Stories | Valais Switzerland

Two mountain bikers in full effort descending a mountain bike trail. Valais, Switzerland.

Specially selected single trails through Valais

From Crans-Montana to Brig, passing through the Leukerbad region, the Moosalp and Grächen as well as the Lötschental and Val d’Anniviers valleys, the regional Valais Alpine Bike route traverses the best alpine single trails in Valais.

Mountain walkers in the Region Dents du Midi. Valais, Switzerland.

The secrets of wild Valais herbs

Anyone who wants to become part of nature rather than simply passively observing it should hook up with Guillaume Besson.

“I grew up on the slopes in Bruson.”

A visit with ski star Justin Murisier in Val de Bagnes.

Be sure to look back, especially as the destination draws closer.

Lötschen Valley – where the world stops turning.

Winter hiking and sleeping in the place of power that is the Fafleralp.

The Meillards admire the sunrise on the slopes of Thyon, Valais.

Hérémence play area.

Perfect skiing in the adopted home of alpine ski professionals Mélanie and Loïc Meillard.

Sunset in the vineyards of Salgesch, sustainability, Valais wine, Valais, Switzerland

How the wines of the future will be made.

Sheep, worms and robots. Sustainability is playing an increasingly significant role in winemaking. Valais provides an excellent example of what all this will mean for Swiss winemakers in future.

Rosula Blanc and her yaks know the Val d’Hérens inside out.

“Yaks see and smell the world differently.”

Historic Valais buildings, wild nature, fascinating animals: the Val d’Hérens has everything. Rosula Blanc, who has explored practically every corner on her yak treks, reveals which hikes she would pa...

The cellar of Marie Thérèse Chappaz in the vineyard of Fully, Valais, Switzerland

On the wine trail.

Petite Arvine, Cornalin and Heida are just some of the best-known wines of the Valais winegrowing area. The grapes ripen in the Rhone Valley, which is crossed by the Chemin du Vignoble. In the heart of a unique wine landscape, winegrowers welcome vis...

Relaxation at its purest at the Berghotel Almagelleralp, 2,200 metres above sea level.

Trails packed with character

Venturing across suspension bridges and rocky sections reminiscent of a via ferrata, as well as through a magical fairy-tale forest, you finally reach the mountain hotel run by Urs Anthamatten, the hotel’s host – or, as he jokingly calls it, “hotel d...

Skiing in Zermatt with a fantastic view of the impressive Matterhorn, Zermatt, winter in Valais, Switzerland

Elia Zurbriggen and his new life as a restauranteur

Elia Zurbriggen has traded in his skis for plates and cutlery. The former ski racer runs the mountain restaurant @Paradise in Findeln, Zermatt, together with his wife, but that won't stop you finding...

Klaus Leuenberger, the pioneer of Alpine cuisine, Valais, Switzerland

The trailblazer from Ernen

Klaus Leuenberger, pioneer of alpine cuisine, has reinvented himself once again: as village baker. The chef who once cooked for princes, sheikhs, heads of state and luxury cruise passengers now devotes himself to his passion: local delicacies.

Researchers in the field

The Agroscope institute in Conthey carries out research on alpine plants and develops sustainable production methods. Successes include the tasty new Fred pear.

A roaring stag photographed by Marcel Grichting. It is most exciting in autumn, when the stags are in rut, says Grichting, Valais, Switzerland.

On the king’s trail

The red deer is the monarch of the Valais forests. Marcel Grichting spends his free time tracking it down – for the perfect photo.

Sheep spend the summer at Chummibodmen, near the mountain hut. From there, a path leads to three small mountain lakes. In the background, the Zinalrothorn.

Seventh heaven, high above Zermatt

Renata Schmid is the guardian of the Täschhütte mountain hut, which overlooks the Zermatt valley

The graffiti artist Jasm One at work on his wall painting on the façade of the Foyer Sœur Louise Bron in Fully, Valais, Switzerland

STREET-ART

Valais is creating an open-air museum spanning the entire region: a collection of innovative wall paintings that give new life to local heritage.

On guided tours with Jess Kroon, everyone gets to their destination. She generously distributes tips and tricks and thus helps the participants to fully enjoy, Valais, Switzerland

A smile in heaven for mountain bikers

The Dutch mountain biker Jess Kroon first came to Valais to ski – but soon discovered that the snow concealed a paradise for mountain biking. She has turned her passion into a profession, and made Val...

