in Saas-Fee. A special running/walking trail is not only perfect for cross-country skiers but can improve your fitness as well. If you are interested to learn the correct way to do Nordic Walking, join a training course (from July until October) and soon you will be an enthusiast as well.
Biking
Various downhill trails (all marked) await the mountain bikers and make sure they don’t get lost. Guided-tours are also available in order to discover the more than 43 miles (70 km) of sign-posted trails.
Golf
Test your golf-skills on the 9-hole alpine golf course and don’t forget to take a look around from time to time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Tennis
Sporting guests swing their rackets at the Sportplace Kalbermatten and the Leisure Center Bielen on 7 outdoor and 2 indoor courts.
Adventure forest
Ever wanted to play Tarzan and Jane? Swing from tree to tree or try to walk on hanging bridges? Stop at the Adventure Forest and try out one or more of the various routes – it is a lot of fun for the whole family.
Winter Sports in Saas-Fee
More than 87 miles (140 km) or slopes, various free-style parks and 37 miles (60 km) of winter paths invite young and old to enjoy winter sports. New winter sports such as snow-tubing, snow shoeing or air-boarding can be done as well as the traditional ones like ice-climbing, cross-country skiing or tobogganing. Speaking of tobogganing: every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 6pm to 9pm, the sledging trail from Hannig to Saas-Fee (3.7 miles/6 km) is illuminated. Enjoy a typical dinner in the Hannig Restaurant and then round off the evening by a fun ride down to Saas-Fee.
Ice skating/curling/Bavarian curling
The natural ice skating rink is open from middle of December until February (kids skate free-of charge).
Leisure Center Bielen
After a long day of skiing or hiking, a visit to the Leisure Center Bielen in Saas-Fee is the best you can do: an indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, steam bath and solarium help you to relax. Also a good way to spend a rainy day (if there is one).
Entertainment in Saas-Fee
One is for sure: fine cuisine is offered in Saas-Fee. Markus Neff, Cook of the year 2007 lives and cooks in Saas-Fee and guarantees a high quality. Wallis, the Napa Valley of Switzerland has a wide variety of wines to taste and Saas-Fee makes sure that you get the opportunity to do so in the many bars and pubs.
Shopping in Saas-Fee
Stroll through car-free Saas-Fee and do not forget to bring home some specialties of the Wallis as the Walliserbrot (bread), wine or a special sausage of the Saas Valley made of beet root.
Location and Map
Saas-Fee is situated in the Saastal (Saas Valley) in the Canton of Wallis, 3 ¼ hours from Zurich Airport and 3 ½ hours from Geneva Airport. There is no railway station in Saas-Fee but a bus connection from Visp.