Why we moved to Valais
Anja Nehrenheim
Why we moved to Valais
Or: How to get electricity, water and a pack of huskies under one roof
Zurich - beautiful, but not for snouts
Zurich. 600 metres in altitude. Everything is there: public transport every minute, shops around the corner, sushi at the touch of a button.
But a pack of huskies in the middle of it all?
Rather semi-optimal.
Sure, we had a garden - but one in which a husky voluntarily mutates into a mole out of boredom. And the constant question: "Was that a disturbance of the peace or just a passionate wolf howl?"
The search for the perfect place began.
Spoiler: It lasted eight years. 🤯
Of steep slopes, dead ends & school buses
We looked at everything.
And I mean: everything.
- Abandoned farmhouses with a steep slope instead of a garden
- Places where the nearest grocery shop was only found with GPS
- And houses that made us wonder whether our son would later need a driving licence or a helicopter
It was either too remote for the school or too close to the nearest neighbour. Always something.
Our Maiensäss from above from the Schweibenbahn cable car
Nova on a walk on the Kreuzboden
Love at first sight (after the second viewing appointment)
Then we saw this little advert:
An inconspicuous mountain pasture in Valais, in the middle of nature, with a well, no electricity, but with a lot of heart.
The first viewing appointment fell victim to the snow. The second one almost did too.
But in March the time had come - and we knew:
That's it.
I moved in in June - with a sleeping bag, a rucksack full of energy and nerve bars and the knowledge:
"Okay, this is going to be wild."
Moving in without electricity - a slightly different start
Phil took care of the move in Zurich (after 20 years... a lot accumulates).
Our son Nico finished his school year in good behaviour.
I commuted between the mountain hut (new job) and the building site (new home).
I also gave dog courses in Zurich.
My strategy:
- Visiting Zurich = packing the car
- Showers & hot food = in the hut
- Water = well in front of the house
- Toilet? Forest.
- Charge mobile phone = only as long as the generator is running
Yes, that was the moment when you learn to optimise your life to 30 % battery.
The most important part: Home for the huskies
In addition to human things like "electricity" and "latrine", there was a real priority:
The new realm for the pack.
Because:
- Huskies need secure fences (not 1.50 m - rather 2 metres with escape protection)
- Own dog kennels for every furry friend
- Stone slabs against diggeritis
- Wind protection, freedom of movement & enough space to "goof off" (technical term)
And yes:
Huskies are fascinating creatures - playful, cuddly, but with a built-in mischievousness.
Loyalty like a Golden Retriever? Rather not.
Respect? Yes.
But only if you've earned it.
Huskies cooling off in the dog pool
First sleeping area in the Maiensäss when moving in
Rich in stone in the Alps
When we were setting up, we realised once again:
We live in the Alpine region.
What does that mean?
- There are no straight surfaces
- Every attempt to level something ends with the sentence:
"Oh, hello boulder."
- You automatically become a geologist - including pickaxe and swearing
But:
- There is snow.
- There are trails.
- There is peace.
- And there are happy huskies who feel more comfortable at -10 °C than I do in a woollen jumper.
Conclusion: Why Valais? Because it simply fits.
It was not an easy path.
But it was our way.
A place where people, animals and nature can live together.
Where we do not disturb - but belong.
Today we have:
- Space for our pack
- Room for dreams
- And a life that is not always comfortable, but 100 % real.
And hey - I can now brush my teeth outside without complaining. That's something too, isn't it? 😄
Husky stories
Existing contributions
Anja Nehrenehim
Anja is the founder of Wild Swiss Adventure and lives with 16 huskies in Eisten in Valais.