The "Haute Route" is a magical term for many mountain enthusiasts, Valais, Switzerland

E-MTB Val d’Anniviers

“Haute Route” are magical words for mountain-lovers. The world-famous ski and glacier tour goes from Chamonix in France to Zermatt through the Valais Alps. Maxence Carron is a passionate mountain biker. Together with a friend, he developed similar mu...

From the two steep stairs the waterfall can be admired best, Valais, Switzerland

Where water is king

Leukerbad is widely known for its thermal spring water. On the well-designed thermal spring trek and thermal canyon walk, guests can experience the power of the healing water not in a swimming pool, but in the middle of the imposing Dala Gorge. Andy...

Ancient wisdom

Germaine Cousin-Zermatten is 95 years old but as fit as a youngster a fraction of her age. Her secret: using natural remedies to ward off illness.

Madeleine and Jean-Yves Mabillard-Fuchs at work in their cellar in Venthône

Genuine Valais grape varieties

The Valais brand stands for quality, authenticity and sophistication. The Heida wine made by Madeleine and Jean-Yves Mabillard-Fuchs is one of several that have joined this prestigious label.

The RandoParc in Crans-Montana offers 15 different routes. Here, beginners can take their first steps on touring skis, and professionals will find routes that are the best training for big races. The routes are secured but not groomed. Valais, Switzerland

Back to the roots

Séverine Pont-Combe is one of the world’s top ski mountaineers. Enthusiasts can follow her tracks in Crans-Montana.

Snowshoe tour in the Aletsch Arena, Valais, Switzerland

Floating over the snow

Snowshoe tours in the Aletsch Arena

"A snowshoe tour tomorrow? I'd love to, I have a nice idea. Have you ever been to the Aletsch Forest?", Valais, Switzerland

Transitory art

From the suburbs of Paris to picturesque Evolène: Marcio Morais has found his own personal paradise here. He charms guests as a ski lift employee and with his snow sculptures as an artist.

Pierre-Yves Bonvin has led the company since 2006, Valais, Switzerland

Knitwear professionals

Have you purchased a knitted garment recently? If so, it was very like made on a machine from the Steiger company based in Vionnaz.

Flos and his new Buddy at the lake, Valais, Switzerland

Flo's new Buddy

Florent Massy and Reck are looking forward to winter. The patroller-tracker’s golden retriever will soon be starting his avalanche dog training.

Morgane Seppey with her Herens cows on the Alp Mandelon, Val d'Hérens, Valais, Switzerland

Women power in Val d’Hérens

The people of Val d’Hérens in Valais are proud of three things: their “patois” dialect, the Dent Blanche peak and their Hérens cows. In summer, high on Alp Mandelon, enclosed by in the wild mountain environment you’ll find four of these proud and pug...

Portrait of the organic farmer Franziska Schmid watering her slope field.

A valuable heritage

Valais summers are hot and dry! Farmers in the region have constructed spectacular irrigation channels over the years to ensure a sufficient supply of water for their meadows and animals. These channels transport the precious commodity from the mount...

Switzerland’s wine park

Valais is famous for the amount of sun it receives and its lovely wines. In the winegrowing village of Salgesch in the middle of the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park, Luc Mounir and his family grow top-quality wines. They primarily work with traditional varie...

Patrik Z'Brun's group walks on the Aletsch glacier with crampons and a rope. Valais. Switzerland

From majestic mountain peaks to majestic wines

On the glacier one day and among his vines the next. Patrick Z’Brun is a mountain guide and winegrower to his fingertips. What connects the two worlds is their dependence on nature – and a fascination...

Morand stands for the finest art of distilling.

From digestif to aperitif

Morand has long been known for its superb spirits; for decades, people throughout Switzerland have served Williamine® AOP or Abricotine AOP to round off a meal. Today, mixologists are using the intense flavours to create refreshing new cocktails and...

Scallops with black salsify and Valais truffles. Switzerland

Good taste

Bert De Rycker found success as a chef when he decided to follow his instincts. He still loves conjuring new dishes – and, with the help of winemaker Thierry Constantin, picking wines to match.

