FAQ
Destination
The Aletsch Arena has extremely good public transport connections for those arriving by public transport or by private car. It’s then a straightforward ride by cable car or gondola lift up to the car-free resorts of Bettmeralp, Riederalp and Fiescheralp.
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Whether it’s a day, week or family ticket: in the webshop, you’ll find just the right ticket for unforgettable experiences in the entire Aletsch Arena. And you can get extra-low early-bird prices by booking your ski pass online.
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The cable cars in the Aletsch Arena have different operating times in summer and winter. To make sure you don’t miss your connection, be sure to check the timetable. The feeder railways to the car-free plateau run all year round.
The cable cars of Aletsch Bahnen AG are the most direct and comfortable way to reach the mountain world of the Aletsch Arena in summer and winter.
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There are hotels, chalets, holiday apartments and campsites for your stay in the Aletsch Arena. The best way to book your bed for the night is to use our webshop.
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Generally speaking, bivouacking and wild camping are not permitted in the Aletsch Arena for your own safety and for the protection of nature. Bivouacking above the tree line is permitted only in emergencies. Wild camping is absolutely prohibited in nature reserves, hunting areas, wildlife sanctuaries and general access bans.
Bettmeralp
The Valais holiday destination of Bettmeralp is car-free. The only way to get there is via the large-cabin cable car from Bettmeralp valley station or by aerial tramway from Bettmeralp valley station via Betten Dorf. Bettmeralp valley station is easily reached by train or car (parking spaces available). Once at the top, taxi and luggage transport services take you from the mountain station to your holiday accommodation.
On Bettmeralp there is a choice of hotels as well as chalets and holiday apartments where you can stay. The best way to book your bed for the night is to use our webshop.
To the webshop
Whether it’s a day, week or family ticket you’re looking for: in the webshop, you’ll find just the right ticket for unforgettable experiences on Bettmeralp and in the entire Aletsch Arena. And you get even better early-bird prices by booking online.
To the Webshop
Refuse bags and bulky goods stamps are available at Coop and Volg. These can be disposed of in the refuse bins.
Generally speaking, bivouacking and wild camping are not permitted in the Aletsch Arena for your own safety and for the protection of nature. Bivouacking above the tree line is permitted only in emergencies. Wild camping is absolutely prohibited in nature reserves, hunting areas, wildlife sanctuaries and general access bans.
Riederalp
Whether it’s a day, week or family ticket: in the webshop, you’ll find just the right ticket for unforgettable experiences on Riederalp and in the entire Aletsch Arena. And you’ll get even better early-bird prices by booking your ski pass online.
Refuse sacks are available for a fee at Coop and Shopping Olympia. There are dump sites to dispose of rubbish at the cable car stations. Stamps for bulky goods are available in the municipal office and at Coop.
The Valais holiday destination of Riederalp is car-free. So the last stretch of the journey, from Mörel up to Riederalp Mitte, is by cable car. Riederalp West can be reached by gondola lift from Mörel. And Mörel is easy to get to by train or car (parking spaces available). Taxi and luggage transport services are available to take you from the Riederalp Mitte and Riederalp West stations to your holiday accommodation.
Generally speaking, bivouacking and wild camping are not permitted in the Aletsch Arena for your own safety and for the protection of nature. Bivouacking above the tree line is permitted only in emergencies. Wild camping is absolutely prohibited in nature reserves, hunting areas, wildlife sanctuaries and general access bans.
Fiescheralp
The Valais holiday destination of Fiescheralp is car-free. It can be reached by gondola lift from Fiesch. And Fiesch is easy to get to by train or car (parking spaces available).
Book your gondola lift ticket now
There are no grocery stores on the car-free Fiescheralp. Fiesch, however, has everything you need. Tip: If you’re planning to do your shopping in the evening, be sure to check the gondola lift timetable!
