Media trip Mountain biking in

Destinations: Visp area, Aletsch Arena, Grächen, Zermatt

Dates: from Wednesday, 12th to Sunday, 16th September 2018

Participants: max 10 journalists

Highlights: Valais, a land of adventures for mountain bikers, the new Stoneman Glaciara route, the inaugural TrailLove Bike Festival in Zermatt, the mountain bike destinations of Aletsch Arena, Visp, Grächen and Zermatt.

Fitness level: out of 3 stars Tech. level: out of 3 stars

www.visitvalais.ch/cycling

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Conditions for taking part in this press trip - You must be in very good physical shape and have the stamina to keep going for several hours a day over several days - You have experience in mountain biking and ride regularly - Let us know if you are bringing your own mountain bike - If not, let us know if you ride with flat pedals or with clips. Please bring your own pedals and biking shoes (these will be adjusted to fit your bike) - You must bring your own cycling helmet

Travel to and within by public transport

SWISS TRAVEL SYSTEM AG is happy to provide you with a 1st-class Swiss Travel Pass. During your stay in Switzerland, you will experience the Swiss style of travelling – with a single, all-in- one ticket, unique worldwide. The Swiss Travel Pass allows you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, including on the famous panoramic routes such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Line and Gotthard Panorama Express. The pass also includes public transport in more than 90 towns and cities, confers a 50% price reduction on most mountain rides and grants free admission to more than 500 museums.

Please make sure you fill in your personal details on your Swiss Travel Pass and always carry it with you along with your passport.

The Swiss Travel System’s Grand Train Tour of Switzerland links the most scenic panoramic routes into one tour, which visitors can explore at any time of year along with the many highlights en route. Find further information at mystsnet.com/grandtraintour

Visit mystsnet.com to download media releases, photos, documentation, contact details and other information.

Share your experiences using #swisstravelsystem and #grandtraintour.

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Road and Mountain biking in Valais

Well-signposted cycle trails, terrific routes over mountain passes and adventurous alpine roads invite visitors to enjoy the Valais by bike. Routes lead through vineyards, valleys and gorges and on panoramic roads over impressive passes. Travelling by bike is the best ways to experience the Valais, allowing riders to choose their own pace. There is something for everyone: leisure riders, road racers, mountain bikers and downhill specialists.

Valais is a land of adventure par excellence, a vast playground for altitude junkies. This is where well-marked mountain-bike trails lead past rushing mountain streams and Alpine lakes, or wind their way over mountainsides and through dense forests. Thanks to public transport and aerial cableways, bikers are faced with no end of possibilities when planning their tour at any level.

Valais – key figures

70 certified bike hotels in Valais in 2017 (+32% vs 2016)

Road cycling tours Ø 740 km Valais Cycling Tour (10 stages) Ø 327 km on the 20 legendary mountain pass roads Ø 209 km Trophy of the dams (Trophée des Barrages – 9 dams) Ø 268 km Vineyard Trail (Chemin du Vignoble) and the Route du Rhône (6 stages) Ø 342 km on local homologated tours (Sion and Martigny area) Ø 470 members of the Valais Strava community Ø 4 guiding companies

Mountain biking tours Ø 1,500 km on around 100 homologated trails Ø 13 downhill tracks in 4 destinations Ø 28 mountain bike guides certified by Swiss Cycling Ø 20 bike schools Ø 11 pumptracks

www.visitvalais.ch/cycling

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Wednesday, 12th September 2018 – Hello Valais!

Tba Flight to Zurich Airport

Tba Arrival at Zurich Airport

12:40 Train transfer from Zurich Airport to Visp

15:02 Arrival in Visp. Meet with Melanie Biehl from Visp Tourism (+41 79 659 09 06) at the train station.

