Valais holiday region

The Matterhorn, 45 four-thousand-metre peaks and the largest glacier in the Alps: the Valais is Switzerland’s most high-Alpine corner – and thanks to its southern location, its sunniest too.

At a glance: Best time to visit: June–September (hiking) and December–April (very snow-sure skiing) · Zermatt is car-free (train from Täsch) · 45 four-thousanders · Switzerland’s driest climate, with vineyards in the valley.

Why the Valais?

Nowhere else do the Alps stand this tall: 45 of Switzerland’s 48 four-thousand-metre peaks are in the Valais, among them the Matterhorn, whose silhouette everyone knows. The Great Aletsch Glacier – at a good 20 km the longest ice stream in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage site – is easily reached from the car-free terrace villages of Riederalp and Bettmeralp. Add an almost southern climate: wine and apricots ripen in the Rhône valley while snow lies year-round above.

Best time to visit

PeriodRecommendation
December – AprilLong, snow-sure ski season in Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Crans-Montana
June – SeptemberHiking season: high trails with Matterhorn and glacier views
September – OctoberGolden autumn, grape harvest in the Rhône valley, clear views
May & NovemberShoulder season: many lifts closed – good for thermal baths (Leukerbad)

The most beautiful spots

Zermatt & Gornergrat

The car-free mountaineering village at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Gornergrat railway has climbed to 3,089 m since 1898 – at the top waits Switzerland’s most famous mountain panorama.

Aletsch Glacier

From the Eggishorn or the Riederalp you look out over 20 km of ice. The car-free villages of the Aletsch Arena are ideal for families.

Saas-Fee

The glacier village known as the “pearl of the Alps” at 1,800 m, ringed by four-thousanders – a classic in summer and winter alike.

Leukerbad

The largest thermal spa village in the Alps: 30 hot springs, plus the spectacular Gemmi Pass hike starting right in the village.

Where to stay

Zermatt is expensive and books out early in winter – to save, stay in Täsch or Randa and commute by train. The Aletsch villages and the Saas valley are cheaper and more family-friendly. Holiday apartments are the norm in the Valais, half-board common in the mountain villages.

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Activities & tours

Popular: Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise tickets, ski passes, the suspension bridge near Randa (the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps) and spa entries in Leukerbad. Mountain railway tickets are often cheaper online.

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