Gstaad Ski resorts in Switzerland. Open left menu Gstaad Events in Gstaad

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There are many holiday destinations in the world that amaze with their luxury and splendor. The Swiss town of Gstaad is the most bright star in this galaxy of elite resorts. This mountainous Alpine region is known throughout the world, but only a select few, the wealthiest and most successful, can visit it.

If you consider yourself one of these people, but have not yet been to Gstaad, you should come here and maybe this charming town will captivate your heart the way it captivated the hearts of members of the royal families of Great Britain, Savoy and Greece, the Shah of Iran and many other hereditary aristocrats. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roger Moore and Elizabeth Taylor vacation here; financial magnates and heads of major corporations also prefer to spend their vacations in Gstaad.

Gstaad is not only a resort where you can relax in a cozy, calm atmosphere, it is a place where you can make new profitable contacts and open up new prospects for your business.

The resort of Gstaad has become widely famous thanks to the construction railway, which connected Gstaad and Chateau d'O in 1904. The cream of society began to gather here in 1913, when the first luxury hotel was built - Palace hotel Gstaad. Swiss hotels in Zermatt are no less famous.

You can get to Gstaad directly from Geneva and Zurich airports, from where trains go to Gstaad. Geneva is located 150 km from Gstaad, and the journey takes two and a half hours. Zurich is located 220 km from Gstaad, the journey from Zurich will take about 3.5 hours.

How to get to Gstaad

Gstaad is a ski resort for those who love a quiet and respectable holiday. In terms of the quality of the service provided, Gstaad can be compared with St. Moritz and Zermatt, however, the atmosphere in Gstaad itself is more cozy and atmospheric, there is no fuss or a touch of excessive secularity. The ski area in Gstaad is very extensive with a total length of slopes of more than 250 km, there is a three-thousander glacier, opportunities for snowboarding, heli-skiing, and cross-country skiing. The “high” season at the resort lasts from December to the last week of March. The resort is served by 62 lifts, as well as numerous ski buses. For freestylers and snowboarders, 3 modern and equipped snow parks are open in Gstaad, and about 165 km of trails are allocated for cross-country skiing at the resort, which is perhaps the best offer for this type of skiing in Switzerland.

Gstaad is located much closer to the major cities of Switzerland than Zermatt or, especially, St. Moritz, respectively, and getting here is easier. The distance from Zurich is about 205 km, the distance from Geneva is 150 km. In both cases, you can get to the resort by train. From Zurich the travel time will take about 3 hours (2 transfers will be required), from Geneva – 2.5 hours (one transfer to Montreux). You can check the schedule on the website . Trains run throughout the day, except at night, several times an hour.

Patrick Nouhailler/Pistes for cross-country skiing in Gstaad

If you are traveling with equipment, and transfers by public transport scare you away, then you can get to Gstaad using an individual transfer, although it will cost more. A taxi ride from Zurich Airport takes approximately 3 hours. Transfer services are convenient, first of all, because they do not require transfers, and secondly, because they can be ordered at any time of the day, while trains only run during the daytime. Information on individual transfers from Zurich can be obtained from specialized services , and others similar. You can also order a transfer from Geneva airport. Travel time will take approximately 2.5 hours. Information - at And .

For independent tourists, an option such as car rental is also suitable. You can find the rental car you need in advance on various services by type , , and others, and the rental points themselves are located right at the arrival airport of Zurich or Geneva, so in this way you can solve both the issue of transfer to Gstaad and further movements. Zurich and Gstaad are connected by highway No. A1; travel time is 2 hours 40 minutes. Geneva and Gstaad are connected by highways A1 and A9, travel time is approximately 2 hours. Please note that there are toll sections on the highways.

Where to stay in Gstaad

Gstaad is a resort that offers a huge number of different apartments and chalets for accommodation. There are also hotels at the resort, but in smaller numbers. When choosing apartments or hotels, you should pay attention to the location of the property relative to the ski lifts and ski slopes. Some accommodation options in Gstaad have direct access to the slope, and this is the most convenient option if the main purpose of your trip to the resort is skiing.

Such options exist, for example, apartments:

• Chalet Nyati (apartments with a terrace, free parking and free Wi-Fi);
• Alpenchalet Weidhaus Ferinewohnung & Zimmer(studio apartment with terrace and free private parking);
• Apartment nearby Gstaad (apartments with mountain views).

