Your first time skiing in Saas-Fee: a 3-day plan for adults

Before we get to the plan, let’s talk about why you chose so well. Saas-Fee isn’t just any ski resort. It’s known as the “Pearl of the Alps,” and for good reason. When you arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is the quiet.

The village is completely car-free. You’ll be transported to your hotel by a small electric buggy, and the only sounds are the crunch of snow under your boots and the cheerful buzz of fellow holidaymakers.

The village itself is nestled at 1,800 meters (5,900 ft), surrounded by a crown of thirteen 4,000-meter peaks. The views aren’t just “good”; they are staggering. They’re everywhere.

But for you, the beginner, Saas-Fee has three secret weapons:

1. Guaranteed snow: Because our main ski area is on the Fee Glacier, we are one of the most snow-sure resorts in the entire Alps. You can book your trip for early December or late April and be confident you’ll have fantastic snow.
2. A dedicated beginner’s paradise: Unlike many resorts where beginners are crammed into a small, chaotic area, Saas-Fee has a magnificent, sprawling nursery slope area (called Kalbermatten) right at the edge of the village. It’s wide, gentle, and separate from the main slopes, so you’ll never have to worry about advanced skiers flying past you.

High-altitude progression: This is the best part. Once you’re ready to leave the nursery slope, your first “real” runs aren’t at the bottom of the mountain.

Here, we take a gondola up to wide, cruising, high-altitude blue runs at Felskinn. Your first proper skiing experience will be above the treeline, surrounded by glaciers. It’s a feeling you will never forget.

First things first: how to dress for your day on the slopes

You can’t ski well if you’re cold, uncomfortable, or can’t see. Your gear is your suit of armour. As an instructor, I see people make the same simple mistakes all the time. Here is the Bespoke Snowsports pro-tip checklist.

1. What to rent vs. what to buy

• Rent: Skis, Ski Boots, Poles, and a Helmet. There are fantastic rental shops in Saas-Fee (we can recommend our partners). They will professionally fit your boots and give you the right-length skis for a beginner. A helmet is non-negotiable.
• Buy: Goggles, Gloves, and Base Layers. These are “comfort” items.
  • Goggles: You need them. Even on a sunny day, the snow is bright. On a snowy day, they are your windshield. Get a pair with a “low-light” or “all-weather” lens (often orange, pink, or yellow).
  • Gloves: A warm, waterproof pair of ski gloves or mittens.
  • Base layers: This is the most common mistake. Do not wear cotton. Cotton (like a t-shirt) gets wet when you sweat, then freezes. You need synthetic or (even better) merino wool base layers (long johns and a long-sleeved top).
  • Socks: One. Single. Pair. Of. Ski. Socks. Not two pairs. Not thick hiking socks. Just one pair of modern, technical ski socks. Trust me.

2. The most important piece of gear: your boots

This is the secret. Your skis are just planks. Your boots are the steering wheel. When you get them fitted at the rental shop, they should feel snug. Tighter than a sneaker.

Your toes should just brush the end when you’re standing up straight and pull back slightly when you flex your knees. If your foot is rattling around, you can’t steer your skis. Take your time in the shop to get this right.

3. What to wear: the layering system

• Base layer: Your merino/synthetic “long johns.”
• Mid-layer: A fleece or a light insulated vest.
• Outer layer: Your waterproof/windproof ski jacket and ski pants (salopettes).

You can always unzip or take off a layer if you’re warm, but you can’t put on a layer you didn’t bring.

4. Don’t forget the sun!

We are high. Very high. The sun at 3,000 meters is incredibly strong, even on a cloudy day. You must wear high-factor sunscreen (SPF 30+, and SPF 50+ is better) on all exposed skin. A lip balm with SPF is also a lifesaver.

Okay, you’re geared up. You’ve arrived in the magical, car-free village. Your stomach is full of butterflies. Let’s start Day 1.

The “Bespoke Snowsports” advantage: why a private lesson is non-negotiable

Before we dive into the 3-day plan, I need to share my most important piece of professional advice. For your first time as an adult, book a private instructor.

I know, group lessons seem cheaper. But here’s the reality: in a group of 8-10 beginners, the instructor has to teach to the slowest person. You’ll spend a lot of time waiting in a line. You’ll get very little personal feedback. Furthermore, you will likely spend all three days stuck on the nursery slopes.

