
May 2020
Escape To Valais!
Dear journalists,
Escape to Valais! Not physically, of course, in the current circumstances, not just yet; your next trip to Valais in person needs a little more patience. But since May 1, it has been possible for you to make a virtual journey. We invite you to visit an authentic Valais chalet. Once inside, you can try to solve various puzzles – with the assistance of Professor Matt Erhorn at your side and with the help of your wits and knowledge of the region. Your goal: Farinet’s treasure.
We would like to bring Valais to you at home in other ways, too. How about some recipe ideas, for example? Or some interesting articles? You’ll be surprised – and inspired! We are also venturing a look at summer, with news for you from the worlds of cycling and mountain biking. All in the spirit of “Dream now – travel later”.
Would you like to find out more about Valais? Don’t hesitate to contact us: we would be delighted to provide you with further information or organise interviews.
Escape To Valais
Escape To Valais
On May 1 we have launched “Escape To Valais”, an online escape game. An authentic Valais chalet full of riddles awaits you for a virtual visit. Discover fascinating facts about Valais and solve the puzzles to finish the game in the shortest time possible. Once you reach Farinet’s treasure, there are wonderful prizes to be won. Enjoy the game… good luck!

Valais from your home
Valais from your home
The escape game is not the only way to explore Valais from the comfort of your home. Read articles about Valais or stories about its people, for example, or listen to some Valais music. If that whets your appetite, find inspiration in our wide selection of recipes to prepare a tasty meal. Top tip: asparagus is currently in season.

The routes of the Road World Championships
The routes of the Road World Championships
How about we take a look at summer, in the hope of welcoming you to Valais then?
The UCI 2020 Road World Championships are due to take place from 20 to 27 September in Aigle and Martigny. The various routes will cross the Rhône valley, linking the two towns. Come and watch the thrilling road races, which finish with a multiple climb to the Col de la Petite Forclaz: an ascent of 400 vertical metres over a distance of four kilometres, to be looped seven times.
The new bookable package “The routes of the Road World Championships” offers a wonderful opportunity to cycle trails through the vineyards of the Rhône valley, to climb up to iconic Alpine passes and explore spectacular landscapes. From your hotel in the Martigny region, ride the roads that will host the UCI 2020 Road World Championships as well as some of the most beautiful cycle routes in Valais.
In order to showcase the bookable package and the routes of the UCI 2020 Road World Championships, we are organising a press trip from 26 to 30 August 2020 in collaboration with the canton of Vaud. Among the highlights is the climb up to the Sanetsch Pass, one of the finest in the Alps – a real insider tip. Interested cyclists can find the detailed programme of the press trip by following the link on the right. If you would like to join the trip, please contact us before 31 July.
Covid-19 measures in place at the end of August will determine if the trip takes place and in what exact form.

New mountain bike offers
In addition to the bike package above, there are also two new bike offers.
Valais Bike
Starting in the spa resort of Leukerbad, set off to explore the finest singletrack in Upper Valais thanks to the new Valais Bike tour. Three days of top-class mountain biking guarantee high thrills in breathtaking landscapes. The package includes spa admission, daily luggage transfers and cable car ride, and promises an unforgettable experience.
Best of Valais with a guide
Explore the best of Valais in the company of a local mountain bike guide for an unforgettable day out. Whatever your level of experience and whatever your taste – from hard riding to gourmet breaks, from enduro to e-bike – any combination is possible. Book two nights at any of the 17 Valais resorts on offer, and simply follow the guide!

Haute Routes by e-bike
Enjoy all the charm of the Swiss Alps on one of the e-bike experiences offered by the company E-MTB Swiss Alps. The choice includes the iconic Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt; the Petite Haute Route from Hérémence to Zermatt; the Family&Friends Haute Route; and the Haute Route des Glaciers from Crans-Montana to the Great Aletsch Glacier. In all cases, qualified guides lead you through spectacular alpine landscapes. Over the course of several days, among family or friends, you will ride along the finest singletrack trails surrounded by 4,000-metre peaks. You’ll sleep in accommodation typical of the Alps, and will even have the chance to relax in a hot tub at 2,000 metres above sea level as a reward for your efforts.

Did you know?
Our suggestions
Portraits
Meet two Valais cyclists who find ideal training terrain in their region.
Simon Pellaud
Date of birth: 6 November 1992
From: Chemin (VS)
Activity: Racing cylist
Achievements: Swiss under-21 champion, 2013
Winner of the 9th stage of Tour of Hainan (China) 2018 with the Swiss team
Best Climber and Combativity Awardin the Tour de Romandie 2019
Simon Ruff
Date of birth: 19 May 1983
From: Törbel (VS)
Activity: UltraCycling racer
Achievements: World UltraCycling champion in 2011 and 2018
UltraCycling involves endurance cycling races longer than 300 kilometres. Simon Ruff’s longest race to date was 2,200 kilometres.
Valais in figures
• 300 sunny days a year
• 45 summits above 4,000 metres
• 8 AOP and IGP products
• 15% of Swiss asparagus production
• 1928 tons of Raclette AOP in 2019
• More than 50 grape varieties
• 2,000 km of cycling routes
• 1,500 km of mountain bike trails