Magazine summer 2022

Summer 2022 

Saas-Fee/Saastal Magazine 

1

WELCOME TO YOUR HIGH ALPINE WORLD OF ADVENTURES 

Dear Readers, 

Nature, adventure and sustainability are in great demand. After 

having been through a challenging time, we crave natural 

moments of happiness more than ever. We are all looking 

for places where we can recharge our batteries, experience 

new things with our loved ones, discover, learn or achieve our 

goals. With its fascinating glacier worlds in the midst of Switzerland’s 

highest mountains, the Saas Valley offers the ideal 

conditions to enjoy exactly these pursuits – for every passion 

and for every requirement. This is because Saas-Fee/Saastal 

is THE high alpine world of adventures! 

I look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful region. 

Matthias Supersaxo, Tourism Director Saas-Fee/Saastal 

Frankfurt (534 km) 

Deutschland 

München (521 km) 

Basel (228 km) 

Frankreich 

Zürich (246 km) 

Österreich 

Bern (120 km) 

The ticket for 

tunnel drivers 

With the BLS car transport to Valais 

Timetable under: 

bls.ch/autoverlad 

Lausanne 

Genf (226 km) 

Sion 

Martigny 

YOUR JOURNEY TO THE SAAS VALLEY 

Whether by car or by public transport: the Saas-Fee/Saastal 

holiday region is easily accessible from anywhere in Switzerland. 

There are direct train connections from all major Swiss 

cities to Visp. From there, you can then take bus 511 on to the 

Saas Valley. Practically speaking, we may be at the southernmost 

tip of Switzerland, but your route to us couldn’t be 

easier: just one change along the way, and unique scenery is 

included free of charge! The journey takes three hours from 

Zurich, Geneva and Basle and just two from Berne. Those arriving 

by car will find plenty of parking spaces for car-free 

Saas-Fee in the large multistorey car park right at the entrance 

to the village. 

Visp 

Zermatt 

Kandersteg 

Goppenstein 

Brig 

Saas-Fee 

Iselle 

Gotthard 

Italien 

Milano (186 km) 

2 3

A SUMMIT FIRMLY IN WOMEN’S HANDS 

In June, Saas-Fee transforms into a hotspot for 

women’s mountain sports: 60 women from all over 

the world climb the Allalinhorn together. Among 

them is mountain guide Elsie Trichot Lemordant. 

Text: Patrick Gasser 

Images: Elsie Trichot Lemordant / Amarcster Media 

Making women visible in mountain and outdoor sports. That is 

the goal of the initiative ‘100% Women’. Switzerland Tourism 

launched the project last year on International Women’s Day. 

Despite the pandemic, 700 female climbers from 20 countries 

mastered all 48 Swiss four-thousand-metre peaks. The women 

summiteers thus became role models for women all over 

the world. 

Now the project is entering its second round. And the 

Saas Valley is playing a central role in this. And it’s no wonder: 

18 of 48 four-thousand-metre peaks in the Swiss Alps 

are located here, or can at least be seen from here. The venue 

for this special kind of Peak Challenge is the Allalinhorn. 

The 4,027 metre-high local mountain of Saas-Fee becomes 

the pièce de résistance for a world record attempt: around 60 

women are expected to climb the peak together between 15 

and 17 June. Quite the symbolic undertaking: there has probably 

never before been such a long women’s rope team. 

A pleasing development 

This is also confirmed by the two partner organisations – the 

Swiss Mountain Guides Association and the Swiss Alpine 

Club SAC – which are behind the project together with 

Switzerland Tourism, Saas-Fee/Saastal Tourism and the 

outdoor brand Mammut. ‘To the best of my knowledge, 

never before in the history of mountain sports have so many 

women joined forces to climb a peak together. And so it is all 

the more gratifying that this record is being set in Switzerland’, 

says historian Marie-France Hendrikx. 

Burnaby and Niquille 

Women are also taking the lead on the summit tour. The number 

of female guides is growing. Nevertheless, in 2021, out 

of 1,556 Swiss mountain guides, just 42 were women. Nicole 

Niquille was the first woman to successfully complete the 

physically and mentally demanding training in 1986. The history 

of alpinism is predominantly shaped by men – and yet it 

is more feminine than many think: be it in skirts or harem trousers 

and being smirked at by their male competitors, some 

women achieved top alpine performances as early as the 19th 

century. For example, Elizabeth Burnaby Main Le Blond from 

Great Britain (1861–1934). As a 20-year-old, she ventured on 

an expedition for the first time. She made 26 first ascents, including 

the east peak of the Bishorn. In 1907, she became the 

first president of the British Ladies’ Alpine Club. 

From the business world to the mountains 

One of the female mountain guides who has a firm grip on the 

rope for the ‘100% Women’ project on the Allalinhorn is Elsie 

Trichot Lemordant. ‘I am happy to show women in my work 

that alpinism is just as much fun for us as it is for men’, says 

the mother of a two-year-old son. She grew up in Grenoble, 

France, and stood on the summit of Mont Blanc at the age of 

13. As her inner fire burned, Elsie’s dream job become crystal 

clear: she wanted to become a mountain guide since her teenage 

years. ‘Discover the world’, as she says herself. The journey 

to get there was by no means straightforward: she studied 

international management in Paris and started a career in the 

business world, which took her to various countries. 

Today she lives in Sion, Switzerland. ‘The call of the 

mountains grew stronger’, says Elsie. In 2015, she dedicated 

herself entirely to training to become a mountain guide. 

In 2018, she passed the demanding certification exam set by 

the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations 

(IFMGA). ‘Make your life a dream, and the dream a reality’, is a 

quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the creator of ‘The Little 

Prince’. Elsie did just that. 

Stories like Elsie Trichot’s are meant to inspire and 

encourage women all over the world to do new things. 

With the Women’s Peak Challenge, those responsible want 

to give alpinism a much more feminine touch. ‘90 per cent 

of alpinists are still men’, says Elsie. ‘But women’s rope 

teams often have a healthy group dynamic. You quickly 

sense a willingness to help each other and the group 

members inspire each other. ’ In the future – so hope 

Elsie and those responsible for “100% Women” – even more 

women should follow the call of the mountains.’ 

More information on 

100% Women Peak Challenge 

4 5

CONTENTS 

A summit firmly in women’s hands 

Elsie Trichot Lemordant 

From seasonal worker to aviation pioneer 

Jack Mullner 

Adventure worlds 

10 

Family activities & biking 

Murmeli Trail, Mittelallalin Adventure Terrace, Bike Skills Park, Flow Trail 

The goldsmiths 

Review of the Olympic Winter Games 

The trailblazer 

Marc Derivaz 

Family activities – insider tips 

Kreuzboden playground, Saas-Almagell treasure hunt, ‘Hinner de Zy’ barbecue area, Eddie our mascot 

Hiking 

Gsponer Höhenweg, Monte Moro Pass 

14 

Summer events 

Saastal Märliwucha, SaasFeestival, Saaser Gaumengaudi, Mattmark Memorial Half-Marathon 

Mattmark Dam 

A moated castle and true powerhouse 

18 

22 

Adventure 

30 

Via Ferrata Britannia, Bouldering, Glacier Experience Tour, My 1st and 2nd Four-Thousand-Metre Peaks 

Limitless – with an E-MTB up the Strahlhorn 

Erich and Beni Kälin 

Well-being 

Kneipp facilities 

Photo spots 

With Frederik Kalbermatten and Christelle Anthamatten 

Mountain huts & mountain restaurants 

Hannig and Almagell high trail 

How a valley wants to protect its glaciers 

The region as a pioneer in climate protection 

28 

36 

42 

34 

8 

12 

4 

41 

32 

24 

20 

IT MIT BERG- 

KRAFT UND 

DER RICHTIGEN 

TECHNIK. 

Impulsgeber für Informatik. 

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

Would you like to get an insight into our hiker’s paradise? Do 

you know Karin Huber, who was trained as the first female 

ropeway technician in Switzerland? Do you know how snow 

is made? How is a glacier village like Saas-Fee experiencing 

climate change? You can find insights into this and other exciting 

stories on our YouTube channel. Feel inspired by our 

holiday region and enjoy the four-thousand-metre peaks of 

the Saas Valley – from the comfort of your sofa. You can find 

more impressions on our additional social media channels. 

Have fun watching! 

Our most beautiful stories await 

you on the playlist ‘4545’! 

@saasfee 

#saasfee 

@saasfee_saastal 

@saasfee 

LEGAL NOTICE 

Editor: Saastal Tourismus AG | Editorial direction: Mattia Storni and Patrick Gasser 

Editorial: Patrick Gasser | Picture editor: Isabelle Krummenacher | Graphic design: Isabelle Krummenacher 

Photography: Puzzle Media, Frederik Kalbermatten, Amarcster Media, levin.studio, Elsie Trichot Lemordant, 

Switzerland Tourism, Lorenz Richard, Mario Heller, Christelle Anthamatten, swiss_voyage, Alberto @swiss 

Cover image: Weissmies North Ridge with the summit in the background 

Wir regeln das für Sie. 

