Gstaad

Updated October 2026 · Sources: Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad, Glacier 3000, SBB timetable

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Gstaad is in Switzerland, in the canton of Bern, at the western end of the Bernese Oberland. The village sits at 1,050 metres and is the main resort of the Saanenland, the upper valley of the Saane river. Gstaad is not a municipality in its own right: it belongs to the municipality of Saanen (about 7,000 residents). It is German-speaking, but the French-speaking canton of Vaud starts just a few kilometres away, at Rougemont and Les Diablerets.

Most international visitors fly into Geneva: about 150 km and two hours by car, or 2 hours 50 minutes by train with one change. Bern is 87 km away (about an hour and a half), Zurich about 205 km (just under three hours), Montreux on Lake Geneva about 60 km. The GoldenPass Express panoramic train runs from Montreux to Gstaad in 1 hour 25 minutes and continues to Interlaken without a change.

Gstaad is famous for luxury: historic grand hotels, a car-free high street of designer boutiques, private chalets, tennis, polo and classical music. It is also a real mountain resort, with 200 km of ski runs (Glacier 3000 included), lakes and marked trails in summer and well-preserved wooden villages. And you can visit on a mid-range budget if you know where to stay.

The Promenade, the car-free centre

Gstaad’s main street, the Promenade, has been pedestrian since the late 1990s; through traffic runs in a bypass tunnel. It is lined with fashion boutiques, jewellers, art galleries, cafés and restaurants, all in chalet-style buildings. In the evening, especially in winter when it is lit up, this is where everyone strolls.

Chalets and building rules

You won’t see concrete blocks in Gstaad. Since the 1950s the law has required the region’s traditional character to be preserved: even new buildings must follow the chalet style, built and clad in wood. That is why the village looks so consistent, even where the buildings are recent.

The Gstaad Palace: not a castle

The white building with turrets on Oberbort hill looks like a castle, but it is a hotel: the Gstaad Palace, opened on 8 December 1913, a few years after the railway arrived from Montreux. Gstaad has no historic castle. The Palace became the symbol of the resort’s luxury.

St Nicholas Chapel

The small St Nicholas Chapel in the centre is Gstaad’s oldest building: a chapel is first recorded here in 1402 and the bells date from 1404. It took its present form in 1926, after several extensions.

Saanen and St Mauritius Church

Saanen (1,010 m), three minutes away by train, is the valley’s historic village and the seat of the municipality. Its old centre is protected, with wooden houses rebuilt after the great fire of 1575. St Mauritius Church, first recorded in 1228, has 15th-century wall paintings. This is where violinist Yehudi Menuhin began the concerts that grew into the Menuhin Festival. Saanen is also known for its traditional paper-cutting craft.

Schönried and Saanenmöser

Heading towards Zweisimmen you pass Schönried (1,230 m), on a sunny terrace, and Saanenmöser (1,270 m), on the pass between the Saanenland and the Simmental. Both are quieter than Gstaad and give access to the largest ski sector: the Horneggli chairlift starts in Schönried, the Saanersloch gondola in Saanenmöser.

Lauenen and Lake Lauenen

Lauenen (1,241 m), with its wooden houses and church, is the valley’s most photographed village. A few kilometres further up, the Lauenensee (1,381 m) is a lake of about 10 hectares surrounded by protected moorland, below rock walls and waterfalls. Bus 181 runs from Gstaad station to the lake; drivers will find a paid car park nearby.

Gsteig and Feutersoey

Gsteig (1,200 m) is the last Bernese village before the Col du Pillon, below the Diablerets massif. Its 15th-century church and the old wooden inn next door make one of Switzerland’s classic postcard views. In summer a cable car climbs from here to the Sanetsch reservoir on the Valais border. Before Gsteig, the hamlet of Feutersoey is the starting point for the Arnensee, a lake at about 1,540 metres reached by a toll road.

Glacier 3000 and the Peak Walk

Glacier 3000 is not in Gstaad itself: the cable car leaves from the Col du Pillon (1,546 m), in the canton of Vaud above Les Diablerets, about 18 km from Gstaad. It is 20 minutes by car or about half an hour on bus 180 from Gstaad station. The cable car takes 15 minutes to reach almost 3,000 metres. At the top, the Peak Walk is a suspension bridge 107 metres long and 80 centimetres wide linking two summits. On a clear day you see the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. The bridge is included in the cable car ticket.

