Relaxing model swiss village & ski resort (Saas Fee)

Member Name: kamal

Product:	Saas Fee
Date:	05/11/08 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, Clean, Quiet, Compact and Relaxing

Disadvantages: Go somewhere else if you are pro skier, Quiet and Not very happening place.

I visited Saas Fee in January 2005 as part of 7 day ski holiday package from Thomson Ski (or Crystal Holidays). I was looking to go somewhere small and quiet with lot of snow, where I can learn to ski and relax as well. This placed looked ideal for my purpose.

We stayed at 3* Europa hotel, which is not far from ski slopes.

Initial Impression:
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After long journey from Geneva airport, we got down at a car park outside the village. An electric taxi from our hotel gave us a lift upto the hotel. It was wonderful small village, similar to one in x'mas time stories. All the chalets and houses were covered in snow. It is vehicle free zone, so very quiet and clean surrounding.

Stay:
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Hotel was quite good for 3* and staff very friendly. Very few people speak little english, but that does not cause any problem in their customer service. The breakfast and 5-course dinner was included in the package, and that was plenty. After all day walk and ski, you just tuck into their fantastic quiet and cozy restaurant and their lovely staff will make sure that you enjoy the food.

We were vegeterian and enjoyed lot of very good veggie food along with loads of swiss cheese. So no trouble finding veg food there.

Full marks to the hotel. I assume all other hotels are similar.

Ski:
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I booked ski school for full 5 days and hired equipment from one of the sport store as part of the deal. Saas Fees is very good for beginners and I enjoyed learning my first lessons. But once I missed a day due to illness, they started tossing me around from one instructor to another, and they sound bit pushy. I should have just taken 3 day classes and then could have enjoyed better relaxing, which I did anyway. But overall ski experience was very good and exciting.

Town:
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Lovely little town with walk trails into scenic woods and hills. Also some gondola rides taking you to nearby beauty spots. It was like heaven.

There were many pubs, which I did not visit as I don't drink (what a looser). Some nice restarants, pizzaria and shops around.

There is a lovely post office nearby, and we posted souvenier post cards to my family and friends from there.

To-Do:
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Apart from sking, you can take a long walk around the trail in the nearby hills.

You can take a gondola situated near Europa hotel, and go to nice beauty spot and spend your afternoon watching snow clad mountains while having beer over your lunch in the restaurant located there.

You can take another longer gondola ride, then take mountain train and go at the top of the mountain and enjoy your lunch in remote revolving restaurant.

Take a day trip to nearby Zermat, which is well know big town and ski resort with lot of traditional and modern shops (and McDonalds).

This is a very small village. So, if you are there for a week, in couple of days you will know most of the tourists and residents. So chat with them and go for a drink with them.

Summary: Fantastic for ski beginners and people who want relaxed ski holidays