On Fiescheralp you can stay overnight at small hotels, in traditional or modern holiday apartments or, if you’re looking for group accommodation, at Berghaus Kühboden. The best way to book your bed for the night is to use our webshop.
To the webshop
The waste collection point is located at the cable car station.
Generally speaking, bivouacking and wild camping are not permitted in the Aletsch Arena for your own safety and for the protection of nature. Bivouacking above the tree line is permitted only in emergencies. Wild camping is absolutely prohibited in nature reserves, hunting areas, wildlife sanctuaries and general access bans.
Fiesch
The village of Fiesch lies at 1,050m above sea level.
The Fiescheralp lies at 2,212 m above sea level.
Fiesch is located in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Mount Eggishorn is 2,926 metres high.
Refuse sacks are available for a fee at Coop and Migros. These can be disposed of in the rubbish containers, which are collected on Mondays.
Families
Families will find no end of helpful tips, answers to all sorts of questions and more in the Aletsch Arena’s family group on Facebook. People from the region, regular guests and the Aletsch Arena team are there to help you and your family.
To the Facebook group
Mountainbike
Yes, the transport of your mountain bike is not free of charge. Any biker who is spending their holidays or enjoying a short break in the Aletsch Arena can get the Aletsch Bike Pass for 1–7 days.
Get your Aletsch Bike Pass
Yes, you can rent conventional mountain bikes as well as E-MTBs in the Aletsch Arena.
To the sports shops offering rentals
Yes, you can complete the Stoneman-Glaciara trail on an E-MTB, provided you have the necessary technical skills. Tip: Plan your stages based on the level of battery charge.
A pump track, such as the one on Riederalp, is a closed circular track with small rollers and banked turns.
You can ride a normal bike or a mountain bike on a pump track, but a scooter or skateboard is possible too. Helmets and bicycles/mountain bikes can be conveniently rented on site.
Die Benützung des Pumptracks ist kostenlos.
The bike park is open to you as soon as you can ride a bike.
No, there’s nothing uncool about riding an E-MTB.
In the Aletsch Arena you will find over 100 kilometres of varied and action-packed trails. Riding uphill is easier thanks to the boost from the e-bike.
Yes, in the Aletsch Arena you will find tours with varying degrees of technical difficulty. Suitable tours for E-MTB newbies include the Fieschertal circuit and the ride from Riederalp to Fiescheralp.
Glacier tours
There’s no reason why a beginner can’t enjoy the experience of a guided tour on the Great Aletsch Glacier. The one-day guided excursions are fine for anyone who has some hiking experience and feels sure-footed. A certain basic level of stamina is an advantage for the multi-day tours.
The tours on the Great Aletsch Glacier are suitable for adults and children from the age of six with hiking experience.
Yes, you can take children from the age of eight on a guided tour (8 years old for Riederalp / 10 years old for Fiesch). The adventure on the biggest glacier in the Alps is an absolute highlight in the Aletsch Arena for children because it combines an exciting experience with an awareness of nature and the environment.
Yes, glacier tours are sustainable. During your excursion on the Great Aletsch Glacier, you will become aware of the consequences and extent of climate change through the glacier melt. Also, you travel to the glacier by cable car and on foot.
You need to bring good equipment and enough food. Everything else is taken care of by the mountain guide you book your tour with. He knows whether or not an outing is possible weather-wise.
The usual one-day tour on the biggest glacier in the Alps takes around six hours in total. Of those six hours, you spend two hours or so on the glacier itself.
Paragliding and hang-gliding
Yes! Tandem flights are possible in summer and winter. In winter with or without skis strapped to your feet.
A paraglider flight in the Aletsch Arena costs between CHF 140 and 240. The price depends on the duration and the flight path. The Aletsch Arena Webshop gives you the details of all the tandem flying offers.
At all flight schools in the Aletsch Arena. The complete course lasts six to nine months.
Yes, with their parents’ permission. There are tandem paragliding flights in the Aletsch Arena especially for teens and kids from the age of four.