Relaxation at the thermal baths of Leukerbad, wellness in Valais, Switzerland

Time to really relax

Check in and bliss out: if we humans hibernated like bears, these hotels would be ideal hideaways. Here, the emphasis is on cosy comfort: you’ll never want to leave.

Freerider Samuel Anthamatten, Zermatt. Valais, Switzerland

A free spirit in paradise

Samuel Anthamatten, from Zermatt, is one of the world’s top freeride skiers. His sport demands extreme technical skill as well as great respect for nature. His playground: a pristine winter landscape that he knows inside out, through long climbs as w...

Old living room, Hotel Bella-Tola. Valais, Switzerland

The stars of Saint-Luc

The Bella Tola, grande dame of the region’s historical hotels, looks back on 160 years of history – and towards a sparkling future.

Ski touring Lötschental. Valais, Switzerland

Pliés and deep snow

The door to a career as a prima ballerina on the great stages of the world was open to her, but her longing for ski tours in the Valais mountains was stronger. Now, Stephanie Schelling combines these two seemingly contrasting hobbies.

Gastronomic dish by Pierre Crepaud. Valais, Switzerland

Adopted home

He is French, but has spent nearly half his life in Crans-Montana: top chef Pierre Crepaud loves Valais and celebrates it in his cuisine.

The fruit of a summer

High in the Valais Alps, long hours of manual work go into the production of Raclette du Valais AOP cheese. The cows spend the summer grazing up on the alpine pastures, where experts turn the untreated milk into the finest cheese. A visit to the Mill...

Heaven for mountain biking

The Valais mountains offer a magnificent playground for mountain biking – and electric bikes now make this activity accessible to a wider public. Two top riders from Valais, Florian Golay and Steve Morabito, show the way forward.

Making the mountain your home

Gegensätze ziehen sich an: Die schroffe Bergwelt des Wallis ist die perfekte Kulisse für die heimelige Turtmannhütte auf 2519 Metern ü. M. Magdalena und Fredy Tscherrig sind hier leidenschaftliche Gastgeber für Wanderer und Bergsteiger. Es ist die Ei...

Small village, great talent

With a population of barely 500, the “music village” of Ernen has just won the 2019 Culture & Economy prize of Valais. Its festival attracts performers from all over the world.

Jules-Henri Gabioud has just got his supplies at the Cabane d'Orny on the Trail Verbier St-Bernard. Valais Switzerland

Jules-Henri Gabioud: “Valais is heaven for trail running.”

Jules-Henri Gabioud from La Fouly in Valais fell in love with trail running in 2003; he has since turned his hobby into his career. He has taken part in many races and has won several including the Tr...

Valaisan furniture - Stool and bed in the "Gütschi" style Valais Wallis Schweiz Switzerland Suisse

A Valais tradition reborn

A Belgian architect is reinterpreting traditional Valais furniture. Designs cover the whole span of life – from cradle to coffin.

A small child learns to ski in Bettmeralp's Children's snow playground with the help of his instructor

Sabine's dream job

In the resort of Bettmeralp, Sabine Haldemann is as well-known as the mascot Snowli. Over the years, the children’s ski instructor has introduced thousands of kids to the joys of skiing.

Ramon Zenhäusern Story Valais Wallis Ski in Saas Fee

Heights of achievement

Olympic medallist Ramon Zenhäusern tackles the ski racing season with confidence – thanks to training on his home glacier high above Saas-Fee.

The new life of the ice wizard

When the figure skater Stéphane Lambiel retired from competition, the two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medallist craved a new challenge.

Rösti, caviar and powder snow

18 GaultMillau points, a Michelin star, Most Promising Chef of the Year: Franck Reynaud is reaching for the stars. His culinary expertise draws gourmet insiders from all over the world to Crans-Montana.

A taste of nature

Natural goodness is the chief ingredient at the Castle restaurant in the Goms valley. No wonder, as talented chef Peter Gschwendtner finds all his inspiration in nature.

Hasty hike up the Barrhorn

The highest hike in the Alps culminates 3,610 metres above sea level at the panoramic summit of the Barrhorn. Pascal Bourquin has hiked thousands of kilometres of trail in Switzerland, and this climb is one of his favourites.

