Step into Valais this winter, where majestic glaciers, sunlit peaks, and thrilling trails await. From soaring high above snow-capped forests to exploring serene paths in untouched snow, this guide unveils the best of Valais—a haven where adventure and awe meet at every turn for an unforgettable alpine journey.

Region Dents du Midi: A Blend of Thrills, Tranquility, and Alpine Charm

Nestled at the gateway to the Valais Alps, the Dents du Midi region is a winter wonderland waiting to be explored. Just a 90-minute journey from Geneva Airport, this iconic mountain range invites adventurers with a landscape both rugged and pristine. Anchored by six picturesque villages — the Swiss soul of Les Portes du Soleil — Region Dents du Midi offers everything from thrilling slopes to serene, snow-dusted forests.

Adventures with huskies in the Valais Alps, Image Copyright Litescape Media, Switzerland Tourism

For those seeking an unconventional thrill, husky sledging in Champéry and Morgins brings you face-to-face with the enduring spirit of the Siberian husky. In the twilight, as shadows settle over the Vallon de They, embark on a ‘Husky-rando & fondue’ evening. It begins with an exhilarating hike alongside these powerful dogs, each one harnessed to you for a close, almost ancient connection with nature.

Guided by a musher, you weave through the snow-blanketed forest, the air crisp and still, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath paw and boot. The adventure culminates in a cosy gathering at the Buvette de They, where a bubbling pot of traditional Swiss fondue is served, the warmth of the meal matching the warmth shared with your newfound canine companions.

Indulge in a fondue when at Region Dents du Midi, Image Copyright Switzerland Tourism

In Champéry, opt for a sleigh ride along the edges of a fir forest, gliding smoothly through the winter landscape. Even if snow falls short, the journey continues on a wheeled cart, maintaining that rare closeness with the dogs and the quiet of the forest.

If you prefer your adventures airborne, paragliding over the Region Dents du Midi is a breathtaking way to embrace the landscape. From the vantage points in Champéry or Val-d’Illiez, tandem paragliding with a licensed instructor makes this thrilling experience accessible, even for first-timers.

Paragliding with Basile Marclay, Image Copyright Switzerland Tourism

Imagine soaring above alpine forests in winter, the vast, serene scenery unfolding beneath you. The initial surge of adrenaline gives way to a gentle glide, allowing you to take in the sweeping views of snow-covered pines, winding trails, and tranquil villages nestled far below. The feeling of freedom is incomparable — a true, unforgettable encounter in the Swiss Alps.

The ski trails here glide past picturesque chalets, Image Copyright Ruedi Flück, Switzerland Tourism

For skiers and snowboarders, Region Dents du Midi delivers on every promise of the alpine dream. With four renowned Swiss resorts — Champéry, Les Crosets, Morgins, and Champoussin — the slopes cater to every level, from beginners to seasoned thrill-seekers. The trails carve through ancient alpine forests, open pastures, and glide past century-old chalets, blending Swiss heritage with thrilling adventure. With an impressive annual snowfall that blankets the landscape in nearly 7.5 meters of fresh powder, you’re assured of a winter wonderland.

Snowshoeing across dreamy landscapes, Image Copyright JB Bieuville, Switzerland Tourism

Those looking for a slower, more meditative pace will find solace in snowshoe hiking, a peaceful way to roam these majestic landscapes. A snowshoe trek through the quiet valleys reveals intricate tracks and delicate signs of life in the form of the occasional sighting of winter wildlife. Each step taken into the untouched snow feels like an invitation to explore Switzerland’s hidden, quiet corners.

Winter hiking in Region Dents du Midi, Image Copyright Litescape Media, Switzerland Tourism

Saas-Fee: Where Alpine Adventure Meets Serenity

As we explore the Valais Alps, Saas-Fee brings winter adventure to a whole new level, surrounded by a stunning panorama of 18 peaks towering over 4,000 meters. From exhilarating experiences for thrill-seekers to serene trails for nature lovers, Saas Valley is a good mix of adrenaline and calm.

Winter vacation in Saas Fee, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Nico Frerk

If it’s your first time skiing, Saas Valley offers the ideal spot to start. The gentle village slopes in Saas-Fee welcome beginners, with experienced ski instructors to guide every step and local shops to equip you fully. Imagine the thrill of sliding down the snow for the very first time, the fresh mountain air filling your lungs as you master the basics.