This itinerary is built around private instruction, which is what we specialize in at Bespoke Snowsports.

With a private instructor, your progression is exponential.

• It’s 1-on-1: We focus only on you. We can fix a bad habit in 30 seconds, not 30 minutes.
• It’s flexible: Feeling nervous? We’ll slow down and build your confidence. Are you a natural? Amazing! We’ll skip ahead and have you on the blue runs by the afternoon.
• It’s efficient: You are paying for a holiday. You don’t want to waste a minute of it.
• It’s a “guided” experience: This is the key. Remember those “tricky connections” to the best blue runs I mentioned? A private instructor is your mountain guide. We know exactly which lift to take, which path to follow, and how to get you to that stunning, empty blue run without you ever having to ski a patch of “scary” red slope to get there.

With us, you’re not just a student; you’re our guest. We’ll even call ahead and book your mountain restaurant for you. Your three days will be seamless, safe, and built entirely around you.

The main event: your 3-day bespoke itinerary

Here it is. Your blueprint from nervous novice to confident skier, complete with the best food on the mountain.

Day 1: finding your feet (and the fondue)

Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): your first private lesson

• Meet your instructor: We’ll meet you at your hotel or the ski rental shop. We’ll be in our Bespoke Snowsports uniform, smiling and ready to go. We’ll help you carry your skis and walk you to the perfect spot.
• Location: The Kalbermatten nursery slopes. This is your new home. It’s wide, sunny, and serviced by “magic carpets” (conveyor belts) and gentle drag lifts.
• Day 1 goals:
  1. Get comfortable: We’ll start with just one ski on. Sliding, balancing.
  2. The snowplough: This is your foundation. We call it the “pizza” or “plough.” It’s your stopping mechanism and your first turning tool.
  3. Stop confidently: You will not progress until you know, 100%, that you can stop whenever you want. We will drill this until it’s automatic.
  4. First turns: By the end of the morning, you’ll be making your first linked snowplough turns, controlling your speed, and stopping where you want to.
• The feeling: You’ll be surprised at how quickly you pick it up! That first “I’m skiing!” moment is pure joy.

Lunch (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM): a well-earned village lunch

• Restaurant: Restaurant STEINBOCK Saas-Fee (ehem. Arvu Stuba)
• Why: It’s right at the bottom of the nursery slopes, so you can walk there in your ski boots. It’s cozy, traditional, and serves the most amazing local Valais specialities. You must try the Rösti (a glorious Swiss hash brown dish) or share a cheese fondue. You’ve earned every single calorie.

Afternoon (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM): practice, practice, practice

• Your mission: Your instructor has given you the tools. Now it’s time to build the muscle memory.
• The plan: Head back to the Kalbermatten nursery slopes. Spend two hours lapping the magic carpets and the beginner drag lifts. Don’t try to go fast. Focus on what we learned: making perfect, round snowplough turns. Control is your only goal.
• Instructor tip: Most beginners try to turn with their shoulders. Skiing comes from your feet and legs. Point your body down the hill and swivel your legs underneath you.

Evening: You will be tired. Your shins might be sore. This is normal! Have a hot tub or a sauna at your hotel’s spa (the Aqua Allalin is the public spa and pool, and it’s fantastic). Have a great dinner in the village. Get to bed early. You’ve just become a skier.

Day 2: conquering the first “real” mountain run

Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Your private lesson—going UP!

• Meet your instructor: We’ll meet you bright and early. Today, you leave the nest.
• Location: We’re taking the gondola. We’ll ride the Alpin Express or Felskinn cable cars up to the high-alpine area. Your instructor will handle everything. You just get to look out the window as the village shrinks below you.
• The slopes: We’ll start in the Morenia area. This is a paradise of wide, gentle, rolling blue runs. This is what you dreamed of.
• Day 2 goals:
  1. Confidence on blues: We’ll ski these long, gentle slopes, reinforcing your snowplough turn.
  2. Controlling speed: The slopes are a bit longer, so we’ll perfect how to manage your speed by changing the size of your turn.
  3. Introduction to “parallel”: If you’re feeling confident, we’ll start to introduce the concept of bringing your skis parallel (the “French fry”) at the end of your turn. No pressure—only if you’re ready.
• The feeling: This is the “wow” moment. You’re at 2,500+ meters, surrounded by glaciers, the sun is shining, and you are skiing. This is the moment you get addicted.

