Valais, Switzerland

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

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Introduction
Valais, Switzerland's southernmost canton cradling the upper Rhône Valley and surrounded by the highest Alps including the iconic Matterhorn, combines breathtaking mountain scenery with world-class skiing, glacier hiking, charming alpine villages, and surprisingly excellent wines produced on steep hillside vineyards. From car-free Zermatt's luxury resorts beneath the Matterhorn's perfect pyramid to Verbier's legendary off-piste skiing, from the Aletsch Glacier (Europe's longest) to thermal baths in Leukerbad, Valais delivers Swiss Alpine experiences at their most spectacular—pristine peaks, traditional chalets, fondue and raclette in mountain restaurants, and outdoor adventures year-round in one of the world's most photogenic landscapes.
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Discover Valais

The Matterhorn (4,478m/14,692ft) dominates Valais and ranks among the world's most recognizable mountains—its near-perfect pyramidal peak has become Switzerland's icon, appearing on Toblerone chocolate and countless postcards. Zermatt, the car-free resort village at the Matterhorn's base (accessible only by train, with electric taxis within the village), offers luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, designer boutiques, and exceptional skiing across 360km of pistes connecting to Italy's Cervinia resort. The Gornergrat railway, a cogwheel train climbing to 3,089m, delivers jaw-dropping Matterhorn panoramas across glaciers and alpine peaks, while the Glacier Paradise cable car reaches 3,883m—Europe's highest cable car station with year-round skiing, an ice palace carved into the glacier, and views across dozens of 4,000m+ peaks. Summer brings hiking on trails passing alpine lakes and flower meadows with the Matterhorn backdrop, while experienced mountaineers attempt the challenging Matterhorn climb itself with mountain guides.

Things to Do & Experience

Matterhorn & Zermatt Experience

Base in car-free Zermatt beneath the iconic Matterhorn, ride the Gornergrat railway for panoramic views, ascend to Glacier Paradise (3,883m), ski 360km of pistes connecting to Italy, and dine at gourmet mountain restaurants. Summer brings hiking with Matterhorn backdrops, while winter offers world-class skiing, luxury hotels, and the quintessential Swiss alpine resort experience in one of the world's most photogenic settings.

World-Class Skiing & Snowboarding

Carve legendary off-piste terrain in Verbier's Four Valleys (410km runs), enjoy year-round glacier skiing in Saas-Fee, cruise Crans-Montana's sunny slopes with lake views, or discover smaller resorts like Nendaz. Valais offers skiing for all levels from gentle nursery slopes to extreme couloirs, plus heliski operations, ski touring, and mountain restaurants serving fondue with views across 4,000m peaks.

Glacier Hiking & Alpine Adventures

Walk alongside the Aletsch Glacier (Europe's longest at 23km), hike trails through UNESCO World Heritage mountain landscapes, attempt via ferratas on dramatic cliff faces, and explore car-free villages like Riederalp accessible only by cable car. Summer activities include mountain biking, paragliding, rafting, and multi-day haute route hikes through spectacular alpine scenery connecting mountain huts and passes.

Thermal Spas & Wellness

Soak in Leukerbad's naturally hot thermal pools (51°C) surrounded by towering peaks, relax at luxury spa hotels, bathe outdoors while snow falls or stars shine, and combine thermal bathing with skiing or hiking. Leukerbad ranks among Europe's largest thermal spa destinations with traditions dating to Roman times, offering wellness experiences from budget-friendly public pools to exclusive spa treatments.

Wine Tourism & Gastronomy

Tour steep vineyard terraces producing unique Swiss wines (Fendant, Petite Arvine, Humagne), taste at family-run cellars along the wine route through Sion and Sierre, pair regional wines with fondue and raclette (which originated in Valais), and discover alpine gastronomy featuring dried meats, local cheeses, apricots, and rye bread. Switzerland's wine culture remains surprisingly unknown internationally, making Valais discoveries especially rewarding.

Traditional Alpine Culture

Explore authentic villages like Evolène and Grimentz preserving wooden chalets and local traditions, hike historic bisses (irrigation channels) traversing mountainsides, attend festivals celebrating alphorn music and cow parades, visit alpine dairies producing local cheeses, and experience living mountain culture where dialects, architecture, and customs survive in their original form despite modern ski resort development.

Essential Valais Travel Tips
  • •Valais is expensive—Zermatt and Verbier rank among Europe's priciest resorts. Budget CHF 200-400 per person per day including accommodation, meals, and lift passes. Apartments and chalets offer better value than hotels. Smaller resorts like Nendaz cost significantly less.
  • •Swiss Travel Pass provides useful discounts on trains and cable cars but doesn't cover everything—Gornergrat and Glacier Paradise require additional payments. Calculate whether passes save money based on your specific plans. Regional passes (Valais, Matterhorn) may offer better value.
  • •Zermatt is car-free—park in Täsch (5km down valley, CHF 15.50/day) and take train to Zermatt, or arrive by train from anywhere in Switzerland. Electric taxis and hotel shuttle transport luggage within Zermatt. This traffic-free environment contributes to the alpine atmosphere but requires planning.
  • •Mountain weather changes rapidly—sunshine can turn to storms in hours even in summer. Bring layers, waterproofs, and sun protection always. Check forecasts before hiking or skiing. Afternoon thunderstorms develop regularly in summer; start hikes early.
  • •Altitude affects everyone differently—Zermatt sits at 1,620m, Glacier Paradise at 3,883m. Allow time to acclimatize before strenuous activities. Symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea) are common above 2,500m. Descend if symptoms worsen. Drink plenty of water.
  • •Ski season runs December-April in most resorts, but Zermatt and Saas-Fee offer year-round glacier skiing. Best conditions typically mid-January through March. Christmas/New Year and February half-term see peak crowds and prices. April offers longer days and spring conditions at lower prices.
  • •Reservations essential for popular mountain restaurants—book weeks ahead for lunch at iconic spots like Chez Vrony or Paradis des Praz. Walk-ins may wait hours or be turned away. Evening restaurant reservations also recommended in resort centers during peak season.
  • •Hiking trails range from easy valley walks to serious mountain routes requiring experience and equipment—always check difficulty ratings, current conditions, and carry proper gear. Don't attempt alpine routes in sneakers or without map/phone. Mountain rescues are common and expensive.
  • •Swiss railways and cable cars run on schedule—if your ticket says 10:42, the train leaves at 10:42, not 10:43. Arrive 2-3 minutes early. The system's efficiency is remarkable but unforgiving of tardiness. Swiss Travel App essential for schedules and tickets.
  • •Tipping isn't required or expected—service is included in bills. Round up for good service (CHF 48 to CHF 50), but 15-20% American-style tips aren't customary and may confuse servers. Prices on menus are final prices including tax and service.
  • •Summer cable cars and mountain railways may close for maintenance May-early June and October-November—the shoulder seasons between ski season end and summer operations. Confirm operating schedules before booking. Some hotels close these periods too.
  • •Valais wines rarely leave Switzerland—production is small, locals drink most of it, and export is minimal. This makes Valais wine tourism special as you're tasting wines impossible to find elsewhere. Buy bottles to take home; they're not available internationally.
Valais, Switzerland