The Glacier 3000 top station designed by Mario Botta on its snowy ridge, with the Bernese and Vaud Alps beyond

Resort guide · Switzerland

Gstaad: Our Ski Guide

Ten chalet villages in the Saanenland, with Gstaad’s car-free Promenade at their heart: about 200 km of pistes over several mountains, Glacier 3000 at the head of the valley, palace hotels on the hills and fondue in a cowshed.

The back story

Season 2026/27: Saanenmöser–Saanerslochgrat 20 Nov 2026 – 4 Apr 2027 (if skiing is possible); Eggli–La Videmanette 19 Dec 2026 – 14 Mar 2027; Rinderberg 18 Dec 2026 – 29 Mar 2027 (bergbahnen-gstaad.ch) · Glacier 3000: 7 Nov 2026 – 30 Apr 2027, skiing from 3,000 to 1,300 m (glacier3000.ch) · Ski area: About 200 km of slopes, including 105 km on Rinderberg–Saanersloch–Horneggli · Top viewpoint: Glacier 3000 and the Peak Walk by Tissot, with 24 peaks over 4,000 m in view · Lift pass: Five flexible days CHF 420 (adult), winter 2026/27 (bergbahnen-gstaad.ch) · Lift company: Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad · Getting there: Train: Geneva Airport 2 h 50, Bern Airport about 2½ h, Zurich Airport about 3¼ h (gstaad.ch)

  1. The back story

    Gstaad: the back story

    Gstaad·In depth

    Ten chalet villages in the Saanenland, a palace on the hill since 1913, and a music festival that made a farming valley world-famous.

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Lift passes, ski schools and hire

  1. Official prices, 2026/27

    Gstaad lift passes

    Gstaad·Lift pass·€€€

    Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad passes for about 200 km of pistes: fixed seasonal day prices from 2026/27, and multi-day passes that are cheaper when you book early online.

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  2. Skiing from 3,000 m, 7 Nov 2026 – 30 Apr 2027

    Glacier 3000

    Gstaad·Glacier skiing and viewpoint·€€€

    The only glacier ski area in the Bernese Oberland, skiing from 3,000 down to 1,300 metres, with the Peak Walk by Tissot: the only suspension bridge in the world linking two mountain peaks.

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  3. Zweisimmen, Schönried, Saanenmöser, Gstaad, Lauenen

    Learning parks and the Saani ticket

    Gstaad·Beginner areas·€

    Learning parks in five villages for first turns on skis or a board, open to everyone at no charge, plus a cheaper Saani day pass for the gentle slopes.

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  4. Snowli Club from 3 years

    Skischool Gstaad

    Gstaad·Ski and snowboard school·€€€

    Group lessons for children from three, private lessons in every discipline, race training and heliskiing, from the meeting points on the Wispile and the Eggli.

    Egglistrasse 23, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  5. Ski, snowboard and cross-country

    Alpinzentrum Gstaad

    Gstaad·Swiss ski school, Saanenmöser·€€€

    The Swiss ski school in Saanenmöser, at the foot of the region’s biggest ski area: lessons in skiing, snowboarding and cross-country, plus guided snowshoe and ski tours.

    Hornbergstrasse 3a, 3777 SaanenmöserExplore View on map

  6. Native instructors, Grade 3 diploma

    Private ski instructors Gstaad

    Gstaad·Private instructors·€€€€

    Local private instructors for skiing, heliskiing, ski touring, snowshoeing and cross-country, with specially trained teachers for children.

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  7. The region’s most modern rental park

    Frautschi Sports, Schönried

    Gstaad·Ski hire and boot fitting·€€

    A modern sports and fashion store in Schönried with boot fitting, ski and touring-ski hire, clothing to rent and a Kidscorner.

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  8. Rental centre by the Rinderberg gondola

    Tom Wittwer Sport, Zweisimmen

    Gstaad·Ski hire and sports shop·€€

    A two-floor sports store in Zweisimmen and a rental and service centre right next to the Rinderberg valley station, with Swiss Rent a Sport.

    Lenkstrasse 2, 3770 ZweisimmenExplore View on map

Where to stay, every budget

Who it suits. On a budget: The Saanen youth hostel, family hotels like the Kernen in Schönried, the Saani beginner pass, and trains and buses included with the Gstaad Card. Mid-range: Four-star chalet hotels in Gstaad, Saanen and Schönried, lunch on the Wispile or La Videmanette terraces, and a Bib Gourmand dinner in Saanen. Luxury: The Gstaad Palace, The Alpina and Le Grand Bellevue, spa afternoons, MEGU and Gildo’s, and a day on Glacier 3000.

