Think about spending a little of summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal this year. It will probably be one of the best family holiday decisions you’ve ever made. Your kids will certainly think so.
Glacier swing, sunny mountain Hannig ©SaastalTourismusAG-PuzzleMedia
Snow-sure Saas-Fee/Saastal in the south of Switzerland is a wonderland in winter. Then, in summer, when the snowline retreats up the mountains a little, it transforms into a natural summer playground for families.
It’s a given that this extraordinary mountain and glacier landscape, with 18 peaks standing at over 4,000m above sea level, is stunning. What may come as more of a surprise – and good news for you and your kids – is how remarkably accessible it is, thanks to a superb network of cable cars and lifts, supplemented by excellent local bus services.
Saas-Fee/Saastal in summer ©SaastalTourismusAG-FilmevonDraussen
Sustainable and forward-thinking Saas-Fee Saastal
That said, one mode of transport you won’t find in Saas-Fee village is the car. This charming, authentically Swiss, Alpine village sits at 1,800m above sea level and has been entirely car-free since 1951: there’s a car park at the village entrance and hotels and guest houses arrange convenient transport to your accommodation.
This is just one indication of Saas-Fee/Saastal’s longstanding sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to tourism. As well as car-free Saas-Fee village, this includes the widespread use of renewable energy, a commitment to consuming local products, and various other eco-initiatives.
Protecting this astonishing part of the world for future generations is an admirable undertaking, that’s also very effective, not to mention fascinating, find out more about sustainability in the Saas Valley here.
Free public transport makes summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal even more fun
Stay just one night this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal and you’re entitled to a SaastalCard. This guest card gives you free transport on the Postbus in the Saas Valley, as well as free transport on all cable cars during your stay, with the exception of the Metro Alpin.
The SaastalCard also offers you discounted parking in Saas-Fee/Saastal, as well as up to 30% off a wide range of family activities: another very good reason to spend some of summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal this year.
Now you know about the SaastalCard, take a look at what’s happening all over the area this summer and start making plans.
Feeding the local marmots ©SaastalTourismusAG-FilmevonDraussen
Meet the marmots, the cutest residents in Saas-Fee/Saastal
Even if feeding the marmots was all you did this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal, you could consider that time well spent.
There’s no argument about who the stars of the show are in this part of Switzerland, so be warned, once your kids have worked out that marmots will make an appearance when food’s on the go, feeding them is likely to become a regular family tradition.
The best places for encounters are at Stafelwald or Spielboden. Just come prepared. Carrots and nuts are marmot favourites, and you can buy specially prepared bags of peanuts at the Saas-Fee Tourism Office.
Find out more on the Spielboden Marmot Trail
Marmots are almost as interesting as they are adorable and the best way to learn about them is on the Spielboden marmot themed trail. This easy-going circular hike takes you right into marmot territory and it’s punctuated by information boards telling you everything you’ll ever need to know about Murmeli Eddie and his marmot family. Just don’t forget the peanuts!
Family hiking on Hannig with panoramic mountain view ©SaastalTourismusAG-PuzzleMedia
Try one of Saas-Fee/Saastal’s newest family hikes on Sunny Hannig Mountain
Hannigberg, or the ‘Sunny Mountain’, as it’s affectionally known, sits at 2,336m above sea level and lives up to its name, particularly in summer, when a south facing position really comes its own, delivering hour-after-hour of bright playtime and plenty of places to play.
One of Hannig’s newest attractions is the ‘Eddie and the mountain weather’ trail. Tackling the complexities of everything from snow and storms to wind and permafrost in ways that engage kids of all ages makes this one a lot of fun. But it has a nice side of learning too, that will really stick with older children this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal
The colourful downloadable app uses a mix of video and quizzes to explain each of the trail’s eight interactive stages. But to make sure kids aren’t glued to screens, there are also physical games dotted along the way. The end result is an unforgettable hike where interest never flags because something is always going on and kids are constantly re-energised by fresh and exciting new experiences.
Mountain carts Hannig ©SaastalTourismusAG-NicoFrerk
Don’t miss iconic Playground Hannig
Hannig is also home to Playground Hannig, and if you’ve seen pictures of Saas-Fee/Saastal, you’ll probably recognise this one for its astonishingly creative play equipment made out of natural materials.
There’s a lot to like here, not least the way the playground gently challenges kids to push themselves just a little bit further, yet always at their own pace and in a very safe environment.
And once you’re done playing, the excitement isn’t over, as one of the most fun ways to make the 4.5km descent from Hannig to Saas-Fee is on a mountain cart – find out more about those thrills here.
