We relished our time in Switzerland and found plenty of family-friendly activities in the Valais region. During the summer months, there’s hiking, swimming and adventure parks on offer with the winter providing skiing, snow playgrounds and ice skating. More than enough to keep adventurous families occupied that’s for sure! Here’s a taste of the activities available in the Swiss Alps Valais region.
Summer activities
Go hiking
For families who love the great outdoors, Switzerland is an excellent place to be. With forests to explore, mountain peaks to climb and spectacular views to take in, there are 8,000 kilometres of paths to be discovered in the Valais region. If you’re lucky you might even spot the mountain goats, marmots or chamois. We hiked to Lac Bleu and Lac D’Arbey over the summer, both treks were truly worthwhile and just look at the views!
Follow a trail
Wherever you opt to explore, there are numerous places to discover. Walking is a great way to get familiar with the area and it doesn’t need to be in the mountains, there are plenty of towns, glaciers and trails to follow. We’ve not come across anywhere in Switzerland yet that’s isn’t beautiful.
Visit a wildlife park
There’s fun for all the family at the Valais wildlife parks. Aletsch Zoo, for example, is situated next to the Fiesch-Eggishorn cable car (valley section). Established for 30 years, it has a range of animals in their natural habitat including marmots, miniature goats, geese and pigs to chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and doves. At Le Relais in Les Crosets, there are kangaroos, alpacas, sheep, pygmy goats and peacocks. The Alpine Zoo is home to a wealth of wildlife including marmots, red deer, black bears and foxes. At Arche des Crétillons, there are humid zones with meadows, forest and rich fauna.
Take a dip
When it gets warm in the summer months, there’s nothing better than feeling that mountain breeze or taking a dip in one of the open-air (or indoor) pools. There is a wealth to choose from, with or without the water slides, and when it’s cooler, relaxation comes in the form of a thermal pool or a spa.
Join a treasure hunt
There are several available treasure hunts in the Valais region which make for excellent family fun. Clues can be found to solve puzzles in the great outdoors and complete the ultimate challenge – finding the treasure! Fancy solving riddles with Vero the witch, going on the trail of the Gogwärgini or looking for blue gold at the foot of the Matterhorn?
Head to an adventure park
There are treetop adventures aplenty in the Valais, suitable for varying ages and abilities, including zip lines, suspension bridges and climbing nets to an aerial walkway or the 700 metre Val d’Hérémence zip wire! With so many to choose from, the region caters for all needs.
Get on a bike
Cyclists can enjoy the diversity of routes in the Swiss Alps from Lake Geneva to the Rhône Glacier or the valley floor to the Alpine passes. As well as cycling, there are mountain bike trails past lakes and streams, forest and mountains.
Visit a themed park
With five different worlds to discover, including a new waterslide with loops, Aquaparc is great for all the family. Away from the water, there’s Happyland (the largest theme park in Switzerland), the Swiss Vapeur Parc (miniature railway), Western City or Labyrinthe Aventure – the world’s largest maze. For thrillseekers, there’s Feeblitz – the steepest bobsled run!
Winter activities
Take to the slopes
The Swiss Alps are magnificent in the winter months and we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a couple of skiing holidays in Zermatt before POD came along. Snow is pretty much guaranteed in the Valais region and with multiple resorts and 2,000 kilometres of pistes, served by nearly 600 ski lifts, there are an array of options to choose from.
Experience a snow playground
These areas are dedicated to providing young children with their first taste of winter sports and getting familiar with the sensation of gliding over snow. Set in a safe environment with experienced instructors, there’s typically snow tubing, tyre carousels and equipment with baby lifts and gentle slopes.
Try ice-skating
Ice skating is a great activity for all the family, particularly if split between skiing and snowboarding. The ice rinks are open to all for a leisurely skate with some offering the likes of ice hockey, an ice disco or even curling.
Go tobogganing
Finally, who doesn’t love a toboggan run! Hiring a toboggan and taking a lift to the top where the runs travel through that wonderful winter landscape is a must for all ages. Although landing can often be the most fun – providing the snow is powdery of course!
To read more posts about Switzerland, head over to our Switzerland category.