In winter 2026/27 a return ticket from Col du Pillon to Scex Rouge costs CHF 95 for adults and CHF 48 for children aged 6 to 15 (official prices, August 2026). The winter season runs from 7 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Check weather and opening on the Glacier 3000 website: in bad weather the Peak Walk may be closed.

The Gstaad Mountain Rides ski area has 200 km of runs including Glacier 3000, from about 950 metres (Zweisimmen) to almost 3,000. It is not one linked area: five separate sectors are connected by ski buses (mid-December to mid-March), train and bus, so plan your days by sector. The season usually runs from mid-December to the end of March; on the glacier you can ski from November to April. Live status on the lift company website.

The sectors

• Rinderberg – Saanersloch – Horneggli (Zweisimmen, Saanenmöser, Schönried): the biggest, with 14 lifts and 105 km of runs for all levels, a snow park and six toboggan runs.
• Eggli – La Videmanette (Gstaad and Rougemont): 8 lifts and 58 km, good for families and beginners. The run from La Videmanette down to Rougemont is the longest in the area. Night skiing in Rougemont.
• Wispile (Gstaad): 5 lifts and about 9 km, with a ski-school kids’ area and a demanding run back to the valley.
• Wasserngrat (Gstaad): one lift and 6 km, for experts. It is home to the Tiger Run, Gstaad’s steepest piste.
• Glacier 3000 (Col du Pillon): 9 lifts and 28 km, including a 3 km black run.
• Lauenen and Gsteig: one lift each, for children and beginners.

Lift passes 2026/27

From the 2026/27 season, day and half-day tickets have fixed seasonal prices; dynamic pricing now applies only to multi-day passes, which are cheaper the earlier you book online. The day ticket covers every sector except Glacier 3000; multi-day passes include the glacier.

Official prices (August 2026 list): the Flex 5-day pass costs CHF 420 for adults, CHF 340 for teenagers and CHF 210 for children; 7 days cost CHF 588. The “Saani” day ticket, valid on the easy runs at Rinderberg, Saanerslochgrat and Wispile, costs CHF 41 (children up to 11 CHF 24). The Gsteig day ticket is CHF 45. Children up to 5 ski free. Gstaad’s lifts are also part of the Magic Pass, which includes Glacier 3000 in winter.

Cross-country, tobogganing and ski schools

The Saanenland has more than 130 km of cross-country trails on 20 routes, including Schönried-Saanenmöser, Lauenen, Turbach, Gsteig-Reusch and Sparenmoos above Zweisimmen. There are toboggan runs in most sectors and groomed winter walking paths between villages. For small children, choose Wispile, Eggli or Lauenen, where the ski schools run their kids’ programmes.

From June to October the Wispile, Eggli, Horneggli and Rinderberg lifts carry walkers and families up the mountains. With the Gstaad Card, which you get free when you stay overnight in the region, local buses and trains cost nothing: ideal for one-way hikes.

Wispile to Lake Lauenen

This is Gstaad’s classic hike. Take the gondola to Wispile (1,907 m) and walk down to the Lauenensee (1,381 m): 9.3 km, about 3 hours, just over 100 metres of ascent and about 640 metres of descent. From the lake, take the bus back to Gstaad or walk another hour to Lauenen village. Check the gondola’s opening dates first.

Rinderberg, Horneggli and Saanenmöser

Between Zweisimmen, Saanenmöser and Schönried lies the region’s largest hiking area, with ridge paths and descents to the villages. Ride up, then choose how far to walk down. The Horneggli (1,770 m) is the easiest goal.

Arnensee and Sanetsch

A trail circles the Arnensee above Feutersoey, easy enough for children. Higher up, the Sanetsch cable car from Gsteig (mid-June to end of October) takes you to the reservoir at over 2,000 metres, in high-alpine country with no roads.

Glacier 3000 in summer

In summer Glacier 3000 offers the Peak Walk, a glacier walk and the Alpine Coaster, a rail toboggan usually open from June to the end of September, plus over 75 km of marked trails.

• Swiss Open Gstaad (July): ATP 250 men’s tennis on clay; in 2026 it ran from 11 to 19 July.
• Menuhin Festival (mid-July to early September): classical concerts in the churches of Saanen, Lauenen, Gsteig, Rougemont and Zweisimmen and in a large festival tent in Gstaad.
• Hublot Polo Gold Cup (late August): polo on Saanen airfield, played in summer on grass. The well-known snow polo takes place in St. Moritz.
• Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad (29 January to 6 February 2027): winter classical music in Gstaad, Saanen and Rougemont.

Gstaad is one of the most expensive resorts in the Alps, alongside St. Moritz and Zermatt. But the high prices are concentrated in the luxury hotels and boutiques in the centre. A few practical rules:

• Stay in a nearby village: Saanen, Schönried, Saanenmöser, Zweisimmen, Lauenen or Gsteig cost less and are minutes away by train or bus.
• Ask your host for the Gstaad Card: free regional public transport and discounts on various activities.
• Buy multi-day lift passes online and early, or use the Magic Pass if you already have one.
• For an easy ski day, the CHF 41 Saani ticket is enough.
• In summer, the best walks (Lauenensee, Arnensee) cost only the bus fare.

• Saanen (5 km, 3 minutes by train): the historic village and St Mauritius Church.
• Lauenensee (about 11 km, bus 181): the valley’s best-known lake.
• Glacier 3000 and Les Diablerets (about 18 km, bus 180): glacier, Peak Walk and the first Vaud village over the pass.
• Rougemont and Château-d’Œx (Pays-d’Enhaut): French-speaking villages on the MOB line towards Montreux.
• Montreux and Lake Geneva (about 60 km, 1 hour 25 by GoldenPass Express): the lakeside promenade and Chillon Castle.
• Interlaken (about 70 km, 1 hour 50 by direct train): between lakes Thun and Brienz, gateway to the Jungfrau region.
• Zermatt and the Matterhorn: far. About 170 km by car to Täsch, then the train, or 3½ to 4 hours by train with several changes. Better with an overnight stay.
• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc: in France, about 120 km and 2 hours via the Col du Pillon, Martigny and the Col de la Forclaz.

The Saanenland is small and well served by public transport. Pick your base by budget and plans.

• Gstaad centre: grand hotels, boutique hotels and apartments near the Promenade and the station. For travellers arriving by train who want everything on foot and have a big budget.
• Saanen: quieter and cheaper, 3 minutes by train from Gstaad, near the airfield and the summer events. Good for couples and car-free visitors.
• Schönried and Saanenmöser: for skiers who want to start in the largest sector; MOB station in the village.
• Zweisimmen: the cheapest base, with the Rinderberg gondola and direct trains to Spiez and Bern.
• Lauenen and Gsteig: small, quiet villages for families, hikers and frequent Glacier 3000 visitors. Chalets and holiday homes.

For a family week, rent a chalet or apartment; for two or three nights, a hotel. Book early for Christmas, New Year, February and the Menuhin Festival.

By car

From Geneva, take the A1 and A9 along Lake Geneva, then the A12 to the Bulle exit and the road via Château-d’Œx and Saanen (about 150 km). From Bern, take the A6 to Spiez, then the Simmental road via Zweisimmen. From Milan, cross the Simplon Pass to Brig: about 340 km and 4½ to 5 hours. Swiss motorways require a vignette; winter tyres are needed in winter.

By train

Gstaad is on the MOB narrow-gauge line from Montreux to Zweisimmen. Since December 2022 the GoldenPass Express has run from Montreux to Interlaken Ost without a change: at Zweisimmen its bogies switch gauge with passengers on board. Typical times: Montreux 1 hour 25 minutes by GoldenPass Express (about 1 hour 40 by regional panoramic train), Interlaken 1 hour 50, Bern about 1 hour 55 with one change, Geneva about 3 hours with a change at Montreux, Zurich about 3 hours. Timetables on SBB and MOB.

By bus

PostBuses leave from Gstaad station: line 180 to Gsteig (16 minutes), the Col du Pillon for Glacier 3000 (about half an hour) and Les Diablerets; line 181 to Lauenen and the Lauenensee. With the Gstaad Card, regional public transport is free for overnight guests.

By air

Geneva is the most convenient international airport: about 2 hours by car and 2 hours 50 by train. Bern-Belp is the closest (about 1 hour 30 by car, 2 hours 30 by train) and Zurich is about 3 hours away by car or 3 hours 15 by train. If you’d rather not drive or change trains, ask your accommodation about a transfer from Geneva. Saanen airfield, just outside Gstaad, handles air taxis and private flights.

Parking

The centre of Gstaad is car-free. Use the public car parks, for example at the Eggli or on Oldenhornstrasse in Gstaad, or those in Saanen and Schönried. Pay in cash or by app (Twint, EasyPark, ParkingPay). There are paid car parks for Glacier 3000 at the Col du Pillon and Reusch. Sleeping in vehicles is not allowed in car parks.

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