This Switzerland Destination Was Where WHAM!'s 'Last Christmas ...

"Last Christmas," a holiday song by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of WHAM! turned 40 in ... [+] December 2024. The global hit is also the subject of a new Netflix documentary (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)

Redferns

“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 for 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 returning to Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Forty years ago, Ridgeley and his collaborator George Michael came to this glacial village in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border, with a film crew to make the video for what has become a beloved global chartmaker.

The choosing of Saas-Fee as a set location is explained by Andy Morahan, the video’s director. Morahan recalled that he was told that Michael wanted to film the video in a Christmasy location.

In trying to find a snowy destination around the time of the pre-Christmas filming, Morahan said that he learned about Saas-Fee through a phone call with a location scout.

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

Now known as the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa, this resort in Saas-Fee, Switzerland welcome WHAM! ... [+] for the 1984 filming of "Last Christmas"

@walliserhof_saasfee

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 is also celebrating the song’s 40th anniversary with special offerings.

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

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

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

In honoring the 40th anniversary of WHAM!'s "Last Christmas," Grand Hotel Walliserhof in Saas-Fee ... [+] has special honorings related to George Michael.

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

For the 40th anniversary, the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee is giving to someone special some fun moments relating to 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 film shoot’s accessories.

The AR tour ends in the hotel’s George Michael Suite, which is 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’s referred to as the Wham!Walk with a guide and visit “Last Christmas” filming locations. They will also partake in a George Michael-themed signature food and drink menu.

Fans of WHAM's "Last Christmas" video will automatically recognize this property. It is in Saas-Fee, ... [+] Switzerland.

@walliserhof_saasfee ‘Last Christmas’ Is Honored in Saas-Fee

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

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

The video’s cast members were made up of Michael and Ridgeley’s real-life friends. In “WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped,” they reminiscenced with Ridgeley about its filming and shared behind-the-scenes stories of 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 passed away on Christmas Day in 2016. Michael is credited with having come up with the beloved WHAM! Christmas song.

Toward 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 shown with Ridgeley and WHAM! backup singers Pepsi DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, unveiling a public sculpture in Saas-Fee honoring the song. Netflix subscribers can watch “WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped” here.