by The parallel grooves of the slopes rolled out under me as the wind roared in my ears and my thighs drove a carving over a flawless snow carpet. My speed built, but the world seemed to slow down and smooth as if the towering Swiss peaks were moving up to the perfect Bluebird sky.
This was Saas-Fee in December, which is a real contender at the price of the most underestimated resort in Switzerland. The village is recorded by 18 cloud circuits over 13123 feet, including the highest summit in Switzerland, which is located exclusively on the home grass, the triangular double peak of the 14.911ft cathedral.
The highest run of the ski area is 11,614 feet, where the fingers of blue ice from glaciers last to the side of the slope. So it is not surprising that Saas-Fee is one of the Snowure Resorts in the world and ticks the most critical field for the perfect skiing holiday.
I visited the powder instructions and so much snow at the beginning of December, and the temperatures had remained so low that the top of the ski area had a base of 195 cm with 40 cm on lower. Apart from the raw numbers, it was the quality of the snow in Saas-Fee that noticed. December can be surprisingly warm in the Alps, since early storms arise from the conditions with high printing and freezer. Not here, where glaciers, height and steep, well -shaded slopes keep the temperatures below zero and maintain beautifully light, dry snow. And as I discovered, the early booker catches the Cord in Saas-Fee.
After an early breakfast, which admired the warm pink lights of the dawn, which was reflected high above them by glaciers, I drove on the first elevator to the bottom of the ear operation, 9,843 foot toped rocky gondola and then on to the three-minute u-train Allin Funicular Ride, which punches directly through the mountain side. I got into a wonderland with high skiing, which was embedded under the 13,212 foot summit of the Allinhorn and was blown from the top with a flag by powder snow.
A short carve from Mittelallalin led me to a T-bar lift and to the highest ski blanket of the resort, Red 18 and 19 with 11,614 feet. Here I experienced my longest and fastest increase in a ski vacation on the flawless cord of a freshly maintained slope.
My group and I had reached early enough to have everything for ourselves. Like one of my companions commented: “It is amazing, you can really go wrong if the snow is so good!” If you are an experienced skier who is ready to lead yourself to your skills, skiing in Saas-Fee is a joy. Most of the runs on the Mittelallalin page of the ski area are red and, above all, flawlessly cared for to encourage them to get involved in their skills.
When the not overcrowded slopes followed the pages of the mountains, I effortlessly chewed the mileage by following the natural autumn line and passing the Morenia lift station and returning to the less open red and blue runs back to the village.
Board of the gondola revealed the kind of skiers and snowboarders who visited the Alps of the Alps-Dutch voices mixed with well-heeled Swiss who were visited by Geneva and Zurich together with a touch of British. Most were well equipped, primarily held for skiing, primarily. One of my adventurous friends was lyrically through the off-slopes over the amazing tree lines. According to our Irish ski guide Emily, the area can be steep and glaciated, but for those with the knowledge (and equipment) Saas-Fee can be a freeskier dream.
After the car-free status of Saas-Fee was removed from the mountain from the mountain, the usual flood of noises, hustle and bustle and exhaust gas stamps meant. The village has a timeless quality that produces traditional buildings with narrow, stone roads and bridges. I ended my day in search of Saas-Feas’s best après-ski glüwein. Former candidate and ski instructor favorite, Pubwise, with its atmosphere of the land shift, the ski chalet atmosphere, was spiced by the vinyl-sold café.
When it comes to food, a Valaisian plate made of chutneys and cheese, followed by herbal crustlace lamb entertreecote, in the highest revolving restaurant of the World Trying restaurant Allalin. With 11,482 feet and with the classic Chuzpah from the 1980s, I enjoyed lunch that I remembered to surrounding a 360-degree show of the Plus-13,000-foot-toblerone summit, which slowly overflared on the circular window . When it went for dinner, Modern met the mountain with local and seasonal food in the Caesar Ritz in the five-star Walliserhoff Grand Hotel & Spa-Gegorge Michael stayed here to film to film Last Christmas For Wham! 40 years ago in the suite, which was now named after him.
This winter, Saas-Fee made hay on the 40th anniversary of the success of Wham to get back into the spotlight. But it’s all just a distraction. The resort may be leaning into the nostalgia of the 1980s, but in a world of modern winter goals, Saas-Fee is loudly and really stands out with its simple speed and timeless Swiss style.
Essentials
The Wallishoff Grand Hotel & Spa (0041 27 958 19 00), centrally a 10-minute walk to the lifts, offers double of £ 300 per night. Fly back from London City or Heathrow with Swiss to Zurich or Geneva from £ 225 and transfer it back by train and bus with 80 GBP.
Matt was a guest of Saas-Fee and the Valais region.
Plan your trip with our Saas-Fee Ski Guide.