  1. On the hill since 1913 · In depth

    Gstaad Palace

    Gstaad·Five-star palace hotel·€€€€

    The castle-like palace above the village: 90 rooms and suites, a 1,800 m² spa with an indoor pool, hammam and open-air jacuzzi, six restaurants, four bars and the GreenGo club.

    Palacestrasse 28, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  2. Six Senses Spa and MEGU · In depth

    The Alpina Gstaad

    Gstaad·Five-star hotel·€€€€

    A five-star chalet hotel on the hill above the village, with 56 rooms and suites, a Six Senses Spa with a 25 m indoor pool and a heated outdoor pool, and the Japanese restaurant Megu.

    Alpinastrasse 23, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  3. On the Promenade, reopened 2013 · In depth

    Le Grand Bellevue

    Gstaad·Five-star superior hotel·€€€€

    A five-star superior hotel at the start of the Promenade, with 57 rooms and suites, Le Grand Spa over 3,000 m² with a Thermal Oasis of 17 zones, and LEONARD’s restaurant.

    Untergstaadstrasse 17, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  4. 33 rooms, 11 suites, 6 apartments · In depth

    Fouquet’s Gstaad

    Gstaad·Luxury hotel·€€€€

    An intimate Collection Fouquet’s hotel of 33 rooms, 11 suites and 6 apartments, with an 800 m² spa around a 15-metre pool, Augustinus Bader treatments and a Zuma pop-up.

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  5. The first saltwater pool in the Alps · In depth

    ERMITAGE Wellness & Spa Hotel

    Gstaad·Wellness hotel, Schönried·€€€€

    A chalet-style wellness hotel in Schönried with about 3,700 m² of spa, indoor and outdoor brine pools at 35 °C, a 17-metre outdoor sports pool and seven saunas and steam baths.

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  6. Pool, spa and ski shop · In depth

    HUUS Gstaad

    Gstaad·Four-star superior hotel, Saanen·€€€

    A four-star superior hotel above Saanen with a 135 m² panoramic indoor pool, Finnish panorama sauna, a kids’ spa, La Vue restaurant, sushi and its own ski and bike shop.

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  7. Run by the Huber family · In depth

    Hotel Gstaaderhof

    Gstaad·Four-star hotel·€€€

    A four-star active-and-relax hotel in central Gstaad, run by the Huber family, with a sauna spa for over-16s, Thai massage, the Müli restaurant and the Saagi-Stübli for fondue.

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  8. The von Siebenthal family since 1947 · In depth

    Hotel Alpenrose, Schönried

    Gstaad·Boutique hotel·€€€

    A family-run boutique hotel at 1,230 m in Schönried, with 24 chalet rooms, suites and apartments, a private sauna and jacuzzi, the gourmet Azalée and Sammy’s Grill.

    Dorfstrasse 14, 3778 SchönriedExplore View on map

  9. Family-run since 1904

    Hotel Kernen, Schönried

    Gstaad·Three-star family hotel·€€

    A down-to-earth family and sports hotel in Schönried, run by Bruno Kernen in the fourth generation, near the mountain railways.

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  10. At the Eggweid mid-station

    Rinderberg Lodge

    Gstaad·Mountain hotel, Zweisimmen·€€

    A mountain lodge at the Rinderberg gondola’s mid-station above Zweisimmen, on the slopes, with a big sun terrace and a spa.

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  11. A modern chalet hostel in Saanen

    Youth Hostel Saanen-Gstaad

    Gstaad·Youth hostel·€

    Swiss Youth Hostels’ modern chalet hostel in Saanen, with dormitories, family rooms and doubles: the most affordable bed in the region.

    Spitzhornweg 25, 3792 SaanenExplore View on map

Restaurants and mountain huts

  1. In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

    Gildo’s Ristorante

    Gstaad·Italian·€€€€

    Upmarket Italian cooking at the Gstaad Palace, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Switzerland.

    Palacestrasse 28, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  2. In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

    MEGU

    Gstaad·Japanese·€€€€

    A modern, cosmopolitan Japanese restaurant at The Alpina Gstaad: sushi, sashimi, Wagyu beef.

    Alpinastrasse 23, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  3. In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

    The Mansard Restaurant

    Gstaad·International·€€€

    A modern, elegant brasserie with an Alpine feel on the ground floor of the boutique hotel Miiro The Mansard.

    Untergstaadstrasse 26, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  4. In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

    La Bagatelle

    Gstaad·Classic French·€€€€

    Classic French cooking from top-notch ingredients, with dishes for two, in a cosy room of warm wood and soft light.

    Neueretstrasse 43, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  5. Bib Gourmand (MICHELIN 2026)

    16 ART-BAR-RESTAURANT

    Gstaad·Country cooking·€€

    Country cooking in a former bell foundry in Saanen, warm and down to earth: the valley’s Bib Gourmand.