Skiing in Saas Fee, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Amarcster Media

Between 1,500 and 3,600 meters above sea level, Saas Valley’s snow-assured slopes offer 150 km of varied pistes for all levels, alongside the Funpark Hohsaas, where jumps and twists promise excitement for both beginners and seasoned skiers.

For those looking to elevate their adventure, walking across the Fee Glacier is an experience that borders on the surreal. Starting from the Längfluh Mountain Station, a four-to-five-hour journey leads you over snowfields, where every step crunches through the thick blanket of powder, and towering ice formations loom on either side.

Excursion on the glacier, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Filme von Draussen

Guided by an expert, you’re roped in for safety as you navigate the glistening crevices, creating a profound sense of awe and respect for the alpine landscape. The path ends at the Spielboden Station, where panoramic views make the effort worthwhile. It’s a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience that stays with you long after the snow has melted.

Winter in Saas-Fee also brings zip-lining through snow-dusted forests. Picture yourself strapped in, helmeted, and ready, flying 220 meters across the treetops. The zip-line adventure forest opens up a new way to explore in winter, with training courses between trees and exhilarating big zip lines over a gorge. Zipping from one side to another, the chill of the air rushing past as you fly through the forest is an unforgettable thrill, blending adrenaline with scenic beauty.

Zip lining across treetops in Saas-Fee, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Filme von Draussen

Another unique adventure in Saas-Fee is the Gorge Alpin, where frozen landscapes add an extra edge to the rugged trail. Guided by a mountain expert, the route takes you through the wild Fee Gorge, with frozen waterfalls sparkling in the cold air and suspension bridges swinging gently above the icy river below.

Gorge Alpin, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Filme von Draussen

Ladders, steel ropes, and even high-speed Tyrolean zip-lines make this an intense experience — one that connects you deeply to the rugged terrain. As you cross from Saas-Fee to Saas-Grund, the sense of accomplishment and awe is overwhelming.

Gorge Alpin, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG Filme von Draussen

For those times when you crave a slower pace, Saas Valley’s winter hiking network covers 60 km of peaceful, scenic trails. The snow muffles sound, and as you walk, there’s a tranquil sense of isolation, where the only company might be the tracks of wildlife that crisscross the path. For an even more sensory experience, try a torch-lit hike through the forest in Saas-Fee. Under the glow of torches, the snowy landscape feels dreamlike, and each step brings a deeper connection to the natural beauty around you.

Winter hike in Saas Valley, Image Copyright Saastal Tourismus AG

Aletsch Arena: Ski, Hike, and Soar Amidst Glacial Grandeur

Aletsch Arena, perched high on the sunny plateau of the Valais and beautifully car-free, offers a seamless mix of thrill, peace, and awe-inspiring scenery. The centrepiece here is the Great Aletsch Glacier, a stunning 20-kilometer stretch of ice—the largest glacier in the Alps. With ski-in, ski-out access, visitors are just steps from its magnificence, and surrounded by the endless Valais mountain scenery. It’s the kind of place that makes every moment feel rare and unforgettable.

The picture perfect views of Bettmeralp, Image Copyright Marco Schnyder Switzerland Tourism

Aletsch Arena is a ski haven for families and avid winter sports enthusiasts alike. Its slopes cater to all ages and skill levels, with powdery, snow-covered mountains and crystal-clear skies showcasing two dozen peaks over 4,000 meters.

Skiing at Aletsch Arena, Image Copyright Switzerland Tourism

Skiing at Aletsch Arena, Image Copyright Marco Schnyder Switzerland Tourism

Sitting at a sunny altitude between 1,845 and 2,869 meters, the arena guarantees excellent winter sports conditions throughout the winter season. But what makes skiing here unique is the blend of family-friendly pistes and breathtaking views in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region. Every run is an invitation to experience the purity of this exceptional landscape.

Winter visuals at Aletsch Arena, Image Copyright Frederic Huber

Beyond skiing, one of the most memorable experiences is taking in the vastness of the Aletsch Glacier from one of three renowned viewpoints: Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn or Eggishorn. Each viewpoint offers a different perspective of the glacier’s intricate blue-and-white layers, with views stretching to some 40 four-thousand-meter peaks that appear almost close enough to touch. Standing at the edge of these panoramic spots, with the glacier and its surrounding peaks in sight, is one of those bucket-list moments that makes you feel simultaneously grounded and elevated.

