SAAS FEE, SWITZERLAND
Ski holidays in Saas Fee, Switzerland
Saas Fee – otherwise known as the “Pearl of the Alps” – sits in a shell-shaped bowl reaching up to a vast glacier. The beautifully traditional resort is car-free like its neighbour Zermatt in an attempt to preserve the glacier, and guests staying in Saas Fee can now use their lift pass in Zermatt for a small additional charge.
Saas Fee is built along one long main street, with the main ski areas at one end and a forest at the other. Whilst the resort is still a relatively small town, there is a good selection of shops, restaurants and bars to appeal to all tastes.
Zur Muhle and Black Bull near the ski school area provide music and drinks to a lively après crowd whilst the cool kids head to Popcorn for shopping and after-hours drinks and dancing. Fletschhorn has a prized Michelin star, whilst Waldhaus Bodmen serves traditional fare in a more rustic setting and the Dom Bar is a great choice for a burger.
Resort Statistics

Level | Rating | Runs |
---|---|---|
Beginners | 13 | |
Intermediates | 14 | |
Advanced | 5 | |
Snowboarders | ||
Total Runs | 32 |
- Families
- Non-skiers
Resort Altitude | 1800m |
Highest Lift | 3600m |
Total Piste | 100km |
Longest Run | 9km |
Directions of Slopes | N, E, W |
Uphill Capacity | 26000 |
Total Lifts | 36 |
Gondolas/Cable cars | 9 |
Chairlifts | 4 |
Drag Lifts | 22 |
Snow Parks | 2 |
World Records in Saas Fee
Saas Fee is also the holder of three world records, the Mittelallilin restuarant, at the top of the Allalin moutain is, at 3,500m, the highest revolving restuarant in the world, providing 360 degree views of the whole mountain range and in particular the glowing blue 'crystal' of the glacier below.
There is something truly remarkable about being two miles high, often above cloud level, enjoying a rosti lunch in a revolving restaurant — you really do feel on top of the world!
If you are sat in the restaurant, you will probably have already experienced the other world record feat, the worlds highest metro i.e the train that which starts at the the top of Felskinn at 3,000m and takes you through the heart of the mountain and drops you off 500m higher, outside the restaurant (with a few steps, to be fair).
Also clustered on top of this mountain is the worlds largest 'ice pavilion' — which is essentially a series of walkways though the glacier which converge on an exhibition area where there usually ice sculptures or other exhibits. It is well worth the experience, doesn't take much time, and the kids love it.
Skiing in Saas Fee
For runs with spectacular views, head up to the Langfluh or Allalin areas, however as this is on the glacier there are dangerous crevasses off the main pistes so be sure to stay within the markers. The park is between Felskinn and Morenia, where you will also find a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the park and halfpipe.
Take the funicular up to the Allalin ice pavilion and famous revolving restaurant – just don’t put your goggles and gloves on the window ledge by your table as you will soon revolve away from them…
Beginners learn their skills on nursery pistes by the town centre which are more sheltered than the runs up on the mountain.
Saas Fee and Zermatt are now offering a partially joint lift pass for next season. A days skiing on the other resorts slope will be available for passes valid between 6 and 21 days.
Apres-ski, restaurants and other activities in Saas Fee
Saas Fee village is an attractive car free village, built in a traditional style and humming night life with decent après ski. The Metro bar is centrally placed and usually lively and friendly place to drink. If you're in season, they're also happy to play the six nations games which might be a bonus for 'changeover' day.
The older area of the village is well worth a walk around if you fancy a few hours away from your skis or board. Most of the accommodation in Saas Fee is in hotels and apartments, although there are a few catered chalets.
For non skiers, Saas Fee has designated the whole of the Hannig area for walking, tobogganing, paragliding and generally anything which is not skiing or boarding.
For non skiers, Saas Fee has designated the whole of the Hannig area for walking, tobogganing, paragliding and generally anything which is not skiing or boarding.
Other activities include:
- Adrenalin Cup
- Ice sports
- Cross-country skiing
- (Night)sledging
- Snowshoe trekking
- Skiing & snowboarding
- Telemark skiing
- Winter walks
No shortage of après ski, bars, restaurants, night clubs, Saas Fee has got it all and everyone appears to be determined to have a good time.
Transfer time in Saas Fee
Sion is the nearest airport to Saas Fee but as not many flights land there most guests fly to Geneva, Zurich or Milan which have regular rail transfers to and from Brig and Visp where tourists can continue their journey via a short bus transfer up to the village. The even quicker option would be to drive to resort where you can park in the local carpark just outside of resort and walk into the car free village.
Saas Fee Reviews
I was in Saas Fee, Switzerland, recently and I would give the resort 10/10 if the nightlife/apres ski was a little better. Great snow, great skiing, and fantastic restaurants, but don’t go for the nightlife.
Apres Ski: 3/5
Nigel
Iglu Staff
Snowboarders of 20 plus years. Small resort but plenty to do if you don't mind doing the same runs. We had lots of new snow but that's luck. The resort is lovely, small electric vehicles. Also, the other two slopes which are a bus ride away are worth going to. We stayed in Schweizerhof Hotel. Pros Very nice hotel, great delivery and collection service to lifts. 12m or so long pool so no good for anything but splashing. Nice sauna and ok jacuzzi. Rooms fine. Cons For us, the food was too fussy. 7 courses of chef experimentation. If you're a food buff you'd probably love it. I would rather not spend an hour sitting eating 3 pasta somethings with a pesto foam etc. etc. I would rather be on the slopes. They also charge for tap water, which annoyed us and other guests. They moved afternoon cakes to 2-3pm. Again fine if you don't ski, but otherwise WHY! Transfer Handled very well, with big bus then small mini bus then smaller mini bus. All smoothly done. Return journey was excellent none of that get up at 3am and wait in the airport for hours and hours. Found the owners a bit smarmy.
Apres Ski: 2/5
Timothy Nicholso