Why a Family Summer Holiday in the Alps?
If your idea of heaven is baking on a beach on the crowded costas then the Alps in summer is not for you. But if you are looking for something different there are many good reasons to choose the Alps for your family holiday:
- A paradise for walkers and lovers of fresh mountain air, stunning scenery, flower filled meadows for picnics - an environment that encourages families to have fun together
- Some of the best summer skiing in the Alps with 22kms of pistes, guaranteed snow sure at up to 3,600m
- Flexible childcare to give parents and older children the opportunity for walking, skiing and many other activities
- Good value - from £730 for a family of 4 for a week in a good quality hotel with a swimming pool and wellness centre including half board and wine
- Freedom from the midsummer heat and crowds of the coast - plenty of space and not too hot to enjoy family adventures
- Flexibility - a week in the Alps combines well with a tour through France and Switzerland or a week in a gite.
Why Saas Fee?
There are only a few top summer destinations in the Alps that have become deservedly popular because they offer the best summer experience. Saas Fee ranks with places like Chamonix, St Moritz and nearby Zermatt among the very best.
Known as the Pearl of the Alps the ancient traditional Swiss village of Saas- Fee has a spectacular setting at 1,800m surrounded by its oyster shell of mountains and glaciers. It is a delight to wander its narrow cobbled traffic-free streets where ancient Valaisian chalets and black barns are interspersed with smart fashion boutiques and more than 50 restaurants, cafes and bars. Saas- Fee is a great choice for a family summer holiday:
- Lots of activities for families including fabulous walking and some of the best summer skiing in Europe (here is where national ski teams from all over the world train throughout the summer)
- As much alpine charm as you can get in one village and traffic-free so without the noise and fumes that plague other holiday destinations
- Vibrant in the summer months - to give the village a buzz and ensure plenty to see and do without being over-crowded.
Childcare and activities
Our comprehensive and highly professional childcare programme is designed to enable families to get the very best from an Alpine summer holiday:
- Marmots club for youngsters from 3 months to 3 to have fun while parents and older children have adventures together or parents simply want time to relax
- Eagles club for children from 4-12 to go away on organised adventures with other children. This club is split into two age ranges (4-6 and 7-12) depending on the ages of children staying in a particular week
- Teenagers evening club for young teenagers 12+ - two fun evenings per week accompanied by our activity leaders. (complimentary).
In this way families have complete flexibility to spend the time they want together as well as taking time for individual interests.
There are plenty of activities including walking, summer skiing, horse riding and mountain-biking. There is a Leisure Centre with indoor swimming-pool, children's pool, sauna, whirlpool and steam-bath, badminton and tennis courts. The Saas Valley Hiking Pass includes admission to the ice grotto in the Allalin Glacier, mini golf, swimming pool and many other attractions, as well as the funicular railway and all cable-cars throughout the week.
With so much to do in and around Saas Fee you will be tempted to stay in the village. However a visit to Zermatt, about 50 minutes by car plus a 15 minute mountain railway journey, is highly recommended. There you will see the famous Matterhorn, not to mention a lot of very classy and tempting shops.
Closer to home the villages of Saas Grund and Saas Almagell in the valley below offer even more activities inlcuding rides in a horse and carriage, children's animal park, playground, petting zoo, water park and a themed trail for children in Saas Grund and a rope walk adventure trail in Saas Almagell.
Chalet Hotel La Collina
La Collina is a small chalet hotel with a high standard of accommodation for just 8 families - small and intimate enough to get to know fellow guests but large enough to offer excellent facilities including a bar and a fitness centre with a 8m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub.
Dinner is 3 courses and includes good quality complimentary house wine and is served chalet style to all adult guests at 8pm. Children are served high tea earlier, though we normally arrange for children and parents to eat together earlier on two evenings. Breakfast is served buffet style with eggs, pancakes and other treats cooked to order. Chef's take one night off per week when complimentary baby-sitting is provided so parents can enjoy a meal out in any of Saas-Fee's excellent restaurants.
Click here to see La Collina Chalet Hotel