This car-free Alpine village sits at 1,800m in the Swiss Valais region, surrounded by 13 peaks above 4,000m. Glaciers and snow cover its ski slopes year-round.
Saas-Fee sits at 1,800 meters in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by glaciers and 13 peaks above 4,000 meters. In this car-free village, you can ski on the Fee Glacier in July, eat fondue at the Mittelallalin rotating restaurant at 3,500 meters, or walk through streets where centuries-old wooden farmhouses stand next to modern Swiss chalets.
Getting to Saas-Fee
PostBus services run between Saas-Fee and Visp every 30 minutes, connecting you to major Swiss cities. Since 1951, cars aren't allowed in the village - you'll park in designated lots outside town and walk or take an electric shuttle to your accommodation.
Year-Round Skiing Infrastructure
The ski area has 150 kilometers of slopes, from gentle beginner runs to steep black pistes. Twenty-two lifts, including the Metro Alpin (the world's highest underground funicular), take you up to 3,600 meters. The high-altitude Fee Glacier has reliable snow conditions from July through April, making the Allalin area a popular summer skiing destination.
Moving Around the Village
Small electric vehicles connect hotels and ski areas. You can walk through narrow streets where 16th-century granaries and barns stand alongside modern alpine architecture. Without cars, children play freely in the streets and you can stroll between cafes, shops, and the sports complex at your own pace.
Summer Mountain Activities
In summer, you can hike on 350 kilometers of marked trails. The Gorge Alpine route between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund has fixed climbing routes on vertical rock faces. At the adventure forest, you'll find rope courses and suspension bridges between trees. The valley has 70 kilometers of mountain biking trails, ranging from forest paths to technical single tracks.
Mountain Dining Experience
At 3,500 meters, the Mittelallalin restaurant rotates once per hour while you eat. Through its panoramic windows, you'll see the surrounding peaks, including the Dom (4,545m) and the Allalinhorn (4,027m).
Film Location Legacy
Saas-Fee appeared in Wham!'s "Last Christmas" music video in 1984, with scenes featuring the village's cable cars. The slopes also served as filming locations for ski chase sequences in the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969).
