Description
Saas Fee ‘the pearl of the alps,’ is one of the highest ski areas in the Alps with skiing all the way from 1800m, the village, to 3600m, the glacier. This has helped to make it a popular destination for skiing in both the summer and the winter months. The north facing slopes are at a minimum height of 2500m making it a reliable destination for light powder snow. In addition to the snow is the ease and quick access around the resort with a powerful and efficient network of lifts whisking visitors all over the mountain.
The village of Saas-Fee is very attractive with traditional wooden buildings lining the compact village. It is a relatively small area with just 100km of pistes with the majority of runs suiting beginner to intermediate skiers. The altitude also makes it an ideal choice for families and groups who are limited by school holidays as there will be excellent snow at the beginning and the end of the season. More experienced skiers will quickly run out of slopes and will probably want to head to another resort after a few days. However this is easily done with three other resorts along the Saas Valley easily accessible via the resort shuttle bus and there is even a lift pass which covers all of this.
The village itself has an abundance of charm and history, with the traditional cattle sheds still in use. The narrow streets are lined with low rise chalets and traditional farm houses making a very attractive village to walk around. But perhaps the most attractive part of the resort is the ring of 4000m tall peaks which encircle the area. This can be enjoyed at the rotating panoramic restaurant just at the top of the glacier, so the views of the surrounding area is stunning.
Getting There
Unless you have booked a package holiday where the travel is all sorted for you, you may want to think about how you are going to get to and from the resort. Despite being tucked away in the Alps, there are various options for getting to Saas-Fee.
Fly
The most common way to get to resort is to fly. There are three local airports to Saas Fee:
Sion- 75km- 75mins
Geneva- 225km- 2hrs45mins
Zurich- 249km- 3hrs18mins
Basel- 226km- 3hrs8mins
All year round there are a substantial amount of flights in and out of these airports. Sion and Basel are slightly smaller and offer less choice of UK departure airport. Zurich is fairly large and offers a wide range of choice throughout the day. Geneva is the largest of these airports offering almost free choice of departure airport and arrival times. They are also the most used to coping with guests with ski luggage as this airport services the majority of the French Alpine resorts too.
Transfers from the Airport
Swiss resorts offer two choices for transfers, the standard shared or private car transfers but also the efficient train network. It is important to consider how much luggage you have when deciding which is the most suitable for you as the train journey does not take you directly into the resort.
Train Transfers
Regardless of which airport you fly into you will need to take the train to Visp. All of the airports mentioned above do have regularly trains to and from this location. From Visp there is a regular bus called the Postbus which many people will take directly up to Saas-Fee. These buses run every 30 minutes up until 9pm. The journey is approximately 30 minutes as well. Alternatively you could book a taxi from Visp to the resort.
For some airports such as Basel it is advisable to take the train as there are very few transfer companies that will take visitors from the airport all the way to Saas-Fee.
Private and Shared Transfers
Geneva Transfers provide specialist ski transfers from Geneva airport only. They have a large selection of vehicles so can cater for large groups as well as just a few people.
Alp Line offer private transfers from Zurich airport.
Ski Lifts provide private and shared transfers from both Geneva and Sion airport.
Train
The nearest train station is Visp which is approximately 30 minutes away by road from Saas-fee. The Eurostar does not run directly to this station but it is a relatively straight forward journey. You will collect the Eurostar at St Pancras International in London or at Ashford in Kent, on arrival in at Paris Gare du Nord you will need to change to the Gare du Lyons which is only a few minutes’ walk away. From there head to Geneva and finally swap on the local services to Visp.
Drive
Many people opt to drive out to the Alps. If you are coming from the UK, you can either travel via the channel tunnel or take the ferry. The euro price tunnel departs approximately every 15 minutes from Folkestone and takes 35 minutes. Prices starts from £90 each way. You can book your crossing online at https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/.
When heading to Switzerland it is easy to take the ferry from Dover to Calais. This runs the most frequently, up to 23 times a day and takes approximately 90minutes.
On arrival in France remember to drive on the right hand side of the road. It is important to note that there are several tolls on route down to the Alps, the prices depend on which section of road you use but the total cost will be approximately €75 in total. On arrival in Calais the drive will be around 9 hours.
European travel/vehicle requirements are very strict and on-spot fines can be issued if you don’t have: headlight converters, GB sticker, warning triangle, spare bulbs, high viz vests for each passenger in the car and breathalysers.
In certain weather conditions, the roads may become snowy and icy and although local municipalities are very good and keeping the roads clear, it can be dangerous so it is important to take extra care and attention when driving. It is a legal requirement in France and Switzerland to carry snow chains in your vehicle or police will refuse you access to certain roads. When driving in these conditions, slow down when you encounter any snow, use high gears to avoid wheel spin, and keep moving when driving up an incline on snow.
It can be useful to use a car when travelling to the Alps as there is no limit in quantity or weight of luggage. However you have to consider how useful it will be when you arrive in resort. Saas- Fee is a vehicle free resort so you will need to park the car on the outskirts and use the electric bus or electric taxis around the village. There are several covered and uncovered car parks and a reduced fee for the parking can be claimed by using the Saas-Fee visitor’s card which can be claimed from any hotel. If you do not have a visitor’s card the parking is charged per day with CHF16.50 for the first day and a further CHF12.50 for every day after. The visitor’s card allows a multi stay discount to be applied.
Upon arrival in the resort, no method of transport will be allowed into the village. At all these drop off points there are complimentary phones which can be used to call an e-taxi or your hotel who will come and collect you and your luggage to take you directly to your accommodation. Alternatively you can take the local resort shuttle bus which will get you closer to your accommodation. Also at these drop off points are luggage trolleys which you simply pay a deposit for and it is free for the first day if you return it otherwise there is a daily charge.
When to Go
The village of Saas Fee is located at 1800m with skiing up to 3573m. The majority of the resort opens for the season at the start of December with a few lifts opening at the end of November. The season continues to mid-April. Saas Fee has an excellent snow record and consistently good conditions thats to the high altitude and the glaciar that the resort hosts. The resort also has 102 snow cannons covering 70% of the slopes ensuring that the resort can open for as long as possible!
Saas-Fee is one of the few resorts which is open in the summer months too with skiing on the glacier and a lot of hiking in the surrounding mountains which is all serviced by the ski lifts. The summer season usually runs from June to the start of October.
Where to Stay
Saas-Fee is quite a compact resort with all the accommodation very easily located within walking distance of the slopes and lifts. Although there are no cars in the resort, there is an electric shuttle bus which goes through the village and to the neighbouring villages in the Saas Valley making it very easy to ski these areas too.
The village itself is very pretty with all the buildings built in an aesthetically pleasing manner. There are very few chalets, with the majority of the accommodation being hotels. These do offer some flexibility though with some offering full board, half board or just bed and breakfast. Alternatively there are a few fully catered chalets and chalet hotels,
Getting around
Saas-Fee is quite a compact resort so getting around is not too difficult.
Bus
The resort bus runs frequently throughout the day, stopping throughout the village but also to each of the other villages in the Saas Valley.
On Foot
This is without doubt the easiest way of getting around the village itself and the most common way too. Be careful though, despite the village being car free there are a lot of milk-float type vehicles roaming the streets. They are very quiet so it can be hard to notice them so do be aware still when walking around.
Taxi
There are several taxi companies running throughout the village. These too are electric cars. They can be quite expensive for a relatively short trip though so sometimes it might be better to use the bus or walk.
Many of the hotels operate free taxis to help their guests carry luggage from the drop off points on arrival and departure. You simply use your phone or call the hotel from one of the free phone boxes at the drop off points and they will arrange some assistance.