View point at Bettmerhorn, Image Copyright Switzerland Tourism

Aletsch Arena’s winter hiking trails offer another way to dive into this stunning landscape. With 72 kilometres of prepared trails, hikers are led through serene, snow-dusted paths that wind through the mountains and valleys. A winter hike here feels more like an immersion into a peaceful white canvas, a chance to experience the beauty of Europe’s delicate alpine ecosystem up close. Walking through the fresh snow under the quiet blue skies, there’s a simplicity and tranquillity that’s refreshingly rejuvenating—a healthy escape from the everyday.

Snowshoe tour at Moosfluh, Image Copyright Silvano Zeiter Switzerland Tourism

For those looking to step off the path, snowshoeing in Aletsch Arena is an active yet meditative way to connect with nature’s winter silence. Moving quietly through untouched snowfields, visitors can explore areas rarely reached by most travellers. The ridge trail from Moosfluh to Riederfurka, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most scenic high-altitude hikes in the Alps and is groomed perfectly for winter snowshoeing. As you glide along, surrounded by the pristine landscape and far from the usual noise, each step brings a new view, each breath a new sense of calm.

Aletsch Arena is where nature reigns supreme, inviting you to explore at your own pace while taking in the spectacular winter beauty of Valais. Whether skiing, hiking, or simply admiring the glacier, this is winter in its purest form, designed to inspire and captivate.

In Valais, winter is reimagined as a seamless blend of luxury and adventure, inviting you to explore the Alps in ways that captivate both heart and spirit. Each unique experience, from glacier vistas to serene trails, offers an unforgettable journey into Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes. ◼

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© This article was first published online in Nov 2024 – World Travel Magazine.

The post Essential Guide to Winter Adventures in Valais: Skiing, Glaciers & Scenic Trails first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

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The huge and merciless brown mountains, large lumps of snow carelessly dumped on their tops, the blazing sun and pregnant clouds playing hide and seek, Indus and Shyok rivers merrily wading through the barren territory, creating oases and civilizations of their own,

serpentine and lofty roads, as if suspended from heaven, endless and awe-inspiring panoramas, stunning kaleidoscopic lakes, strange grasslands and seductive sand dunes. Countless constellations that adorn the night and a clear sky that could define the colour blue – Where does one even begin to describe the miracle on earth called Ladakh!

Although it was a second trip to the ‘Moonland’ yet the feeling before and after the trip was that of heightened intrigue and mystery – Yes, the more one tries to know Ladakh the more one gets mired in questions, the attempt to unravel is futile. Our group chose the simpler path – And submitted ourselves to these magnificent highlands of Ladakh, no questions asked!

A tour to Ladakh is no child’s play – for starters, courtesy the altitude, one has to contend with the lottery of getting adjusted to low air pressure (and consequently low oxygen supply and everything else associated with it!), physical demands of climbing virtually everywhere, sometimes misplaced adventure of driving on roads that are at best narrow strips of tar menacingly accompanied by deep gorges, piercing rays of the sun and often chilly harsh winds in the open lands, the list is long!

Ladakh is more about a sense of struggle and consequently a sense of achievement; of challenging the status quo of a comfortable life and of giving one’s comfort zone a quick by-pass.

Our eyes were set on experiencing all of the above – it was more a question of when than whether!

We chose the month of September as by that time the tourist population starts dwindling and Ladakh is more like the desolate heaven often portrayed.

Extensive research on the internet made us choose three directions in Ladakh – Westwards towards Srinagar on the NH1, Northwards to Nubra via Khardung La in the direction of Siachen base camp and finally Eastwards to Pangong Tso via Chang La. Finally after having settled all the loose ends of travel, boarding and logistics, we set ‘sail’ for the travel of our lives… to Ladakh, the Moonland!

After acclimatizing for a day (a word of caution here– it is perfectly normal for a person to take two days to acclimatize so do not fret you breath heavily at the end of day one) to the high altitude at Leh, we started our week long road trip by tracing the National Highway One, the road to Srinagar.