And also hotels:

• Alphorn 3* (family rooms, breakfast included, free public parking nearby, free internet);
• Le Petit Relais 2*(double rooms, breakfast, terrace, free private parking).

The choice of accommodation in Gstaad is very diverse; here you can find both luxury 5* hotels and modest guest houses and hostels. Gstaad hotels, as a rule, have included meal options (breakfast or half board), and also boast free parking (important for those traveling by car) and free Wi-Fi on site. The picturesque landscapes of the resort can be viewed from hotel terraces or from room balconies; this is another “highlight” of Gstaad hotels. You can find out more about availability and cost of living in Gstaad for specific dates on booking sites Booking, Hotellook and others.

What to see in Gstaad

Gstaad offers excellent conditions for skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Surrounded by mountains ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters high and a glacier, Gstaad has some of the best conditions for winter activities in Switzerland. The total length of the slopes in the Gstaad ski area is about 250 km, with most of them intended for beginners and intermediate skiers (127 and 60 km of slopes, respectively), and 33 km of slopes are difficult black slopes.

The resort is served by 62 ski lifts, including cable cars, chair lifts and rope tows. The kilometer of cross-country ski trails is about 140 km. There are 3 toboggan runs and many marked walking routes. The resort has 3 snow parks, conditions for heli-skiing and off-piste skiing. Artificial snowmaking, forest and panoramic trails, halfpipes - all this is also available in Gstaad.

Ski passes in Gstaad are divided by sector, so the cost of a ski pass depends on the ski sector you have chosen. More information about all ski pass options in Gstaad can be found at official website–> (in English). The cost of ski passes is also divided by age categories - adults, children and pensioners, and by skiing periods - low and high seasons (note - the high season is the period of Christmas holidays and spring break).

For entertainment, in addition to skating, Gstaad can offer its guests sledding and dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating (there are 2 skating rinks for figure skating and hockey), relaxation in the Gstaad sports center. More about the latter below. Sportzentrum Gstaad(Gstaad Sports Center) has on its territory 3 swimming pools, including a children's pool, fitness rooms, including group classes, dry saunas and classic steam baths, tennis courts, curling grounds, restaurants and much more. The sports center is open daily from 10am to 9pm. The cost varies depending on the specific services, so a ticket to the pool for an adult will cost from 13 CHF, for children – from 7.5 CHF. The sports center in Gstaad is a very popular entertainment along with skiing and other leisure activities at the resort.

Among other things, Gstaad is famous for its mountain restaurants, which offer beautiful panoramic views of the local mountains and serve gourmet cuisine. There are also several bars with quality drinks. There are not many discos and nightlife in Gstaad, since the resort does not position itself as a youth place, but if you wish, you can always find a place to dance. For wealthy tourists in Gstaad there is also such a form of leisure as a casino.

In general, we can say that a holiday in Gstaad is considered less glamorous than in other Swiss resorts, while the level of service is at the highest level, as are the conditions for skiing and downhill skiing. Gstaad is chosen for its relaxed atmosphere, comfort and beautiful natural scenery. Gstaad, along with

When going on a trip to Switzerland, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of obtaining a tourist visa. You can take out insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this, such as , and others. You can purchase a policy online and then print it on a regular printer.

Photo at the beginning of the article: Patrick Nouhailler

Recommended: connoisseurs of luxury accommodation and restaurants, apres-ski, families, beginners and intermediate skiers

Personal impressions:
A very beautiful resort that has preserved its character and traditions, with a special atmosphere and comfort. Towering over Gstaad, the Gstaad Palace looks like a castle straight out of an old engraving. At the resort and in neighboring villages there are many small but extremely cozy chalets and family hotels. The price level is somewhat disappointing - Gstaad is used to a wealthy audience, and this is noticeable. However, if you move a little away from the beaten tourist path, you can find real traditional restaurants and mountain huts, where any guests are welcome, regardless of their income. The skiing in Gstaad is great in good weather and snow years, but strong skiers may be disappointed that the ski areas are not connected. The road to the glacier takes about 20-30 minutes; in fact, this is already the ski area of ​​another resort - Les Diablerets. Many people come to Gstaad year after year primarily because of the hotels and excellent service.

