A weekend … in the Aletsch Arena

The Aletsch Arena is situated right by the water, as the Great Aletsch Glacier feeds streams, rivers and small lakes, promising exciting summer outings for the whole family. Stressed-out parents can enjoyrelaxing days on the car-free sunny plateau in the Upper Valais.

Experience

Planning a family outing that everyone agrees on is often a near-impossible task for parents. The Aletsch Arena, which encompasses the popular Valais holiday destinations of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn, offers a wide range of experiences to suit the needs of every family member. First and foremost, a guided expedition onto the ice of the mighty Aletsch Glacier promises a family adventure that is cool in the truest sense of the word. It lies at the heart of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and is the largest and most impressive glacier in the Alpine region. The view into its deep, fairytale-like blue-shimmering caves, which lie beneath the eternal ice, fills young and old alike with wonder.

Guided glacier tours for adults from CHF 60 and for children from CHF 40. For further information: www.aletscharena.ch/gletschererlebnisse

The Aletsch Arena also offers plenty of water-based fun. The idyllic Bettmersee – just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Bettmeralp – is not only a lovely spot for relaxing and strolling, but also invites you to enjoy all sorts of refreshing water activities such as swimming, splashing about in the natural pool, rowing and pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding, beach volleyball or fishing. Boat hire at Bettmersee, daily from June to October.

Hourly hire rates: Rowing boat 14 CHF (12 CHF with a guest card), pedal boat 20 CHF (18 CHF), stand-up paddleboard 20 CHF (18 CHF). Day fishing licence 20 CHF. Information: www.aletscharena.ch/wasser

Impressive: the Great Aletsch Glacier.

The valley villages and the car-free sunny plateau of the Aletsch Arena, where the little ones can run about carefree, are also ideal for families with young children. Fun and action are provided by children's and youth entertainment, rope parks, via ferrata routes, pump tracks, kids’ trails, mini-golf courses, themed walks, a petting zoo, playgrounds and wild descents on mountain carts and scooters.

The Gletschi programme offers a range of activities for children aged 4 to 12. Book at the Aletsch Arena information centres, info@aletscharena.ch, 027 928 58 58. For more information on all activities: www.aletscharena.ch/familien

Enjoy

In the Aletsch Arena, the power of nature is not only visible in the unique landscape, but can also be felt particularly strongly. Nature energy expert Philippe Elsener has studied the Aletsch Arena as a place of power and identified those spots where the positive energy of the earth's rays is particularly pronounced. He describes the effect of the energy points on the panoramic peaks of Hohfluh, Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn as uplifting and grounding, stimulating and restorative.

The Aletsch Arena holiday destination has something for everyone, young and old alike.

In fact, the Aletsch Arena is the perfect place for anyone looking to rediscover a sense of freedom through sensory and nature-based experiences. A wide range of activities, such as yoga, breathing and yodelling courses, offer the chance to shed the burdens of everyday life whilst surrounded by nature. The Aletsch Arena's «Herbal Power Women» share their knowledge of the local flora with guests and demonstrate what can be made from it. Mountain Glow Yoga Festival from 3 to 6 September 2020.

Info: www.mountainglow.ch. Introductory yodelling courses at the spiritual sites of Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn on 19 July, 8 and 11 October 2020. Adults CHF 25, children aged 6–16 CHF 15. Registration: desiree.wellig93@gmail.com, 079 339 55 84. Further information on all activities: www.aletscharena.ch/sinneserlebnisse
Forest bathing in the 1,000-year-old Swiss stone pine forest high above the Great Aletsch Glacier is a particularly soothing sensory experience. During a mindful walk, you allow the healing atmosphere of the forest to wash over you, breathe in the fresh mountain air and send all your senses on a journey of discovery: observing, listening, smelling, feeling, tasting. Originating in Japan, the practice of forest bathing slows you down, frees your breathing, recharges your energy and strengthens your immune system. Information: www.aletscharena.ch/waldbaden

Accommodation

The Aletsch Arena offers a wide range of accommodation options in various villages: whether it's a cosy holiday flat on Riederalp, a room in a family-run bed and breakfast on Bettmeralp, or a centrally located hotel in the valley in Fiesch. For stays of three nights or more in a hotel or holiday flat, the «Feel Free Pass» is included – a combined mountain railway and train ticket that gives families free travel throughout the Aletsch Arena. Family price example: 2 nights for 2 adults and 2 children in a holiday flat from CHF 180.

New for summer 2020

On 28 June 2020, the Pro Natura Centre on the Riederfurka will reopen: Villa Cassel is now carbon neutral – for the sake of the glacier. A visit to the centre, which is dedicated to protecting nature in the Aletsch region, is both rewarding and educational. www.pronatura-aletsch.ch, www.aletscharena.ch/pronatura
The Raiffeisen Bike Park AletschonBettmeralp for kids is the highest asphalt pump track in the world and promises plenty of fun for the whole family – free of charge. www.aletscharena.ch/bikeparkaletschDer'snew children's park , ‘iischePark’, on Riederalp combines fun elements with bike action – including a giant airbag that allows for daring jumps with a soft landing. www.aletscharena.ch/iischepark