Saas-Fee
Views over Saas -Fee
Saas -Fee (until 31 December 2006: Saas Fee ) is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
- 4.1 Free republic of holidays 4.1.1 founding
- 4.1.2 Allalin News
- 4.1.3 Awards
Geography
Location
Saas -Fee is located on a high plateau in the Saas Valley, west of the valley and above the neighboring villages of Saas -Almagell, Saas -Grund and Saas -Balen. It is the main church of the four boroughs. Saas -Fee is framed by the Mischabel mountain range, which includes a total of 13 four-thousand. This gives a unique view, as the place has become known as the " Pearl of the Alps ". The Saas Valley is immediately adjacent to Italy, but is separated by a mountain range. Therefore, a direct connection is not established or just about hiking trails.
Climate
The convenient location of the Saas Valley is sunny there than in other parts of Switzerland. This results in the winter often pleasant temperatures. At night it can cool down considerably. The high mountains shield the main weather. Even in summer the average temperatures in Saas -Fee are only around 8 ° C. The average annual rainfall is around 189 mm per month.
Language
Saas- Fee is located in the canton of Valais, which is divided into Upper and Lower Valais. While the official language is French in the Lower Valais, the population in the Saas Valley (Upper Valais) speaks German. The specific dialect is also called Whale ( li ) serdeutsch. The dialect is difficult to understand in part for speakers of standard German language, because it has its own grammar and its own words.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of Saas -Fee shows on blue background, over a green hill Three floating, in the middle of the letter F. The first field -third is occupied by two intertwining letters S, framed by two silver stars. The three letters appeared in golden color. The two S are arranged vertically, the letter F is inclined to the right (in italics), in the same font, but different in dimensions.
History
The colonization of the Saas valley extends into the Iron Age, the time of the Celts back, but only the Roman emperor Augustus united the Valais with Italy, founded cities and had trade over the Alps, run Monte -Moro and the Antronapass.
939 the Saracens were the Valais and many names such as " Allalin " or " Monte Moro " remember this era.
Some 180 years later, the Saas Valley with all its tourist attractions and beauties of the world is out not only grown out of its infancy. 700 years ago the so-called Walser emigration began and many Saas Valley also left due to lack of livelihoods and the prospect of increased freedoms their home forever. They went over the passes to Italy and left on the rough highlands of the Walser settlements Macugnaga and Antronapiana down.
Again and again the Saas Valley during this time due to severe weather, floods, disease and war (including Napoleon ) was overshadowed. Nevertheless, they managed to zurückgebliebenden, strong-willed inhabitants also the most extreme conditions to continue their traditions and to make the valley their home and a place of spiritual and physical well -being.
Getting more visitors to the early 19th century came to the Saas Valley and tourism became the fixed source of income. The first small guest house was opened in 1833 in Saas -Grund, in 1856 followed by the first right hotel. It developed a tourist infrastructure that was based primarily on the needs of mountaineers. It originated forging, which specialized in the production of ice axes for mountaineering, you seemed to be a guide for the ascent of the four thousand or natural history guide.
Towards the middle of the 19th century almost all four-thousand were mounted and pastor Johann Josef Imseng launched in 1849 on his first self-made boards on skis. This he did very successfully, because at the beginning of the 20th century, the first ski clubs have been established. Tourism was unstoppable. The main road from Saas -Grund and Saas -Fee was indeed opened only in 1951, but you also knew beforehand to help: Guests were transported to the glacier village on mules and their luggage.
To date, in spite of all influences many customs which are deeply rooted in the Saas history obtained. These include home-made costumes that are worn on different occasions as well as the preservation of traditional music and festivals. Even today there are many costumes and musical groups, which appear at festivals and processions.
Economy and Tourism
Tourism is the main source of income of the holiday destination Saas -Fee. Therefore, the community places great emphasis on providing an all-inclusive offer for all ages. After the road was opened 1951, Saas -Fee has developed by leaps and bounds. Saas -Fee is now in summer and in winter the most popular holiday locations in Switzerland. The rentable Beds in Saas -Fee is totally 7'185 beds. In 60 Hotels for 2,627 holidaymakers accommodation.
The tourist milestones:
Free republic of holidays
Foundation
In October 2011, the " Free Republic of holidays Saas -Fee " was founded. This is a marketing campaign of Saas -Fee / Saas Valley Tourism, who are responsible for all tourist activities and events in the Saas Valley. With the founding of the republic of holidays and the citizens passport was introduced. This pass is obtained in various services discounts. So you can use the bus or in the summer season free of all cable cars, for example, in the winter season for free.
Allalin News
The Allalin News are the official communication organ of the Saas Valley. The tourist newspaper informed locals and guests on current events in the village and in the region, about problems and solutions, about the background and events of that time. The Allalin News also contain useful information about the tourist offer and the various events.
Awards
As a car-free holiday destination Saas -Fee has received numerous awards in recent years. On November 7, 2012 Saas Valley Tourism was to Saas-Fee / selected " Best Ski Resort " in Switzerland. The company had a total of 41 864 Mountain Management skiers directly consulted in numerous ski resorts. Overall, Saas -Fee is the second of 55 centers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France.
Nightlife / Dining
In Saas -Fee there are over 100 eating out, bars, pizzerias and cafes.
Winter tourism
The ski area offers nearly 100 km of ski runs of all difficulty levels. Along with the neighboring region of Saas -Grund, Saas- Allmagell and Saas- Balen, there are a total of 150 kilometers of slopes. 22 lifts carrying skiers and snowshoers up to around 3,500 m. A special feature is the Allalin restaurant, the highest revolving restaurant in the world, the highest underground funicular railway in the world ( "Metro Alpin" ) is reached. Also unique is the Pavilion, which has a volume of 5,500 m³. Since the slopes of Saas -Fee mostly north exposed and are at high altitudes, they do apply during the winter season as snow-sure. The longest run from Mittelallalin to Saas -Fee overcomes, to a length of 14 km in total 1,778 m altitude difference. In addition to the ski slopes, there are 26 km cross-country trails, 4 rinks, 3 toboggan runs and 60 km of winter hiking trails.
