Saas Valley Attractions
The narrow Saas valley, through which the Saaser Vispa flows down to join the Rhône, extends for some 28km/17mi to the south of the little town of Visp, on the Rhône, at heights of between 1,000 and 2,000 m/3,281 and 6,562ft, with the popular resorts of Saas Grund, Saas Fee and Saas Almagell. The starting-point of the valley is the village of Stalden, where the Zermatt and Saas valley roads separate.
The name of Saas Fee first appears in the records in 1217, in a document in which the Bishop of Sion disclaims responsibility for the protection of the Antrona pass road. About 1400 the commune of Saas became an independent parish, and in 1893 Fee was also made a separate parish. The local priest, Johann Josef Imseng (1806-69), began to experiment with skis in 1849, and is honored as the pioneer of winter sports in Switzerland.
The name of Saas Fee first appears in the records in 1217, in a document in which the Bishop of Sion disclaims responsibility for the protection of the Antrona pass road. About 1400 the commune of Saas became an independent parish, and in 1893 Fee was also made a separate parish. The local priest, Johann Josef Imseng (1806-69), began to experiment with skis in 1849, and is honored as the pioneer of winter sports in Switzerland.
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Saas Almagell (resort), Switzerland
From Saas Grund the road leads southeast up the valley, with moderate gradients, passing through Zenlauenen and Moos, and in 4km/2mi reaches Saas Almagell (1,679 m/5,509ft), the highest village in the valley, a health resort, winter sports (ski-lifts, ice-rink) and climbing base. Chairlift to 1,950 m/6,398ft on the Furggstalden (good skiing; ski-lift). Walk to the Almageller Alp (2,225 m/7,300ft; 1.25 hours).
Mattmarksee / Monte Moro pass
From the dam it is a 45-minute climb to the Monte Moro pass (2,862 m/9,390ft), which until the construction of the Simplon road was the principal route from the Valais into Italy (Swiss-Italian frontier). From the pass a cableway (large cabins) descends to Macugnaga (1,307 m/4,288ft), in the Val d'Anzasca.
(Saas Valley)
From Saas Almagell the road runs for 7.5km/5mi, past the hamlet of Zermeiggern (1,716 m/5,630ft) and the huge moraine of the Allalin glacier, to the dam (115 m/377ft high, 780 m/2,559ft long at the top), completed in 1967, which has formed the Mattmarksee. A massive fall of ice from the Allalin glacier crashed down on the construction site in August 1965, killing 88 workmen.From the dam it is a 45-minute climb to the Monte Moro pass (2,862 m/9,390ft), which until the construction of the Simplon road was the principal route from the Valais into Italy (Swiss-Italian frontier). From the pass a cableway (large cabins) descends to Macugnaga (1,307 m/4,288ft), in the Val d'Anzasca.
Saas Grund (resort)
The lowest part of the commune of Saas is Saas Balen (1,487 m/4,879ft; pop. 470), which has a round church (Baroque). 24km/15mi higher up is the chief place in the valley, Saas Grund (1,562 m/5,125ft), situated in meadowland on the valley floor, with a large parish church (1939). Lying between the Mischabel group (the main peak of which is concealed behind lower mountains) to the west and the Fletschhorn (3,996 m/13,111ft; not visible from valley floor) and Weissmies (4,023 m/13,199ft) to the east, it is a popular base for climbers. Indoor swimming pool in Touring Hotel.
