Ski and Nostalgia
December 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of Wham!’s Last Christmas, and as a lifelong fan, I couldn’t resist the chance to walk in George Michael’s snowy footsteps. We booked a spontaneous 4-night, 5-day trip to Saas Fee, the enchanting Swiss village where the iconic music video was filmed. Our plan? Blend nostalgia with alpine adventure—and this magical place delivered on all fronts.
Arrival – Friday: Planes, Trains & Alpine Vibes We landed at Geneva Airport, where passport control was busy for non-EU travellers, but we were quickly through and off to find the train. A short 5-minute walk brought us to Platform 3, where we boarded the scenic SR95 train to Visp—a 2.5-hour journey of stunning Swiss scenery. Sit on the right side for the best views: Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, and charming hillside towns glide past like a living postcard. From Visp, we hopped on a bus to Saas Fee—the route is smooth, scenic, and drops you off at the village terminal, just a short walk from everything. (Pro tip: If you're heading to Chamonix or Verbier, change at Martigny.) That first evening, we enjoyed dinner at La Cabana, a cosy Portuguese restaurant, before visiting the iconic Walliserhof —where George Michael stayed during the video shoot. While the official Wham! walking tour wasn’t on during our visit, the tourist office helped us locate filming sites, and we finished the evening with a nightcap in the honesty bar—pure Swiss charm.
Saturday – Skiing and Après-Ski Wham Style After a healthy, fresh breakfast of homemade granola, eggs, and mini pancakes at our guesthouse, we picked up our ski gear and headed to Felskinn gondola. From there, we took the Metro Alpin—the world’s highest underground funicular—to 3,500m. The views from the top are spectacular, with snow-dusted peaks stretching into Italy. We skied red runs down to Felskinn, pausing for hot chocolate at a mountaintop café. The slopes were ideal: crisp, sun-drenched snow and wide-open pistes. As beginners and intermediates, some of the reds were steep, but manageable. Après ski kicked off in style at the Bulldog Bar—a lively, DJ-fuelled hotspot with cocktails like The Grinch, Jägertee, and mulled wine. The atmosphere was electric, and after a few hours of partying, we grabbed a takeaway pizza from the Cinema Bar, retreated to the honesty bar with a glass of wine, and turned in for the night.
Sunday – Cloudy Skies & Wham Wonders Sunday brought cloudy weather and a near white-out at the top by the revolving restaurant, but we still enjoyed some skiing and a mountain picnic. Back in the village, I explored the tourist office, where I found the Wham! karaoke box and learned that the Saas Museum hosts a small exhibition about the Last Christmas video. Later, my husband and I set off on a snowy walk to visit the statue of George Michael and the house featured in the video—nestled in the woods and beautifully preserved. For any Wham! fan, this is pure magic. It felt like stepping into a Christmas memory. Dinner that night was a traditional Swiss experience at Restaurant Vieux Chalet. The fondue was strong and authentic—definitely a dish for true cheese lovers! The staff were wonderfully kind, explaining everything to us fondue first-timers.
Monday – Whiteouts & Village Charm Monday brought another whiteout on the slopes, so we skied lightly and spent more time soaking in Saas Fee’s quieter pleasures. A highlight was stopping at the postcard-perfect Gletscher-Grotte, a charming mountainside chalet café. In the afternoon, we explored the shops and relaxed before dinner at Pizza de la Rossa, where we had one of the best pizzas of the trip. We ended the evening with chocolate, wine, and a jigsaw puzzle in the hotel lounge—wholesome Alpine downtime.
Tuesday – Farewell Saas Fee An early departure saw us reverse our scenic journey: bus, train, plane, and car back home. Although our flight was delayed by three hours, I was able to claim compensation—silver linings!
Final Thoughts: Why Saas Fee? Saas Fee is a dream for intermediate skiers, Wham! fans, and travellers who want a mix of snow sports and sweet nostalgia. The village is car-free, peaceful, and brimming with Alpine character. Whether you're carving down red runs or chasing the echo of Last Christmas in the snow, this place leaves a lasting impression. I can’t wait to go back—and next time, I’ll be bringing more cheese-loving friends for fondue round two.
