A weekend in the Aletsch Arena

A weekend polar expedition? Icy adventures and more await the whole family at the Great Aletsch Glacier. The Aletsch Arena holiday destination has plenty of exciting and relaxing activities to offer, even in summer.

Experience

Impressive: When you see the Great Aletsch Glacier for the first time, that's probably the word that springs to mind. On a glacier tour, you can get up close and personal with this fascinating ice giant. Exploring the Great Aletsch Glacier, safely secured with an experienced mountain guide, is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Opportunities for this are available almost every day.
Guided glacier tours for adults from CHF 70 and for children from CHF 40.
Information: www.aletscharena.ch/gletschertouren

Guided tour on the glacier: unique nature experiences in the Aletsch Arena. (Photo: courtesy of the provider)

From this summer, there will also be a Foxtrail between Riederalp and Bettmeralp . In this exciting treasure hunt, families try to follow the fox's trail with the help of codes, hidden clues and tricky puzzles. Cleverness and team spirit are essential.
Information: www.foxtrail.ch

The marmot nature trail leads from the Bettmeralp mountain station down to Lake Bettmersee. At four stations, visitors can learn fascinating facts about these high-alpine rodents. The walk is easy and takes around two hours. Anyone wishing to find out more about these fascinating animals can book the Pro Natura Centre Aletsch's family excursion «Visiting the marmots» during the summer.
«Visiting the Marmots» excursion from 6 July to 10 August, every Tuesday, 9.30 am–1.30 pm. Adults CHF 14, children (6–15 years) CHF 8, families CHF 30.
Information: www.pronatura-aletsch.ch > Excursions

Hiking amongst marmots. (Photo: courtesy of)

Children love seeing the mountains from a golden eagle's perspective. The «Kids-Flight Gletschi» paragliding passenger flights make this possible. The flights last around 15 minutes and can be booked all year round for children aged 4 to 10.
The paragliding passenger flight costs CHF 119 per child.
Information: www.aletscharena.ch/gleitschirmfliegen

Enjoy

The valley villages and the car-free sunny plateau of the Aletsch Arena are generally ideal for families, even those with young children. Fun and action are provided by, among other things, rope parks, via ferrata routes, pump tracks, kids’ trails, mini-golf courses, themed walks, a petting zoo, various playgrounds and wild descents on mountain carts and scooters. The youth entertainment and children's entertainment programme featuring Gletschi, the Aletsch Arena mascot, are particularly popular.
Gletschi programme with various activities for children aged 4 to 12. Book at the Aletsch Arena information centres, info@aletscharena.ch, 027 928 58 58.
Further information on all family activities: www.aletscharena.ch/familien

There is plenty to discover in the Aletsch Arena. (Photo: courtesy of)

Whilst the children let off steam, parents can recharge their batteries with a forest bath in the Aletsch Forest. During a mindful walk, you can discover the healing atmosphere of the forest with all your senses. Simply being there, observing, listening, smelling, feeling, tasting – a treat for the body, mind and immune system. The yoga session that follows further strengthens the connection between your own body and nature.
Course fees for adults from CHF 70. Registration and information: karin@slalom.ch, 078 708 08 85.
Various other yoga sessions: www.aletscharena/yoga

The family event «Klapperlapapp» takes place in special locations and amongst Switzerland's most beautiful landscapes. Here, listeners of all ages can immerse themselves in magical worlds and take part in all sorts of adventures and heroic deeds. This summer, over the weekend of 10–11 July, some of the biggest stars of Swiss children's entertainment will gather for a get-together centred on fairy tales, stories and songs against the unique mountain backdrop of the Aletsch Arena.
Information: www.klapperlapapp.ch

Accommodation

The historic Villa Cassel and Chalet Cassel, part of the Pro Natura Centre Aletsch, are situated in the heart of the nature reserve, right on the edge of the enchanting Aletsch Forest, high above the glacier. Staying here has a charm all of its own. The cosy accommodation is of a basic standard (toilets on each floor, showers on the floor or in the building) – the sense of luxury comes from the historic ambience and the breathtaking location. Seasonal specialities from the region and homemade cakes are served. For families, there are budget-friendly 4- and 6-bed rooms with bunk beds.
Price example: 4-bed room (bunk beds, in your own sleeping bag) per person per night with half board: Adults CHF 75 / Children aged 6–15 CHF 37.50 / Children under 6 CHF 20
Information: www.pronatura-aletsch.ch/ferienzimmer

The Aletsch Arena offers a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget in various locations: whether it's a cosy holiday flat on Riederalp, a room in a family-run bed and breakfast on Bettmeralp or a central hotel in the valley in Fiesch – every family will find something to suit them in the Aletsch Arena.
Information and bookings: www.aletscharena.ch/webshop