    Mittelgässli 16, 3792 SaanenExplore View on map

  6. In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

    Azalée

    Gstaad·Classic French·€€€

    Classic French cooking in an elegant, traditional room at the von Siebenthal family’s Hotel Alpenrose in Schönried.

    Dorfstrasse 14, 3778 SchönriedExplore View on map

  7. 1,907 m, 360° views over Gstaad

    Mountain restaurant Wispile

    Gstaad·Mountain restaurant·€€

    A cosy mountain lodge high above Gstaad with 360° views, 150 seats inside and 150 on the sun terrace, with deck chairs.

    Moosfangstrasse 46, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  8. 2,200 m above Rougemont

    Mountain restaurant La Videmanette

    Gstaad·Mountain restaurant·€€

    At 2,200 metres in the saddle between the Rüeblihorn and La Videmanette, with views of the Bernese and Vaud Alps.

    1659 RougemontExplore View on map

  9. A history of over 180 years

    Mountain restaurant Horneggli

    Gstaad·Mountain restaurant·€€

    A traditional mountain inn at 1,770 metres, on the slopes at the top of the Horneggli chairlift from Schönried.

    Horneggliweg 5, 3778 SchönriedExplore View on map

  10. Gstaad’s local mountain

    Mountain restaurant Eggli

    Gstaad·Mountain restaurant·€€

    On Gstaad’s own mountain, a few minutes by gondola from the village: a big panoramic terrace and a cosy room inside.

    Tschaanereweg 8, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  11. Designed by Mario Botta

    Restaurant Botta, Glacier 3000

    Gstaad·Mountain restaurant·€€€

    A warm, bright restaurant at the top of Glacier 3000, designed by the Swiss architect Mario Botta, with the Alps all around.

    Glacier 3000, 1865 Les DiableretsExplore View on map

  12. About 2,000 m, by Saanerslochgrat

    Iglu-Dorf Gstaad

    Gstaad·Igloo bar and fondue·€€

    An igloo village near the Saanerslochgrat top station, with a daytime bar, fondue of regional cheese and homemade white mulled wine.

    Saanerslochgrat, 3777 SaanenmöserExplore View on map

  13. Cows behind the glass

    Michel’s Stallbeizli

    Gstaad·Fondue in a cowshed·€€

    A restaurant on the edge of Gstaad where you eat cheese fondue or raclette while the cows, calves and goats look on through the windows.

    Gsteigstrasse 41, 3780 GstaadExplore View on map

Après-ski and bars

  1. DJs and bands at weekends

    Kuhstall, Schönried

    Gstaad·Après-ski bar and restaurant·€€

    Right next to the Horneggli slope above Schönried: a warming drink, a hearty lunch, and DJs and bands at weekends.

    Waldmattenstrasse 30A, 3778 SchönriedExplore View on map

  2. Above the Saanersloch valley station

    WHY KNOT Après-Ski Bar

    Gstaad·Après-ski bar·€€

    The place to swap stories after a day of powder, above the Saanersloch valley station in Saanenmöser, by ski or on foot.

    Hornbergstrasse 22, 3777 SaanenmöserExplore View on map

  3. Cheese and sausage from Alp Horny

    Hornybar

    Gstaad·Snow bar·€€

    A snow bar at the Horneggli, where in summer the cows graze: the “Horny-Plättli” of cheese and sausage straight from the alp.

    Horneggli, 3778 SchönriedExplore View on map

  4. At the foot of the Rinderberg

    Lothar Bar, Zweisimmen

    Gstaad·Après-ski bar·€€

    Shots, hot cups and cold beer at the foot of the Rinderberg, above the roofs of Zweisimmen: you ski past it on the way down.

    Rinderberggasse 1, 3770 ZweisimmenExplore View on map

  5. On the Eggli run down to Saanen

    Mojo Snow Lounge

    Gstaad·Slope-side bar·€€

    A small bar and lounge on the Eggli piste down to Saanen, beside the Schopfen T-bar: hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks.

    3780 GstaadExplore View on map

  6. Near the Saanerslochgrat top station

    Pasatiempo, Saanenmöser

    Gstaad·Deck and chalet bar·€€

    A deck near the Saanerslochgrat top station, with what it calls the most beautiful view in the Saanenland, and a cosy chalet behind.

    Saanerslochgrat – Hornberg, 3777 SaanenmöserExplore View on map

Shops

  1. The pedestrian heart of Gstaad

    Gstaad Promenade

    Gstaad·Shopping street

    The car-free main street of chalets, with exclusive shops, restaurants, hotels and bars.

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  2. Cheese for almost 100 years

    Molkerei Gstaad

    Gstaad·Cheese dairy and shop

    The Gstaad dairy, which has supplied gourmets and grand kitchens for almost a century: fondue and raclette mixes, cheese platters and a cheese cave.