Trail of the glaciers

Entlang zweier Gletscher, heimeliger Dörfer und mächtiger Viertausender – der Rundkurs Stoneman Glaciara bietet keine Erholung, aber sehr viel Vergnügen.The Stoneman Glaciara trail leads along two glaciers, through historical villages and past 4,000-...

Vine nursery

No fewer than 24 steps are needed to produce new rooted vines from the selected cuttings. Once planted in the vineyard, they produce grapes for decades.

Mountainbiker auf Trails am Grimselpass, Wallis, Schweiz

62 hours of adventure – a short trip to the Swiss Alps

Imagine a round trip in the Swiss Alps, with epic trails, great company and unforgettable scenery. What could be better?

Amélie freeriding Telemark-style in the Thyon region. "I can't imagine anything more beautiful," the champion racer says

Best in the world

Eleven times world champion, 34 crystal globes and 133 World Cup victories - Amélie Reymond, the Telemark skier from Valais, is in a class of her own.

Verbier’s adopted son

Tom Lüthi has made it into the premier class of motor sports: as of next year, he will be racing in the MotoGP class. He pursues his love of heights in his leisure time too – especially on the 3330m Mont Fort above Verbier. Originally from Berne, he...

Winter, Freeride, guide, Valais, Val d'Hérens

Skiing to paradise

40 kilometres south of Sion (Valais), behind Val d’Hérens, is Arolla. Snow and mountains are common sights in this resort. So it came as no surprise when Dédé Anzévui became a mountain guide. And while others may call the peaks their home, his connec...

Anenhütte Lötschental

Hotel-style service at 2,358 meters

Dessert, Crème brûlée, Spezialitäten, Valley Binn, ValaisWallis

Quietly creative

High up in Binntal, a talented chef is pushing cuisine to new heights: Mario Inderschmitten has returned to his roots.

Snow, nature, r, PDG, Zermatt, Arolla, Verbier, ValaisWallis, Vallese

The record-holder

The Patrouille des Glaciers is the toughest ski mountaineering race in the world. Florent Troillet holds the course record along with his two team members. He shared his knowledge with a Chinese patrol.

A prestigious Valais wine

Amigne is a grape variety cultivated exclusively in Valais, mostly within the boundaries of the village of Vétroz, a few kilometres from Sion. Romain Papilloud is one of 18 winemakers who devote their talents to this rare variety.

Grengiols in summer, Valais, Switzerland

Searching for minerals in the Binntal Valley

Glistening cliffs and bizarre rock formations: the Binntal Valley is known all over the world for its great variety of stones. Anybody who accompanies René In-Albon, a mineral expert, learns a lot ab...

Mont Fort, Snowboard, Freeride, Geraldine Fastnacht, Verbier, Valais/Wallis

Géraldine Fasnacht, the “bird woman”

There’s no slope too steep and no summit too high for her. Géraldine Fasnacht launches herself off the top of mountains equipped with skis, a snowboard, wingsuit or parachute. “I’m living my dream.”

The Power of the Alps

The players from FSV Mainz 05 spent the night in these tents at 2700 metres. Coach Martin Schmidt gave his team a dose of the Belalp spirit.

Dolce far niente in the mountains

Why stay under a blanket of fog when there are so many fabulous mountain terraces in Valais offering sunshine and panoramic views? They’re too nice to only visit during skiing holidays.

Symbiosis

Architecture blends into the landscape in the buildings of Bonnard und Woeffray. The centre in Saxon for people in difficult circumstances harmonises with its surroundings.

Exploring Valais wines and vineyards

Drinking wine is one of life’s great pleasures; discovering where the vines grow and the grapes mature makes the experience even more enjoyable. Visitors can explore the rich winemaking heritage of Va...

The Valais Mountain Flea

Steve Morabito is one of Switzerland’s most successful racing cyclists. His home and his training ground are Valais – or, more specifically, the hair-raising ups and downs of its winding mountain roads.

Boredom? We don’t know the meaning of the word here.

“When the doors open at the top station, 2,000 metres above sea level, and we breathe in the good, fresh mountain air, then we know we’ve arrived and immediately get into holiday mode”

The power of Alpine herbs

Edelweiss is good for bronchitis and sore throats; lemon thyme, aronia and elder have antiviral properties; zinc strengthens the immune system and acacia gum soothes mucous membrane irritations.