Kantonsstrasse 51, 3902 Glis 

Telefon 027 922 10 10, ocom@ocom.ch 

6 7

FROM SEASONAL WORKER TO AVIATION PIONEER 

As a teenager, Jack Mullner cleaned holiday apartments 

in Saas-Fee in the evenings so that he could 

go skiing during the day. The ‘Chalet Boy’ of yesteryear 

is one of the most talented drone pilots on the 

action sports scene today. 


Images: Puzzle Media 

It is already late in the day. Only the bars on the village street 

still have their lights on. And in the Puzzle Media office, too. 

Here, Jack Mullner (29) has fulfilled a dream together with 

his brother Jamie (31). Between Chinese instant noodle dishes 

and beer, Jack cuts the printed analogue photos to size. It 

won’t be long before the first photo exhibition takes centre 

stage at the Puzzle Media House. Six professionals are working 

together here. Self-employed copywriters, consultants 

and, in the evening, tattoo artists. Time and again, holiday 

guests also rent workspaces in the co-working space for days 

at a time. Zoom calls after skiing. Working to meet deadlines 

after the climbing tour. 

2010. The ski trousers were wide, the jackets colourful. 

Jack Mullner has just finished school. ‘I just wanted to go skiing’, 

he recalls. At 17, he came to Saas-Fee from Kent, a town 

in the south-east of England. And he went skiing. Every single 

day. He earned his money as a ‘Chalet Boy’: Jack cleaned 

holiday apartments. Twice he left Saas-Fee in spring. Then he 

went on to stay here, and the seasonal worker became more 

and more of a mountain man. 

First DJ, then entrepreneur 

When GoPro released its first action camera, Jack bought 

one of these compact devices. He filmed his friends skiing, 

and edited his first videos. Jack established his first contacts 

through his DJ gigs in the village bars. This led to his being 

commissioned for jobs for the first time – promo clips for holiday 

apartments and hotels. ‘I thought,’ Jack tells me, ‘maybe I 

can do this professionally.’ And that marked the birth of Puzzle 

Media. 

Today, companies such as RedBull, Samsung and the 

ski manufacturer Faction count among Puzzle Media’s clientele. 

Jack still puts his friends from Saas-Fee in front of his 

lens from time to time. Along with Olympic champions like 

Ayumu Hirano. When the Japanese skier performed his first 

triple cork in the halfpipe on the Fee glacier in autumn 2021, 

Jack was there with his drone. 

Fredi K, the perfectionist 

Jack’s collaboration with Frederik Kalbermatten (41) opened 

the door to the world of snowboarders and freeskiers. For over 

two decades, the exceptional talent from Saas-Fee dazzled 

the scene with all his tricks. At some point, Jack and Jamie 

Mullner were also out and about with Fredi in the glacier world 

of Saas-Fee. Fredi still spends days building his ski jumps. For 

example, over huge crevasses or through séracs. Fredi always 

finds something new: ‘That’s what makes working with him so 

exciting. He is a perfectionist. He puts a lot of time and work 

into the preparation.’, says Jack. 

There is also little of the film crew’s strenuous work to be seen 

There are limits to freedom. Always further, 

always cheaper, always better: drones have 

gained significantly in terms of their popularity 

in recent years. However, anyone who 

has bought a flying machine for the first 

time should be aware that their neighbour 

will not necessarily be happy if the flying 

machine – complete with camera – flies over 

their hedge. In mountainous regions such 

as the Saas Valley, drones can also become 

a problem for helicopters or paragliders. 

Therefore, the aircraft are only operated 

by laymen without special training on 

a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) basis only. 

In addition, minimum distances must be 

maintained for cable cars, for example. 

in the finished clips. Jack remembers a shoot that took him to 

the summit of the Strahlhorn. Jack spent ten hours on the road 

with his camera equipment. ‘The tripod alone weighed 15 kilograms. 

I didn’t use it’, he says and laughs. A single shot resulted 

from this ten-hour feat. ‘Still, it was a great day’, says Jack. 

The photos for the exhibition are cropped. He still 

wants to touch up the lighting for the picture frames the next 

day. For the layman, it is impossible to see what bothers Jack. 

Like the athletes he captures on camera, Jack is also 

a perfectionist. ‘The equipment is getting ever cheaper. What 

remains crucial in what we do is creativity and quality’, says 

Jack. ‘So, you’re forced to keep evolving. And that’s what excites 

me.’ 

Right at the heart of the action, and not just on the edge 

There is a small drone on the table in front of the large shopwindow. 

The aircraft weighs just 1.5 kilograms. Jack soldered 

them together himself with components from the internet. It 

can fly up to 130 kilometres per hour. But the highlight is sat 

right next to this nimble flying machine: FPV goggles. Through 

this, Jack sees the images from the mounted GoPro camera 

in real time and can control the aircraft with absolute precision. 

FPV stands for ‘First-person view’. ‘It’s like I’m in the air 

myself’, says Jack. This technology has revolutionised drone 

photography in recent years. ‘It used to be just a toy. At some 

point, someone must have come up with the idea of using 

these drones with the appropriate cameras for action sports 

footage’, says Jack. ‘That was a real game changer.’ Jack is one 

of the first people to fly through the glacier world of Saas-Fee 

with an FPV drone. 

Jack Mullner (left) captures the Saas Valley from above with his drone. 

Drone video Indian Summer 

Thanks to the FPV drone, the spectators also feel as if they are 

right in the middle of the action. For example, when freeriders 

descend steep mountain slopes on the Freeride World Tour. Or 

when Jack tracks the best freestylers with his drone in October 

during the Stomping Grounds Camp on the Fee glacier. But 

Jack also loves the nature that makes up Saas-Fee: ‘My favourite 

places to fly are the glaciers of the Fee glacier or along the 

Mischabel chain.’ His drone reaches up to the 4,545-metre-high 

‘Dom’, the massif’s main summit. The device can also fly into deep 

glacier caves. ‘Sometimes, I get a bit nervous’, says Jack. “But 

I have to stay calm: because I cannot afford to make mistakes. 

If the drone crashes, I’ll never see it again.’ 

8 9

Adventure worlds 

1: Allalin – Highlight 

2: Längfluh – Glacier world 

3: Spielboden – Home of the marmots 

4: Hannig – A sunny mountain 

5: Kreuzboden – A family mountain 

6: Hohsaas – Adrenaline & a view 

7: Furggstalden and Heidbodmen – A place to recover 

8: Mattmark Dam – A place to recharge 

1 

8 

2 

7 

3 

6 

4 

5 

micharindisbacher.ch 

10 11

Family activities 

Biking 

ON THE TRAIL OF THE 

LATE RISER 

They are probably the sweetest ambassadors of the Saas 

Valley: the colonies of marmots at Spielboden and Stafelwald 

show a particular trust in humans. Since summer 2021, Spielboden 

has had its own family-friendly themed trail leading 

through the marmots’ habitat. Together with Eddie the marmot, 

the hikers learn a lot of information about this cute subspecies 

of gopher. The circular trail leads from the Spielboden mountain 

station into the marmot region. On seven panels, Eddie 

provides some great insight into the life of his family. And with 

a bit of luck, you will also meet them on the way. The marmots 

especially like anyone with peanuts, dandelions or carrots. 

And everyone will find a place in their hearts for these 

friendly critters. Nevertheless, you should know that these are 

wild animals and not for cuddling. And so, with that in mind: 

quietly approach with caution and leave them alone in their 

burrows. Photos should also only be taken without flash. 

3 

Discover the adventure worlds on p. 10 

FAMILY FUN ON TWO 

WHEELS 

Anyone who has ever ventured onto a bike trail knows exactly 

how much joy there is in store when everything is in ‘flow’. To 

make it easier for children and other newcomers to enter the 

world of mountain biking, three short trails have been in place 

on Kreuzboden above Saas-Grund since 2021. The three 

routes – each with different levels of difficulty – are roughly 

400 metres long. You can get to the start line quite easily via 

a carpet lift. The Bike Skills Park is located just a few metres 

from the Hohsaas mountain railway station on Kreuzboden. 

New in summer 2022, bike rental will also be offered directly 

on location by the Saas-Fee Guides. Thanks to the beautiful 

mountain lake and the adventure playground in the immediate 

vicinity, an unforgettable family day is guaranteed. In the 

midst of the impressive mountain world at 2,400 metres above 

sea level, mountain bikers can hone their skills on two wheels 

with maximum excitement along the way. 

The Skills Park, however, is not only tailored to children. 

It also offers adults the opportunity to safely approach mountain 

biking and test their personal limits. 

Information 

saas-fee.ch/murmeli 

5 


Information 

saas-fee.ch/skillspark 

WHERE WINTER SPENDS 

THE SUMMER 

In just 40 minutes, you can escape the summer heat in the 

valley. That’s how long it takes to ride the mountain railways 

from Saas-Fee up into the high mountains. Here, the 

snow lies on the ground all year round. The best skiers 

and snowboarders train here, even in high summer. And 

this is where the fascinating journey into the depths of 

the Fee glacier begins. Sculptor Pascal has created fascinating 

works of art out of ice in the glacier grotto, which 

is accessible from the Mittelallalin mountain station. The ice pavilion 

is both an art exhibition and a scientific excursion in one. 

