Saas Fee, Switzerland

Set close to the Italian border amongst the highest mountains in Switzerland, Saas Fee is known as ‘The Pearl of the Alps’, and is the archetypal chocolate-box Alpine village. The setting is unbeatable, with the Fee glacier providing the stunning backdrop to this thoroughly charming village of old wooden chalets and flower-laden balconies. Past guests have praised the huge range of activities available here for adults and children alike, all set amidst simply spectacular Alpine scenery, but this is also the perfect resort for just soaking up the scenery from our Chalet Hotel’s inviting sun-terrace, taking the occasional gentle stroll, and relaxing in the Annahof’s spa area.

Crunch-Busters

Book Early to secure your `Crunch-Buster´ deals

For Ramblers, Hikers & Bikers

The Saas Valley is home to several attractive villages, of which Saas Fee is the highest and prettiest, with Saas Almagell, Saas Grund and Saas Balen dotted on the lower plains of the valley, and all are connected by a network of walking trails. The 350kms of marked footpaths offer walks for everyone, whether you wish to stroll between the numerous cafés admiring the scenery, or enjoy more challenging hikes into the highlands. Guided walks are available for high altitude hikes and for in-depth ‘fauna and flora’ days, where the local marmots are always a favourite with the children. Mountain bikers have 70kms of dedicated trails to explore, covering a wide variety of terrain. Bikes can be transported up the mountain on two of the lifts to access the best downhill rides, for which a guide is recommended - this can be arranged in resort.

Traffic-Free Saas Fee

The peaceful setting of the village is further enhanced by the lack of cars on Saas Fee’s small, picturesque, cobbled streets, with only the special electric ‘milkfloat’ taxis buzzing to and fro. Private cars are left in a secure car-park at the entrance to the village, and a member of the Esprit team will meet you here on your arrival day. It is approximately ten minutes’ downhill walk to your Chalet Hotel, but with luggage, you may prefer a ride in an electro-taxi - a great introduction to Saas Fee for the children! (As both are optional elements, car-parking and taxis are not included in our prices.) And if you don’t feel you need a car at all, you can transfer to Saas Fee by train and bus direct from Geneva Airport.

The Esprit Welcome Wander

The Free Esprit Welcome Wander takes place on Sundays and is a family-friendly walk, suitable for all ages, to introduce you to the local area. It offers a great opportunity to meet fellow guests and to plan the week’s activities. The gentle walk will culminate at a scenic spot to enjoy a complimentary light packed lunch. You may then leave your younger children in our child carers’ capable hands and enjoy a further hour’s walk if you wish.

Attractions and Activities

Most activities are based at ‘our’ end of the resort, so the tennis and volleyball courts, a football pitch, a small ‘pitch & putt’ golf course, mini-golf, a skateboard park, and forest adventure trail are all conveniently close to Esprit Chalet Hotel Annahof.

One of Saas Fee’s famous landmarks, perched on top of the glacier at 3,500m, is the world’s highest revolving restaurant – the perfect spot for an unforgettable lunch! Here also is the ice grotto, full of fantastic ice sculptures and fascinating information about the world of glaciers.

Horse riding and mountain-biking are popular, and in the centre of the resort there is a Leisure Centre with indoor swimming-pool, children’s pool, sauna, whirlpool and steam-bath, badminton and tennis courts. The Saas Valley Adventure Pass, (approx £190 for 2 adults and all children under 16) includes admission to the ice grotto, mini golf, swimming pool and many other attractions, as well as the funicular railway and all cable-cars throughout the week.

Around and About

A visit to the Matterhorn in Zermatt should be on everyone's "must do" list, to marvel at the views of one of the world's truly iconic mountains, and of course take a look around the world-class shops. We have a 20% discount on the Matterhorn lifts and children under 9 go FREE. Brig, Sion and Simplon are the major towns of the region, the furthest being only an hour away. For those wanting to explore further afield, Bern, the Swiss capital, is only 70 miles away, and the Italian border only around an hour’s beautifully scenic drive.

Esprit Classic Child Care

All Esprit Child Care is based in Chalet Hotel Annahof.

Nursery – runs all season, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am-6pm in our own Esprit Nursery.

Alpies Club for children aged 3-11 years – runs all season, from 9.30am – 6pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, including lunch and all drinks.

FREE Cocoa Club is run six evenings a week from 7.30 – 10.00pm. All children over 3 years of age not yet asleep in bed are welcome to attend.

FREE Baby-Listening/Child-Patrol Service every night (7.30 – 11pm) during our adult-only dinners plus one night (7.30pm-11pm on staff day off, normally Tuesdays), when parents can dine out in the village and enjoy a local speciality meal.

Great Days Out in Saas Fee

Ice Grotto The biggest ice grotto in the world at the Mittelallalin at 3,500 m, with the world’s highest revolving restaurant! Cable-car inc. grotto entrance - Adults £38, children under 9 free / 9-15 years £21. (Open from 3rd July onwards).

Adventure Forest Swing on a liana from tree to tree or walk across hanging bridges: family adventure offers various routes and degrees of difficulty. Adults from £12 / children under 16 from £9 (min. height 1.10m / 1.40m, depending on the route).

Husky-sled rides Spend time and get to know the huskies, then enjoy a thrilling ride being pulled along in a wheeled ‘sled’. Adults £24 / children 6-9 years £17 (Max 3 people per sled.)

Almagellerhorn Adventure Trail Starting in neighbouring Saas Almagell this is a perfect family adventure hike, including a spectacular 60-metre rope-bridge across a canyon, timber walkways and passages over rocks and gorges. The only cost for this exciting walk is the short trip in a chair lift so an excellent outing for just £5 per adult and £2.50 per child.

Brigerbad Spa and Leisure Centre Just 35kms away, with a 182-metre water-slide, wild water rapids, a ‘grotto-pool’ with underwater massage jets, and a children’s splash-pool and slide, the centre provides swimming fun for all the family. Half-day: adults £7, children 6-15 years £3.80.

‘Hohsi-Land’ Playzone Above neighbouring Saas Grund is the ‘Hohsi-Land’ playground, complete with a water-park, a themed trail for children and a zoo with pot-bellied pigs, dwarf goats and more. Reached by cable-car: Adults £12.50 / children £6.

Summer Skiing Ski at 3,600m on the Fee glacier and a morning up here is sure to give you that ‘top-of-the-world’ feeling! Equipment and lift passes available from your Esprit representative. (Normally available 5th July onwards).

Zermatt Zermatt (approx. 40 mins drive + 10-min mountain railway ride) is a ‘must’ to see the mighty Matterhorn. We have a 20% reduction on the Matterhorn Paradise lift (Free for children under 9).

Twin Centre Ideas

The Swiss charm of Saas Fee makes an ideal combination with any of our other resorts in France, Chamonix and Belle Plagne are the closest and all three (including Alpe d’Huez) offer Escorted Adventure Weeks and Flexi-Adventures.

575 miles from Calais to Saas Fee.

Fly-drive: Fly to Geneva and take a hired car from there to the resort. Travelling time from Geneva to Saas Fee is about 2½ hours.