This Switzerland destination is where WHAM!’s ‘Last Christmas’ video was filmed

“Last Christmas”, a song by the eighties English pop duo, WHAM!, marked the 40th anniversary of its release in early December 2024. As the song has become a worldwide favorite, the location of its music video is getting attention in a new Netflix special .

In “WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped,” WHAM! co-founder and singer Andrew Ridgeley is shown heading back to Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Forty years ago, Ridgeley and his collaborator George Michael came to this glacier village in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border with a film crew to make the video for what has become a beloved global map maker.

The choice of Saas-Fee as a permanent location is explained by Andy Morahan, the director of the video. Morahan recalled being told that Michael wanted to film the video in a Christmas location.

Trying to find a snowy destination around the time of the pre-Christmas shoot, Morahan said he learned about Saas-Fee through a phone call with a local scout.

Filming WHAM!’s ‘Last Christmas’ in Saas-Fee

Fans of this hit song can relive this “Last Christmas” nostalgia at Grand Hotel Walliserhof in Saas-Fee. This resort has a special connection to the filming. It’s also celebrating the song’s 40th anniversary with special offers.

The story goes that Beat Anthamatten, then the hotel’s general manager, had connections with someone from the film crew.

“So when he heard they were looking for a place with snow, he called London and got the whole team to Saas-Fee,” said Laura Anthamatten, the hotel’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Anthamatten said there is no one still employed at the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa who would have been present at the time of the video footage in 1984. The property was then known as the Hotel Walliserhof, but it was sold in 2019 to new ownership.

‘Last Christmas’ at Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee

For the 40th anniversary, the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee is giving a special someone some fun moments in connection with the filming of the “Last Christmas” video there.

First, an augmented reality tour involves a scavenger hunt to help George Michael’s virtual assistant find all the props for filming.

The AR tour ends in the hotel’s George Michael Suite, said to be where the iconic singer spent the night. His association is commemorated with related pictures, books and CDs. This tour will be offered through the current winter season.

Guests at the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee can go on what is referred to as Whew! Go with a guide and visit “Last Christmas” filming locations. They will also partake in a signature George Michael themed food and drink menu.

‘Last Christmas’ is honored in Saas-Fee

On December 21, a “Last Christmas Party” for the 40th anniversary took place in front of the hotel. A saxophonist and a DJ put their new interpretation on WHAM! song with après ski festivities.

WHAM! fans who may not be able to visit Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee can get more insight about Saas-Fee on Netflix.

The video’s cast consisted of Michael and Ridgeley’s real-life friends. In “WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped,” they reminisced with Ridgeley about its filming and shared behind-the-scenes stories about various antics.

Kathy Hill, a professional model who played Ridgeley’s girlfriend and was portrayed as having previously dated Michael’s character, also participated in the documentary.

Overall, the Netflix documentary paid tribute to the late George Michael, who died on Christmas Day in 2016. Michael is credited with coming up with the beloved WHAM! carol

Towards the end of the documentary, Stefan Zurbriggen, the current mayor of Saas-Fee, reflected on his personal connection to the video. He was the main driver for the crew.

Zurbriggen was also featured with Ridgeley and WHAM! backup singers Pepsi DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman unveil a public sculpture in Saas-Fee in honor of the song. Netflix subscribers can watch “WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped” here.