Carefree holidays in the Aletsch Arena in times of Covid-19

Safe fun in the Aletsch Arena

The Aletsch Arena is doing everything it can on the ground to ensure that holidays remains safe for young and old, even in these exceptional times. We want you and your family to enjoy the freedom of the Valais mountain world to the full. The many cosy chalets and holiday apartments guarantee that each group can keep to itself. But the hotels are also well prepared for your visit. This page tells you all about staying safe in the Aletsch Arena in these times of the coronavirus pandemic.

Overview Corona Help Contacts Questions and answers

Updates on the current situation

In restaurants, the restriction on the number of people per table is abolished.
There are no longer any restrictions on outdoor sports and cultural activities. For indoor activities, contact details must be collected. The mask requirement will also be abolished.
Events to which access is restricted to Covid-certified persons are no longer subject to restrictions.
For events that do not require a COVID certificate, the following restrictions apply:
- If the audience is seated, max. 1000 visitors can attend - resp. 2/3 of the capacity (indoors and outdoors).
- If people are standing or moving, a maximum of 250 visitors can be admitted indoors and 500 outside.
- The obligation to wear masks still applies indoors - outdoors the obligation to wear masks will be abolished.
- Events and concerts where visitors dance are prohibited.
What will apply from 26 June can be found in the official media release of Federation of 23 June 2021.

As per: 28 June 2021

The national rules on hygiene and social distancing apply, along with measures specific to the Canton of Valais, plus the individual protection strategies of cable cars, restaurants and cafés, accommodation providers and other facilities. All relevant protection strategies are listed below. To save you having to read through each individual protection strategy, we’ve put together a concise summary for you, so you can find all the answers to your questions quickly and easily.

Very important: we need your help!
Only if every single guest complies with all safety measures and hygiene regulations can we all enjoy the Aletsch Arena.
Mask requirement and hand sanitiser
Protective masks must be worn inside of all public spaces. Pay attention to the signs and posters wherever you are and always have your face mask at the ready. In Switzerland, masks are mandatory only for children from the age of 12.
Distancing rules in general and for using the cable ways
In Switzerland, the law requires us to observe a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. See to it that you keep the minimum distance. When queuing at the lifts and travelling by chair lift, ski lift, gondola and cable car, please take note of and adhere to the instructions posted there.
Cable car ticket
The best way to buy your cable car ticket is from our webshop in advance. This helps to reduce the number of people located at the valley stations. You can pick up your ticket from the pick-up machines once you get there, or load it onto an existing KeyCard (Skidata) or your SwissPass.
To the webshop
Restaurant and bar visits
Restaurants and bars are open. All restaurants, bars and takeaways
Covid-19 tests on site
The doctors in Bettmeralp and Fiesch offer rapid tests (result within 15 minutes) and PCR tests (result within 48 hours). You can also get tested at the hospital in Visp. Pre-registration is compulsory everywhere. You can find the contacts on this page.
Positive Covid-19 test, symptoms and quarantine
Prior to arrival: Persons infected with Covid-19 or showing symptoms of Covid-19 disease must not be allowed into the area and must report to local medical service or GP emergency 0900 144 033.
During stay: Infected persons who need to leave their accommodation and go into quarantine should contact the Aletsch Arena T +41 27 928 58 58.

“Clean & Safe” makes your stay safe

“Clean & Safe” is a label, a kind of ‘stamp of quality’ for protection strategies created by Swiss tourism associations. The label lets you know that the business in question has consciously committed itself to complying with the protection strategy. The “Clean & Safe” label is awarded to cable car companies and holiday destinations, accommodation, restaurants, public transport, wellness and spa areas and other tourism service providers.

Overview of the Aletsch Arena’s protection strategies

Depending on their type of business and sector, the different companies in the Aletsch Arena have adopted overriding protection strategies and hygiene measures. A summary is provided here:

Infrastructure
- Aletsch Bahnen AG – when using cable cars or lifts and for skiers
- Aletsch Arena AG – for your visit to the Infocenter
Sector-specific hygiene and protection strategie

Coronavirus apps

We recommend using the following apps:

SwissCovid app for contact tracing
SocialPass app for visitors to restaurants and events
Registration is compulsory for visitors to restaurants and bars.

Coronavirus Help contacts

Useful contacts and telephone numbers at a glance:

Coordination Office of the COVID-19 Task Force of the Aletsch Arena:
Aletsch Arena AG, info@aletscharena.ch, Tel.: +41 27 928 58 58
Doctors in the Aletsch Arena:
- Dr Reinhard Menath, Mörel-Filet +41 27 927 10 27
- Dr Georg Fischer and Dr Gregor J. Müller, Bettmeralp +41 27 927 28 08**
- Dr Rosanna Gischig, Fiesch +41 27 971 26 36**
- Dr Tilmann Meier-Ruge, Fiesch +41 27 971 17 37*
Covid-19 tests: * PCR test (result within 48 hours) available by appointment ** Rapid test (result within 15 minutes) and PCR test (result within 48 hours) available by appointment.
Canton and Government hotlines:
- Hotline of Canton of Valais: +41 58 433 0 144
- Hotline of Federal Office of Public Health. +41 58 463 00 00

Grocery Pick-up Service

The grocery shops below in the Aletsch Arena offer a pick-up service. Simply pre-order, arrange a time and pick up.

Takeaways

In the restaurants listed here, you have the choice of pre-ordering the food at your convenience and picking it up as a takeaway.

Arriving at and leaving the car-free plateau

To ensure that your journey to the car-free towns of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp goes smoothly, please take note of the safety measures of the cable car company, Aletsch Bahnen AG.

Riederalp West is reached by gondola lift. The trip up to Riederalp Mitte is in the large-cabin cable car. Large-cabin cable cars take you up to Bettmeralp. Fiescheralp is served by the new 10-person gondolas.

Aletsch Bahnen protection strategy
Taxi- and transport services
Tip: Book your luggage taxi for departure in good time.
SBB door-to-door luggage transport service

Frequently asked questions

Arrivals and departures Stay Medicine – Test – Quarantine Protection strategies Cancellation and refund

Arrivals and departures

Is it possible to reserve seats for the feeder lifts up to Bettmeralp and Riederalp?

How do I avoid peak travel times on Saturdays?

Will the feeder lifts still run in the event of a lockdown?

Am I allowed to travel to Switzerland?

Stay in the Aletsch Arena

Important contact numbers

Will there be restrictions in operation?

What events and gatherings are prohibited?

Medicine – Test – Quarantine

Who can I contact in case of infection or urgent suspicion of Covid-19?

Where can I get tested?

Who has to self-quarantine?

Where can I self-quarantine in the Aletsch Arena?

Protection strategies

Are there protection strategies in place?

What types of protective masks should be worn?

Can protective masks be purchased locally?

How are social distancing rules enforced in cable cars?

How are the Aletsch Bahnen facilities cleaned?

What protective measures are in place in restaurants? How are social distancing rules observed at peak times?

Who checks that the measures are complied with?

Where can I report a breach of the rules?

Cancellation, Refund, Travel Cancellation Insurance

Should I take out cancellation insurance for my cable car ticket?