Winter Media Trip 2020/21 - Family adventures
Destinations: Aletsch Arena and Saas-Fee Dates: your choice during winter season 2020/21 (max. 4 overnights and 5 days from December to April)
Participants: individual media trip with family
Programme: The programme will be geared towards the interests and needs of the family. There is a whole host of ideas to choose from on the following pages. All activities are ideal for children aged 6 to 12.
www.visitvalais.ch/families
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Transport in Switzerland
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4 advantages of your #swisstravelpass - Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat - Public transportation in more than 90 cities and towns - Includes mountain excursions: Rigi, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn and Stoos - Free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland links the most scenic panoramic lines, showcasing the country’s diversity and highlights. The free Swiss Travel Guide app is the perfect companion on this tour: it continuously points out sights and landmarks en route and offers digital coupons for thrilling attractions and discounts.
In your posts on social media, please include #swisstravelsystem and #grandtraintour and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to permit reposting. Visit us on mystsnet.com to download our Media&Trade kit.
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Valais. The destination for families in Switzerland. Let the fun begin! For children, there is nothing more delightful than playing in the snow. Snowball fights, making snow angels and building igloos all add to the day’s enjoyment – just like the promise of a mug of hot chocolate after a few hours out in the fresh mountain air. Valais is one big natural playground with an endless variety of activities for the whole family. Ski schools, activity and entertainment programmes and all kinds of outings into the magical mountain landscapes create lasting memories as you discover a new side to the sunniest winter region in Switzerland. www.visitvalais.ch/family
8 “Family Destination” resorts The eight resorts designated as family destinations are particularly appreciated by families both from Switzerland and abroad. These resorts are the Aletsch Arena, Bellwald, Blatten-Belalp, Crans-Montana, Grächen – St. Niklaus, Nendaz, Saas-Fee and Zermatt – Matterhorn. All meet the criteria set by the Swiss Tourism Federation (STF) for holiday destinations that are especially geared towards the needs of the target group, i.e. families, and committed to sustainability. www.visitvalais.ch/familydestinations
@ValaisWallis #Valais #MyWinterInValais
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Aletsch Arena Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch: that’s the title under which the largest glacier in the Alps (23 km long) appears in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The massive ice flow originates from the north faces of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and flows down into the Valais. Nearby, the villages in the valley and the three car-free resorts up on the alpine pastures radiate a special charm with their traditional houses, typical of Valais, their wooden chalets and atmospheric hotels. The three resorts of Fiescheralp, Bettmeralp and Riederalp bask in the sunshine, midway between the valley and the sky. Six cable cars carry visitors from the Rhône valley up to an altitude of about 2,000 m to access these resorts and the idyllic hiking trails of the Aletsch region. Other chairlifts and cable cars carry guests higher still, to panoramic vantage points such as the Eggishorn (2,927m), which offers one of the finest views of the Aletsch and Fiesch glaciers. A family paradise, this resort has been awarded the Family Destination label by the Swiss Tourism Federation. www.aletscharena.ch
@aletscharena #aletscharena #myaletschmoment #feelfree
Saas-Fee Saas-Fee offers Gault Millau dining and – no surprise – the best fondue in the world. The Allalin Glacier (3500m) features the “threes!xty” restaurant which spines 360 degrees per hour, as well as the largest ice skating rink in the world. Both can be reached with the Metro Alpin, the highest subterranean mountain train in the world. The famous climbing route, Georg Alpin, begins in Saas-Fee, which leads through a spectacular gorge on fixed ropes, ladders and suspended bridges. And take a ride on the “Feeblitz”, the toboggan run with its 55-degree that is open in winter and summer. A family paradise, this resort has been awarded the Family Destination label by the Swiss Tourism Federation. www.saas-fee.ch
@saasfee #saasfee #saastal #saasvalley_community
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Press trip itinerary
1st day
Afternoon Individual arrival of participants in Aletsch Arena. Welcome by a representative of the Aletsch Arena and check-in at a family-friendly hotel or apartment.
Short activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 7 onwards).
Evening Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant and overnight in Aletsch Arena.
