Valais: Home To The Highest Cableway In Europe -
The canton of Valais lies in the southwest of Switzerland and is probably best known for the mighty Matterhorn and ski resorts of Zermatt and Verbier. Valais boasts 121 ski resorts in total and skiing at over 3000 metres altitude.
The Matterhorn ski paradise features the world-renowned resort of Zermatt. Skiing in Zermatt is split up into four areas: Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn, Schwarzsee. There is also a connection to Cervinia and Valtourmenche in Italy.
The resort is known for its excellent snow conditions, unlimited skiing between Switzerland and Italy, and year-round skiing.
Skiers of all levels can enjoy the 313 kilometres of pistes of the Matterhorn ski paradise and reach an altitude of 3000 metres or 3800 metres on the glacier. Between June and November, the highest cableway in Europe transports visitors up past giant crevasses to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and into a mountain landscape of glaciers and permanent snow. This is Europe’s largest summer snow sports area with more than 20 kilometres of slopes.
The Four Valleys features the world-renowned resort of Verbier – a pretty resort lined with traditional wooden chalets. The area offers something for all level of skiers with 410 kilometres of slopes linked by 94 lifts. The highest point is the summit of the Mont Fort glacier, at 3330 metres, which offers ideal skiing conditions from the beginning to the end of the season.
Snowboarders flock to the Neipark in La Chaux with its three freestyle trails (beginner, advanced, and pro) and its many boxes and rails. Other villages in the Four Valleys include Nendaz and Veysonnaz.
The Saas Fee area is made up of Saas Fee, Saas Balen, and Saas Grund. The most popular village is the car-free resort of Saas Fee, which is surrounded by 18 summits of 4000 metres altitude. The 145 kilometres of slopes are suitable for all levels and snowboarders can practise tricks at the snowpark complete with a halfpipe.
Saas Fee is also home to the highest underground funicular railway in the world up to the skiing area and the highest revolving restaurant in the world at 3500 metres. The glaciers of the Dom and Allalinhorn can be accessed via the Metro Alpin underground funicular and provide 20 kilometres of slopes and spectacular off-piste. The resort is packed with amenities, including a sport and leisure complex and a wide choice of restaurants and nightclubs.
The villages of Bettmeralp, Belalp, Fiesch, and Rieseralp make up the Aletsch ski area. At the foot of the Aletsch Glacier, sits the car-free resort of Bettmeralp (2000 metres). The resort is particularly popular with families for its friendly atmosphere and sunny position. It also offers stunning views of the Dom and Fletschhorn peaks.
Portes du Soleil – the largest linked ski area in the world – is home to both French and Swiss resorts. The most popular Swiss resort in the area is Champery which offers state-of-the-art cableways; in less than five minutes the Champery-Planachauz cable car will whisk skiers up to the massive 650 kilometres of pistes. Champery is also known for its excellent night skiing. Other Swiss resorts in the Portes du Soleil ski area include Morgins and Les Crosets.
Major airports near Valais include Milan, Geneva, and Turin. There are also the smaller airports of Berne, Annecy, and Basel. An exceptional network of rail and bus services link even the most remote Valais hamlets. Visp, Martingy, and Sion are main rail transfer hubs. If travelling by car, remember resorts like Zermatt and Saas Fee require that you leave your vehicle outside of town.
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