Go two floors up and you will find the highest revolving 

restaurant in the world. It takes an hour to complete 

one revolution here. There is time to enjoy the 

view of the surrounding four-thousand-metre peaks and 

as far as the Italian metropolis of Milan. But the excursion 

destination of Allalin is also the setting for one of the 

most breathtaking sunrises in the world. This is precisely 

the kind of experience you should not miss out on when 

visiting in summer. Of course, such an early morning trip also 

includes a hearty breakfast in the revolving restaurant. Those 

who want to go even higher can also climb the Allalin, 500 

metres higher, together with a mountain guide. The tour to the 

4,027-metre-high Allalinhorn is considered the easiest summit 

in terms of what the Alps have to offer. From the summer of 

2022, the Adventure Terrace will also offer a good dose of adventure 

for little ones: be it slackline, snow groomer simulator 

or CUPRA Bobby Car. 

1 


Information 

saas-fee.ch/allalin 

1,600 VERTICAL METERS – 

WHO OFFERS MORE? 

If you choose to saddle up at 3,200 metres above sea level, 

you can rejoice in the knowledge that: from the glacier 

world on the Hohsaas at the foot of the Weissmies, 

you’ll descend a whole 1,600 metres in altitude 

to Saas-Grund. Directly at the gondola station, the route 

descends over flowing, natural trails to Kreuzboden. But 

beware: the upper part of this near-endless descent requires 

some skill. Further down on Kreuzboden, a short 

stop at the mountain lake is worthwhile. Around three kilometres 

of trail have been newly created from here down to 

Triftalp. Another ten kilometres have been adapted to the 

needs of mountain bikers. The specialists from Flying Metal 

GmbH have designed the ‘Adventure Trail’ to a medium 

difficulty spec, with technical elements such as stone passages 

or roots. This trail merges almost seamlessly with the 

mountain bike trail from Triftalp to Saas-Grund. This provides 

mountain bikers with a route accessed by the gondola lifts at 

over 1,600 metres in altitude. 

And the Saas Valley also has a lot to offer in the way 

of flowing mountain bike trails. Trendy magazines from the 

industry rave about this ‘Wild West’ of downhill biking, and 

speak of a true paradise for enduro mountain bikers. And it’s 

no wonder: with 80 kilometres of perfectly marked-out trails, 

the Saas Valley is ideal for mountain biking. Everyone will find 

their favourite route here. Be it simple or demanding. Not only 

this: In the Saas Valley, you can rent high-quality bikes – with 

or without power boost – as well as tours led by local guides. 

6 


Information 

saas-fee.ch/bike 

12 13

THE GOLDSMITHS 

For Hollywood stars, it’s the red carpet, for the snow 

sporting elite, it’s the summer ski area of Saas-Fee. 

No fewer than 64 medal winners from the 2022 Winter 

Olympics train here regularly. 


Image: Amarcster Media 

Summer ski area Saas-Fee 

In Saas-Fee, winter begins in summer. It is exactly when freshly 

mown mountain grass dries into hay in the sun here that the 

stars are training 1,800 metres above sea level. In the morning, 

they train on the Fee glacier. Looking for the perfect set-up 

in equipment and an edge on the competition. Down in the 

valley – where the ski instructors wait for their students in 

winter – they lift weights and play football. Saas-Fee is the 

natural retreat for the sport’s elite on one or two boards over 

the summer months. 

Halfpipe skiers, alpine snowboarders. Marco Odermatt 

and Mikaela Shiffrin. Swiss and American female athletes. 

For all of them, the Fee glacier has become a fixed 

point in the preparation calendar for the World Cup season. 

Just a 40-minute ride on the mountain railways separates 

high summer from winter here. ‘Saas-Fee is difficult to top 

in terms of the preparation phase‘, says, for example, the twotime 

Olympic medallist from Beijing, Federica Brignone (31, 

ITA): ‘In the morning, I find exactly the conditions I need on 

the glacier and, in the afternoon, I can play tennis in the village.’ 

Moreover, it is an extremely familiar atmosphere in Saas- 

Fee – people know each other. 

Start of training: 5.00 a.m. 

And it’s no wonder: Up to 1,000 athletes trained on the glacier 

slopes and in the snow park in autumn 2021. Among them 

were many young talents from the regional bases in Switzerland 

and abroad. The closer the start of the competition season 

gets in autumn, the more poles you’ll see stuck on the 

slopes at the foot of the Allalin. Then, the trainers set out at 

5.00 a.m. with headlamps and flag down their courses before 

the first rays of sunlight. On some slopes, there are 15 giant 

slalom runs side by side in October. In order to avoid chaos, 

these are distributed in a kind of stock exchange process at 

the coaches’ meeting the day before. And some coaches then 

no longer use red and blue goal flags, but use other colours 

instead. 

And not quite as early as the alpine skiers and snowboarders, 

you’ll find the freestylers making their entrance on 

the mountain. Every autumn, Australian Charles Beckinsale 

and his crew build a top-class snowpark on the Fee glacier. 

The dimensions are enormous: the superpipe is over 120 metres 

long, and its icy walls are almost seven metres high. This 

is where American snowboarding legend Shaun White prepared 

for the final competition of his career. It was here that 

his heir apparent, Ayumu Hirano (Japan), learned the trick that 

won him the gold medal. 

World premieres by the metre 

The triple cork in Hirano’s halfpipe was a ‘world first’. A trick 

that was performed for the very first time. Just a few years ago, 

this was not considered possible. But it’s moments like these 

that drive Charles Beckinsale and his crew to work 20-hour 

shifts on the Fee glacier: ‘When we see what the athletes can 

deliver on our jumps, rails and in the pipe, it motivates us to 

give our best time and again’, says Beckinsale. 

Olympic champion Gremaud: ‘Best training conditions’ 

Mathilde Gremaud also landed a ‘world first’ in the autumn of 

2020: she was the first woman to perform a ‘switch double cork 

1440’ in Saas-Fee. The native of Fribourg says: ‘The snowpark 

here offers me the best training conditions: the approaches 

to the kickers are steep and the runs long.’ In 

February 2022, she returned from the Winter Olympics in China 

with a gold medal in slopestyle. She took the bronze in the 

Big Air competition. 

The examples of Gremaud, Brignone or Hirano are not 

isolated cases. A total of 64 medals from Beijing 2022 went 

to athletes who train regularly in Saas-Fee. In 2018, the figure 

was 41. And here’s another comparison: Norway, the most 

successful nation at the Games in China, won a total of 37 

medals. 

From 16 July onwards, the Saas-Fee summer ski area 

will be open again. And not just for world-class athletes (and 

those who would like to become one). The unique experience 

of a ski day in high summer is also worthwhile for ‘normal’ winter 

sports fans. 

Information about the summer ski area 

saas-fee.ch/sommerski 

14 15

FROM THE LARCH FOREST TO THE GLACIER 

E-mountain biking could not be more varied: the 

tour leads from Saas-Balen through wonderful larch 

forests and up to the ‘Grüebu’ glacier at 2,860 

metres above sea level. 

Image: Puzzle Media 

16 17

THE TRAILBLAZER 

When the traces of winter clear, their work begins: 

a team of the Saas-Fee Guides takes care of an 

extensive network of hiking trails in Saas-Fee. Behind 

the beautifully kept hiking trails, hundreds of 

hours of hard manual labour have been invested. 


Images: Puzzle Media / Switzerland Tourism / Lorenz Richard 

‘You are standing at the end of the world 

and yet at the same time at its origin, at its 

beginning and in its centre.’ Carl Zuckmayer 

fell in love with Saas-Fee back in 1938. 

20 years later, the writer moved here and 

stayed until his death in 1977. At the origin, 

in the middle and at the end: the men who 

maintain the network of hiking trails in the 

Saas Valley can often be found. Hoes and 

rakes carry them for kilometres at a time. 

When the snow melts away in spring, the 

work begins for the two mountain guides 

Marc Derivaz and Michi Schwarzl, as well 

as Félicien Pépin and Patrick Gracey. They 

and the other teams from the municipalities 

in the Saas Valley are the first to hit 

the trails in spring. And in autumn, the last. 

As a team, they clear away the remnants of 

winter on the network of hiking trails in the 

Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region. 

Over 350 kilometres of trails wind through the Saas Valley. 

Along mountain streams, glaciers and four-thousand-metre 

peaks. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a personal 

challenge or just peace and quiet: there are great prospects 

for everyone. Countless challenges also await the team that 

handles the maintenance of this network of hiking trails. ‘You 

have to see the problems, in order to recognise them’, says 

Marc Derivaz, who is starting his third season in trail maintenance. 

He is part of the team of the local outdoor service 

Saas-Fee Guides, which is responsible for maintaining the 

trail network in Saas-Fee for the municipality. 

Bridge transport complete with helicopter 

The storms in the winter months knock down trees. Avalanches 

wash wood and debris onto the hiking trails. In spring, meltwater 

erodes sections of the paths in some places. In summer, 

heavy thundershowers batter the paths. Then the men behind 

Marc Derivaz rebuild the damaged sections of path, step 

by step. ‘Our job is mainly manual labour’, Marc explains. On 

foot, we follow the hiking trails. Meanwhile, they also reach 

some sections with e-mountain bikes – and rarely with an 

off-road vehicle. Marc Derivaz’s team is also responsible for 17 

bridges. Six of them will be taken to their destination by helicopter 

in spring. And taken away again in autumn. Otherwise, 

they would become damaged in winter by the huge masses of 

snow – or washed away completely by avalanches. 

