At the foot of the Swiss Alps lies Valais, "the valley." This fabled region is a year-round favorite, with spectacular skiing in the winter and superb hiking in summer. The Matterhorn, the Great St. Bernard Pass and Zermatt are the stars of the area, but glaciers, lakes, mountain paths, castle-churches and a wealth of resorts also beckon. Visit L'Hospice du Grand St. Bernard to see the animals who helped the monks rescue travelers or the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Roman ruins that now house modern art.