Saas Fee: Switzerland's Alpine skiing haven.
Saas Fee, nestled in the Swiss Alps, is a picturesque winter wonderland known for its breathtaking alpine scenery and some of the best skiing for all levels. As you prepare to go on this incredible adventure, we thought we’d put together the essentials so that you make the most of your time in this stunning destination. From booking flights & connecting trains to accommodation, ski passes and mapping out your daily skiing excursions, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you. Exploring the charm of Saas Fee's village center, savouring delectable Swiss food, and immersing yourself in the local culture are all integral parts of this expedition. Additionally, preparing for the weather conditions and packing appropriate gear is essential to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience on the slopes.
We hope you enjoy all that we learned and hope this inspires you to plan your own ski trip.
A BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT THIS SPECTACULAR VILLAGE
Saas Fee, a picturesque village nestled in the Swiss Alps, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. The village, situated in the canton of Valais, has a heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The earliest records of human settlement in the Saas Valley date back over 4,000 years, with evidence of Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts. However, the village itself began to take shape during the medieval era, as farming communities and small hamlets emerged in the region. Saas Fee's history is closely tied to the development of tourism in the Swiss Alps. In the 19th century, the allure of the Alps as a pristine natural playground attracted adventurers, mountaineers, and artists. Saas Fee, with its breathtaking landscapes and majestic peaks, soon became a magnet for those seeking alpine experiences. The construction of the first hotel in Saas Fee in the mid-19th century marked the beginning of its transformation into a tourist destination. The village's reputation as a hub for mountaineering and winter sports continued to grow, leading to the establishment of ski lifts and infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
- How to get to Saas Fee -
Reaching Saas Fee, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, may appear challenging, but fear not – there are numerous convenient options to make your journey easy.
This particular trip we booked a flight from London Heathrow to Zurich. We find using Skyscanner highly beneficial for discovering the best flight deals, so be sure to explore their offerings. Before our flight, we secured day passes in advance for the connecting train between Zurich and Visp. Once reaching Visp the final stretch to reach the Saas-Fee village is via bus. We booked our journey here, which includes the scenic 50 minute bus ride from Visp Station to Saas Fee. Several trains are available, and if you take the train to Brig, you can stay on the same train for a 5-stop journey to Visp. Alternatively, you might need to transfer trains in Bern, but rest assured that the train schedule is reliable, providing ample time for a smooth transfer. A helpful suggestion is to opt for the ground floor level when riding the train, as it simplifies the process of boarding and disembarking with your luggage. The entire journey from Zurich Airport to the bus terminal in Saas Fee takes just over 3 hours, offering a picturesque route through some of the breathtaking scenery. Upon arriving in Saas Fee, you'll observe it is a village without cars, where only electric vehicles for businesses and hotels silently navigate the snowy streets. Let your hotel know your arrival time, and they'll pick you up directly from the bus terminal, offering a convenient and efficient system. Taxis are also available in the village for easy transportation.
WHERE TO STAY
The truth is, this is our second trip to Saas Fee, and we partnered with the hotel we stayed in last time to shoot film content for their website, and we would suggest looking no further.
Hotel Jagerhof is truly amazing, positioned ideally between the ski slopes and the village. This family-run hotel not only welcomes you warmly but also creates a homely atmosphere from the moment you step through their door! Stephan and Evelyn go the extra mile to guarantee your comfort, providing daily classic breakfasts and dinners if you decide to opt for them. The hotel also boasts one of the best locations in Saas Fee, with sensational views and ski-in, ski-out facilities, making getting to the slopes and back to the hotel a breeze.
All matters of Skiing
Ski Rental
Depending on how regular a skier or snowboarder you are, you may well have your own gear, but for those that don’t and don’t know where to start, this is what you need to know. This again is specific to Saas Fee but the principle applies no matter where you go.
Upon arrival we like to drop off our luggage at the hotel, check in and then make our way down into the village with ski socks either on or in hand. We have rented twice from Caesar Sport and will look no further, they are brilliant and you can get 15% off rental, if you choose to stay at Jargerhof.
