Adventures with animals in Valais

As visitors enter the Valais, they are greeted by impressive mountain cliffs and a waterfall that is, unfortunately, smaller than it used to be.

Bibi Snow Island is a recreational paradise for snow fans and a perfect place for families to come together in winter.

The hiking routes around the resort of Zermatt – site of Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn – offer you breathtaking panoramic vistas, lush flowering meadows and fragrant larch forests.

Accessible to all types of hiker, this easy route takes you from the village of Saillon to the Farinet footbridge over the Salentze gorges.

The descent from the Eggishorn to the Heimatt combines spectacular views with a varied range of pistes covering wide slopes and short steep sections. The highlight is the valley run to Fiesch.

On a sunny high plateau (at 1,480 meters above sea level) one finds Birkendorf Bürchen. During an easy two-hour hike from Bürchen to Zeneggen, discover the squirrel trail and the didactic forest trail, where you can learn many important and interesting things about these two topics.

The covered ice rink in Martigny was the first artificial ice rink in the Valais region. It was built in 1955, and has undergone a number of renovations since then.

Drive over one of the most historic Valais Alpine passes: On the Grosser St. Bernhard, you will visit the almost 1000-year-old hospice, meet St. Bernard dogs and hike through the alpine landscape on the border with Italy.

Bettmeralp in the Aletsch Glacier Region offers a Snow Park and a Halfpipe located at the Kanzel / Salzgäb Piste. Both runs are prepared daily.

This toboggan run commences in a dream-like spot high above the beautiful Valais mountain world....

This Kinderland has exclusive offers for young snow bunnies and small beginners that are geared to their wishes and needs.

A classic Alpine via ferrata, with five ladders, 400 pitons and nearly 1,000 metres of wire rope providing outstanding safety. The mountain backdrop of the Saastal is unique, and from the top you have a sensational view across the Rhône valley towards the Bernese Alps. A route of pure pleasure!

Deep in the enchanted forest of Ernen in Valais, someone has stolen Brüna the squirrel’s supply of winter nuts. Between gnarled spruce trees and moss-covered boulders, the squirrel’s story leads us through the adventure playground and inspires us with the pine cone run, swinging tree, suspension bridge, ravine trails and barbecue areas.

There is an artificial ice rink for different ice sports, such as figure skating and ice hockey.

The fairy grotto near Saint-Maurice takes you 500 meters deep into the mountain. At the end of the illuminated galleries, an underground lake with a 50-meter-high waterfall awaits you. A journey into a mystical underworld in Valais.

In the 16th century, the architect Ulrich Ruffiner built the St. Romanus fortified church on the rock spur above Raron. Almost 500 years later, the people of Raron opened the cavernous St. Michael rock church. Together with the grave of the poet Rilke, the pair of churches are a magnet for tourists in the community in Valais.

The toboggan piste runs parallel at just a few meters from the Tortin ski run – offering 3-kilometer-long slippery fun for people of all ages.

Rails, super bowls, kickers and more. In Bellwald, jump fans will find whatever their heart desires.

Chandolin is home to two Swiss Snow Kids Villages for younger skiers. The first is located at the entrance to the village and has a magic carpet. The second children's snow playground is located directly on the slopes.

Le Mur Suisse in Champéry is one of the steepest slopes in the world. On one kilometre of unprepared mogul slope, you can prove your skills as a skier or snowboarder.

Zermatt Snow Park has something to appeal to every freestyler, regardless of whether they are a pro or a rookie. The creative setup with big chairs, kicker lines and rails promises action and spectacular and varied runs.

Since time immemorial, the Simplon Pass has been one of the main Alpine thoroughfares linking northern and southern Europe. Well preserved sections of the old Stockalper trail and impressive structures from various epochs bear witness to its eventful past.

Opened in spring 2007, the wine trail is an ideal way to discover the Valais and birthplace of some delightfully palatable regional wines.

The Ravensburger Games Trail offers a fun alternative to hiking, with exciting challenges for the whole family.