Tandem paragliding flights are available for children from the age of four. Young people can start learning to become paraglider pilots from the age of 14, but the exam cannot be taken before the age of 16.
The training course itself costs around CHF 2900–3300, not including the cost of equipment.
Trailrunning
Yes, you can have your trail running adventure in the Aletsch Arena in winter, too. Blanketed entirely in white, the region already possesses a very special charm in winter, which makes winter trail running in the Aletsch Arena all the more special. 72 kilometres of perfectly groomed winter hiking trails await you. Another advantage: running at over 2000m above sea level is said to have a more intense training effect than jogging in the valley.
Don’t leave the marked hiking trails during your trail-running adventure in the Aletsch Arena. This is for your safety, but also for the safety of other visitors and the animals. In addition, large swathes of the Aletsch Arena are under nature protection, where special regulations apply.
Altitude training refers to training at 1800m or more above sea level. At least a week of training is usually necessary to make a noticeable difference. This is how exercise sessions at altitude affect your body: if you do the Aletsch Half-Marathon, for example, you achieve a substantial elevation gain from the start at 1950m up to Bettmerhorn at 2650m. As the air pressure decreases, the blood absorbs less oxygen from the lungs. The body compensates for this by increasing your breathing and heart rate, which leads to enhanced stamina. During training at high altitudes, the red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen, also increase in number. The result: more oxygen delivered to the muscles, enlarged oxygen store in the muscles, more effective breathing and increased fat metabolism.
For your trail running adventure in the Aletsch Arena, you will need running shoes or, even better, trail-running shoes, sunglasses and a hat, as well as a compact running backpack. This you fill with drinks, snacks, a rescue blanket and warm clothes.
Trail running is suitable for anyone who actively practises sport, enjoys exercise in nature and is familiar with the varied trail surfaces. Tip: Take a break from time to time and enjoy the breath-taking panorama of the Aletsch Arena.
Trail running is suitable for beginners, too. You’re best advised to book a trail running course for newcomers to the sport with hiking guide Klaus Minnig.
Yes, in the Aletsch Arena there are courses for experienced trail runners with hiking guide Klaus Minnig.
In the Aletsch Arena, you can use any and all of the hiking trails for your trail-running adventure. Two special highlights are the route of the Aletsch Half-Marathon for experienced trail runners and the Nordic-walking route for beginners.
Travelling to the Aletsch Arena holiday paradise is easy and straightforward, whether by car or public transport. If your trail running route is on the car-free plateau, the cable car takes you up the mountain.
Book your stay in the Aletsch Arena now.
Yes, the easiest way is to download the map onto your smartphone. The routes can be viewed at maps.aletscharena.ch and tracked via the Outdooractive-app.
Yes, you can take your dog with you on your trail-running tour in the Aletsch Arena. Please note that dog leashes are compulsory in most places.
Trail running works perfectly without the use of poles. However, on long climbs in particular, the energy-saving helpers are very welcome.
For routes at over 2000m above sea level, you should start off with shorter routes involving less elevation gain and less-steep climbs. Tip: Familiarise yourself with the different surfaces at a slower pace.
In the Aletsch Arena you are surrounded by breath-taking nature and are rewarded for your efforts with a magnificent panorama, fresh Valais mountain air and a view of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
Golf
You can play golf in the Aletsch Arena on the nine-hole golf course of Riederalp Golf Club on Riederalp.
The green fee varies from one golf course to the next. The rates at Riederalp Golf Club are published on their website.
50 minutes of private instruction with a pro for two persons costs CHF 100. Various different kinds of lessons are available.
Choose the one that suits you best
Besides the equipment and the appropriate clothing, you need a handicap/certificate of proficiency (the “Platzreife”) to play golf without a golf instructor.
Golf clubs are available to rent at Riederalp Golf Club.
You can play golf on the Riederalp golf course from June to October.