We highly recommend taking your time in the ski rental process to ensure you find the right equipment for your needs. The people at Caesar sport know what they are talking about and will ensure they get you setup properly. We would recommend also hiring a helmet for additional protection.
Travel Insurance
While we are talking about protection, we would also highly suggest checking you have travel insurance and ensuring your insurance covers Winter sports including skiing, just to ensure you are covered in case of an accident.
Ski Storage
As mentioned above, our hotel was a ski in, ski out hotel which meant we could keep our skis at the hotel, however if this isn’t possible for you, we would suggest checking out the ski lockers, conveniently located near the beginner slopes. You simply put in the number of days you need the locker for, scan your ski pass and then pay by card. It’s a 2 minute process for great convenience.
Ski Passes
Ski passes can be bought at the ticket office at the base of the beginner slopes, the Spielboden station or online. This is a significant cost but you cant ski without them, so best to be aware of the costs well before time so that this doesn’t catch you unaware. However, if you are skiing for more than 6 days or intend to ski more than once in a season, then the ‘magic pass’ is the way to go. These passes become available for the following year at the beginning of April.
Ski School
Finally, if you are a newbie to the slopes or in need of a couple refresher lessons, we found a brilliant school. Skischule-saas-fee was absolutely brilliant and would highly recommend requesting Emily Lyons for private lessons. She is an outstanding, patient coach and is clearly passionate and competent in her field.
Our favourite Restaurants, Cocktail bars and coffee in town
Schaeferstube: We booked ahead of time at this little spot of paradise in the woods, to celebrate Justine’s birthday, and we were truly blown away. As you know we are food & wine lovers, and this place ticked both boxes. Located just 100m from the hotel, we can say this was the best food we ate all week while in Saas Fee. A truly quaint setting, producing sensational locally sourced food and plated with style and taste, we cannot recommend it enough. We had the Briased lamb shank and the Veal rib eye. It was outstanding!
Pubwise: A wonderful spot for a couple of cocktails, set in the heart of the village on the main road, this little cocktail bar serves a wide range of drinks and snacks, and would highly recommend an Old Fashion or a glass of local wine. Swiss wine is amazing, you really must give it a try.
Da Rasso: This was a random, but pleasant find. We were cold and so hungry after a days skiing, so we stopped and tried it. One of the best pizzas we’ve had, in a cosy environment. Again located on the main road through the village.
The House: The House coffee had just opened prior to us arriving and we were blown away by what they are doing. They do things simply and brilliantly, producing the best coffee in Saas Fee. Not only do they do coffee, but in the afternoons it has a nice chilled 'apres ski vibe, serving sensational, cold beer and cocktails. Yes, there were days when we started the day with a coffee and ended the day off with a beer or two. Amazing staff and very comfortable.
Gletschergrotte: On one of the days, we chose to take the afternoon off, put our walking boots on and head into the snowy woods. We walked up to this little ski bungalow, nestled away from the village, and we would highly suggest making the effort. If you are skiing down from Spielboden, it is towards the bottom and off to the left, otherwise if you feel like a scenic walk, then this is a great adventure with a delightful reward at the end. Perfect for a hot chocolate and bite to eat. It’s an essential when in Saas Fee.
Waldhüs Bodmen: This quaint woodland restaurant really captivated us, a scenic 20 minute walk from the the centre of Saas Fee, down a very snowy road you come across this magical place. We booked ahead of time to get a table and would recommend you doing the same. This was an authentic Swiss experience, from beginning to end. We chose to share a mixed salad to start, followed by sharing a main of Geschnetzeltesvom Kalbsfilet which was chopped veal in white wine cream sauce, with grapes and butter Rösti. Utterly delicious and more than enough for a couple to share.
We hope this has inspired you to consider booking a trip to Saas Fee. Like always, do some research yourself to find your own gems but we really hope this has wet your appetite to go explore this Alpine wonderland.
