Things to do in Valais
-
A
Pizza Roma
For crisp wood-oven pizza, hearty pasta dishes and the silkiest tiramisu this side of Bellinzona, head to this low-slung haunt.
reviewed
-
Stockalperschloss
Kaspar von Stockalper (1609–91), a shrewd businessman who dominated the Simplon Pass trade routes, built this whimsical palace and dubbed himself the ‘Great Stockalper’. Locals didn’t think he was so great and sent him packing to Italy. His palace remains with its baublelike onion domes and arcaded inner courtyard. It’s free to wander the main court (open 6am to 10pm April to October and 6am to 8pm November to March) and the baroque gardens with their quintessential parterres, fountains and clipped hedges.
reviewed
-
B
Matterhorn Museum
The crystalline, state-of-the-art Matterhorn Museum centres on an authentically recreated Valaisan village. It provides a fascinating insight into mountaineering, the dawn of tourism and the lives Matterhorn has claimed. Must-sees include Roosevelt’s letters, Raymond Lambert’s reindeer-skin boots (made to measure after his toes were amputated) and the infamous rope that broke in 1865 and turned the first ascent of Matterhorn into a tragedy.
reviewed
-
Restaurant Gletscherstube
Around two hours from Fiescheralp, you reach Restaurant Gletscherstube. This cosy wooden hut sits below the Eggishorn at 2363m on an Alpine pasture grazed by sheep. It’s a superb spot to refuel over lunch (mains around Sfr16) or spend a peaceful night close to the Aletsch Glacier. From here, you can already glimpse the peak of 3740m Geisshorn and the spindly Fusshörner that rise above the Aletsch Glacier.
reviewed
-
C
Alpin Center
The Alpin Center houses the ski school and mountain guides office. They arrange guided climbs to major 4000ers, including Breithorn (Sfr165), Riffelhorn (Sfr257) and, for experts willing to acclimatise for a week, Matterhorn (Sfr998). Their program also covers multi-day hikes, glacier hikes to Gorner (Sfr120), snowshoeing (Sfr140) and ice climbing (Sfr175).
reviewed
-
D
Vernissage Bar
The ultimate après-ski antithesis, Vernissage exudes grown-up sophistication. Local artist Heinz Julen has created a theatrical space with flowing velvet drapes, film-reel chandeliers and candlelit booths. Catch an exhibition, watch a Bond movie in the decadent cinema, then practice your 007 martini pose in the lounge bar.
reviewed
-
E
Pipe
This jammin’ Afro-Asian den promises to ‘spice up your life’. Your tastebuds will do somersaults over hot and fruity springbok curry or apricot-glazed Karoo lamb paired with a liquoricey Shiraz. Surfboards on the ceiling, tribal masks on the wall and elbow-to-elbow tables create an original, intimate vibe.
reviewed
-
Mazots du Clos du Château
With a large sunny terrace overlooking vineyards and the Alps, Mazots du Clos du Château makes a fine spot to taste Pinot blanc and Humagne wines at the source, together with some home-smoked salmon or Valaisian specialities such as Raclette.
reviewed
-
F
Papperla Pub
Rammed with sloshed skiers in winter, this pub blends pulsating music with lethal Jägermeister bombs and good vibes. Squeeze in, slam shots, then shuffle downstairs to Schneewittchen club (open to 4am) for more of the same. There is free wi-fi here.
reviewed
-
G
Whymper Stube
Named after intrepid explorer Edward Whymper, who made the first ascent of Matterhorn in 1865, this Alpine classic serves the tastiest fondue in Zermatt, including variations with pears and gorgonzola. The mantra: gorge today, climb tomorrow.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Haute Route - Switzerland
7 days (Le Chable (Switzerland))
Take the high trail from Verbier to Zermatt.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,190 -
Matterhorn Circuit
8 days (St Niklaus)
An exhilarating traverse of the high trails around Switzerland's famous peak, the Matterhorn (Cervin).
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,460 -
Hennu Stall
Hennu is the wildest après-ski shack on Klein Matterhorn. Order a caramel vodka and take your ski boots grooving to live music on the terrace. A metre-long ‘ski’ of shots will make you cluck all the way down to Zermatt.
reviewed
-
Espace Ella Maillart
Visit Espace Ella Maillart, dedicated to the remarkable Swiss adventurer who lived in Chandolin when she wasn’t exploring remote Afghanistan and Tibet, or winning ski races and regattas.
reviewed
-
Good Flight
Paragliders and hang-gliders take advantage of the excellent thermals and grandiose glacier views at Fiescheralp. To join them, contact Good Flight, offering tandem flights from Sfr120.
reviewed
-
Forest Fun Park
For a Tarzan-style adventure, head for the Forest Fun Park, a gigantic above-the-treetops playground of zip-lines, platforms, river traverses and bridges graded according to difficulty.
reviewed
-
Z’alt Hischi
Finding this watering hole, tucked away in Zermatt’s most charming street, is a challenge best left to the sober. It’s a warm, woody affair, serving generous measures and local gossip.
reviewed
-
Igloo Bar
Subzero sippers make for this igloo bar to guzzle glühwein amid the ice sculptures, sunbathe and stare wide-mouthed at Matterhorn. It’s on the run from Gornergrat to Riffelberg.
reviewed
-
Hôtel Les Alpes
Hôtel les Alpes, a former inn where today Michelin-starred chef Jean-Maurice Joris conjures seasonal delicacies, from juicy Burgundy snails to freshly hunted game.
reviewed
-
H
Restaurant Stockhorn
A snug chalet to make you feel all warm and fuzzy, Stockhorn does just-right fondues, Raclettes and wood-fired meat specialities. The fall-off-the-bone lamb is divine.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Zum Eidgenossen
Travel your tastebuds with adventurous grill specialities such as wild boar and bison in this warm, Valaisan mountain chalet-style setting.
reviewed
-
I
Broken Bar Disco
In Hotel Post’s vaulted cellar, you can jive on a wine barrel to ’80s cheese and Europop till 4am.
reviewed
-
Matterhorn Highlights
6 days (St Niklaus)
A shorter version of our Matterhorn Circuit.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,190 -
J
Bayard Metzgerei
Follow your nose to this butcher’s grill for to-go bratwurst, chicken and other carnivorous bites.
reviewed
-
Kennels and Museum
Fondation Barry runs the kennels and museum, which you can visit in summer.
reviewed