As extensive as the hiking trail network in the Saas 

Valley is, so is the team around Marc Derivaz versatile: some 

are mountain guides, while others work as ski instructors in 

winter. Marc and his team can sense the change happening 

on the mountain. Less snow in winter. More hot days in summer. 

Work with the guests on the mountain is becoming more 

demanding. Marc doesn’t like to complain about it. He learned 

early on to work with and not against nature. ‘Our boss is nature‘, 

Marc says pragmatically. ‘She sets the pace.’ 

A back-breaking job 

And in any case: Marc Derivaz does not like to put himself 

in the foreground: ‘I’m more the quiet creator.’ There is the 

temptation to romanticise his job as a trailblazer for the hikers: 

At dawn, the teams make their way through the larch forests. 

This view, this peace before the hiking season. But Marc 

warns: ‘It’s a back-breaking job. ’ They carry their equipment 

for up to twelve kilometres on the longest section of the Höhenweg 

Grächen. With the motorised trimmer, they climb up 

to the forest line to mow bushes and scrub. Rake, trimmer 

and a canister with five litres of petrol weigh heavily on the 

shoulders. A working day in the field can then last a good ten 

hours. In spring, they clean and repair after the melting snow 

has disappeared. In autumn, they clear away signposts, cables 

and benches along the paths before the first big winter 

storm renders the paths impassable in October. 

Maintaining the hiking trail network is hard work. 

But the work is not done there: throughout the summer, a 

team of Saas-Fee Guides is out and about. ‘No sooner are 

the hiking trails ready for the season than the mowing work 

begins’, says Marc. If there is a threat of heavy thunderstorms, 

the trailblazers make sure that the rain gutters on the paths 

are free of debris: ‘Scraping the drains free is tedious. But it 

is much worse when the water literally eats away the paths 

because it cannot run off’. 

The joy of hikers 

Nevertheless, Marc appreciates his job. Working in a team 

where everyone can rely on each other is what he likes best. 

And what is more: ‘It does us good to see how hikers enjoy 

our network of trails.’ Marc’s experience as a mountain guide 

comes in handy in his work maintaining the trail network: He 

knows how to move in rough terrain. Where hiking trails are 

not yet open to hikers, dangers such as falling rocks or wet 

snow avalanches lurk. ‘It is important to always find out if the 

trail is open or closed before you go hiking’, says Marc. 

More on the subject of hiking: 

saas-fee.ch/wandern 

Mountain guide Marc Derivaz and his team are responsible 

for maintaining the hiking trails in Saas-Fee. 

18 

19

Family activities 

THESE INSIDER TIPS 

AWAIT VISITING FAMILIES 

Adverts 

COME ENJOY WITH US 

New playground in Kreuzboden 

Bike Skills Park for the whole family, mountain lake with ferry, 

monster scooter and petting zoo: the Kreuzboden above 

Saas-Grund is an ideal destination for an active family outing. 

Kids can look forward to a newly designed adventure playground 

for the 2022 summer season. There is a lot to discover 

and try out there: be it on suspension bridges, climbing walls 

or other equipment. There are also many interesting things to 

discover in the water park. 

Treasure hunt in Saas-Almagell’s larch forest 

Together on the trail of mystery: using the tools available at the Saas 

Tourism offices, family members get to solve the riddles of Furggstalden 

together. You can reach the starting point conveniently 

by chairlift from Saas-Almagell. The treasure hunt leads 

across eight posts – each family member has to do their bit 

so that the trophy can be recovered at the end. The special 

highlight: the family learns interesting facts about the habitat 

in the larch forest and receives a surprise to take home at the 

end. 

7 


Hi, 

I’m Eddie the marmot. 

Nice of you to visit me in the Saas Valley. 

‘Hinner de Zy’ barbecue area 

A successful family holiday in the Saas mountains naturally 

includes a barbecue together. Numerous fireplaces with wood 

provided offer the perfect opportunity for this. The ‘Hinner 

de Zy’ barbecue area near Stafelwald has been redesigned for 

this summer. Directly by the fireplaces, the glacier water here 

ripples at a leisurely pace through ‘Suonen’ – irrigation canals 

– in the direction of Saaservispa river. Not only is it perfect 

for chilling drinks, but it’s also a great play opportunity for the 

kids. 

Restaurant Saaser-Stube 

Embark on a culinary journey of pleasure 

in the Saaser-Stube Saas-Fee. Dine on 

regional delicacies, vegetarian and vegan 

specialities, our famous Saasi Burger, and 

even experience an exclusive flambé service 

at the guest table. Flambéed fillet of 

beef ‘Woronow’ according to an old recipe, 

flambéed fillet of lamb, crêpes Suzette or 

an original Viennese veal escalope are prepared 

for you directly at the table. What is 

a good meal without the right wine? On our 

wine list, you will find the finest bottles from 

the Valais and Europe. 

Lehnstrasse 1 

3906 Saas-Fee 

info@saaserhof.ch 

saaserhof.ch 

+41 27 958 98 98 

belMont Apart Lodge & Restaurant 

Our restaurant and our three apartments 

are located directly at the Kalbermatten 

sports field. Cordon bleu is both our 

speciality and our passion. Our terrace, 

complete with a beautiful mountain view, 

invites you to savour the moment. 

You are most welcome. 

Gletscherstrasse 8 

3906 Saas-Fee 

apart@belmont-saas-fee.ch 

belmont-saas-fee.ch 

+41 27 530 12 28 

Restaurant 1659 

The new restaurant 1659 offers its guests 

the best Swiss and French cuisine. We 

focus very strongly on regional products 

and sustainability. Indulge your palate 

with veal from the Chum-Ssä-Ssä stables 

in Saas-Almagell, or enjoy exquisite fish 

caught fresh from the pond on our garden 

terrace. We round off the offer with 

our vegetarian and vegan dishes. For every 

foodie out there, Restaurant 1659 is a must! 

Talstrasse 43 

3905 Saas-Almagell 

kristall@kristall.ch 

kristall.ch/restaurant1659 

+41 27 958 17 00 

Eddie – our very own mascot 

On the ‘Murmeliweg’ marmot trail at Spielboden, Eddie talks 

about the everyday life of his fellow marmots in a way that is 

suitable for children. The fluffy mascot of the Saas-Fee/Saastal 

holiday region is also an ideal souvenir to pass the time 

until your next holiday. 

Information 

saas-fee.ch/familie 

20 21

A CLASSIC AMONG KINGS 

Here, you always have the Mischabel Mountains 

in view and get to come close to Valais Blacknose 

sheep: the Gsponer Höhenweg is one of the most 

impressive hikes in the Saas Valley. 


Image: Puzzle Media 

A small gondola runs from the station in Stalden in the direction 

of Gspon. This is the starting point for one of the most 

beautiful high-altitude trails in Switzerland. And it is also 

home to the highest football pitch in Europe. It is quite possible 

that some of the best free-kick takers ever grow up here. 

Anyone who blasts the ball over the fence here is unlikely to 

find it again in this steep, sloping terrain. 

The first section of the high-altitude trail is more leisurely 

than the search for the football in Gspon. Only from the 

hamlet of Oberfinilu does the wide path become a narrow hiking 

trail. The route alternates through forest and open spaces. 

The Gsponer Höhenweg starts quite comfortably on a 

wide farm track. Just right for a warm-up. Only from the hamlet 

of Oberfinilu does the path turn into a narrow hiking trail. 

The view frees up to reveal the almost 3,800-metre-high Balfrin, 

which lies to the west of Saas-Balen. But the view during 

the hike not only falls on the impressive mountains. It is not 

unusual to be surprised by the tinkling of bells from genuine 

locals: these being Valais Blacknose sheep. Even before the 

Romans, this breed came to the valleys of the Upper Valais – 

and today, it is just as typical of the region as raclette cheese 

and ‘Genepie’ – alpine herbal liqueur with glacier wormwood. 

The next ascent takes you to Siwiboden. It’s worth taking 

a break here for the magnificent view. This is because the 

path stretches for a total of five hours over a good 14 kilometres. 

A soothing, cooling effect 

Siwiboden is followed by the Linde Bodu. What’s important 

here: you should definitely keep an eye on the time, in order 

to catch the last mountain railway to Kreuzboden. This saves 

you almost 1,000 metres of descent to Saas-Grund. If there is 

not enough time, you can already start the descent directly 

to Saas-Balen or Saas-Grund via another trail option. If you 

make it to Kreuzboden, a soothing footbath awaits you at the 

mountain lake. 

However, this footbath has to be worked hard for 

again on the last section. This is because here, the hike becomes 

challenging once more with a section of trail that leads 

through a boulder landscape. 

Time requirement: approx. 5 hours 

Route: 14 kilometres 

Metres in altitude uphill: 740m 

Metres in altitude downhill: 236m 

Highest point: 2,470 m above sea level 

Lowest point: 1,865 m above sea level 

Great views: from the larch forest, the view 

of the imposing mountain scenery is unobstructed. 