Snow of a century

No one knows the magic of winter better than those who have lived in Valais for 100 years.

Fondation Pierre Arnaud in Lens, arts in Valais

Place of reflection

Pearls grow imperceptibly inside oysters. It’s only when you prise open the shell that this miracle of nature is revealed. Much the same could be said of the Art Centre in Lens run by the Pierre Arnaud Foundation.

Aletsch Glacier by night, Aletsch Arena, Valais

Aletsch – a high-energy site

“Peace and tranquillity are a true luxury,” – of this, Art Furrer and Olympic snowboarding champion Patrizia Kummer are convinced. That’s why the Aletsch Arena is where they recharge their batteries.

Goms: glide to your heart’s content

Situated in the east of Canton Valais, the Goms high valley offers the perfect conditions for cross-country skiing. The trails lead through unspoilt villages, over gently sloping hills and along the b...

Skiing legend

Four-time World Champion, Olympic gold medallist, 40 World Cup victories, four-time winner of the overall World Cup title and 13 season titles in various disciplines:

Didier de Courten bei der Käsepflege, Wallis

Visiting the alchemist of the kitchen

Only those with solid roots reach the summit of their art: virtuosos such as the leading chef from Sierre, Didier de Courten. A day with the ambassador of Valais cuisine.

Tender-hearted giants

The sun is high in the sky, but even in summer there is still a slight chill in the air at 2,500 metres above sea level. Ideal weather for Zoltan, Hesta and Cheyenne, three Saint Bernards with a thick coat of hair.

Where the “Prince of Valais” reigns

The valley is sun-drenched and flooded with light. All along the Rhône from Sierre to Martigny, one fruit reigns supreme amongst the apples and pears – the apricot, the prince of the Valais orchards....

200 years full of joy

200 years ago, Valais joined the Swiss Confederation. Discover just how long ago that was, and all about the film antics on the Furka Pass, as we count up the years to the anniversary in our fun timeline.

Group of ski-tourers ascending the Gandhorn at Binntal, Valais

A calm wrought by experience

The mountain tranquillity fills the spirit and the thoughts slip into silent meditation. The skitour to the summits of the Binn valley with the mountain guide Hanspeter Berthold raises a strong feeling of freedom.

Thermal water with all the power of fire

What nature has given Leukerbad – in addition to the sublime, awe-inspiring mountain backdrop with the steep face of the Gemmi – borders on favouritism.

Trail to victory

The sunny high valley of Goms with its quaint, neatly compact villages is considered one of the best cross-country skiing paradises anywhere. Benjamin Weger, international top-level biathlete, presents us his homeland.

The Valaisans who came in from the North

During the five winter months, the Bekker chalet is full from morning to night. For the past four years, by serving as tourist guides, they have become shrewd connoisseurs of the canton.

The Power of Water

Karl Sarbach has always worked in the energy sector. Water is his element, and the Saas Valley his workplace.

Production of the world's smallest coffee machine in Valais, Switzerland

Cutting-edge technology in the heart of the Alps

KISS is a real innovation’s concentrate born of Gotec’s imagination, a Valais based-firm. Discover the secrets of the smallest coffee machine in the world.

Warrior and Icon: the Herens Cow

Déborah Métrailler passionately breeds proud Herens fighting cows. But that's not the only thing that makes her so special.

Bruno Jelk, mountain rescue in Valais and Himalaya

From Horu to the Himalayas

Bruno Jelk goes to the limit to save lives and rises to the challenge. Mountain rescues are his life.

Sheep in clover

Dani und Karin Rittler breed sheep in the alpine pastures of Lötschental, and their animals are as happy as they are.

Roman Pfammatter, Organizer Openair Gampel

Valais Rocks

Roman Pfammatter was a drummer in a party band. Today, he organises the best party festival in Switzerland. He is a man who knows how to make people happy.

Martin Engstroem fell in love with Verbier during a ski holiday

Music in the Mountain Air

In Verbier, Martin Engstroem creates great moments in classical music. Every summer, he brings the stars to the enchanted mountain, along with new talent.

Director Hotel Guarda Golf, Crans-Montana, Valais

A Guest in Paradise

At the Hotel Guarda Golf, Nati Felli combines Brazilian generosity with Swiss attention to detail. It is an outstanding combination.

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