Saas Fee has re-named itself 'The Free Republic' following a public vote in the high Swiss village.
The full implications of that declaration of independence are yet to become clear, but the glacier village has at least decided to throw a carnival now the days are finally getting longer.
Carnival in Saas Fee means colourful Guggenmusik groups, the ghosts of carnivals past such as the scary tschäggätta and, the resort promises, "plenty more fun and craziness besides."
This year the village is also holding theirr first Nostalgia Day, featuring various vintage ski races. With these you can learn more about the history of skiing and experience a ride on a pair of retro skis. Or you could go even further back in time and try out plain wooden skis from the earliest days of the sport.
For something more exciting a 'fire and ice' evening with 'Snow & Style nights' are a sight to behold,
This year visitors can once again look forward to amazing stunts and performances!" says a statement from the resort.
The resort also promises that despite the high-riding Swiss Franc, in their self-styled 'Free Republic of Holidays Saas-Fee', your pound retains plenty of spending power thanks to a range of special deals.
There's also the resort's recently revamped Soul Kitchen, the highest revolving restaurant in the world to visit, or you can stop by the Spielboden mountain restaurant, which is under new management this season.