Saas-Fee ski resort is located in the Saastal or the Saas Valley, in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Saas Fee has its own glacier - The Allalin Glacier, allowing for year-round skiing up to 3,600m, with mesmerising views across the Saas Valley. Saas Fee is Switzerland’s hidden gem for skiers and snowboarders.
Saas Fee ski resort
Saas-Fee is the biggest town in the Saas valley in the Swiss canton of Valais. There are three other villages in the Saas valley: Saas-Balen, Saas-Grund and Saas-Almagell, which, while still having numerous hotels and sights, are much quieter than Saas-Fee.
The resort sits at an elevation of 1,800 meters, with slopes rising up to 3,600 meters at the highest point, ensuring excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The valley is a destination for winter sport, with the slopes in Saas fee being one of the few places in the region where skiing in summer is possible. The summer ski season in Saas-Fee typically begins in late June. It continues until early November, depending on snow conditions.
If you were staying more than a few days, it would be best to explore the other ski areas at Saas-Grund and Saas-Almagell. Ski passes can be purchased that cover all areas, or just one. There is only a very slight reduction in price for purchasing the Saas-Fee pass only, so generally speaking, if you are staying a couple of days, you are better off purchasing the combined ticket.
Saas Fee skiing
The Saas Fee ski area comprises three main areas: Plattjen and Spielboden, directly accessible from the village, and Langfluh, reachable via the Felskinn cable car.
The runs on Felskinn are mainly blues and reds suiting all abilities. Progressing novices can head for Morenia 2.550m via the Felskinn cable car or first stage of the Alpin Express, from where a series of long blue runs 4/4c/4b provide an easy descent back to Saas-Fee, and the Mittaghorn drag lift serves two more blues.
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. On piste there are a few short black runs, but the majority of the mileage is on moderate reds whose main challenge is their length. Descending without stopping from Allalin or from Längfluh to Saas-Fee is a worthy test.
The best ‘serious’ pistes in Saas-Fee, including an FIS World Cup run, are on the lower half of Plattjen. The Plattjen area is ideal for intermediate skiers, with a selection of wide, continuous red runs like route 4A. Adventurous intermediates can challenge themselves on the black run 4B that descends from the top of Plattjen.
Beginners can start on the nursery slopes in the village or at the top of the Spielboden gondola. Once comfortable, beginners can explore the gentle blue runs on the glacier. Here you’ll find classic broad, gentle nursery slopes set to one side so that the main ski traffic doesn’t conflict, served by three short T-bar lifts for beginners. There’s a large ski school assembly area, ice rink and a series of hotels and pensions backing on to the base area whose restaurants, terraces and bars are handy for lunch and for après ski towards the end of the day.
Saas Grund
There’s 19km more piste skiing and ski touring at Saas Almagell, the most southerly community in Saastal which is about 7km from Saas-Fee and the home of Olympic ski racers Heidi, Pirmin and Slivan Zurbriggen. The skiing here includes a further seven pistes, a mix or red and blue, leading from Heidbodme 2400m to the restaurant and children’s adventure world at Furggstalden 1893m and continuing to Saas Almagell at 1673m in the valley.
Saas-Balen
Saas Fee village
The village is always framed by the giant Mischabel mountains which appear to loom over the village: there are 13 peaks above 4,000 metres with Dom, the highest complete peak inside Switzerland at 4545 metres and the third highest in the Alps.
Saas-Fee’s quaint alpine village of 1,800 residents awaits at the end of your ski day. Car-free atmosphere (only electric shuttles are permitted for hotels and businesses) adds to the alpine charm and calm. Walking the picturesque ski village is a delight, its compact and cheery with a pleasant assortment of shops and Swiss restaurants, historic chalet sights and a museum, plus a few fun après ski bars – along “après ski row” – the Black Bull Snowbar, Rudi’s, High Life Après Ski Club, and The Muehle to name a few.
Lacking railway access and the famous Matterhorn, Saas-Fee sits in the shadow of its neighbour, Zermatt. This makes Saas-Fee a quieter alternative, with almost equal offerings in terms of skiing and hiking, but a much less overrun town centre.
Saas Fee ski resort