THE SMUGGLER’S ROUTE 

For centuries, the Monto Moro Pass was an 

important route for trade between north and south. 

Even today, this period of history can be felt. 


Image: Frederik Kalbermatten 

Anyone visiting the Italian municipality of Macugnaga for the 

first time will immediately notice the log cabin-style houses. 

Family names like ‘Zurbriggen’ or ‘Anthamatten’ do not sound 

typically Italian either. And indeed: in the 12th century, entire 

families emigrated from the Saas Valley over the Monte Moro 

Pass to what is now the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. 

For hundreds of years, the language and culture remained 

similar to those on the other side of the Monte Moro Pass. 

Those who set out on this cross-border hike today 

from the Mattmark Dam do so on the same stone slabs as 

smugglers have done for hundreds of years. Salt, wine, 

cheese, sheep – and later on even cigarettes found their 

way over the pass. The people of Saas bought jewellery and 

cooking utensils from the traders at the weekly market in 

Macugnaga. 

The hike begins on the circular trail around Lake Mattmark. 

Embedded in an impressive mountain backdrop, the 

water glistens in the most beautiful emerald shades. Hikers 

leave the mostly asphalted path at the Distel Alp at the end of 

the dam. 

From there, a well-marked hiking trail climbs to Tälliboden, 

a pretty moorland. The scenery further up to the Golden 

Madonna is rugged. Here, you walk along the remains of 

the centuries-old paved mule track. The statue ‘Maria zum 

Schnee’ is of great significance for the inhabitants on both 

sides of the pass. A cross-border pilgrimage mass is held here 

on 5 August every year. The statue is enthroned at the top of 

the pass with a view towards Italy. 

Not far from the top of the pass is the station of the 

gondola lift to Macugnaga. A detour to eat pizza in the Walser 

village is always worthwhile. The way back takes you via the 

same route as the ascent to Monte Moro Pass. If you want to 

return the same day, however, be sure to follow the timetable 

of the mountain railway back up. The same applies to the 

bus timetable from the dam crest at Lake Mattmark back to 

Saas-Almagell. 

Time requirement: approx. 5 

hours, there and back 

Route: 14.5 kilometres 





On the historic route to the Monte Moro Pass, 

you always have Lake Mattmark in view. 

22 23

Events 

SAASTAL MÄRLIWUCHA 

17 – 21 JULY 

Between 17 and 21 July, numerous places in the Saas Valley 

transform into a world of stories and fables. During this time, 

both big and small fans of fables are again completely in their 

element. The ‘Saastal Märliwucha’ offers treasure hunts and 

dwarf riddles in the wonderful Saas mountain world. There 

is no better place than this picturesque setting, which could 

itself have been penned by the Brothers Grimm. 

Information 

saas-fee.ch/maerchenwoche 

SAASER GAUMENGAUDI 

4 – 25 SEPTEMBER 

Under the motto ‘Saaser Gaumengaudi’, numerous local 

restaurateurs will create exquisite menus between 4 and 25 

September 2022. But that is not all: a gourmet weekend in 

the Saas Valley will be raffled off among all participants. So, 

there’s double the pleasure in store. 

Information 

saas-fee.ch/gaumengaudi 

Presented by 

Partnerhotel 

Powered by 

SAASFEESTIVAL 

16 JULY – 12 AUGUST 

Baschi, Anna Rossinelli Trio, Baba Shrimps and other national 

top acts will ensure a fantastic atmosphere in front of a unique 

backdrop this summer. The first edition of the SaasFeestival 

transforms the glacier world into a unique open-air stage. 

Things get going on Saturday, 16 July, with Family Day 

on Kreuzboden above Saas-Grund. Children’s activities and a 

festive atmosphere to the sounds of the Upper Valais ‘troubadour 

z’Hansrüedi’ guarantee carefree moments for the whole 

family. The highlight of the new festival concept is the three 

evenings on the village square in Saas-Fee. Olympic snowboarder 

Pat Burgener will be supporting Anna Rossinelli Trio. 

Baschi and Baba Shrimps will also be doing the honours in 

Saas-Fee. Likewise, ‘Freitagsauto’ and ‘Die Nachbarn’. The 

first SaasFeestival will draw to a worthy conclusion with the 

performance of the Zermatt band ‘Wintershome’ on Friday, 12 

August, on the village square in Saas-Almagell. 

Admission to the concerts is free. 

Information 

saasfeestival.ch 

MATTMARK MEMORIAL 

HALF-MARATHON 

10 SEPTEMBER 

It was already clear after the first time the running event was 

held: people wanted more! The Mattmark Half-Marathon is a 

tough one, with 810 metres of ascent. The ambience is all the 

more beautiful for the runners: the tour starts at the Round 

Church in Saas-Balen. The route then leads through picturesque 

larch forests past Saas-Grund and Saas-Almagell to 

the hamlet of Zermeiggern. On these historic paths, the ascent 

slowly becomes steeper until you reach the wall of the largest 

earthen dam in Europe. Those who have made it this far are 

inspired by the sight of the turquoise waters of Lake Mattmark. 

The seven-kilometre loop around the lake is the crowning glory 

of the Mattmark Half-Marathon. As an alternative to the full 

half-marathon distance, there is also an eight-kilometre route 

that takes you around the lake, or there is a Nordic Walking/ 

Fun category to sign up for. The starting places are in great 

demand for all categories: Early registration is worthwhile. 

Information and registration 

saas-fee.ch/mattmark-halbmarathon 

24 25

Adverts 

FIND YOUR HOME WITH US 

Saas-Grund 

La Gorge – Unique – Boutique Hotel 

The Aroma Boutique Hotel La Gorge in 

Saas-Fee has been offering an exclusive 

holiday experience in the glacier paradise 

in Saas-Fee with its 15 unique rooms since 

November 2021. Each room is a real winner 

with its unique charm. Whether sleeping 

like a princess in the tower suite, feeling comfortable 

in the simple standard double room, 

bathing in the private outdoor whirlpool at 

dizzying heights, or relaxing with a massage, 

Hotel La Gorge is sure to create long-lasting 

memories that inspire. 

We are happy to welcome you in a quiet 

and central location right next to the Alpin-Express 

mountain railway, close to the 

shops and the multistorey car park. 

Blomattenweg 2 

3906 Saas-Fee 

info@lagorge.ch 

lagorge.ch 

+41 27 958 16 80 

Hotel Mistral***Superior 

The Hotel Mistral is a modern holiday hotel 

located right next to the mountain railways 

and the hiking area of Saas-Fee. We offer 

warm hospitality and informality in a personal 

ambience. Our Basic and Top Style 

rooms are tastefully furnished – some with 

whirlpool tubs. In our à la carte restaurant, 

we’ll spoil you with regional and international 

delicacies. Our dishes are prepared 

with seasonal and market-fresh products. 

What’s more, Hotel Mistral has **** holiday 

apartments with hotel service. 

We look forward to your visit. 

The Supersaxo family and the Mistral team 

Gletscherstrasse 1 

3906 Saas-Fee 

info@hotel-mistral.ch 

hotel-mistral.ch 

+41 27 958 92 10 

26 27

A MOATED CASTLE AND TRUE POWERHOUSE 

The Mattmark Dam has a turbulent history. 

It not only serves guests and locals as a place 

of power – but also supplies thousands 

households with electricity. 


Images: levin.studio / Alberto @swiss 

1965 – disaster strikes 

Studies in the 1950s showed that the enormous power of 

the water mass in the Mattmark area could also be beneficial. 

Kraftwerke Mattmark AG began construction of the present 

dam in 1958. Today, the dammed water uses its power 

to drive turbines for electricity production and supplies thousands 

of households with electricity. Before the dam was 

completed seven years after construction began, the ‘dragon’ 

struck again: on 30 August 1965, part of the glacier tongue 

of the Allalin glacier broke off. Two million cubic metres of 

ice and debris thundered down onto the workers’ shelters at 

the construction site on the dam. 88 workers, the majority of 

them Italian guest workers, died. Recovering the dead took 

months. Today, a memorial not far from the site of the accident 

commemorates the victims. The Mattmark Half-Marathon, 

launched five years ago, is also held in memory of the 

deceased. 

They called it the ‘dragon in the valley floor 

of Mattmark’. The Allalin glacier. It has now 

receded far from the dam wall, which was 

completed in 1967. During the ‘Little Ice 

Age’, i.e. between the 15th and the early 

20th century, it took over the task of a 

dam. The Allalin glacier was unpredictable 

in its function as a weir: time and again, 

the glacial lake burst and flooded the hamlets 

and meadows further down the valley. 

Sand and debris turned the farmland into 

barren deserts for years. Quite a few of the 

valley inhabitants packed up their belongings 

and migrated – for example, over the 

Monte Moro Pass to the Walser settlement 

of today’s Macugnaga. 

A true powerhouse 

Today, the lake fills and empties as the power plant operators 

intend. In spring, the meltwater is fed into the lake through a 

system of pipelines. As the snow melts, the lake level rises. 

