Ski Race Training in Saas-Fee
High-altitude glacier training on the Allalin, Switzerland
A high-altitude glacier base
Saas-Fee is one of the premier high-altitude training bases in the Alps. The Allalin glacier rises to around 3,600m and holds firm, reliable snow through summer and autumn, long after lower resorts have closed. The surface refreezes hard overnight, so the early sessions run on grippy “hero snow”, perfect for high-volume technical work.
It’s a true racers’ glacier: around 20km of pistes served by T-bars, with a range of gradients that suit FIS racers, ski instructors and masters alike, plus dedicated gate-training lanes and free-ski terrain. It’s a premium glacier resort, frequented by national teams including the American and British World Cup squads.
A typical training day
In summer the starts are very early to catch the best snow, moving later as you head into autumn. You ride the funicular up, and at the top there’s space to do some mobility work before you click into your boots and head out onto the glacier, served by T-bars, for your warm-ups and to meet the coaches on the snow.
You’ll work across the gradient options: dedicated gate slopes for course training and free-ski terrain for technique, matched to your level, whether you’re a masters racer, an instructor or training to FIS standard.
Getting back to the funicular is a fair trek across the glacier, so it’s best to take your bag out onto the piste with you and keep water and snacks on the snow.
When training wraps, you ride the train back down for lunch in the village. Afternoons are yours: a walk, the tennis courts, golf or the football pitches, depending on the time of year.
The Saas-Fee camp: Foundation Training
Our Saas-Fee camp is Podium’s Foundation Training, built for ski instructors making the step from piste performance into the gates for the first time. Over eight days we strip back the complexity (easier terrain, softer skis, lower speeds) and focus on the fundamentals: GS race-line basics, building confidence at speed, course-inspection technique, and the theory of ski racing through dryland sessions and presentations.
It’s the first step in a proven pathway that has helped over 160 instructors pass their ISIA Speed Test and Eurotest since 2001.
Your week includes:
- Daily on-snow training
- Video analysis
- Technical feedback
- Theory sessions & presentations
- Ski tuning advice
- Ski equipment advice
Dates: 21–28 November 2026 (8 days). Early-bird £700 with a £150 deposit until 1 September. The camp is confirmed to run six weeks before it starts, so we’d suggest holding off on non-refundable travel until then.
Getting there, staying & lift passes
Getting there. By train, take the train to Visp and then the postbus up to the resort. If you drive, remember Saas-Fee is car-free, so you’ll leave the car in one of the car parks at the village entrance.
Where to stay. There are plenty of Airbnb options in the village. Because there are no cars, you’ll head to the funicular on foot each morning, so it’s worth checking how far your accommodation is from the lift and that you’re happy with that walk carrying your ski kit. Some places will help shuttle you in on one of the electric carts. Ask the owner when you book.
Food. Eating and shopping in resort tends to be expensive, so if you’re driving up it’s a good idea to bring supplies up with you.
Lift pass. We recommend the Magic Pass. As a bonus it also covers Zinal, where our December ISIA test-prep camp runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I train in Saas-Fee?
The Allalin glacier runs through summer and autumn, with very early starts in summer that move later as autumn comes in. Saas-Fee is also a winter resort, so it covers both pre-season build and in-season training. Our Foundation Camp runs 21–28 November.
Who is the Saas-Fee camp for?
It’s Podium’s Foundation Training, built for ski instructors stepping into the gates for the first time and targeting the ISIA Speed Test or Eurotest, with little or no race background. The glacier’s range of gradients also suits FIS racers and masters.
Do I need any race experience to join?
No. Foundation Training is designed for exactly this step, moving from piste performance into the gates for the first time, on easier terrain, softer skis and at lower speeds. We build the fundamentals from the ground up.
What’s included in the camp?
Eight days of daily on-snow training, video analysis, technical feedback, theory sessions and presentations, plus ski tuning and equipment advice. Accommodation, lift passes, meals and travel are not included.
How does the camp help me pass the ISIA Speed Test?
It’s the first step in a proven pathway that has helped over 160 instructors pass their ISIA Speed Test and Eurotest since 2001, building the race-line basics, confidence and course craft you need before stepping up to more demanding training.
Ready to train in Saas-Fee? Join our ISIA Speed Test training camps or one of our Masters race training weeks.