15:15 Check-in at the hotel

Hotel Visperhof*** Bahnhofstrasse 2 CH-3930 Visp www.visperhof.ch

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

16:00 Bike rental from sports shops (if needed): Bigfriends (www.bigfriends.ch) Ken’s Bikeshop (www.kensbikeshop.ch)

17:00 Time at leisure

19:00 Meet in the hotel lobby. Welcome drink and official presentation by Nancy Pellissier from Valais/Wallis Promotion (+41 79 304 06 11), Melanie Biehl from Visp Tourism (+41 79 659 09 06) and the guides from Alpine Trails: - MTB options in Valais www.visitvalais.ch/cycling - MTB options in the Visp Region www.vispinfo.ch - Programme of the press trip by Alpine Trails www.alpine-trails.ch

20:00 Dinner at Restaurant Elite

Restaurant Elite Bahnhofplatz 7 CH-3930 Visp www.hotel-elite-visp.ch

Overnight in Visp

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Thursday, 13th September 2018 – Ride the Stoneman Glaciara et Visp area

07:30 Breakfast at the hotel

08:30 Meet your mountain bike guides from Alpine Trails in the lobby of the hotel • Guide 1: Stefan Oberer +41 79 327 51 21 • Guide 2: tba

Short description of the day We are riding a part of the “Stoneman Glaciara” Trail and along the (www.stoneman-glaciara.ch). We will finish the day in the alpine town of Brig with its impressing “Stockalper” castle and gardens (www.brig- simplon.ch).

Info Stoneman Glaciara “127 km of pure mountain bike thrills” The Stoneman Glaciara route leads up to the Great Aletsch Glacier and back to Mörel in three well-balanced stages. Next comes the defining climb of the tour, with an ascent of nearly 1,600 vertical metres: an old military road leads steeply up to the Breithorn pass at an altitude of 2,451 m. The route descends into the Binn Valley, a treasure trove of mountain crystals and over 200 other minerals. It then follows the Rhône into the Obergoms, the upper Rhône valley, with its ancient villages, historical monuments and welcoming cafes. www.stoneman-glaciara.com/en

09:08 Train / cable car transfer from Visp to Fiescheralp (1h10) NOTE: make sure you bring your Swiss Travel Pass with you

10:30 Start of the morning tour

Level easy: Fiescheralp > Bettmersee > Blausee > (Moosfluh by cable car up and down) > Riederfurka

Level intermediate (if possible): Cable car lift to Moosfluh with stunning view to the Aletsch glacier and ride down back to the Aletsch-Plateau/.

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=5&E=264782 0&N=1138390&season=summer&trackId=4590322&layers=Wanderland

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

12:00 Lunch at mountain restaurant Berghotel Riederfurka in Riederalp

Berghotel Riederfurka CH-3987 Riederalp T. 0844 44 488 www.artfurrer.ch

13:30 Continue with the afternoon tour

Ride down from Riederalp to Mörel via Stoneman-Trail, we are passing traditional Valais mountain villages and architecture. At the bottom of the valley, we will pedal from Mörel to Brig along Rhone river and we are riding “the red mile” in Naters.

Optional if not enough time left: Train transfer from Mörel to Brig/Visp.

Route: Riederalp > Greich > Mörel (> Bitsch > Naters > Brig)

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=10&E=26446 21&N=1133174&season=summer&trackId=4590406&layers=Wanderland

16:00 End of the tour in the old town of Brig close to the “Stockalper” castle / or at “Sebastiansplatz”

16:49 Train transfer from Brig to Visp

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

17:00 Time at leisure

18:30 Meet in the hotel lobby. Short walk to the Johanneli-Fi wine cellar (10 min)

19:00 Wine tasting followed by traditional Raclette evening at Johanneli-Fi wine cellar www.johanneli-fi.ch/weinkeller

Valais wines Discover the colourful mosaic of grape varieties cultivated in Switzerland’s most important wine-making region. Known for the elegance of its Grands Crus, Valais also plays host to the highest vineyard in Europe. Bathed in sunshine and blessed by the pure waters of the Alps, this little corner of paradise produces superb Valais wines labelled AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) and makes an unforgettable destination for wine enthusiasts. www.valais.ch/en/about-valais/local-products/grape-varieties