Lunch (12:00 PM): lunch on the slopes

• Restaurant: Bergrestaurant Morenia
• Why: It’s right in the middle of the area you’re skiing, so it’s perfectly convenient. It has a massive, beautiful sun terrace and a self-service section that’s quick and delicious. The view of the surrounding peaks is unreal. Grab a local Apfelschorle (sparkling apple juice) and soak in the sun.

Afternoon (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM): guided practice & lapping

• Your mission: Stay high! There’s no need to ski back down to the village (the runs are steep and icy).
• The plan: Your instructor will show you the best circuit. You’ll spend the afternoon lapping the Morenia chairlift. It serves a perfect, gentle blue run that you can ski over and over again. Each run, you’ll feel your confidence grow.
• End of day: When you’re done, you meet your instructor and ride the gondola back down to the village, legs tired but smiling from ear to ear.

Evening: You’re a high-alpine skier now. You deserve a proper celebration. Head to the Black Bull Snowbar at the base of the slopes for your first real après-ski. The music is playing, the vibe is amazing, and you can order a Glühwein (hot mulled wine) and toast your success.

Day 3: The Grand Tour—Linking Runs and loving it

Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): your private lesson—polishing the diamond

• Meet your instructor: You know the drill. You’ll feel like a pro walking to the lifts this morning.
• Location: We’ll head back up to the Felskinn and Morenia areas, but this time we’ll explore. We can also head over to the Längfluh area, which sits right at the foot of the massive glacier.
• Day 3 goals:
  1. Fluidity: We’re going to smooth everything out. We’ll work on making your turns flow from one to the next, like a dance.
  2. Developing parallel: Today, we’ll really focus on finishing your turns with your skis parallel. This is the gateway to the next level of skiing.
  3. Reading the mountain: We’ll teach you how to look ahead, spot the best snow, and plan your route. You’ll stop thinking like a beginner and start feeling like a skier.

Lunch (12:30 PM): the ultimate mountain lunch

• Restaurant: Restaurant Spielboden
• Why: This is a Bespoke Snowsports favourite. It’s a true gourmet experience in a rustic, beautiful mountain hut. It’s famous for its incredible food (the truffle pasta is legendary) and wine list. It’s easily accessible from a beautiful, long, blue run. This isn’t just lunch; it’s the culinary peak of your trip. We will have booked you a table.

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): freedom!

• Your mission: This is your victory lap.
• The plan: Your instructor will leave you after lunch. This afternoon is all yours. You can head back to Morenia to lap your favourite run, or you can ski the beautiful, long blue run (Run 11, then 11a) all the way down to the Spielboden gondola station.
• The feeling: pure freedom. You know where you’re going. You know how to stop. You’re in control. You’re gliding past other beginners, and you’ll realise, “I can do this.”

Celebration (4:00 PM): You did it. You completed the 3-day plan. You’ve skied in the village and up on the glacier. You’ve eaten some of the best food in the Alps. You’ve transformed from a nervous first-timer into a confident, competent skier. Ski all the way down to the village (if you’re feeling brave) or download on the gondola and meet your friends and family with the biggest grin they’ve ever seen.

What’s next?

This 3-day plan is just the beginning. Your journey with skiing has just started. Your instructor will give you a full debrief: what you mastered and what to work on next. Maybe you’ll book a Day 4 lesson to perfect those parallel turns. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to come back next year.

And please keep in mind, there’s more to Saas-Fee! Take an afternoon off to ride the “Feeblitz” alpine coaster or explore the stunning Ice Grotto (a literal cave carved into the glacier).

Your first-time skiing FAQs

Your alpine adventure awaits

That feeling of nervousness you had? I hope it’s been replaced by pure excitement.

Your first time skiing in Saas-Fee isn’t a test you have to pass. It’s an experience to be savoured. It’s the crisp mountain air, the unbelievable views, the burn in your legs, the taste of a hot Glühwein, and the thrill of gliding over snow.

We’re here to unlock that for you. The mountains are calling, and we can’t wait to show you around.

Ready to make this 3-day plan a reality?