How to Find the Locations from the “Last Christmas” Music Video in Switzerland, and How Much a Fan Tour Costs
From ‘lost keys’ to George Michael’s suite—a guide to filming locations in the Alps
Walking in the Stars' Footsteps: How to Experience the 1984 Magic Today
Did you know that the world’s most popular Christmas song was originally dedicated to Easter? I didn’t. In fact, I’ll be honest: when I first fell in love with this hit, I didn’t even know it was sung by George Michael. For me, it was simply the magic of the winter forest and the cozy video, which I saw much later.
Since then, my ideal Christmas has been a trip to Saas-Fee, Switzerland, in the footsteps of that very same Wham! video. Today, I invite you to stroll through the locations where the legend was made in 1984: from the funicular to that very chalet to which the film crew didn’t have the keys.
I love everything about that video: from the ‘80s-style bouffants to the enormous snowflakes. The beautiful wooden chalet (back then, it was dark brown, almost black), the enormous snowdrifts, the funicular, a group of young and playful people, Christmas pudding, and an incredibly beautiful brooch.
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| Iconic crystal brooch worn by George Michael in Last Christmas video |
Sure, the song is about a broken heart, but it’s a Christmas song, and the music hints at that, too. Although the song was originally called “Last Easter,” the label insisted on changing the theme to Christmas. And frankly, I can’t imagine it being Easter-themed at all.
Filming a music video in Switzerland
The video wasn’t shot in England, but in the Swiss Alps, in the town of Saas-Fee, Switzerland. This town was chosen because of the fluffy snowfall there. The area is also interesting because the surrounding mountains are over 4,000 meters high.
Originally, filming was supposed to take place in another location — the Swiss canton of Bern. But alas, there wasn’t much snow there, and the music video needed plenty of fluffy snow to create the right Christmas atmosphere.
Filming began just before the holiday, on November 30, 1984. The video features several key locations:
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| George Michael and friends arriving at the Felskinnbahn cable car in a red car |
Felskinnbahn Cable Car: A Scene That Almost Never Happened
A group of friends drives up to the Felskinnbahn cable car. Although this isn’t necessary to reach the chalet in the video, the scene is so beautiful that it has become iconic.
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| The iconic red Saas-Fee cable car featured in the 1984 Wham music video |
Chalet Schliechte: Why Weren’t They Never Filmed Inside?
The main chalet, Chalet Schliechte (in the Wildi district), is where the main action takes place. Legend has it that the film crew couldn’t get inside because the owner didn’t have the keys. So, they only filmed exterior scenes near it, where the kids were playing with snowballs, jumping over a fence, and chasing each other.
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| External shot of Chalet Schliechte surrounded by snowdrifts in the 1984 music video |
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| The famous Chalet Schliechte in Saas-Fee showing its updated light brown wood exterior. Photo by travelswissgirl |
Chalet Walliserhof
George Michael stayed at Chalet Walliserhof during filming, now called the 5-star Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa. George Michael’s rented room on the top floor of the chalet is now called the George Michael Suite.
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| The 5-star Walliserhof Grand Hotel where George Michael stayed during the video shoot. Screenshot from myswitzerland.com |
The view from this chalet is simply magical: many beautiful chalets and enormous mountains that make everything seem microscopic.
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| Beautiful snowy landscape of the car-free village of Saas-Fee in the Swiss Alps. Screenshot from Glamour |
A Tour for Fans
For those who still love this song, even though it’s 41 years old (just imagine), you can take a tour. It runs from December 23rd to 30th every year in Saas-Fee. It lasts about 2 hours and costs 5 Swiss francs. This tour shows all the locations from the video.
To truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere, you can dress up in ’80s style. The photos will turn out amazing.
“Last Christmas” is more than a song. It’s a time capsule preserving a perfect, almost fairytale-like Christmas. Even after all these years, Saas-Fee remains a pilgrimage destination for those seeking that same fluffy snow and the atmosphere of genuine friendship from ‘84.
While we cherish these nostalgic memories, navigating the modern digital marketing space requires a more data-driven approach to tradition. Today, many people use innovative growth strategies to simplify their holiday chores, turning to smart algorithms instead of following exhausted viral trends. Leveraging the right promotion tools can save you from the stress of gift-hunting and ensure your surprises are actually appreciated. To see how technology can solve the mystery of the perfect present, you should read my next practical review:
Insider Tip: if learning the secrets behind this snowy Alpine masterpiece has made you nostalgic for the golden era of pop music, the absolute best way to recreate that cozy holiday warmth is through the rich, crackling sound of analogue tracks. To find the perfect Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one, I highly recommend exploring the incredible selection of
Which version of “Last Christmas” is your favorite — the original or the covers? Would you dress up in an '80s style for a photo shoot in this very place? Let us know in the comments!
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