Yes, children too can play golf in the Aletsch Arena. Riederalp Golf Club offers golf lessons for adults and children. For further information, please contact Riederalp Golf Club directly.
There are no age restrictions for golfing in the Aletsch Arena. The best thing to do is to ask the professionals at Riederalp Golf Club what they would recommend for you and your children.
Climbing
You will find climbing gardens with equipped routes on Riederalp behind the Restaurant Adler, at Bettmerhorn on Hohbalm, at Bettmersee and in Fieschertal around the Burghütte. There are also two via ferratas (fixed ropes routes) and two rope parks in the Aletsch Arena.
The levels of difficulty in climbing are divided into categories: from K1 (easy) up to K6 (very difficult). You can find the precise definitions of all categories on the scale of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC)
to the SAC scale
That’s a question you’ll have to answer for yourself. Please note: climbing always involves heights.
Yoga and forest bathing
Forest bathing is consciously spending time in the forest and being aware of it with all your senses.
Yes, you can do forest bathing in the Aletsch Arena. Aletsch Forest with its up to 1000-year-old stone pines is ideally suited to forest bathing.
Forest bathing not only helps you relax, it also has a positive influence on your immune system.
Yes, forest bathing has been proven to have a positive influence on health. For example, forest bathing reduces the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, blood sugar levels and blood pressure are lower during forest bathing.
No, forest bathing doesn’t require any special equipment. However, be sure to pack suitable clothing for the temperatures in the forest.
Yes, the Aletsch Arena offers you forest bathing in combination with yoga.
Skiing
Absolutely. This starts with the attractive discounts from which families benefit. The Aletsch Arena also offers children's entertainment, childcare and family-friendly restaurants.
The dynamic pricing system applies to the half-day ski pass (4-hour), the one-day ski pass and the multi-day ski passes (up to 14 days). The prices are determined by various factors, such as the season (high or low season) and the weekday or booking date. An algorithm determines the applicable price based on numerous parameters. Prices can increase on a daily basis, so it’s worth booking early. The Aletsch Bahnen AG has defined a price model with moderate surcharges and attractive discounts.
Yes. The dynamic pricing system also applies at the ticket counters (sales points).
If you book early, you can also ski more cheaply on days with high demand. The prices are transparent and can be consulted online at any time.
The prices for the 4-hour ticket, the day ski pass and the multi-day ski passes (up to 14 days) are dynamic. The earlier you book your ski pass, the cheaper it will be. The price for a day is primarily determined by the time of booking and the season. Weather conditions have no influence on the price.
The day ski pass without cable car from the valley costs between CHF 53 and CHF 81. This means that skiing is generally cheaper for early bookers.
The 6-day ski pass without cable car from the valley costs between CHF 227 and CHF 398.
Those who book early, benefit.
You can load your ticket directly onto an existing KeyCard or your SwissPass. Or you can select the “Pick up” option in the webshop: after completing your booking, you will be sent a QR code. Print it out and use it to pick up your ski pass at one of the pick-up points (ticket machines). The pick-up machines are located at all valley and mountain stations of the feeder lifts.
Ski passes can be purchased from the start of sales, during regular opening hours, at the Aletsch Bahnen AG ticket counters. Ski passes are not sent by post.
Both discounts are automatically credited when buying multi-day ski passes in the webshop.
Certainly. In the Aletsch Arena you don’t have to put your skis or snowboard away when the sun goes down. Whether in Fieschertal, on Bettmeralp or Riederalp – in the Aletsch Arena you can carry on whizzing down the slopes under the starry sky.
Various factors are decisive for this. The snow must be resistant and have good grip, not too hard and not too icy. In addition, the ski slope should not have any snow bulbs, the surface must be flat. However, there are extreme differences in what is perceived as a "good piste". On public or racing slopes, the requirements are totally different.
With us you always get the best-price guarantee and you save yourself the hassle of queuing at the ticket counters.