Adventure Forest ©SaastalTourismusAG-FilmevonDraussen
Adventure Forest: re-opening for fun in summer 2026
Also, the Adventure Forest is reopening this summer. You could almost believe that this lofty larch forest was specifically designed for daring rope courses: thrillingly high, and lovely too.
In a clever move, the reimagined Forest is made up of four zones, ascending in both difficulty and height. But, between each one, adventurers are lowered to the ground. So kids can take a beat, decide if they want to continue, or just have a rest. We really like this idea for younger ones, and it’s very in tune with Saas-Fee/Saastal’s all round thoughtful approach to children, and families in general.
Mystery Trail at Furggstalden ©SaastalTourismusAG-levin.studioGmbH
This way be dragons, come and hunt them down
According to legend dragons lives deep inside the mountains of Saas-Almagell, should that send a little shiver of excitement down your spine, The Mystery Trail in Furggstalden is made for you.
Pop on your boots, grab your kids and head out on the 3.6km path on a mind-bending mission to discover the dragons’ lair. You’re looking out for hidden clues along the way and working as a team to solve the toughest of challenges, but remember to take a break from the quest every now and then to look around: Saas-Almagell really is beautiful.
Adventurous over-eights and teenagers will like this one most. The puzzles are twisty, so solving them gives you a great sense of achievement. Plus, the entire trail and all its challenges are on a downloadable app which means you can go at your own pace. Then, when you’ve worked it all out, drop into the Saas-Almagell Tourism Office to pick up your reward.
Listen to The Legacy of the Dragon backstory here
Feeblitz Alpine Coaster ©SaastalTourismusAG-FilmevonDraussen
More family activities this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal
- Hop on the steepest toboggan lift in the Alps to ride the sensational Feeblitz mountain coaster. Racing downhill at speeds of up to 40km/h, you can go it alone or in pairs, so this is another one that younger kids don’t miss out on.
- Kreuzboden Bike Skills Park is a must for shredders of all ages. Its three trails are each just under 400m long, but nicely varied, and a conveyer belt carries bikers back to the start of them, saving all that energy for the rides.
- The highest VR experience in the world opens its second stage this summer. VirtuAllalin takes you on a mesmerising journey into the heart of the Allalin Glacier in the company of Pastor Johann Josef Imseng: the tourism pioneer who brought Saas-Fee/Saastal to the attention of the world.
- Try a change of pace with your kids at Aqua Allalin where all the immensely soothing features of a mountain spa come mixed with children’s pools, waterslides and a 25m swimming pool.
- Saas-Fee/Saastal has no age limits, if you need proof of that, take a look at the great selection of hikes you can do with prams. Game changing for parents of babies and toddlers, they range from a gentle 20 minutes to over a couple of hours.
Kreuzboden Petting Zoo ©SaastalTourismus
Petting zoos, playgrounds and sensational swings
- Get close enough to touch and stroke the cutest of Alpine animals at the Kreuzboden mountain station petting zoo: the friendly little goats are particular favourites with younger kids.
- Take excitement to the next level at Kreuzboden Adventure Land where kids can scale climbing walls, bounce around on trampolines, dare suspension bridges and cool off in the water park.
- If you think the mountains are high in Saas-Fee/Saastal, just wait until you try the Glacier Swing at Hannig Playground. It feels close to flying, the views as you soar are incredible, and it’s one of the greatest photo opps this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal.
See the Family Package 2026 to save on everything from accommodation to attractions
Family hiking and adventures on Kreuzboden ©SaastalTourismusAG-Puzzle Media
Saas-Fee/Saastal family hikes to take with your kids
- The Fairy Tale Hike through the larch forest between Mälchbodu and Bärufalla is one of the most enchanting this summer in Saas-Fee/Saastal. Stopping to read the story of Pia and the dwarf kingdom along the way makes it naturally easy going, even for younger kids.
- Suonen are the ancient watercourses all over Valais. See them for yourself and find out why they’re so important on the beautiful Suone Unnerwasser hike starting in Wildi. At 2.7km long with plenty of places to rest, this is a good one for kids of six and over.
- How well do you really know the forest? The brilliantly informative Furggstalden hike only takes 30 minutes, but along the way you’ll learn about all the different roles the forest plays in Saas-Fee/Saastal and how it’s being protected now and in the future.
Visit Saas-Fee/Saastal now to start your incredible summer adventure
Make It Happen
How to get there
Direct UK flights to Zurich, Geneva or Basel from 1 hour, 30 minutes
Zurich, Geneva or Basel to Saas-Fee/Saastal, by road, from 3 hours
Where to stay
Another joy of a summer holiday in Saas-Fee/Saastal is the wide choice of places to stay that are perfect for families. Whether you enjoy the independence of self-catering apartments or prefer the indulgence of a hotel or the ease of charming, family-run guesthouses, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here.