Winter excursions in Valais

What could be more Swiss than eating fondue in a cable car? The cheese dish tastes even more sensational swinging through the clouds by candlelight.

The ski safari in Zermatt includes much more than just skiing. Those who take on the challenge cover more than 10,000 metres of altitude in one day. An impressive performance!

Lace up your ice skates and enjoy the magnificent setting. Weather permitting, at Champex you can ice skate freely on the flat surface of the frozen lake in a location nicknamed “Little Canada”.

Don your helmet, carabiner and harness and clamber over bridges and wind your way along narrow paths through the snow-clad and sometimes icy Fee Gorge. A clear head for heights and a certain degree of courage will stand you in good stead for this tour.

The Alaïa Chalet is THE meeting place for all freestyle fans who can’t get enough of the sport. During the day, they can be found launching themselves into the air from the half pipe in one of Switzerland’s biggest snow parks, then in the evening the training continues indoors.

The Alpine zoo is discovered at an altitude of 1,100 meters surrounded by woods, where the majority of alpine-dwelling animals can be observed in their natural habitat. Adjacent to the zoo visitors discover an outdoor alpine pool, nestled in the natural rocky landscape. Parking, Restaurant-Pizzeria and picnic area are also at your convenience.

At the new Riding Center in Crans-Montana, the encounter with horses takes center stage – an impressive experience for all age groups.

Lavey has one of Switzerland’s hottest thermal springs. The thermal water gushes at 69°C out of the spring. Bathers enjoy the salubrious effects of thermal water in the spas of Lavey.

Over 100 years ago, the border village of Gondo employed up to 500 workers in the gold mines. On a guided tour, visitors gather useful information on the history of gold and become fascinated by the yellow precious metal.

The mine is located above Zinal on the left bank of the River Navizence, 1,920 m above sea level.

The king of hoteliers – and hotelier to kings. Follow in the footsteps of his career.

Aletsch Arena offers a guided expedition to the Aletsch glacier. It is the size of 12,000 football pitches, extending over 23 kilometres; you won't go round it in under six hours. A glacier like this is a whole world all to itself: clean air, fresh snow and sun from morning to evening.

High, higher - the Glacier Palace in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Even the mountain train ride tops all records.

Visit one of Switzerland's smallest breweries and try the local Gletscher Bräu (glacier beer).

Europe's largest subterranean lake that can be sailed upon lies between Sion and Sierre. The water grotto is easily accessible and there is a boat tour for viewing it. The guides on the boat tell visitors about the history of the cave and its geology.

The ski school from Montana offers an introduction to curling during the winter season.

Making a beer of your choice, with bottling and creating your own label.

The Verbier 3-D Foundation Sculpture Park is a free, year-round open-air museum at 2,300 meters in the Swiss Alps. It showcases contemporary art created during artist residencies, blending seamlessly with the alpine landscape between La Chaux and Les Ruinettes list stations above Verbier.

The Aletsch Arena offers an impressive mountain backdrop in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, with a view of the longest glacier in the Alps, the Great Aletsch Glacier.

After an active day on the slopes or in the snow, relax your muscles in the soothing thermal water or steam-filled sauna: what more could you want? This is something that is almost taken for granted at the Leukerbad, the biggest thermal spa and wellness holiday resort in the Alps. The sauna complex in the Valais Alpine resort is particularly recommended.

Why not round up a perfect day with a real culinary highlight in the evening?

Summer holidaymakers and winter sports enthusiasts alike enjoy the panorama view of the Rhone Valley.

Surrounded by no fewer than 29 peaks above 4,000 meters, such as the majestic Matterhorn and the Dufourspitze as well as the third-longest glacier of the Alps, Gornergrat rewards visitors with unparalleled views.

From La Tzoumaz, a new cable car takes you to Savoleyres, which is 2,354 m above sea level. The toboggan run starts at the summit station, taking you all the way to the village La Tzoumaz.

Visit the historic Domaines Rouvinez cave and enjoy a guided tasting of 5 wines.