Best of the Alps continues World Snow Day partnership

For the first two editions of World Snow Day, Best of the Alps has created a series of meaningful and exciting events for some very special children and hasagreed to extend its participation for the 3rd edition in 2014.
Many of the Best of the Alps member resorts are famous locations for FIS World Cup events. Popular for their well-established infrastructure, their close links to the region in which they are located and their blend of tradition and progress, they are some of the best known winter ski destinations in Europe’s Alpine countries.

For the second edition of World Snow Day on 19th January 2013, a selected group of Best of the Alps Resorts have worked closely with the SOS Children’s Villages, BMW and ADAC (the German Automobile Association). Children from SOS Children’s villages in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria have been transported to the nearest Best of the Alps resort to enjoy a day on the snow. To ensure the children have the best time, a series of great activities were provided to help them explore, enjoy and experience the snow.
World Snow Day is the second phase of the 'Bring Children to the Snow' campaign. The first phase of the campaign, called SnowKidz, was launched in 2009. The SnowKidz project aims to encourage FIS Member National Ski Associations to promote snow sports within their country.
The concept for World Snow Day was developed by FIS in consultation with other organizations involved in snow sports, such as the National Ski Associations, their ski clubs and event organizers, ski schools, ski industry, tourism organizations, mountain lift associations and many more, in order to tackle the general decline in youth participation in snow sports. The World Snow Day aims to support and encourage involvement from children and families alike with the goal of creating a new channel to reach the younger target groups and to bring newcomers to snow whilst offering something special to those who already participate.

Best of the Alps is the European collaboration of the twelve world famous tourist destinations of the Alps - Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Davos, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grindelwald, Kitzbühel, Lech/Zürs am Arlberg, Megève, Seefeld, St. Anton am Arlberg, St. Moritz and Zermatt. Best of the Alps is the only organisation of this size at this level and has existed for more than 20 years. In 2011, FIS President Gian Franco Kasper was honoured with the Best of the Alps Award. It is an honour bestowed every year by the twelve members of Best of the Alps Classic Mountain Resorts presented to persons in recognition of their outstanding services and achievements in the spheres of sport and tourism that serve to promote and enhance the cultural, social and political life of the European Alpine region.

Saas-Fee Named Best Swiss Ski Resort

by Raúl Revuelta

Yesterday the results of a questionnaire for "Best ski resort" with over 40‘000 guests were presented. Saas-Fee / Saastal was voted best Swiss ski Resort. Internationally it was even voted to second rank out of 55 top ski destinations in Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland. In terms of snow reliability, slope preparation and cosiness, Saas-Fee / Saastal hit top status. Together with Aletsch Arena and Zermatt, 3 of the first 5 ranks are taken by valaisian destinations.

Right on time for the start of the winter season 2012/13, Saas-Fee / Saastal is climbing to the top with the best ski resorts of the Alps. The independent guest satisfaction study "Best Ski Resort" is counted as one of the biggest and most significant studies in the alpine area and has questioned more than 41’000 winter sport guests. The guests appreciated the high snow reliability, great slope preparation and the cosy feeling of Saas-Fee / Saastal. The top placement in these three categories led to the gold medal in Switzerland. Internationally, the winter sports guests voted Saas-Fee / Saastal onto second place out of 55 ski resorts in the European alps.

Snow is guaranteed
"About 70% of all ski slopes in Saas-Fee are guaranteed for snow", says Rainer Flaig, CEO of the Saas-Fee cableways. The top rank in snow security is due to the unique glacier area and the unmatched height of the area, which is offering fun in the snow up to a height of 3’600 meters altitude. Above this, Saas-Fee cableways invested strongly into the artificial snow production over the last years.

Slopes are fulfilling highest demands
Also in the area of slope preparation, Saas-Fee / Saastal is in first place across Europe. "The Saas-Fee cableways has strongly invested in the infrastructure for preparing the slopes. This top rank was achieved with the help of our highly qualified and experienced teams who secure the quality of the slopes. That even in summer the slopes are living up to the highest expectations are demonstrated through the numerous national and youngster teams, which train in Saas-Fee for competitions regularly since many years", said Flaig.

Authenticity essential
The car free vacation resort in the southern canton Valais convinces also in the category cosiness (1st place) and ambience (2nd place). Pascal Schaer, Director Tourism, is convinced: "The top ranks achieved in these two categories clearly shows that authentic and decelerated vacation resorts are en vogue. Further are the historic and landmarked `Stadel’ made out of sun blackened larch wood, the narrow alleys and stone covered roofs are unique for the guests experience. Here it shows that product quality and authenticity are looked for by guests".

Saas-Fee / Saastal even more attractive in winter 2012/2013
In the coming winter season, Saas-Fee / Saastal is raising the attractiveness even further. Already for the coming weekend on November 10th /11th 2012 the slopes and facilities are going back in service up to Morenia (2’500 meters altitude). Additionally the Saas-Fee cableways is the only Swiss mountain cable car and railway company which lowers their prices for kids and adults – according to a questionnaire of 20 of the largest Swiss ski resorts conducted by a Swiss TV broadcast. The 6-day destination ski pass is lowered by over 10%, daily passes by 5.5%.

Saas-Fee / Saastal is on course for growth
Pascal Schaer is optimistic for the future:"After the decline of the overnight stays, the downward spiral was stopped in summer 2012. The successfully initiated ‘cable cars and bus included’ in the past summer has made the Saastal the largest all-inclusive destination in Switzerland. This was crowned by a guest growth of over 30%. The big challenge is now to return to the growth path also in the Euro area and to unlock new guest segments". This has already begun in the far markets, were the guest numbers in summer show a drastic increase from Japan (+78%) and Russia (+22%).