2nd day
Morning Breakfast at the hotel/apartment.
Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 7 onwards).
Lunch Lunch at a family-friendly restaurant (Lunch at your own expense).
Afternoon Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 7 onwards).
Evening Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant and overnight in Aletsch Arena.
3rd day
Morning Breakfast at the hotel/apartment and check-out.
Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 7 onwards).
Lunch Lunch at a family-friendly restaurant (Lunch at your own expense).
Afternoon Individual transfer to Saas-Fee. Welcome by a representative of Saas- Fee Tourism and check-in at a family-friendly hotel or apartment.
Evening Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant and overnight in Saas-Fee.
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4th day
Morning Breakfast at the hotel/apartment.
Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 10 onwards).
Lunch Lunch at a family-friendly restaurant (Lunch at your own expense).
Afternoon Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 10 onwards).
Evening Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant and overnight in Saas-Fee.
5th day
Morning Breakfast at the hotel/apartment and check-out.
Activity (have a look at the possible activities from page 10 onwards).
Lunch Lunch at a family-friendly restaurant (Lunch at your own expense).
Afternoon End of programme. Individual departure of participants.
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Possible activities in Aletsch Arena
Ice skating on a natural ice rink The beautiful natural ice rink on Bettmeralp is open from mid-December to mid-February and offers a wonderful view over the mountain world and guarantees fun with skating or “Eisstockschiessen”.
Paragliding Kids Flight The Kids Flight "Gletschi" is ideal for our young passengers and lasts roughly 15 minutes. Children are fascinated by seeing houses, roads, hiking trails or mountain bikers/skiers from a bird’s eye perspective in miniature format.
World of the Great Aletsch Glacier The World of the Great Aletsch Glacier multimedia exhibition in the Aletsch Arena reveals the many and fascinating secrets of the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps at 23 km. Buried in the perpetual ice of this massive glacier are exciting facts and fascinating stories.
Night skiing The good news for all those for whom a skiing day is simply too short: when skiing at night on Bettmeralp and Riederalp, you don't have to put your skis or snowboard away when the sun goes down. Because once a week the cable cars offer night skiing on well-lit slopes.
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Sledging Sledging is the perfect choice when everyone just wants to have fun: a great time is guaranteed for young and old. The Aletsch Arena has the perfect facilities for sledging fans, and with the gentle family piste and a 13 km sledging adventure from Fiescheralp to Lax, this is a holiday must-do.
Ski and snowboarding The Glacier Panorama Tour combines the very best the Aletsch Arena has to offer skiers or snowboarders in a challenging circuit tour: the most beautiful slopes. The most stunning viewpoints. All this is waiting to be discovered on the Glacier Panorama Tour.
Snowtubing In winter 2017/18, a snowtubing facility espacially for younger guests was built in a beautiful location next to the Bättmer Hittar estaurant. The course is approx. 200 metres long.
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Aletsch Zoo The animal park right next to the valley station of the Fiesch-Eggishorn cable car has been here for almost 50 years. In that time, the family of animals has grown considerably. Today, visitors to Aletsch Zoo can watch a whole range of pets and wild animals in their natural habitat: from ibexes and marmots to pygmy goats, rabbits, ducks, pigs and chickens. Youngsters will particularly love the petting zoo at the pygmy goats corral.
Winter hiking The Great Aletsch Glacier, the 4000-metre peaks of Valais, Villa Cassel. On this spectacular panoramic winter hike, it’s one highlight after another.
All family offers of the Aletsch Arena at one glance: www.aletscharena.ch/destination- en/families-welcome/
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Possible activities in Saas-Fee
Aqua Allalin A range of saunas and baths, incredible 'feature showers', relaxation rooms, a 25-metre indoor pool, children’s pool and water slide – all this and more ensures that you can unwind better than ever in the holiday region Saas-Fee. www.saas-fee.ch/en/wellness/public-wellness/aqua- allalin
Ice Pavilion A 70-metre-long gallery directly connects the summit station of the "Metro-Alpin" teleferique with a 5000 square metre ice cave deep inside the mysterious and ancient Fee Glacier. Next door to the ice pavilion, the world's highest revolving restaurant provides a spectacular view of the Saas valley's mountain and glacier world. We guarantee a thrilling experience for children and adults!
