An alaia is a thin solid wood surfboard used in pre-20th century Hawaii. Alaïa Bay is a wave pool in the Alps. Yes, the Swiss experience is about as far away from surfing’s Hawaiian roots as you can get. But Venn Diagram these two worlds and you will find intersections. Let’s try: Fondue and poi are both gooey! One culture blows on a conch shell for tourists while the other uses a comically long alphorn. And of course, there’s the sheer thrill of sliding along a wave. And now, the artificial wave facility in Sion is taking another Hawaiian cue and offering a kamaaina discount of sorts.

Alaïa Bay, Switzerland’s first surf park and one of the first in Europe, is set to officially reopen for the 2025 season on April 12. Ahead of the full reopening, a limited Pre-Season Free Surf period will begin on March 15, providing experienced surfers with early access to the waves in the Swiss Alps. 

Pre-Season Free Surf Details & Wave Pool Prices Switzerland

A total of 850 pre-season spots are available at a rate of CHF 85 ($94US and 90€) per session. These sessions will take place on weekends from March 15 to April 6 and are open only to validated Free Surf participants. Due to limited availability, early booking is recommended.

Updates for the 2025 Season

Alaïa Bay has introduced several updates for the new season:

• New Free Surf Pricing: Sessions will now be available for CHF 89 ($98US and 94€) during the regular season for validated Free Surfers.
• Terminology Changes: Lessons will now be referred to as Coached Sessions, and standard sessions will be called Guided Sessions to better reflect skill levels.
• Session Packs: The traditional 5- and 10-session packs now include peak-hour access, softboard rental, and wetsuit availability. These packs cater to all levels, from beginner to advanced surfers, and are valid for two years.
• Intermediate Cruiser Session Upgrade: This session will now be fully coached to enhance safety and improve wave flow management.

“The Pre-Season Free Surf program gives our most experienced surfers early access to the waves before our official opening on April 12,” said Gabriel Tamaki of Alaïa Bay. “The purpose is to allow them to get back in rhythm after the winter break and allows us to fine-tune operations before the full season kicks off.”

Gabriel said that this is the first time they are running a structured pre-season, and they have kept it exclusive to validated Free Surfers. These are the regular customers who already know the waves and safety guidelines.

Facilities and Access at Swiss Surf Park During Pre-Season

Alaïa Bay noted that facilities will be limited during the Pre-Season Free Surf period. Outdoor changing rooms will be available, along with showers, toilets, and cabins. Surfboard and wetsuit rentals will be accessible at the AAA Surf Shop, but the standard Surf Rental facility will remain closed. The Twin Fin Restaurant will also be closed during this period, though snacks and beverages can be purchased at the AAA Surf Shop.

Alaia said that it’s a win-win for both customers and the team, as this new model will create more opportunities to surf while also keeping operation costs sustainable for Alaïa Bay.”

“From a business perspective, this program allows us to extend our operational calendar while keeping things lean,” added Gabriel. “Running Free Surf sessions with limited facilities enables us to offer lower prices while still covering essential costs.”

Eligibility for Free Surf Sessions

Free Surf Sessions are exclusively available to validated Free Surf participants, meaning no safety briefing or surf guide will be provided. To qualify, surfers must have completed at least two Expert Guided Sessions (Turn or Barrel) and received official validation. Those uncertain of their eligibility can contact Alaïa Bay for confirmation.

Booking Information & Wave Park Europe Prices

The 2025 season calendar is now live, with all sessions available for booking. Pre-season sessions have limited availability, and surfers are encouraged to reserve spots in advance to ensure participation.

For more details, visit Alaïa Bay’s official website or contact customer support for assistance.

How Alaia Bay made their smaller footprint work

Alaïa Bay partners with Surf Eye for its video capture system