We paused to take a glimpse of the Sangam, the confluence of Zanskar and Indus at Nimmu and then proceeded on the beautiful NH1, accompanied by the mighty Indus River to our first two stops, Likir and Alchi monasteries. The monasteries, as a structure and as an institution have always amazed me and the fascination continued as we explored the deep, quiet recesses of each of these.

Rest of the day was spent in a camp at Ullay on the banks of Indus nestled inside an apple and apricot orchard. The beautiful tents were our home for the night in which we saw probably the most breathtaking night sky we have ever seen!

We proceeded to a quaint town called Lamayuru in Kargil district the next day. Lamayuru is famous for extraordinary sediment rock formations that give the surface of the region a moon like feel! The strangeness of these rock formations haunts one for days together.

The most beautiful part of the journey is, surprisingly, not the road trip. The Indus, flanked by huge mountains, is a beautiful companion all through the way and at places we stopped our vehicle and trekked our way down to touch the water – divine!

The second night at Leh was perceptibly chillier than the previous one. We woke up the next day to discover the snow cover on the Ladakh ranges in front of us being much more than what it was a day before – it was snowing at the peaks, and we were headed towards Khardung La (K-Top), world’s highest motorable pass. Our excitement knew no bounds!

The road from Leh to K-top launches the traveler from 3500 to about 5600 mts above MSL over a distance of mere 45kms – making it one of the steepest climbs we have come across. The road is great at some places and absolute rubble at some others! We reached K-top with our heads in pleasant but dizzy states due to the climb and the very high altitude. Since our gang is very comfortable traversing mountainous terrains we still enjoyed every moment of the ascent, especially since it came with an added incentive of, yes, the snow-fall!

A refreshing cup of black tea and countless snaps later we started for yet another wonder at Ladakh – The Nubra Valley located en route to the Siachen Base Camp. The picturesque route took us along the Shyok River to Khalsar where out of the blue the surroundings turned into silver sand – Lo and behold, we were in the cold desert of Ladakh!

We spent the day at the breathtaking Tirit camp (on way to Panamik) reflecting over the number of changes of landscape we saw in the course of the 6 hours of travel from Leh, not to mention a temperature change in the range of plus 15 to minus 10 degree Celsius!

We set off to Hunder the next day to see the famous sand dunes of Nubra and be a part of the historical Silk Route. We could scarcely find time to blink… The trip was just half way through and we were already experiencing the pinnacles of natural beauty – we stood in the middle of the desert and looked around – miles of silvery sands, flanked by snow capped mountains and resplendent sunshine – I felt like crying in disbelief!

We saw the beautiful 14th Century Diskit Gompa and marveled at the 35 meters statue of Maitreya Buddha dwarfing everything else in its vicinity! Our eyes feasted on the huge panoramic views of the Diskit valley perched on top of the Monastery. We would not have returned if we didn’t have to!

But we had to return, in the quest of the climax of beauty… The Pangong Tso (lake)!

The last leg of our journey took us to Pangong Lake through a typically multi-hued, long, rough and dramatic road trip.

The first sight of the lake can leave you numb – 135 kms of saline water body with about 40 kms in India and the rest of it in China, seemingly endless stream of water that takes as many shades of blue in the day as there are moods in our mind, perched at 4350m above MSL and flanked by majestic jaw-dropping scenery!

This was indeed a time of reflection for that’s exactly what you do when a trip like this nears its end and you are confronted with a seemingly unreal piece of magic ‘someone’ up there decided to conjure for mortals like us – the Pangong Lake.

We stayed the night in freezing cold but pleasant conditions at the Water Mark camp adjoining the lake and took time to come out in the open, look up at the sky and thank the stars who had turned up in millions to bless us.

We have since, returned from Ladakh, still dazed whether we actually went there. Still coming to terms with our minuteness and irrelevance in the large scheme of things called Nature, still marveling at the miracle this place is.

Still wondering whether there can exist another place like Ladakh… Still wondering if Ladakh exists.

By: Soma Bolar & Saumya Shanker
Soma writes poetry and dabbles with dance, loves books, an avid traveler,a native of Shillong. Saumya composes and performs music, recently launched a band ‘Dwi’ and has released albums with Times Music in his earlier avatars, loves driving, traveling …and writing.

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