I stayed in the video set of the most iconic Christmas song — with snow all year long

Snow-capped mountains, unwrapping presents by the fire, and George Michael’s Last Christmas playing on repeat.

Those were all the things I hoped to find when I headed to Saas-Fee, the resort village in the Swiss Alps where Wham! filmed the video for their iconic Christmas hit.

It’s been 40 years since the world’s greatest festive tune (sorry, Mariah) was cruelly robbed of the number one spot by Band Aid.

And, as someone who shares that very same milestone birthday this month, it felt only right to celebrate in style.

Stepping off the bus into the snow-sprinkled Saas-Fee, I soon learnt I wasn’t the only Wham! fan around.

Everyone here remembers White Christmas. It wasn’t just George and Andrew Ridgeley that descended on this pocket of Switzerland for the video. The pair were accompanied by friends including their backing singers Pepsi DeMacque and Shirlie Kemp.

The Mayor at the time was even roped in as driver for the group. He had to scrabble to find warm clothes for stars, backing singers and crew alike when unexpected snowfall hit the town during filming.

At the very top of the car-free village, hidden down a woodland path lies the iconic chalet featured in the video – though fans will be disappointed to hear the interior was actually shot at another location.

It’s actually a privately owned chalet now, but we still managed to sneak outside for a photo – although be mindful that you’re taking pictures of someone’s home (and brace yourself for the hills).

In the centre of the village lies the five-star Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa, then the Hotel Walliserhof, where the band stayed during the shoot.

Guests can now check in to the George Michael Suite, the room where the star stayed, now home to memorabilia of the band and shoot.

Part of their Last Christmas package includes a three course meal and George Michael’s favourite cocktail, apparently a vodka and watermelon spritz.

You can even join a Wham! virtual scavenger hunt. After checking in, an app offers a series of clues to help you find the brooch that George gave to his ex-love in the music video. The brooch actually did go missing while filming, and was found by hotel staff outside in the snow.

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There’s a Last Christmas-themed dinner at one of the hotel’s three restaurants, a Wham! spa treatment and George Michael’s favourite cocktail, a vodka and watermelon spritz, is being served at the hotel bar.

If you visit in December and early January, fans can also enjoy a WHAM! walking tour. You’ll take in sights including the chalet to the Allalin cable car and viewpoint which provided the most dramatic visual backdrops. Meanwhile the Saas Museum is home to a mini exhibition on the group.

The highlight of these WHAM!tastic celebrations however, is the WHAM! Karaoke Box installed in the centre of Saas-Fee village for the winter, welcoming singers good and bad (myself included) to pick up the microphone and sing their hearts out, uploading their efforts to social media.

And if it’s just the skiing you’re after, you really won’t be disappointed.

The Valais region where Saas-Fee lies has some of the highest slopes in Switzerland and is known for its snow reliability.

Surrounded by steep mountains, it sits in a bowl shaped valley, meaning it’s almost always cold and there’s snow all year round which stays for long stretches.

It’s known as a ‘snow-assured area’ and there are some exceptional pistes to be reached within minutes of leaving the hotel.

Here in this perfect little Swiss village, it’s all snowbusiness at the end of the day.

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