Gstaad, the luxurious mountain village

Facts about Gstaad

• Location: in the Alps
• Region: Simmen valley (Bernese Oberland)
• Gstaad can be reached by train
• Popular attractions: GoldenPass line, Glacier 3000
• Town size: town
• Gstaad is a winter sports resort
• Elevation: 1050 m (3445 ft)
• Travel time from Zurich: 2h50 by train, 3h10 by car

Luxury and nature combined

Gstaad is one of the few towns in the Alps that offer the absolute best combination of alpine scenery, luxurious hotels, exclusive shopping and very fine restaurants. It attracts the rich and famous. In that respect, it has similarities to St. Moritz.

Location and scenery

The town is part of the Simmen valley region, at the edge of the Bernese Oberland. The Lake Geneva region isn't far away either. A trip with the Golden Pass train to Montreux is one of the must do's when staying in Gstaad. We recommend a trip to nearby Glacier 3000 for a high mountain experience.

The town sits in a wide valley with mountains up to 2400 m in the north and 3200 m in the south. There are plenty of winter sports and hiking facilities to enjoy yourself for weeks in both winter and summer.

Winter activities in Gstaad

Gstaad is a famous winter destination. Snow in town is not guaranteed, but it can happen. This is mostly in January or February. 

Many snow-covered ski areas can be reached from Gstaad. They’re usually open from mid- December to mid-March. Some ski lifts depart directly from town: to Eggli, Bodme and Wispile for example.

Other ski regions are within easy reach too: the Simmen valley, the Lauenen valley or the Pays-d'Enhaut. The ski area Glacier 3000 near Les Diablerets is around the corner as well.

The entire region offers lots of winter activities besides skiing. Tobogganing, snowshoe hiking, winter biking and carriage rides are all available. Adventurous activities include paragliding, heli-skiing and ice-climbing.

If you visit Gstaad in November to mid-December, there won’t be many snow options yet. But you can enjoy the holiday atmosphere and visit Christmas markets in Montreux and Saanen. 

Pros and cons of Gstaad

If you are willing to spend some money you will have an excellent time in Gstaad. Staying in Gstaad is not cheap, but you do get quality in return. The area is beautiful and lends itself to all kinds of outdoor activities. The town isn't located on the motorway or fast train routes, but still it is easy to do day trips in a large region from here. You can go hiking in the Simmen valley, the Lauenen valley or the Pays-d'Enhaut. A visit to Montreux and Lake Geneva is doable too.