Snow triggers panic buying in Valais

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 06:30

Heavy snowfall and a high avalanche risk have brought parts of Valais to a standstill.

Many roads are closed and several mountain villages are only partially accessible.

In Zermatt and Saas-Fee, disrupted supply chains have led to panic buying and empty supermarket shelves.

One resident in Zermatt says deliveries to Migros have been halted because no trains - not even freight - can get through.

Shoppers are stocking up on food that can be eaten without cooking, after brief power cuts.

In Saas-Fee, visitors report bare shelves at Coop and silent ski lifts, with avalanches heard in the distance.

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