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Saas-Fee

Saas-Fee-Travel-Guide-Travel-S-Helper

Saas-Fee, a picturesque Swiss village located in the heart of the Valais canton, exemplifies the harmonious combination of natural beauty and human ingenuity. Situated at an amazing 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level, this stunning alpine gem hosts approximately 1,600 year-round residents—that number rises significantly during the busiest travel times. The town rightfully calls itself “Pearl of the Alps” given its prime location in the Saas Valley and amazing view of thirteen mountains rising above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). Unmatched concentration of high-altitude summits in the Alpine region creates an amazing backdrop that has captivated guests for years.

The past of Saas-Fee is much influenced by the wild terrain all around it. Long before it gained notoriety as a tourist destination, a strong mountain people who made do with the hostile surroundings resided here. According to legend, the name of the village, “Saas,” comes from the Latin word for rock (saxum), a fitting description of the soaring mountains all around. Giving the village’s legendary past a whimsical touch, the suffix “Fee” is thought to be a reference to the legendary mountain fairies formerly thought to call these great heights home.

Originally a little mountain town, Saas-Fee started its transformation into a top resort town at the turn of the 20th century. A turning point came when the road connecting Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund was developed in 1951. The local authorities made a bold move by prohibiting most motor vehicles inside the village limits, so influencing the nature of the community for many years to come. Saas-Fee‘s progressive policy, which aims to preserve the calm surroundings and pure mountain air, is among its most remarkable features. Today the village center is still car-free; small electric vehicles are the only ones permitted to drive on its gorgeous streets, so creating an air of a bygone, slower age.

The absence of vehicles has greatly improved the air quality in the village and helped to preserve its old structures. With its array of traditional chalets and rustic buildings, Saas-Fee‘s gorgeous Swiss wood architecture transports visitors to a simpler time in the Alpine region. Together, the car-free policy and architectural preservation efforts for Saas-Fee produce an environment unlike any other ski resort. Old-world elegance and modern conveniences coexist in this contemporary alpine resort to create an environment where visitors may unwind on tranquil streets and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

With an amazing vertical drop of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) and a top elevation of 3,600 meters (11,811 feet), a ski area at Saas-Fee earns recognition as a top winter sports destination. Thanks to the resort’s large network of 22 lifts—which comprises modern cable cars, gondolas, and chairlifts—skiers and snowboarders can enjoy 150 kilometers (93 miles) of perfectly groomed slopes. This varied terrain provides something for everyone with 80km (50 miles) of terrain especially for novice skiers, 45km (28 miles) for intermediates, and 25km (16 miles) for most experienced winter sports enthusiasts.

Saas-Fee is really a winter sports heaven since skiing is open all year long. Because the village nears the Dom and Allalinhorn glaciers, snow sports enthusiasts can enjoy the slopes even in the middle of summer. This unique feature has made Saas-Fee a legendary ski resort and a must-see destination for extreme sports aficionados worldwide.

Saas-Fee‘s winter appeal is enhanced when the temperature rises since it becomes the outdoor lover’s paradise. On the nearby mountains including the Weissmies, Nadelhorn, and Lenzspitze, climbers and hikers will find a range of paths ranging from simple strolls to challenging climbs. When hiking into the Swiss Alps, the town is a fantastic starting point for visitors to discover well-marked paths leading them across gorgeous alpine meadows, by glistening mountain lakes, and to amazing views exposing the whole grandeur of the terrain.

Swiss franc (CHF)

Currency

1304

Founded

+41 27

Calling code

1,563

Population

40.54 km² (15.65 sq mi)

Area

German

Official language

1,800 m (5,900 ft)

Elevation

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Time zone

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