Discover Valais & Zermatt - Discover Switzerland: Experience the Best of Switzerland - page 394

Fiesch & Eggishorn
Most people get their first tantalising glimpse of Aletsch Glacier from Jungfraujoch, but
picture-postcard riverside Fiesch on the valley floor is the best place to access it. From the
village, ride the cable car ( www.eggishorn.ch ; adult/child return Sfr42.80/21.40) up to Fiescher-
alp - a hot spot for paragliding - and continue up to Eggishorn (2927m). Nothing can
prepare you for what awaits on exiting the gondola.
Streaming down in a broad curve around the Aletschhorn (4195m), the glacier is just
like a frozen five-lane superhighway. In the distance, to the north, rise the glistening sum-
mits of Jungfrau (4158m), Mönch (4107m), the Eiger (3970m) and Finsteraarhorn
(4274m). To the west of the cable-car exit, spy Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Bettmeralp & Riederalp
This twinset of family-friendly car-free hamlets, accessible only by cable car, is the stuff
of Swiss Alpine dreams. Paved with snow December to March, kids are pulled around on
traditional wooden Davos sledges and skis are the best way to get to the local supermar-
ket. With the run at the top of the Bettmerhorn cable car (2647m) skirting the edge of the
Aletsch Glacier, skiing here is a sensationally picturesque and dramatic affair - 104km of
intermediate or easy ski runs in all the so-called Aletsch Arena ( www.aletscharena.ch ) ski
area, with a one-day ski pass costing Sfr53 (Sfr58 including cable car up from the valley).