The constant change of the seasons is felt particularly strongly 

here. In winter, hikers pass the top of the dam on their descent 

from the Fluchthorn. It gets busier in the summer. Then 

the restaurant is also open. The bus service takes families to 

the starting point of the approximately eight-kilometre hike 

around the lake. Everywhere the water tumbles via falls and 

streams and onto the lake surface. The power of nature is thus 

particularly palpable. And it seems to pass over to you when 

you feel the cold spray of the waterfalls on your skin. 

Only a few steps away from the dam, the last signal 

bar on your smartphone disappears. Sparse network coverage 

helps visitors to slow down. However, it is also important 

to bear this in mind when hiking into the deserted ‘Ofental’ 

valley or towards the Monte Moro Pass. The smartphone only 

picks up the next mobile network later from the Italian side of 

the border. Here in the moated castle of the Upper Valais, the 

weather can suddenly change even in summer: not only does 

the network coverage here increasingly come from Italy, but 

also thunderstorms. 

Along the lakefront, you will find another elemental 

force in the form of the Eringer cows. These animals of ancient 

decent have been grazing in the region here for centuries. 

With the retreat of the Allalin glacier, their summer pasture 

gradually increases in size. 

8 


More about the Mattmark area 

saas-fee.ch/mattmark 

Hiking tip 

The approximately eight-kilometre circuit around 

Lake Mattmark is also ideal for families. If you 

take a good two hours, you can let the power of 

nature unleash its wonderful effect on you. The 

trail is relatively even and, with only a good 100 

metres of ascent and descent, slightly elevated 

along the lakefront. At the same time, the Mattmark 

Dam, which is accessible by bus, is also 

the starting point for more challenging hikes in 

the direction of the Monte Moro Pass, Ofental 

or Jazzilücke. However, these hikes should be 

planned well and started early. In summer, spring 

clouds often form in the region around the Monte 

Moro Pass, which can envelop the area in fog. 

Turquoise water and mystical mist: the region around 

today’s Lake Mattmark looks back on an eventful history. 

28 29

Adventure 

ON TO NEW SPHERES 

Via Ferrata Britannia – host Dario Andenmatten and his 

team expanded the offer at the Britannia Hut last early summer: 

the new Via Ferrata leads up to the ridge of Hinter Allalin at difficulty 

levels K-3 (fairly difficult) to K-4 (difficult). The entrance is 

only a few minutes’ walk below the Britannia Hut, which 

can be reached from the Felskinn mountain station in less 

than an hour via a hiking trail. The Via Ferrata is extremely 

varied. After completing roughly two-thirds of the route, the 

rock forms a small platform: ideal for taking a breather and 

enjoying the spectacular view down to the turquoise waters 

of Lake Mattmark. This is followed by the most spectacular 

part high up on the ridge of the route’s final point at 3,144 

metres. The descent leads along a blue-white-marked trail 

down to the Hohlaub glacier and back to the Britannia Hut. 

Even in high summer, you have to expect to cross snowfields 

on this trail. If you are early, you can also tackle the Glacier 

Trail, which is also marked in blue and white, after the approximately 

two-and-a-half-hour tour. This leads you over both the 

Hohlaub and Allalin glaciers. The hike ends at the Mattmark 

Dam and takes about three hours. 

A TIMEOUT IN THE ICE AGE 

Längfluh Glacier Experience Tour – nowhere else in the Alps 

do you find yourself in the harsh world of ice as quickly as on 

Längfluh. In just a few minutes, and together with the mountain 

guide, you leave the gondola lift station behind you and 

trudge along the rope across the expanse of the Fee glacier. 

The séracs are stacked as high as a house here. They occur 

because the glacier is constantly in motion. The ice pushes 

up to 20 centimetres down the valley – and thus constantly 

changes the landscape. During the three- to four-hour tour, the 

mountain guides – who are familiar with the area – tell you 

how the face of the mountains changes. Equipped with crampons, 

climbing harness and poles, the tour leads over glacial 

ice that is thousands of years old. This tour is also perfectly 

suitable for people without alpine experience – and is sure to 

leave no one out in the cold, so to speak. 

2 


Glacier Experience Tour Längfluh 

saas-fee.ch/gletscher-erlebnistour 

Via Ferrata Britannia 

saas-fee.ch/klettersteige 

ALLALIN AND WEISSMIES: 

YOUR ENTRY 

INTO ALPINISM 

WHATEVER THE WEATHER, 

THERE’S SOMETHING HERE 

FOR EVERYONE 

Bouldering in the Saas Valley – to offer budding climbing fans 

and those who are just discovering their passion a bad-weather 

option, active climbers from the region have set up a bouldering 

cellar in Saas-Grund. With a usable climbing area of 

around 120 square metres, it is available to all climbing enthusiasts 

every day. 

A group of enthusiastic climbers has discovered countless 

boulders and ledges in the Saas Valley that are perfect 

for bouldering. Unlike classic climbing, a climbing harness 

and rope are not required here. A mattress for a soft landing is 

all that is needed. 

Bouldering in the Saas Valley 

saas-fee.ch/bouldern 

The Allalinhorn is the Saas-Fee’s local mountain. The glaciated 

giant is considered the easiest 4,000-metre peak 

in the Alps when climbed via the normal route. With a 

mountain guide and the right equipment, the 500 metres 

in altitude from the top station of the Metro Alpin 

are doable even for people without alpine experience. 

Prerequisites are sure-footedness and fitness for four hours of 

high alpine hiking. You should also bring a healthy portion of 

respect for the mountain. The tour to the summit at 4,027 metres 

above sea level takes about two hours. An overwhelming 

panoramic view of the Alps awaits you at the summit cross. 

If you have been bitten by the summit bug after climbing 

the Allalinhorn, you should definitely try the Weissmies. 

The tour to the 4,017-metre high local mountain of Saas-Grund 

takes around five hours, which is somewhat longer than 

the tour to the Allalinhorn. The starting point is the Hohsaas 

mountain station. An alternative comes in the form of a twoday 

tour from the Almagellerhütte. 

1 


Information and booking 

saas-fee.ch/meinersterviertausender 

You want to fly high? The mountain 

guides of the Saas Valley are always at 

your disposal and provide adventure in 

the high mountains. Let our guides lead 

you safely into the alpine world of the 

Saas Valley. saas-fee.ch/bergfuehrer 

30 31

LIMITLESS 

Erich and Beni Kälin achieved something extraordinary 

two years ago: from Visp, they rode their 

commercially available e-mountain bikes via the 

Britannia Hut to the 4,190-metre-high Strahlhorn. 


Images: Mario Heller 

Dawn. Summit cross. A father and son 

embrace. Photo. A snapshot of the kind 

that can be found on almost any mountain 

peak in the Alps on a July day. And yet the 

undertaking of Erich (63) and Beni (33) 

Kälin in the summer of 2020 made waves 

far beyond the alpinist scene: not far from 

the summit cross of the 4,190-metre-high 

Strahlhorn are two bicycles on which the 

Bernese Oberland paraglider pilot and 

speed-flying pioneer covered the entire 

distance together with his father Erich. It’s 

over 3,500 metres in altitude from Visp to 

the Strahlhorn at the very back of the Saas 

Valley. 

Made it: Beni (left) and Erich Kälin on the summit of the 

Strahlhorn. 

The most important component of the bikes is hidden in the 

frame: ‘We used bikes with one of the most powerful electric 

motors on the market’, says Beni Kälin. ‘With non-motorised 

bikes, we would have had far too little power for the steep and 

snow-covered slopes and would have had to push or carry 

them over long distances.’ 

The project clearly demonstrates what is feasible today. 

Even though small modifications to the saddle and steering 

fork were necessary and special wheels provided more grip 

on the snow: the Kälins rode the Strahlhorn with commercially 

available e-mountain bikes. 

Rapid development 

In the near future, battery performance is set to increase 

by another 30 to 40 per cent for the same weight, 

industry magazines predict. ‘I think in ten years’ time, we’ll be 

laughing about the fact that we used to have to lug around 

heavy spare batteries’, adds Beni Kälin. 

A motorised mountain bike is still around 10 kilograms 

heavier than a non-motorised one. This makes the e-mountain 

bikes a little more sluggish to steer downhill. But these 

e-bikes are also catching up in terms of downhill performance, 

making even the most puritanical bikers succumb 

to temptation. In the Saas Valley, the trend is being noticed: 

numerous routes – such as the tour to the Gletscherseewini 

above Saas-Balen – have plenty of impressive experiences 

in store. 

Incline of up to 23 degrees 

Back to the Strahlhorn: for climbers, the summit is one of the 

easier four-thousand-metre peaks in the Alps. But the long 

path demands quite a bit of fitness when climbing to the 

4,190-metre peak. For Beni and Erich Kälin, the tour already 

began in Visp. There, they rode their e-mountain bikes up the 

cantonal road to Saas-Fee. Here, they changed tyres to have 

better grip later on when riding on the snow that covers the 

glaciers. 

They covered another 1,200 metres in altitude to the 

Britannia Hut via the ski slopes, which have been eroded. 

Shortly before the intermediate destination at 3,030 metres 

above sea level, the two reached their limits with their bikes 

for the first time. The steep, snow-covered slope at Egginerjoch 

with an incline of 23 degrees – a red-marked ski slope in 

winter – meant that Beni and Erich Kälin had to push the bikes 

for the first time. With a tare weight of 24 kilograms (without 

additional battery), the motor also provided support thanks to 

the corresponding push-assist function. 

