Saas-Fee or Zermatt
 

Hi All, I've got a four day first-class Swiss pass to use next week (a special from SBB, has to be four consecutive days). Three days already planned: Appenzell, Gstaad, Zurich/Rapperswil. One day is a wild card and I'm going back and forth between Saas-Fee and Zermatt. No skiing involved, just wandering around, hopefully with snow coming down. Have been to Zermatt several times and always enjoy it. Never been to Saas-Fee, but would like to try the bus from Brig (I also like Brig). No idea what wandering around Saas-Fee would be like. My former manager goes skiing there a lot, so he recommended a few lunch spots and bars.

(Yes, I know it's a lot of time spent riding the rails over four days and these will be long days -- but scenic ones! I'm on holiday until the beginning of the year, so will have plenty of time to relax afterwards.)

Which would you pick? Thanks!

We spent an afternoon in Saas Fee years ago and keep meaning to return for a longer stay.

As someone who's visited Zermatt many times I'd opt for Saas Fee. I've also been interested in St Nikolas, which I think is nearby?

Good luck with your decision, you lucky dog:)

We visited in a different season (very end August), but we really enjoyed our stay in Saas-Fee earlier this year. It's smaller than Zermatt (also car free) and was substantially less crowded when we were there. The views of the mountains and glaciers are stunning on a good day.

In these days, Saas Fee has sun in the morning (if the weather is fine), but lies in the shade the whole afternoon.
But the panorama from the revolving Glacier restaurant Mittelallalin (3500m) is stunnuing.
Don't expect too many prepared winter hiking trails before the season really begins. Actually only 2 of them are open.
https://www.saas-fee.ch/de/winterakt.../winterwandern
But things may change until next week.
Change from train to Saas Fee bound bus at Visp instead of Brig if you come from Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva or Lausanne.
Journey time from Bern: 1 hr 50 min (15 min less than Zermatt).

Thanks but a) I'm not planning to hike, just wander the village and b) I want to spend a little time strolling around Brig before taking the bus, I like Brig better than Visp. I realize the trip is shorter from Visp, but that's not my priority. Have already checked the schedules for trains and bus.

Sorry, I didn't realize that's you, Weisser Tee.
I know that you know Switzerland very well.
BTW: I think everybody likes Brig (historic center) much better than Visp.

Frankly, I am torn on this. On one hand, if you already know Zermatt pretty well and Saas Fee not at all it makes sense to go to Saas Fee. And for one day it is fine for a winter walker IMO.

On the other hand, I did not like Saas Fee very much. As neckervd said it gets sunshine only in the morning (probably too early for you). Somehow it also seemed a bit artificial to me - a really tiny old part, mostly uniform apartment houses/hotels. I also sort of felt threatened by those really high mountains towering up above the village with very steep slopes (Dom, Täschhorn etc.) Very subjective, I know, and others might love exactly this.

I take your points. I think I will wander Brig for a bit then stop for a cappuccino and flip a mental coin as to where I'll go. Sunshine won't be a factor -- it's supposed to be snowing in both places.

Actually, it's supposed to be snowing everywhere I plan to travel next week.

The video of Last Christmas was filmed in Saas Fee. Just a nuggest of useless information that may help you make a decision.

Yes, I knew that. I should have gone in early December 2014 — to mark the 20th anniversary of the video, many hotels rolled back their prices to what they charged then. There were also 1984 George Michael lookalikes around posing for photos with visitors.