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  3. Baking since 1910

    Early Beck

    Gstaad·Bakery and tea room

    A bakery and confiserie baking for the valley since 1910, with tea rooms in Gstaad (Menuhin-Platz) and Saanen, open every day of the year.

    Dorfstrasse 77, 3792 SaanenExplore View on map

  4. Made by local artisans

    GyBi Geschenke + Souvenirs

    Gstaad·Gifts and crafts

    Regional gifts in textile, glass and wood made by local artisans, with decorative objects and a few Ticino specialities, in Saanen.

    Dorfstrasse 63, 3792 SaanenExplore View on map

  5. In the heart of Saanen

    Schneeberger Sport & Mode

    Gstaad·Sports shop and hire

    A friendly sports and fashion shop in the centre of Saanen, with equipment chosen and fitted by people who ski.

    Dorfstrasse 64, 3792 SaanenExplore View on map

  6. Four stores in Zweisimmen

    Intersport Matti

    Gstaad·Sports and fashion

    Sports and fashion across four stores in Zweisimmen, with rental and ski storage.

    Kirchgasse 5, 3770 ZweisimmenExplore View on map

Spas and wellness

  1. Open to day guests

    Six Senses Spa, The Alpina Gstaad

    Gstaad·Hotel spa

    The Six Senses Spa at The Alpina, one of the day spas open to visitors as well as hotel guests.

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  2. 3,000 m², 17 wellness zones

    Le Grand Spa, Le Grand Bellevue

    Gstaad·Hotel spa

    A 3,000 m² spa with 17 wellness zones on the Promenade; single entries to the spa area and pool can be booked.

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  3. Spa, wellness and fitness

    Gstaad Palace Spa

    Gstaad·Hotel spa

    The Palace’s spa, wellness and fitness facilities, for relaxing, working out or a treatment after skiing.

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  4. Indoor and outdoor brine pools

    ERMITAGE saltwater pools

    Gstaad·Hotel spa, Schönried

    Swim in heated spring water and natural brine, indoors or out, in a spa of about 3,700 m², also open to day guests.

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  5. For locals and visitors

    Sports centre Gstaad

    Gstaad·Indoor pool and wellness

    Gstaad’s sports centre, with an indoor pool, sauna and relaxation rooms: the simple, affordable way to warm up after skiing.

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Getting there

  1. By train from Zurich, Geneva and Bern

    Getting to Gstaad

    Gstaad·Getting there

    By train about 3¼ hours from Zurich Airport, 2 hours 50 from Geneva Airport and 2½ hours from Bern Airport; direct trains from Montreux and from Spiez and Zweisimmen.

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  2. New from winter 2026

    Snow trains to Gstaad

    Gstaad·Rail

    Every weekend and on busy winter days, three snow trains run without a change from Gruyère, Bern and Solothurn/Emmental to the valley stations of the Gstaad ski areas.

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  3. From the first night

    Gstaad Card: trains and buses

    Gstaad·Guest card

    From your first night, the Gstaad Card covers trains and buses throughout the holiday region, all year round.

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  4. Mid-December to mid-March

    Gstaad ski buses

    Gstaad·Ski bus

    Ski buses link Saanen and Gstaad, St. Stephan and Lengebrand, and Gstaad with the Col du Pillon and Glacier 3000.

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  5. Air taxis

    Gstaad Airport, Saanen

    Gstaad·Airfield

    The small airfield in Saanen, with air-taxi connections to many destinations in Switzerland and abroad.

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Property: the neighbourhoods

  1. The pedestrian Promenade, 1,050 m

    Gstaad village

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    The car-free heart of the region, with the Promenade, the grand hotels on the hills either side and the Eggli and Wispile lifts on foot.

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  2. A protected historic village

    Saanen

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    The old market village next door, listed among Switzerland’s protected sites, with the airfield and the Saanen–Eggli lift.

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  3. Gstaad’s sunny terrace, 1,230 m

    Schönried

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    A chalet village on the sunny terrace above Gstaad, with the Horneggli chairlift from the village into the biggest ski area.

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  4. At the top of the pass, 1,270 m

    Saanenmöser

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    A sunny chalet village between Zweisimmen and Saanen, with the Saanersloch cable cars from the centre.

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  5. A quiet village by a lake

    Lauenen

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    An idyllic village of wooden houses at 1,241 metres, with a nature reserve around Lake Lauenen and its own ski lift.

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  6. On the road to the Col du Pillon

    Gsteig

    Gstaad·Neighbourhood

    A heritage-listed village at 1,200 metres beneath the Diablerets massif, the closest village to Glacier 3000.

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Share your Gstaad tips

Been there? Share your runs, huts and tips with other skiers.

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