Pit stop at the Britannia Hut 

At the Britannia Hut, both father and son charged their own 

batteries for the summit day. They were not the first guests 

on two wheels that Dario Andenmatten has hosted: ‘The first 

mountain biker was on our terrace about 25 years ago’, says 

Dario Andenmatten, host at one of the Swiss Alpine Club’s 

most frequented huts. 

Even a four-thousand-metre peak has been reached 

here by mountain bike: about 15 years ago – people in the 

Saas Valley don’t remember exactly – a group ventured down 

the Allalinhorn (4,027 metres above sea level). Together with 

the Zermatt Breithorn (4,164 metres above sea level), the summit 

is considered the easiest four-thousand-metre peak in the 

Alps. This is not least because of the accessibility by mountain 

railways up to around 500 metres in altitude below the 

mountain peak. 

Together, Beni and Erich Kälin rode the Strahlhorn on an e-mountain bike in the 

summer of 2020. 

On a rope over the glacier 

For Beni and Erich Kälin, the journey continued at 1.00 a.m. in 

the direction of the Strahlhorn. Roped up, they travelled over 

the glacier towards the Adler Pass. The snow cover was not 

always frozen enough. Time and again, the two had to push 

their bikes a few metres. Beni Kälin: ‘The Strahlhorn may be 

a flat 4,000-metre peak for classic high-altitude tours. For the 

e-bike, however, the various sections with more than 20 degrees 

of incline are still extremely steep.’ 

Traversing like when on a ski tour is not possible. 

‘The pedals always get stuck in the snow on the 

slope.’ Small holes eaten into the snow by the July sun 

make it difficult for the duo to find their balance on the uneven 

surface. Nevertheless, they reached the summit and then 

rode back to Saas-Fee. 

Beni and Erich Kälin’s venture has shown what is possible 

with technology today. But the e-mountain bikes, which 

start at around 5,000 Swiss francs, are no guarantee of successfully 

reaching the summit. Beni Kälin: ‘It’s wrong to think 

that you can just make your way up there.’ That’s because: 

Without experienced riding technique, good fitness, the right 

e-bikes with the right components and, above all, the right 

conditions, you will quickly reach your limits in the high mountains 

(see below). 

Approach slowly 

Even if technical development offers support: not 

everyone makes it through with the e-mountain bike 

off-road. It is, therefore, important to approach the tour 

slowly and adapt it to your personal abilities. By the 

way, the same also applies to mountain bikes without 

a motor. It is also worth taking riding courses with 

trained MTB instructors. This is because the right riding 

technique is far more important than battery range. 

32 

33

Well-being 

RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES IN THE OUTDOOR SPA 

Adverts 

RELAX WITH US 

The Saas Valley is the perfect place to recharge your batteries. 

For example, with the outdoor wellness offer. 

Feeling the fresh alpine meadow between your toes 

and dipping your face into the cold glacier water: nowhere 

else do you feel as alive as in the abundant nature 

of the Saas mountains. The top athletes from all over the world 

who train on the Fee glacier in summer also know this. After 

honing their technique in the summer ski area, Marco Odermatt, 

Mikaela Shiffrin and Co. always meet at the Kneipp facility 

above the Kalbermatten sports field in Saas-Fee. Bathing 

in the glacier water helps to regenerate muscles. 

A real insider tip, however, is the pool of the Almagellerbach 

stream not far from the Hotel Kristall Saphir in Saas-Almagell. 

The cool water here runs delicately over the smooth rocks and 

into a natural tub. An ideal finishing point for a hike with the 

family from Saas-Fee via Waldweg Bodmen to Saas-Almagell. 

In addition to the outdoor wellness facilities, there 

are five publicly accessible spa and wellness areas in 

hotels in the Saas Valley. Whether it’s a sauna or Turkish 

steam bath: everyone will find what they are looking for here. 

Massages and other services round off the offer. 

The Kneipp facility at the Kalbermatten sports field 

invites you to regenerate your muscles. Image: Puzzle Media 

One particularly wonderful offer is a 

wellness stay in 

Saas-Fee/Saastal. 

saas-fee.ch/wellness 

wellnessHostel4000 

Aqua Allalin – recreation and sport at 1,800 m 2 

Peace and serenity for body and mind determine 

the ambience in the wellness area; 

saunas, steam bath, navel stone and more 

invite you to spend many a relaxing hour in 

a top-notch wellness environment. Let the 

panoramic view of the surrounding mountains 

inspire you to new thoughts. 

Sport and fun play are the order of the day 

in the indoor pool. Whether it’s training 

in the 25-metre pool, regeneration in the 

whirlpool and on the outdoor terrace, or 

family fun in the children’s pool and on the 

adventure slide – this is the place to be 

active. An extensive massage and wellness 

programme, as well as beauty treatments, 

round off the offer. You can enjoy all this 

at wellnessHostel4000 whether you book a 

double, family or multibed room. 

Panoramastrasse 1 

3906 Saas-Fee 

wellnesshostel4000@ 

youthhostel.ch 

+41 27 958 50 50 

Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa***** 

Your alpine timeout 

for body, mind and soul 

After exciting mountain adventures, 

the hotel’s spa ensures holistic relaxation. 

Whether you actively approach your relaxation 

step by step with one of the 

experienced wellness coaches or treat 

yourself to a timeout in the sauna world – 

that is entirely up to you. 

An alpine retreat of peace and relaxation welcomes 

you on over 2,100 m². Various saunas, 

a steam bath, whirlpool and a light-flooded 

relaxation zone await you here. The wellness 

experts will pamper you in several treatment 

rooms with massages, cosmetic treatments, 

baths and packs. 

Dorfweg 1 

3906 Saas-Fee 

info@walliserhof-saasfee.ch 

walliserhof-saasfee.ch 

+41 27 958 19 00 

Wellness Spa Pirmin Zurbriggen****S 

LoftSuite***** 

Monte-Moro*** 

In the three hotels, the stage is set for the 

experience and enjoyment you’d expect 

from a stay that is so much in demand today. 

Pure relaxation in natural surroundings, 

enjoyment and well-being in an informal 

atmosphere, bringing body and soul into 

harmony, that is the motto with which the 

hotelier family makes their guests happy. 

Saas-Almagell (Valais) 1,672 m, framed 

by a dreamlike mountain world with 

18 four-thousand-metre peaks. A southern 

stimulating climate – plenty of sun, pleasant 

temperatures. Ideal for Alpine wellness with 

1,700 m 2 ! 

The most important factor, however, is the 

Zurbriggen team, especially the managing 

directors Esther and Fabian Zurbriggen. 

They guarantee family moments of well-being 

and comfort in a unique ambience. 

New at Monte Moro: 

Rösti and Cordon Bleu Hüs Restaurant. 

Pick-up service CHF 4 per person. 

+41 27 957 10 12 

Furusandstrasse 

3905 Saas-Almagell 

pirmin.zurbriggen@rhone.ch 

loftsuite.ch 

monte-moro.ch 

+41 27 957 23 01 

34 35

PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES 

Christelle Anthamatten and Frederik Kalbermatten 

explore the Saas Valley with their camera. They 

each reveal one of their favourite photo spots. 

‘Mountain Layers’ on Ofentalhorn 

“This photo was taken on the 3,059 metre high Ofentalhorn. 

The Ofental valley is one of my favourite places in the Saas Valley. 

There is a path through the valley towards Jazzilücke, Antronapass 

and Heidbodmen. On the hike through the Ofental 

valley, you could, in some places, even take your shoes off: 

you feel like you’re in the Scottish Highlands on the cotton 

grass and soft ground. Only a little later, at the Ofen Pass, do 

you need sturdy mountain boots: from here, you can see all 

the way to Italy. I find these ‘Mountain Layers’ very special. 

You look out of the Saas Valley in the opposite direction to 

the Mischabel chain. This day trip is worth it for this change 

of perspective alone.’ 

Christelle Anthamatten (30) from Saas-Almagell is a secondary school teacher and 

teaches mathematics in Brig. 

Beach holidays 

‘My father spends the summer with the Eringer cows on the 

Distel Alp, where he herds the animals. I, too, always enjoy 

spending time on the alp. Despite my love for my home country, 

I love to travel and enjoy discovering other countries and 

cultures. As is well known, this was only possible with restrictions 

during the coronavirus pandemic. But it made me all 

the more aware of how beautiful we have it here in the Saas 

Valley and just how diverse it is. We have mountains, glaciers, 

lakes and even beaches. On a glorious summer’s day, I decided 

to take all the beach stuff with me to the shore of Lake 

Mattmark and so spent a wonderful beach day on Distel Alp. 

My interest in photography has always been there. Two years 

ago, I bought a camera and started to get more involved with 

photography. I like to experiment with different perspectives 

and subjects, and enjoy discovering new things. Photography 

acts as a great balance to my job.’ 

Frederik Kalbermatten (41) is a professional snowboarder and photographer. He lives with his family in Saas-Fee. 

