Saas-Grund (aka Hohsaas) Ski Area
Saas-Grund, also called Hohsaas, is a decent sized ski area, 10 minutes before the larger Saas-Fee, in the Swiss Alps. With two connecting gondolas, reaching up to 3200-meters, it’s a full 5500’ vertical to the base – when there’s enough snow for that one long trail #7. Otherwise, you download to the base.
The upper mountain most stunning feature, besides the view of Saas-Fee across the valley and other peaks of 4000 meters, are the glaciers that surround you. With just two trails off Saas-Grund’s summit, plus a yellow (off-piste) route, these runs are long and scenic. The terrain between prepared pistes is wild, rocky, unfriendly. Its actually surprising that there is a ski area carved into this mountain of harsh cliffs, glacial deposits and rock debris. Aside from the few trails, the mountain is quite inhospitable for skiers.
Mid-mountain at Saas-Grund, referred to as Kreuzboden, a T-Bar and poma serve a fun park, skier cross and family learning area. You’ll also see lots of winter wanderers, hikers, that ride the gondola and then continue to explore on foot, or Randonnée, the upper mountain terrain, which is spectacular.
Saas-Grund is not on the Magic Pass like Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell next door. The village of Saas-Grund is small, not quite as charming as some Swiss ski towns like Saas-Fee above, or Grimentz or Leukerbad, but lodging here is more affordable than bigger Swiss ski resorts too, especially good value compared to Zermatt.
Ski to lunch on your way down Saas-Grund Piste 2, to Weissmieshutte. This rustic 1890’s chalet serves delicious food in a humble hut. You must order the “Wein Spaghetti” which is a delicious local white-wine-infused cheesey pasta dish – amazing! You can actually spend the night in this high mountain hut, in a basic bunk with shared bath, including half board (breakfast and dinner) for under $100 Swiss Francs a night – simple, not swank, but rather extraordinary that you’re high on a Swiss mountain and have star gazing and first tracks too.
We were unable to ski to the base during our mid-March 2023 visit, not enough snow to maintain Saas-Grund’s lower mountain trail. In fact, the valley floor was verdant green. So downloading the lower mountain gondola at the end of the ski day was our “last run” with a scenic descent to the village.
For lodging in the small village of Saas-Grund, we loved the chic modern accommodations of Montela Hotel & Resort, just a short 5-minute walk to the gondola. These beautiful condo apartments are spacious, very neat, with a kitchens, private bedrooms and baths, balconies and pastoral valley views. See our review of Montela Hotel & Resort in Saas-Grund, conveniently on the bus stop to Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell nearby.
All combined the Saas Valley has over 150 kilometers of skiing, and 350 kilometers of hiking trails.
Saas Valley has three ski areas, including Saas-Grund, Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell which are both on the Swiss Magic Pass. On a Swiss ski safari, you can include other nearby ski areas like Grimentz Zinal, St-Luc/Chandolin, Leukerbad, Les Marecottes, Nax Mont Noble, Anzère, and many more.
Travel to Saas-Grund in the Saas Fee valley: Fly into Geneva or Zurich, take a Train to Visp, then a 40-minute Bus.
