Saas Fee

It’s funny how we’re still in Switzerland, but by driving the two hours from Verbier, to the Saas valley it seemed like we’ve ventured into a totally different country. We’re at a bit of a loss out here now that we’re in German speaking territory, but Eric seems to be getting by real sweet with a little Dutch and his charming ways.

A bit of a mix up with the insurance on our first day meant we didn’t get up to Saas Fee as intended, but we managed an afternoon at Saas Grund, which is a smaller field with the access gondola directly over the road from our campsite. Like 200m! Not a lot going on up there, but one amazingly wicked glacier, with one main traverse cut directly into it, so that you can see all the layers of blue and green ice marble as you ski by. Not something you get to see everyday!

Piste carved out of the glacier, Saas Grund

View of Saas Fee from Saas Grund

Warnings about no off piste when on the glacier : (

Saas Fee has been written up as quite the place for snowboarding, and together with its high altitude glacial skiing, keeps quite snow sure for sometime - which is a good thing now that we’re officially in spring!! The only downside of glacial skiing is the distinct lack of off piste action – venture too far from the marked path and you could end up down a crevasse. Which is exactly what happened to the friend of a Saas Fee-seasoning Kiwi we met. Apparently he was only about 5m away from the piste and fell down a 15ft crevasse. Somehow he managed to climb back out of it, but was in deep shock for the next day or so. Not really something you want to experience eh.

Sharon riding the Saas Fee glacier

Great view of the glacier and piste top right

But there was enough fun to be had without venturing too far off piste. Saas Fee has a fabulous snow park with a world class halfpipe, which our guidebook touts as being the largest in the world. And how well manicured it is too. Suffice to say we had lots of fun dropping in and practising our stuff. The photos don’t really do us justice I promise!

Eric walling the half pipe

Made it in one piece!