@saasfee 

#keeponexploring 

#saasfee 

36 37

Rothorn-Traverse, Saas-Balen 

38 39

Adverts 

MOUNTAIN HUTS AND MOUNTAIN RESTAURANTS 

ALMAGELL HIGH TRAIL 

Britannia Hut – the grande dame of the 

Swiss Alps 

A desire for adventure, breathtaking views 

and grandiose mountain worlds! The 

traditional mountain hut above Saas- 

Fee at 3,030 m above sea level. It offers 

its guests and visitors everything nature-related 

for their stay. The Britannia 

Hut offers various ascent options 

for both young and old. The Glacier Trail 

from Mattmark Dam, which is marked out 

across majestic glaciers such as the Allalin 

and Hohlaub glaciers, is considered one of the 

most beautiful connections to the Britannia 

Hut. Or how about an overnight stay in 

our newly renovated alpine rooms, in order 

to climb the newly built Via Ferrata Britannia 

the next day? The Britannia Hut is 

also the starting point for many four-thousand-metre 

peaks such as the Strahlhorn, 

Rimpfischhorn, Allalin and Alphubel. 

Your host, Dario Andenmatten, and the 

team look forward to your visit. 

Britannia Hütte SAC 

Dario Andenmatten 

info@britannia.ch 

britannia.ch 

+41 27 957 22 88 

Almagelleralp 

The Almagelleralp stands at 2,200 m above 

sea level in the midst of a breathtaking 

mountain and glacier world. It is the ideal 

destination for hikers, mountaineers and 

nature fans. 

Surrounded by the highest peaks in the 

Swiss Alps, Almagelleralp offers rest 

and relaxation. We have three double rooms 

and camp beds – and why not book halfboard 

at the same time? 

You can reach the Almagelleralp via the 

hiking trail from Kreuzboden (3h), via the 

suspension bridges from Furggstalden (1.5 

hours) or via the hiking trail from Saas-Almagell 

(1.5 hours) 

I look forward to welcoming you! 

Urs Anthamatten 

almagelleralp.ch 

+41 79 629 78 08 

‘Alpenblick’ mountain restaurant 

Enjoy our renovated mountain restaurant 

in the summer and winter hiking region 

of Hannig at an altitude of 2,030 metres 

on the edge of a gnarled larch and pine 

forest, and halfway between Hannig and 

Saas-Fee. 

You will love the beautiful sun terrace 

with a magnificent view of the mountain 

landscape and the rustic interior of our 

Zuckmayer Stube. We will spoil you with 

Swiss cuisine and fine home-made cakes. 

Our small yet refined dormitory for groups 

(min. 6 and max. 10 people) is all set up for a 

good night’s sleep, if you want to enjoy the 

starry Saas sky and a sumptuous breakfast 

the morning after. 

Hohneggweg 100 

3906 Saas-Fee 

info@alpenblick-saasfee.ch 

alpenblick-saasfee.ch 

+41 76 539 32 78 

On this trail high above the treeline, you can enjoy unspoilt 

nature and a fantastic view over the Saas Valley and the 

Mischabel chain – with the highest mountains in Switzerland. 

The hike starts at the Kreuzboden mountain station above 

Saas-Grund at 2,400 m above sea level, which is easily 

accessible by gondola . Always surrounded by the four-thousand-metre 

peaks of Saas and with an unobstructed view of 

the Mattmark Dam, nature fans will reach the Almagellertal 

valley. Here follows the descent to the Almagelleralp mountain 

hotel with its striking red shutters. Once there, you can taste 

traditional dishes such as ‘smugglers’ macaroni’ and fresh fruit 

tarts. Then continue either via the adventure trail with two 

suspension bridges and ladders to Furggstalden, or via the 

direct trail to Saas-Almagell. 

Time requirement: approx. 3.5 hours 

Route: 10.5 kilometres 





A MOUNTAIN SPANNING 

GENERATIONS 

The Hannig connects both young and old. A visit to this sunny 

mountain expanse creates experiences that interlink generations. 

Some are delighted by the goats that graze the 

alpine herbs here in summer. Others like to watch the birds and 

listen to the charming sounds of the marmots. And there are 

those who are simply happy about the ice cream in the mountain 

restaurant right next to the playground. The Hannig, with its 

comparatively easy hiking trails and rail access, is a family-centric 

mountain in the best possible sense. Here at 2,350 metres 

above sea level, generations come together to enjoy. The 

view at the foot of the Mischabel chain stretches from the 

4,545-metre-high Dom, over the white glaciers to the Weissmies. 

Everyone feels at home here. 

The Hannig is also ideally suited for bikers. Or even 

on scooters, the descent can then be tackled. Those who 

prefer it a little more leisurely can stroll down into the valley. 

This provides, for example, the opportunity to buy 

fresh goat’s cheese directly from the alpine cooperative 

shop just before the treeline. Further down on Melchboden, 

the recently renovated lake area with adjacent barbecue zone 

and large playground invites you to spend some quality time. 

4 


Hannig 

saas-fee.ch/hannig 

40 41

HOW A VALLEY WANTS TO PROTECT ITS GLACIERS 

The Alps are warming twice as fast as the rest of the 

world due to climate change. The consequences 

have long been felt in the Saas Valley. This is precisely 

why the region has become a pioneer in climate 

protection. 


Images: Puzzle Meida / @swiss_voyage 

The Alpine region has warmed twice as much as the global 

average since the late 19th century. The temperature 

increase from the beginning of the industrial age to 

the beginning of the 21st century was 2 degrees Celsius. The 

fact that it has become noticeably warmer in the glacier world 

of the Saas Valley is particularly apparent to people who have 

been travelling through the mountains for decades. Dominik 

Gnos, a mountain guide for 50 years, says: ‘Today, some summit 

tours are done in summer in a shirt. In the past, you always 

needed a jacket.’ 

It is tempting to think that fewer clothes will be the 

norm on the summit tour. But warming brings a multitude of 

challenges, especially for a high alpine region like the Saas 

Valley: Swiss glaciers have lost around ten per cent of their 

mass in the past five years alone. Where the ice disappears, 

the rock destabilises. Routes that the mountain guides have 

walked for years are suddenly no longer passable. 

An important water reservoir: 

Swiss glaciers store 57 trillion litres of drinking water. 

Glaciers as water reservoirs 

Warming is also associated with problems for buildings at 

altitude. Where the permafrost – a kind of icy glue – thaws 

due to the higher temperatures, the rock crumbles or water 

begins to flow. In summer 2021, the Saas Valley mountain lift 

operator, therefore, extensively renovated the access tunnel 

to the Metro Alpin at a total cost of CHF 4.5 million. 

The Swiss glaciers are also a huge reservoir of 

drinking water. In total, they store 57 trillion litres of water. 

That is more than the volume of Lake Constance and 

Lake Thun combined. Nowhere else are you as close 

to this impressive glacier world as in the holiday region 

Saas-Fee/Saastal. This also means that you are always walking 

in the footsteps of climate change. 

Always car-free 

As the consequences of global warming are particularly noticeable 

here, a lot is being done in the Saas Valley to enable 

future generations to enjoy a view of these ice giants 

as well. Thus, as early as the beginning of the 1950s, the decision 

was made in Saas-Fee to remain car-free. George Michael’s 

jeep ride for the shoot of the music video for the Christmas 

hit ‘Last Christmas’ was an exception to the rule. Since 2002, 

Saas-Fee has also carried the label ‘Energy City GOLD’. This 

certificate is awarded to cities and municipalities that continuously 

promote the efficient use of energy, climate protection 

and environmentally friendly mobility. Municipalities with the 

Energy City label also promote environmentally compatible 

mobility. Only electric cars get to operate in Saas-Fee. There 

are only a few exceptions: for example, for the village doctor, 

ambulance vehicles or the police. 

With its energy and climate mission statement, Saas- 

Fee has set itself lofty goals for the future. For example, 

total energy consumption is to be reduced by 70 per cent in 

stages by 2050. In the same period, the share of renewable 

energy sources is to be increased to 100 per cent. This is to 

be done primarily through building renovation and by promoting 

solar accumulation zones. The potential for solar energy 

in sunny Saas-Fee is an impressive 13.73 gigawatt hours per 

year. Through all these measures, the hope remains that key 

climate goals will be achieved. The vision is to reduce emissions 

of the harmful greenhouse gas CO2 to one tonne per 

inhabitant per year by 2050. 

District heating heats indoor swimming pool 

A district heating network has already been in operation in 

Saas-Fee since 2015. This consists of an air/heat pump combined 

with an underground storage tank. In summer, the pump 

is fed by solar energy and the heat thus gained from the ambient 

air is stored seasonally in the underground storage tank. 

In winter, this heat can be fed into the district heating network. 

The Aqua Allalin youth hostel, for example, benefits from this 

process. It is supplied with district heating. 

And so, in the holiday destination of Saas-Fee/Saastal, 

the high alpine hiking and climbing tours are not the only 

challenges. A lot is also being done to ensure that future generations 

will also be able to marvel at the uniquely blue ice of 

these glacier giants in the region. 

The Alps are warming twice as much as the global average. 

There are many other 

sustainable projects going on in the Saas Valley. 

saas-fee.ch/nachhaltigkeit 

42 43

44 

Pictured on the cover is the Weissmies North Ridge 

with the summit in the background. 

Image: Frederik Kalbermatten

Magazine summer 2022

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