www.saas-fee.ch/en/family/family-activities-in- summer/ice-pavilion
Feeblitz Alone or in pairs, the Feeblitz in Saas-Fee is always a spectacular experience. First take the steepest toboggan lift in the Alps up to the start of the track – then hurtle back down the mountain along the breathtaking track at speeds of up to 40km/h. Fun for all the family, all year round. www.saas-fee.ch/en/family/family-activities-in- summer/feeblitz-toboggan-run
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Foxtrail Embark on a journey through the Saas Valley following the traces of the legendary priest Imseng. In order to discover his secrets, teams must follow clues to seek out his historical dwelling, coax important information out of marmots and find their way out. An exclusive ride in an electric car keeps participants on their toes, creating an unforgettable experience!
www.saas-fee.ch/en/family/family-activities-in- summer/foxtrail-in-summer
Snowtubing in Saas-Almagell Snowtubing is the name given to this unusual way of having fun in the snow in the child-friendly ski resort of Saas-Almagell. Whizzing around on these rubber tyres is suitable for the whole family. The snowtubing run is in the middle of the ski area. A lift comfortably carries you up to the start, before you wind down at great speed to the finish line, where you brake slowly and safely. www.saas-fee.ch/en/familie/familienaktivitaeten-im- winter/kians-adventureland
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Ski and snowboarding Enjoy the winter with a day of skiing in the snow guaranteed area at 3600 m above sea level surrounded by 18 four-thousand-metre peaks.
www.saas-fee.ch/en/winteraktivitaeten/ski-snowboard
Winter hiking Saas-Fee is a hiker’s paradise in winter. Its numerous kilometres of immaculately prepared winter trails invite hikers to leisurely strolls or athletic climbs in an unparalleled setting www.saas-fee.ch/en/winter-activities/winter-hiking
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Additional information for your publications www.visitvalais.ch/families – Official website of Valais/Wallis Promotion with countless family ideas for what to do in our region plus news about Valais. www.myswitzerland.com – Official website of Switzerland Tourism.
Websites oft he visited destinations www.aletscharena.ch – Aletsch Arena www.saas-fee.ch – Saas-Fee
Photos of Valais You will find more than 4,500 photos of Valais in our image database. The photos may be used for editorial purposes. Please respect copyright. http://photos.valais.ch
Insurance Insurance is the personal responsibility of each participant.
Travel to Valais Travel to Valais is organized by Switzerland Tourism.
Social Media Share your travel experiences with us:
Valais: Twitter: @valaiswallis – www.twitter.com/valaiswallis Instagram: @valaiswallis – www.instagram.com/valaiswallis Facebook: Valais Wallis – www.facebook.com/valaiswallis
@ValaisWallis #Valais #MyWinterInValais
Aletsch Arena: Twitter: @AletschArena_ch – www.twitter.com/AletschArena_ch Instagram: @aletscharena_ch – www.instagram.com/aletscharena_ch/ Facebook: AletschArena – www.facebook.com/AletschArena
@aletscharena #aletscharena #myaletschmoment #feelfree
Saas-Fee: Instagram: @saasfee – www.instagram.com/saasfee/ Facebook: Saas-Fee – www.facebook.com/saasfee
@Saas-Fee #saasfee #saastal #saasvalley_community #visitsaasfee
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Contacts for your media trip
Valais/Wallis Promotion Viviane Mathieu Rue Pré Fleuri 6 Market Services CH-1951 Sion Direct line: +41 27 327 35 70 www.visitvalais.ch E-mail: [email protected]
Aletsch Arena David Kestens Furkastrasse 39 Head of Market and Product Management CH – 3983 Mörel-Filet Direct line: +41 27 928 58 64 www.aletscharena.ch E-mail: [email protected]
Saastal Tourismus AG Joel Bieler Obere Dorfstrasse 2 PR/Communication CH – 3906 Saas-Fee Direct line: +41 27 958 18 77 www.saas-fee.ch E-mail: [email protected]
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