Raclette du Valais AOP According to legend, Léon was the name of the Valais wine-grower who invented Raclette cheese. On a freezing winter’s day, he warmed up a piece of cheese over an open log fire to give to his friends – and this quintessential Valais delicacy was born. Cheese has been eaten in Valais since at least the 4th century BC, as historians have shown. During the ancient Roman period, alpine cheese enjoyed an excellent reputation. Later on, it was often used as a means of payment and a form of wages, and was also exported. The practice of eating cheese in melted form dates back at least to 1574. The term “Raclette” comes from the local French dialect (racler = to scrape) and appears in written documents since 1874. To this day, Valais cheese makers follow a recipe passed down for generations to convert raw milk into the best and most authentic product that Valais has to offer: Raclette du Valais AOP. www.valais.ch/en/know-how/regional-products-dishes/raclette-du-valais- aop

Overnight in Visp

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Friday, 14th September 2018 – Ride Grächen

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Please leave your luggage at reception. Luggage transport will be taken care of.

08:45 Meet your bike guides in the hotel lobby

09:08 Train / bus transfer from Visp to Grächen (1h)

10:30 Start of the morning tour

Ride around Grächen & Hannigalp area (www.graechen.ch). The UCI has chosen the Valais resort of Grächen as the venue for the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships 2019. For many years Grächen and other Valais destinations like Verbier, Leukerbad or Zermatt were hosting the well- known Swiss Epic marathon team race (www.swiss-epic.com). We will explore some of the most scenic spots and ride trails along the historically important “Suonen” (ancient watering channels of Valais).

Route: Hannigalp > Stafel > z’Seew > Grächen

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=5&E=2631919 &N=1116382&season=summer&trackId=4590832&layers=Wanderland

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

12:00 Lunch at Restaurant Rierderstübli in Gasenried

Restaurant Riederstübli Ried 106 CH-3924 St. Niklaus T. +41 27 956 13 04 www.riederstuebli.ch

13:30 Continue the afternoon tour

Route: Grächen > Gasenried > Mattsand > Herbriggen (> optional to St. Niklaus)

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=10&E=26292 31&N=1112560&season=summer&trackId=4590819&layers=Wanderland

16:00 End of the tour in Herbriggen followed by train transfer from Herbriggen to Zermatt (30 min)

17:00 Check-in at the hotel in Zermatt

Europe Hotel & Spa Riedstrasse 18 CH-3920 Zermatt www.europe-zermatt.ch

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

17:30 Time at leisure

19:30 Dinner at Restaurant The Factory

Restaurant The Factory Bahnhofstrasse 41 CH-3920 Zermatt www.hotelpost.ch/en/restaurants

Overnight in Zermatt

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Saturday, 15th September 2018 – Trail Love Festival and ride Zermatt

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel

08:45 Meet with your biking guides in the hotel lobby

Short description of the day Ride the iconic Zermatt trails (existing singletrails and some of the new purpose-built Flow Trails) and take part in the TRAILLOVE Alpine Mountain Bike Festival.

Info: Mountain biking in Zermatt The mountains around Zermatt offer a tremendous range of trails between altitudes of 1,400 to 3,100 metres: everything from easy to steep and very technical, natural or marked. The choice of half-day or full-day rides is vast, with plenty to suit all tastes. Add the spectacular Alpine backdrop, and you have all the ingredients for unforgettable mountain bike adventures. www.zermatt.ch/en/bike

TRAILLOVE Bike Festival Zermatt launches TRAILLOVE, a bike festival that combines the Swiss Epic race, the European Continental Enduro Series and the Trail Summit – as well as forthcoming Enduro World Series (2019 and 2020). www.traillove.bike

09:12 Transfer with the famous “Gornergrat Railway” from Zermatt to Gornergrat (3,100m)

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

10:00 Start of the morning tour

Ride down from Gornergrat to Riffelsee (photo stop J) and further to Riffelberg where we can have a coffee at the nearby restaurant. We continue onward to the Sunnegga side of the resort where we will have lunch at a typical mountain restaurant.

