Your guide to Saas Fee Ski Resort in Switzerland

(1800m - 3500m)

With spectacular scenery, a charming traffic free village, snow sure skiing, an impressive vertical, and a glacier that provides summer skiing Saas Fee has an awful lot going for it as a skiing resort. However there are drawbacks especially if you are a confident intermediate whose main focus is mileage.

Great for…

  • Snow sure Snow sure
  • Apres-ski Apres-ski
  • Village charm Village charm

Resort at a glance

★★★★Beginner
★★★Intermediate
★★★Advanced
Off-Piste
★★★Snowboarding
★★★★★Snow Reliability
★★Extent
★★★★★Apres-Ski
★★★Mountain Restaurants
★★★★Scenery
★★★★★Village Charm
★★★Non-Skiers
Ski Lifts21
Resort Altitude1800m
Pistes145kms
Ski Range1800m – 3500m
Green Runs
Blue Runs13
Red Runs17
Black Runs6
Local Lift PassCHF 344
Area Lift Pass
Transfer TimeGeneva 3hrs, Zurich 3hrs 30mins
Transfer DaySaturday and Sunday
Tourist BoardWebsite
Weather
Snow Report
WebcamWebcam
Piste MapPiste Map

The Slopes

saas feeFrom the village of Saas Fee 3 ski areas can be directly accessed. The main area is Felskinn and is accessed from the village by the Alpin Express 1 which takes you to the Mid Station at Morenia. From there the Alpin Express 2 takes you to the top of Felskinn.

The runs on Felskinn are mainly blues and reds suiting all abilities. From Morenia there is a long blue that goes all the way back to the village, however it is often icy and crowded, and for many nervous skiers taking the gondola back down to the village from Morenia would be the best option.

From the top Felskinn the Metro Alpin funicular can be taken to reach the glacier area of Allalin. Here the runs whilst short have the best snow and this is arguably the best area for beginners to progress on to especially given the fact it is so quiet. From Allalin a lovely long blue takes you to the Langfluh area that can also be accessed from village level. In this area there are also several red runs worth exploring. However to get back up to the glacier you will need to take a long drag lift. As the glacier is constantly moving a chair lift here unfortunately cannot be erected.

The final area that can be accessed from the village is Plattjen which is the most testing area. Here there are several long red runs and a relatively easy black run that are ideal for adventurous intermediates. Finally first time skiers are extremely well catered for with one of the best learner areas of any alpine resort. Located down at village level near all the main lifts are several nursery slopes that provide an excellent area in which to learn.


Apres-Ski

Saas Fee has a lively party scene with excellent restaurants and great hotels. Apres ski tends to start as soon as you stop skiing whether you have paused at a mountain hut on the way back or have left the mountain entirely. There are quite a few bars nestled at the base of the slopes which do get busy by mid afternoon as they catch the last of the afternoon sun and therefore the action!

Noteable bars include Nesti’s Ski Bar, the Iglu Bar, Black Bull and Popcorn within the Hotel Dom. There is also the Poison nightclub underneath the Metro in the Hotel Metropol which is lively until the early hours. Many hotels at the base also have terraces to entice you in and are great options especially for families. There is also the Vernissage Lounge at Ferienart Resort & Spa - a trendy cocktail bar with a cosy atmosphere and dance floor.

Whether you are looking for something traditional or more ‘Euro-cheese’, there are a vast number of options to choose from, there are also plenty of tea rooms and bakeries for a drastically different après-ski experience. If you are feeling tired at the end of the day most hotels have their own bars too.


Eating Out

There’s a good range of eating out options in Saas Fee with plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from ranging from Michelin starred gourmet dining to rustic Swiss cuisine, pizza and spaghetti in traditional surroundings.

Many of these offer food predominantly in the traditional Valais style, but there is also a good choice of international cuisine such as Thai food at the The Ferienart Hotel’s Mandarin restaurant, Italian specialities at Don Ciccio (great for families) or Spaghetteria da Rasso and of course the traditional Swiss fondue served at the Hannig mountain restaurant. There is also the Hotel Hohnegg's award winning restaurant which is excellent for vegetarian food and has been listed among the top 100 most liked restaurants in Switzerland.

Now how about a meal with a difference? The Mittelallilin restaurant is situated at the top of the Allalin mountain and is 3,500m high and makes it the highest ‘revolving’ restaurant in the world. Yes, you read it correctly - revolving - you have 360 degree views of the whole mountain range and are often above cloud level!

Also, not to miss is the expensive Michelin starred Fletschhorn, described as the best restaurant in the region. It’s a 30 minute walk from town or a 10 minute taxi ride but you must make reservations in advance and do bear in mind - it is expensive, but well worth it if you’d like to treat yourself.


Other Activities

Saas Fee is a beautiful place to just stroll around and take in the ambience, scenery and charm.

It is also the holder of three world records, the Mittelallilin restaurant is the highest revolving restaurant in the world, it also has the worlds highest metro and the worlds largest ice caves pavilion - with walkways though the glacier taking you to an exhibition area with ice sculptures and other exhibits - perfect for the family and non skiiers alike.

There are a range of non skiing activities in the village, many of which are family friendly. The Hannig area is great for tobogganing, paragliding and of course walking. There is also a leisure centre with a large pool, tennis courts and the Feeblitz bobsleigh run beside the Alpin Express.

Many hotels offer wellness facilities within them but there is also the new Kneipp hydrotherapy area - an outdoor wellness area surrounded by Saas Fee's stunning mountain scenery. It has a foot bath, water stream, arm bath, barefoot trail and relaxation zone and also has quiet areas with hammocks and a picnic spot with a charcoal fired barbecue.


Ski School

There are many ski schools in Saas Fee catering for beginners through to advanced in small groups or private lessons from age 3 upwards. Along with the usual boarding, carving and cross country courses, improver courses are also available along with ski tours on the Allalin or the Alphubel, freeriding, snowshoe walking, ice climbing and of course the torchlit downhill.

The Eskimos Ski School offers individual and group skiing lessons for both adults and children which can be booked for 1, 3 or 5 days. They also offer freestyle lessons where you can learn some stylish tricks to impress your friends - helmet and back protector are compulsory. Adult private lesson prices range from 210 CHF for ½ day to 2340 CHF for 5 full days, whilst adult group lessons are from 255 CHF for 5 ½ days. They also offer helicopter sightseeing tours for a day in Zermatt and Cervinia from 1875 CHF for 3 people - for experienced skiiers only. Lessons meet in the village at the Kalbermatten beginner lifts, behind the ice rink/tennis court.

Optimum Snowsports Ski School is Saas Fee’s first and only British ski and snowboard school, offering excellent ski and snowboard tuition to all ages and abilities. They offer individual and group lessons for both adults and children along with freestyle, performance lessons and ‘bumps’ lessons to help you come to terms with the dreaded moguls. Adult private lessons range from 160 CHF for 2 hours to 460 CHF for a full day, adult group lessons are from 260 CHF for 5 half days, performance, freestyle or bumps from 75 CHF for a 3 hours session. Their office is located on the main street in Saas Fee, halfway between the UBS Bank and the Church Square.

Where to stay in Saas Fee, Switzerland

Hotel Europa

Hotel Europa

★★★

Set in a sunny position and only 5 minutes walk from the resort centre, with the lifts another 5 minutes further on and has a free shuttle service, serves good food and has a spa area too.

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Allalin Hotel

Allalin Hotel

★★★★

This warm and comfortable hotel is located 500m from the resort centre and only 800m from the lifts, it has a cosy bar and lounge and serves fantastic food with a 6 course evening meal.

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Hotel Du Glacier

Hotel Du Glacier

★★★★

Situated right in the heart of the resort, this recently renovated hotel has stunning views, a stylish ice bar and 2 restaurants serving delicious food, it also has a spa with sauna and jacuzzi.

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Sunstar Boutique Beausite

Sunstar Boutique Beausite

★★★★

One of the oldest hotels in Saas Fee, it has been carefully modernised keeping its charm, just 5 minutes walk from the lifts and in the centre of resort, with a spa and pool.

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Schweizerhof Gourmet & Spa

Schweizerhof Gourmet & Spa

★★★★

This lovely hotel has great facilities and is 1 minute from the resort centre and 7 minutes walk from the lifts, there’s a free shuttle bus and 1,000m² spa with pool, jacuzzi and saunas.

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