The chain of 4000m peaks encircling Saas Fee appears to protect it like an oyster shell. Of the 13 “Fourthousanders” in that chain, the Dom, Switzerland’s own highest mountain, is king. The carfree village, spreading elegantly from the charming old wooden houses in the centre, is the Pearl. Perhaps most striking of all is the great expanse of glacier which comes tumbling down almost as far as the village itself. From the skier’s point of view this is a wonderful resort for the beginner and intermediate, likewise for the boarder, with something to offer the expert as well. The three Saas villages are also bases for the most tremendous ski tours, four of which descend from 4000m summits. The day tour descent from the Allalinhorn (4027m), the summit being reached by a 500m ascent on skins from the ‘Metro’ lift, is a great experience for the intermediate skier with some offpiste knowhow. Such tours, which must be made under expert guidance, normally take place from February through to May. For a great description, please see www.ultimate-ski.com. Just as at Zermatt, Saas-Fee has a helicopter service for the keen tourer. As you would imagine in a resort standing at 1800m and with skiing from 3600m snow conditions are highly reliable. Saas Fee Tourism comments “The best skiers in the world train on the glacier pistes in autumn. Skiers and Snowboarders always find excellent conditions in the perpetual snow above the village”. For the walker there are 60 km of hiking trails with one leading down to Saas Almagell and from there on to the neighbouring villages of the Saas valley. Some of these paths are interspersed with restaurants.

© Saas-Fee Tourism

As for Après-ski there are many bars, cafés and lively discos to choose from, including two celebrated snowboarder nightspots. Finally, the highest revolving restaurant and the largest ice pavilion in the world are a must for the visitor.

Marked Pistes - click here 100 km at Saas Fee and a further 50 km at Saas Grund and Saas Almagell. Altitude Saas Fee 1800m (5905 ft) Saas Fee top station 3600m (11800 ft) Saas Grund top 3200m (10500 ft). Splendid view of eighteen 4000m peaks. Lifts & Skiing in Detail 1 underground funicular, 4 cable cars, 3 gondolas, 1 chairlift, 13 draglifts including 3 for the absolute beginner on the wonderful wide nursery slopes starting at the edge of the village. See also ski map. Ski & Snowboard Schools See “Resort” brochure. Bookable online. Artificial Snow 60 snow cannons. Cross Country Skiing 6 km at Saas Fee, 26 km in the Saas valley. Facilities for Children See “Resort” brochure, bookable online.

© Saas-Fee Tourism

Ski Passes - click here
Saas Fee lifts only	Adults	Youth (born 1992, 1993)	Children (born 1994-2000)
6 days	sfr 336	sfr 286	186
Saas Fee, Almagell, Grund	Adults	Youth (born 1990, 1991)	Children (born 1992-1998)
6 days	366	304	204
13 days	695	575	387

Children up to 9 years incl. (born up till 2001) free on lifts if accompanied by adult. Photo required 8 days or more. Flexi pass – any 5 days out of 7. Then, with a surcharge of sfr 20, 1 day's skiing at Zermatt is allowed.

Ski Equipment Hire
Prices and deals vary from shop to shop. See www.saas-fee.ch.

Other Activities
For ice skating, snow tubing etc. See resort brochure.
Sledging by night, husky tours, winter rides in horse drawn carriage etc.

Parking
Open-air and covered, day 1 sfr 16.50, from day 2 to day 7, with guest card, sfr 12.50 per day.

Getting to Saas Fee
From Geneva station and airport or Basel (alternatively Bern, Zurich or Milan), trains run frequently to Visp/Brig. From here you take the post bus to Saas Fee. If you travel by train from England by day the scheduled arrival time at the resort is 19.29. You can also travel overnight for a late lunchtime arrival or even stay overnight in a pension for onward travel in the morning. Finally, with an afternoon train departure from London and taking the earlier overnight sleeper from Paris, you will arrive at approx 10.30am (Saas-Grund 9.50am).