Route: Gornergrat > Riffelberg > Ze Seewjinen > Findeln

Optional for intermediate level: Ride down to Riffelalp > Schweigmatten > Zermatt and back up with the Sunnegga funicular

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=5&E=262593 4&N=1094079&season=summer&trackId=4594062&layers=Wanderland

12:30 Lunch at mountain restaurant Adler Hitta

Restaurant Adler Hitta Findeln CH-3920 Zermatt T. +41 27 967 10 58 www.adler-hitta.ch

14:00 Continue with the afternoon tour

After a short and scenic uphill section up to Sunnegga station, we reach the start of the brand new Sunnegga-Trail; a flowy, purpose built Mountainbike trail with small berms and table-jumps to get a true rollercoaster feeling.

Route: Findeln > Sunnegga > Patrullarve > Zermatt

Route map: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=de&bgLayer=pk&resolution=2.5&E=26249 37&N=1096663&season=summer&trackId=4594085&layers=Wanderland

Optional intermediate level: Additional run on Sunnegga trail or Schwarzsee (Hobbit trail).

16:00 End of the day at “TRAILLOVE Festival” event side in Zermatt with entertainment

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

16:30 Time at leisure

19:30 Dinner at Restaurant Schäferstube

Restaurant Schäferstube Riedstrasse 2 CH-3920 Zermatt www.julen.ch/en/schaeferstube/welcome

Overnight in Zermatt

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Sunday, 16th September 2018 – Goodbye Valais!

08:00 Breakfast at your hotel and check-out

09:00 Time at leisure or individual bike ride in Zermatt (if time allows)

tba Train transfer from Zermatt to Zurich Airport

15:16 Arrival at Zurich Airport

Tba Flight

End of the programme

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION

Additional information for your article www.visitvalais.ch/cycling - Official website of Valais/Wallis Promotion with countless ideas for cycling and mountain biking adventures in our region plus news about Valais. www.myswitzerland.com - Official website of Switzerland Tourism

Websites of the destinations visited: www.vispinfo.ch – Visp Tourism www.aletscharena.ch – Aletsch Arena www.graechen.ch – Grächen-St.Niklaus www.zermatt.ch – Zermatt Tourism

Photos of Valais You will find more than 2,500 pictures of Valais in our photo library, available for editorial use. Please respect copyright. https://photos.valais.ch

Insurance Participants are responsible for arranging their own insurance.

Travel to and within Switzerland Travel to and within Switzerland is organized by Valais/Wallis Promotion, the destinations and Switzerland Tourism.

Social media Share your travel experiences with us: Twitter: @valaiswallis – www.twitter.com/valaiswallis Instagram: @valaiswallis – www.instagram.com/valaiswallis Facebook: Valais Wallis – www.facebook.com/valaiswallis

@ValaisWallis #Valais #MySummerInValais

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Contacts for this press trip

Valais/Wallis Promotion Nancy Pellissier Rue Pré Fleuri 6 Corporate Communications CH-1951 Sion Direct: +41 27 327 35 78 www.visitvalais.ch Mobile: +41 79 304 06 11 E-mail: [email protected]

Visp Tourismus Melanie Biehl Balfrinstrasse 3 Director CH-3930 Visp Direct: +41 27 946 18 18 www.vispinfo.ch Mobile: +41 79 659 09 06 E-mail: [email protected]

Aletsch Arena Monika König-Gottsponer Postfach 16 Corporate Identity & Communication CH – 3992 Direct: +41 27 928 58 63 www.aletscharena.ch E-mail: [email protected]

Grächen / St. Niklaus Beatrice Meichtry Dorfplatz Marketing CH – 3925 Grächen Direct: +41 27 955 60 67 www.graechen.ch Mobile: +41 79 343 25 28 E-mail : [email protected]

Zermatt Tourismus Jasmin Marti Bahnhofplatz 5 Marketing Product Bike CH-3920 Zermatt Direct: +41 27 966 81 41 www.zermatt.ch Mobile: +41 78 878 68 16 E-mail: [email protected]

Alpine Trails Jan Oggier Brückenweg 8 Direct: +41 27 510 50 50 CH-3930 Visp Mobile: +41 79 238 55 72 www.alpine-trails.ch E-mail: [email protected]

VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION