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Min. time required: 2:30
Season: early January to early October and mid November to late December
Recommended season: early January to late February and early April to early October
Max. altitude: 2971 m (9747 ft)What is Glacier 3000? 
The Glacier 3000 viewpoint, ski and summer sports area is located in the mountains, 30 minutes from the famous resort Gstaad. A cable car takes you up from the valley station Col-du-Pillon to the top station Scex Rouge.
Wide panoramic views of the Swiss mountains await you here. In clear weather, you can see the Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and 24 other mountains over 4000 meters.
In addition you can enjoy lots of activities. Examples are the Peak Walk suspension bridge, a snow fun park, a mountain coaster, and several alpine hikes.
Prices, tickets and reservations
Glacier 3000 - 2023 prices
The standard price for a return trip Col-du-Pillon - Glacier 3000 is CHF 85 per adult. You can get a discount with your rail pass.
What's included in the cable car tickets
For a regular sightseeing visit you need a so-called 'pedestrian ticket'. This includes the cable car rides and several activities, such as the Peak Walk, the Ice Express chairlift, sledding in the fun park, and the Glacier Walk. Other activities aren't included:
- If you want to ski you'll need separate ski or ski season tickets.
- The alpine coaster in summer has to be paid for separately.
- Dog sled and snow bus rides have to be reserved in advance at additional costs.
Tours to Glacier 3000
If you book a tour to Glacier 3000, travel and cable car tickets are usually included. Always check the exact terms and conditions.
Where to buy your Glacier 3000 tickets
Tickets to Glacier 3000 are available online and at the gondola valley station at Col-du-Pillon.
Get your tickets for Glacier 3000
Book your tickets with and without rail pass discounts here. Or find a tour that suits your needs.
Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by Viator: www.viator.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Lowest Price Guarantee: Viator will refund the difference if you find a better price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by Klook: www.klook.com
- Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
Glacier 3000 discounts with your rail pass
The destination is referred to as “Glacier-des-Diablerets” on most rail pass validity maps.
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass |
Discount 50%:
|
| Regional Pass Lake Geneva-Alps |
Discount 10%:
Col-du-Pillon to Scex Rouge/Glacier 3000 (cableway): less than 50% discount. |
| Swiss Half Fare Card |
Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass |
Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex |
Discount 50%:
|
How to reach Glacier 3000: directions and map
Glacier 3000 can be reached by cable car from the valley station of Col-du-Pillon. Col-du-Pillon is only accessible by bus or car from Gstaad or Les Diablerets.
Getting to the valley station Col-du-Pillon
The Col-du-Pillon cable car station is only accessible by car or bus from Gstaad (30 minutes) or from Les Diablerets (15 minutes). In winter, there’s a special ski bus between Les Diablerets and Col-du-Pillon.
The closest major towns are Gstaad and Montreux. Interlaken is 2h40 away from Col-du-Pillon via Gstaad on the GoldenPass route.
If you come by car, you can park at the Col-du-Pillon valley station.
Getting to Glacier 3000/Scex Rouge
The main route is the cable car from Col-du-Pillon to the cable car top station Glacier 3000. There's a change at the mid-station Cabane-des-Diablerets.
Alternatively, you can use another gondola route from the valley station Reusch, via mid-stations Oldenegg and Cabane. It has limited opening dates.
Map of the cableway route to Glacier 3000
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
2023 operating dates for Glacier 3000
The cable car to Glacier 3000 and the Ice Express operate all year long, except for a maintenance break from 16 October to 3 November 2023.
How to plan the journey to Glacier 3000
You can plan most of your journey with the Swiss timetable. Details:
- The bus stop near the valley station is called "Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000".
- The cable car valley station is called "Col-du-Pillon (téléphérique)".
- The ride to the top station (officially called "Scex Rouge" or "Glacier-des-Diablerets") is not included in the general timetable. Consult the specific Glacier 3000 timetable here instead.
Best months to visit the top
The best months for a trip to Glacier 3000 are early January to late February and early April to early October. Details:
- Most snow falls in January and February. So chances to enjoy the winter activities at Glacier 3000 are optimal.
- April-June and early October allow you to see striking contrasts between the green valleys and the snowy mountain tops during your ride to the top.
- July, August and September are the perfect months for high-altitude hikes at Glacier 3000.
Concerning the other months:
- Mid-November to December and March are fine too. Season-wise they're 'in-between' months, so it's hard to tell what weather and snow conditions at the top will be like.
- The cable cars don't operate from mid-October to early November.
Weather tips and forecast for Glacier 3000
Clear and sunny weather is ideal for your visit to Glacier 3000: it allows you to enjoy the wide panoramic views from the top. If you mainly go up for activities such as the mountain coaster and sledding this is less important.
If you plan high-altitude hiking, good weather is a must. Check forecasts shortly before setting off, and change your plans in case of doubt. Learn more about safe hiking in the Swiss Alps here.
The cable cars operate in all kinds of weather, but they may shut down in case of heavy wind or other extreme circumstances.
Weather forecasts for the Glacier 3000 area
What to do at Glacier 3000: the options per season
All-season activities at Glacier 3000
- You can have culinary breaks in bars and restaurants. One of those is designed by the famous architect Mario Botta and located at the Scex Rouge cable car station. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed it in September 2022. A new restaurant has been designed by Mario Botta and is now being built. It’s expected to open in the summer of 2024. The restaurant will feature high windows and a large panoramic roof terrace with views of the Peak Walk suspension bridge and many mountain tops. Meanwhile, the temporary restaurant “Le Carnotzet” and a snack corner in the souvenir shop are available.
- From the top restaurant, you can make a short walk to the viewpoint where you can enjoy a wonderful mountain panorama.
- The Ice Express chairlift takes you down to the glacier where several activities are available, such as the snow bus and the fun park.
- The spectacular Peak Walk is a short hiking route from Scex Rouge over a breathtaking suspension bridge connecting two mountain tops. If you suffer from fear of heights, it’s not suitable for you.
- You can book a dog sled ride.
More summer activities at Glacier 3000
These are your extra options when you visit in summer:
- Roll down in the alpine coaster.
- Take a ride over the glacier in the snow bus. Booking is required.
- Take a hike. There are wonderful panoramic routes, including one leading to the Dôme mountain and back to Scex Rouge.
- Challenge yourself on the via ferrata route.
More winter activities at Glacier 3000
This is how you enjoy the snow at Glacier 3000 in winter:
- There’s a snowpark for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, open from October to May (the exact dates depend on weather and snow conditions). Visitors can join free training sessions in the avalanche training center.
- Cross-country skiing is possible too.
- Ski rental is available.
- In the fun park, you can enjoy sledding.
- You’ll find several groomed winter hiking trails. The Glacier Walk is an impressive one. This path takes you across the glacier to the restaurant Refuge l’Espace on the glacier’s edge. From there, you’ll have wonderful views down into the Derborance Valley and into the Valais. You can skip the first steep section of the hike by taking the Ice Express chairlift down to the glacier.
How long a visit to Glacier 3000 takes
You need about 2,5 hours for a round trip from Col-du-Pillon. This allows you enjoy the views and spend time in the restaurants or on one of the activities. You can easily make a full-day trip out of this if you plan to hike or do several activities.
Other websites of interest
- www.refugelespace.ch: mountain hut Refuge l'Espace
Schedules
- www.glacier3000.ch: Glacier 3000 operation dates and timetables
Prices
- www.switzerlandtravelcentre.com: Glacier 3000 ticket prices
- www.glacier3000.ch: Glacier 3000 ticket prices
Other activities near Glacier 3000
Depending on the time you spend at Glacier 3000, you can add a few more activities to your day trip. A visit to Gstaad is possible. If you have more time, you can travel to Montreux. A ride in the GoldenPass is another option.
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