WHAM!’s “Last Christmas” video was filmed at this Swiss destination. rotated

“Last Christmas”, a song by English pop duo WHAM! from the eighties, celebrated the 40th anniversary of its publication at the beginning of December 2024. As the song has become a global favorite, the location is receiving new attention for its music video 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 with a film crew to this glacial village in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border to shoot the video for what has become a popular global map maker.

The choice of Saas-Fee as a filming location is explained by Andy Morahan, the director of the video. Morahan recalled being told that Michael wanted to film the video somewhere Christmas-themed.

While searching for a snowy destination around the time of pre-Christmas filming, Morahan said he found out about Saas-Fee through a phone call with a location scout.

Filming “Last Christmas” by WHAM! in Saas Fee

Fans of this hit can relive this “Last Christmas” nostalgia at the Grand Hotel Walliserhof in Saas-Fee. This resort has a special connection to the filming. The song’s 40th anniversary will also be celebrated with special offers.

The story goes that Beat Anthamatten, the hotel manager at the time, had connections to someone on the film crew.

“When he heard they were looking for a location with snow, he called to London and sent the entire team to Saas-Fee,” said Laura Anthamatten, the hotel’s deputy sales and marketing manager.

Anthamatten said that no one was still employed at the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa who was there at the time of the 1984 video recordings. The property was then called Hotel Walliserhof, but was sold to a new owner in 2019.

“Last Christmas”. Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee

For its 40th anniversary, the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee is giving a special person some funny moments surrounding the filming of the “Last Christmas” video there.

First, an augmented reality tour includes a scavenger hunt to help George Michael’s virtual assistant find all the supplies needed for the film shoot.

The AR tour ends in the hotel’s George Michael Suite, where the legendary singer reportedly spent the night. His connection is commemorated with appropriate pictures, books and CDs. This tour is offered during the current winter season.

Guests at the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee can go on the so-called Wham!Walk with a guide and visit the filming locations of “Last Christmas”. You’ll also partake in a unique George Michael-style food and drink menu.

“Last Christmas” is honored in Saas-Fee

On December 21st, a 40th anniversary “Last Christmas Party” took place in front of the hotel. A saxophonist and a DJ perform their new interpretation on the WHAM! Song for the après-ski festival.

WAM! Fans who may not be able to visit the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Saas-Fee can get more insights into Saas-Fee on Netflix.

The video’s cast consisted of real-life friends of Michael and Ridgeley. In WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped, they reminisced about filming with Ridgeley and shared behind-the-scenes stories about various escapades.

Kathy Hill, a professional model who played Ridgeley’s girlfriend and was rumored to have previously dated Michael’s character, also took part in the documentary.

Overall, the Netflix documentary was a tribute to the late George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day 2016. Michael is credited with inventing the popular WHAM! film. Christmas song.

Towards 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 of the crew.

Zurbriggen has also been credited with Ridgeley and WHAM! shown. Backing singers Pepsi DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman unveil a public sculpture in Saas-Fee in honor of the song. Netflix subscribers can watch WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped here.