Winter walks
Almost everywhere and on a total of 72 kilometres of winter walking trails. Take a look at the suggested walking routes. Choose between the sunny plateau, the ridge overlooking the Great Aletsch Glacier, the summits and the mid-altitude areas down to the valley floor.
Pay attention to the information provided by the avalanche warning office and check which trails are closed. Take all your litter home with you. Dogs must always be kept on a leash. Always stay on the marked paths so as not to disturb the wildlife
Warm clothing that doesn’t restrict your movements and ideally is breathable. It’s best to wear several thin layers (the ‘onion principle’), also ensuring that your head and hands are adequately protected from the cold. Good footwear is indispensable for pleasurable and carefree winter hiking.
You can use the following facilities as a pedestrian in winter.
Riederalp: Hohfluh chairlift, Moosfluh gondola lift
Bettmeralp: Wurzenbord chairlift (only ascent for pedestrians in winter), Bettmerhorn gondola lift
Fiescheralp: Eggishorn cable car
Dogs with a shoulder height of 30 cm or more require a half-price ticket.
Small dogs with a height of less than 30 cm, when travelling in cages, baskets or other suitable animal-friendly containers, don’t have to pay anything and don’t need a ticket.
Snowshoeing
For your snowshoe tour in the Aletsch Arena, you should ideally use poles and winter walking shoes, or at least sturdy shoes that keep your feet warm. We recommend waterproof trousers, thermal underwear and otherwise several thin layers (the ‘onion principle’), also ensuring that your head and hands are adequately protected from the cold. Ski trousers are not as ideal for snowshoeing, because walking is a strenuous activity and you warm up faster than when skiing.
Snowshoe hiking is suitable for anyone who likes a bit of healthy exercise out in nature and wants to recharge their batteries in the fresh Valais mountain air.
You can go snowshoeing in the Aletsch Arena from the start of the winter season in early December. It is wise to check in advance whether your chosen trail is open.
You can go snowshoeing in the Aletsch Arena during the day or, as part of a guided tour, in the evening. Plan enough time during daylight hours for your snowshoe tour.
You can go out on your own and explore the snowshoe trails by yourself. Or you can join a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. And if you’re accompanied by a hiking guide, you also have access to the Pro Natura Aletschwald nature reserve.
Yes, the Aletsch Arena is a very good place for snowshoeing. The area is guaranteed to have snow and there are guided snowshoe tours several times a week. In the evening, too, such as the Gratzug Snowshoe Hike by the light of the full moon on Riederalp.
Sledging
Definitely! Young children can have fun sledging too. The Blätz Sledging Slope in Fieschertal and the Kapellenhang slope on Bettmeralp are ideal places to enjoy sledging with tiny tots.
Sledging slopes
Cross-country skiing
You can rent your skiing gear in selected sports shops locally. As a rule, cross-country skis, boots and poles will cost you CHF 30 to CHF 46 for a day.
All cross-country trails in the Aletsch Arena can be used free of charge.
On the cross-country ski trails on Riederalp, Bettmeralp and in Fieschertal. There are trails for classic style and skating.
Dogs are not permitted on the Aletsch Arena cross-country ski trails, unless locals signs say otherwise. Goms has an official dog trail, from Oberwald to Obergesteln.
Ski tours
Good physical condition for daily ‘marches’ of two to five hours (depending on the length of the tour) is essential, plus the ability to perform a stem turn in any type of snow. The ‘marching’ times do not include breaks. No prior ski touring experience is necessary.
Ski tours are possible from the age of 15 or so, easy tours are also possible from age 12. Depending on the length of the tour and the size of the child, even younger. There is no equipment for small children yet and they often don’t have the necessary strength in fresh snow.
Any technical equipment you’re lacking such as touring skis, climbing skins and avalanche transceivers can be rented at Volken Sport in Fiesch.
There are different guided tours available. From the “Ski tour for beginners” to the “Ski tour for experienced skiers”, there’s something for everyone. The tour description explains in each case what skill level the tour is suitable for.