Summer tourism
Saas -Fee and the Saas Valley generally offer hikers and mountaineers a great offer: vertigo endurance hikers as the trail Balfrin by Bern. The hike measures 18 miles and takes about 7 hours. The path is the first stage of the regional Route 27 "Swiss Tour Monte Rosa, Saas -Fee - Bern - Zermatt» Hiking in Switzerland. The whole tour to Zermatt takes a total of 3 days and runs from Bern on the Europe Route to Zermatt.
Even in summer, skiing in Saas -Fee at 3 ski lifts on the Fee glacier from the station Mittelallalin at 3,456 m is possible. The revolving restaurant and the largest ice pavilion in the world are open during the winter and the summer season. Due to its sheltered location in the Saas valley, the sun shines in summer to 4 of 5 days. Through the southern Mediterranean climate, the tree line is higher than in all other forests in the Alps. The region around Saas -Fee has a total of over 350 km of hiking trails, 70 km mountain bike trails. There are numerous adventure trails, mountain tours and special excursions such as the summer toboggan run " Feeblitz " or various climbing routes, such as the Alpine gorge between Saas -Fee and Saas -Grund.
Traffic
The road, to Saas -Fee was only opened in 1951. Saas -Fee is car-free, so cars must be parked at the village entrance. In the village may operate with the exception of medical, fire, garbage disposal etc. only electric vehicles. Nevertheless, Saas -Fee has to deal with traffic problems, because at peak times ( for example, in the winter season after the final piste ), the strong electric motor traffic affects the pedestrian traffic that fills the very narrow streets well.
Saas -Fee is connected to a postal bus with Visp and Brig.
In the 19th century, was planned to build a railway line to Saas -Fee, Saas but the population was not ready, the corresponding plots for sale, and the railroad was built instead to Zermatt (now the Matterhorn -Gotthard -Bahn ).
Sustainability
The municipality of Saas -Fee is a big supporter of sustainability and environmental protection, which will not last much by the banishment of all motor vehicles with internal combustion engines. So Saas -Fee has occurred for example in 1996 in the Alliance in the Alps. The Alpine Convention is an international convention for the protection of the natural environment and to promote sustainable development in the Alps. The members work in close contact with the local population to improve the environmental, social and economic situation in their community and share their experiences and knowledge with other members of the network. Other topics and projects, for example, a supply of district heating, waste management ( since 1994 there is the garbage bag fee, this was Saas -Fee the first tourism community, which has introduced this fee to keep the tourists to produce little waste and this right to separate. ) or a very strict local and space planning.
Churches
Saas -Fee has numerous Roman Catholic churches and chapels. Main church is the Church of the Sacred Heart was built in 1963. The organ (II / P) with free pipe front was built by the Spaeth Organ Builders Ltd. and has electric play and stop action.
In addition, located in Saas -Fee, a reformed (former Anglican ) Church.
Mountains and huts
The mixing Abel massif, with its cathedral, with 4,545 m the highest mountain which lies entirely on Swiss soil, forms the backdrop to the west of Saas -Fee. The place is surrounded by a dozen four-thousand. Until 1850, the Fee glacier up close to the village boundary to 1,880 m above sea level. M.
This has, however, drawn back over the last decades.
Above Saas- Fee is the Mischabelhütte at 3'329 m, a much visited starting point for the ascent of Lenzspitze and Nadelgrat. The first hut was built in 1902 and 1944 increased from AACZ. 1974 an additional hut was built, both cottages together provide Nächtigungsmöglichkeiten for about 130 climbers.
Not far from Saas- Fee is also the most visited SAC hut in Switzerland, the Britannia Hut. It was built in 1912 with financial support from the British Association of SAC members. Therefore, the name Britannia hut. From it you can climb Rimpfischhorn and Strahlhorn and the Allalinhorn over the Hohlaubgrat ridge.
List of the highest mountains in the area of Saas Fee from the date of first ascent:
Personalities
- Arnold Andes mats ( * 1922 ), skiers and ski instructors
- Alexander Burgener (1845-1910), pioneer mountain guide
- Johann Josef Imseng (1806-1869), priest and mountaineering and tourism pioneer
- Kalbermatten (* 1981), Snowboarder
- Alfons Supersaxo (1926-2005), skiers
- Carl Zuck Mayer (1896-1977), writer ( and Others The Devil's General and The Captain from Köpenick ), lived from 1957 until his death in Saas -Fee.
- Matthias Zurbriggen (1856-1917), mountaineer, first man to climb Aconcagua
Twin Cities
Rocca di Cambio (Italy )
The highest place in the Abruzzo region situated at the foot of Mount Cagno in 1,433 m altitude, 15 km south-southeast of L' Aquila. The small town ( population 534 as at 31 December 2011) overlooks one of the largest plateaus in the region, which extends between the Monte Velino group and the Monte SIRENTE. The area is the most extensive ski area in southern Italy. You can see there the beautiful parish church of the Annunziata (16th century) and just outside the town, the Romanesque Abbey of S. Lucia ( 13th century), are preserved in the frescoes of the 16th century.
Steamboat Springs (United States )
Steamboat Springs is a city in the U.S. state of Colorado and has around 12,000 inhabitants. The city lies at the foot of the Park Range, a mountain part of the Rocky Mountains, and is one of the most popular ski resorts in the United States.