Nearest airport: Geneva is located 160 km away, the journey from it takes 2-2.5 hours. It takes about three hours to get from Zurich airport. The panoramic retro train Golden Pass runs from Montreux to Gstaad, and you can also take it from the opposite side, through Interlaken.

Riding heights: 1300–3000 m.

Gstaad website:

Ski passes: Gstaad and the Alps of the canton of Vaud (420 km, including neighboring resorts) - 327 CHF for adults, 292 CHF for teenagers 15-18 years old, 198 CHF for children over 9 years old (all for 6 days). Children under 9 years old ride for free.

Gstaad trail map

Trails: 250 km
Blue – 50%, red – 40%, black – 10%

The single ski pass is also valid on the slopes of the Alps of the canton of Vaud (resorts of Villars, Les Diablerets, Leysin, Les Mosses and others)

Nearest resorts: Les Diablerets and Glaciers 3000 (glacier), Villars, Leysin.

Season: all pistes are open from 22.12 to 17.03, pistes on the glacier are available from November 3 to May 5, pistes in some areas (Hornggli, Wispile Rutti, Eggli) are open from December 15 until the end of the season. Low-lying ski roads close on March 3-10.

PROS AND CONS
+ An excellent selection of good hotels, chalets and apartments for the most discerning tourists.
+ High level service.
+ Large selection of restaurants and shops.
+ Rustic, cozy resort atmosphere.
+ Lots of trails for beginners.
+ Beautiful panoramas.
+ One ski pass includes completely different ski areas.
+ Guaranteed snow cover (on the glacier).
– The ski area is divided into several parts, they are quite distant from each other.
– High price level.
– Ski in – ski out is very limited.
– Abundance of drag lifts.
– Few options for expert skating.
– The road to Glacier 3000 glacier takes quite a long time.

Gstaad: about the resort
“Come up – Slow down” is the slogan of the resort, inviting you to feel a different rhythm of life for a while, take a breath and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. Gstaad lacks the ostentation of other prestigious places in the Alps. It is more like a good private club, where everything is created for the convenience of guests. For many years in a row, Gstaad has been attracting those who want to feel the comfort of a village atmosphere, and at the same time enjoy gourmet cuisine, excellent service and shopping.

From the first minute Gstaad makes you feel like you are in a classic, slightly fairy-tale alpine resort, where old chalets are surrounded by snow-covered fir trees, and the pedestrian street smells of fresh pastries and spices. The “stardom” of the resort does not have the best effect on the price level, but at the same time Gstaad is absolutely devoid of ostentation. Once upon a time it was the most beloved and revered winter holiday destination among the celebrity public. In the 70s and a little later, you could easily find yourself on the same lift as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton or Roger Moore. Faces familiar from glossy magazines and popular cinema can often be found today.

Some celebrities visit Gstaad to refresh pleasant memories, stroll through the shops and village streets of the resort. But there are also many who really fell in love with these places and “settled” in Gstaad for a long time. This resort is appreciated and respected by many, especially those who do not like some of the snobbery and pretentiousness of other luxury resorts. Gstaad is located on the border of the German and French parts of Switzerland, and this is felt in everything. The bizarre fusion of two languages ​​and cultures is evident in everyday life (residents easily switch from one language to another), in cuisine, and in mentality.

Take a ride
The ski area covered by the Gstaad ski pass also includes Saanen, Schonried, Saanenmoser, Rougemont, Zweisimmen, Chateau-d'Oex and several more villages in the valley. You can travel between different sectors by bus or train (the fare is included in the ski pass).

Above Gstaad and its surroundings, there are generally easy slopes, ideal for leisurely skiing with children and pleasing to less strong skiers. Directly above the resort there are two ski areas - Wispile and Eggli, both with low slopes (up to 2000 m). At the beginning and end of the season they are usually covered with artificial snow. In these sectors there are cozy blue and red trails. From the top of La Videmanette above the village of Rougemont, the longest red trail in the region, 10 km, begins. You can also get to its beginning from Eggli.

At least for one day it is worth getting to Chateau-d'E, a cozy village where the famous hot air balloon festival is held in January. Above Chateau-d'E there are 40 km of slopes, mostly blue and red - an excellent place for relaxed skiing.

There are not many options for strong skiers in Gstaad. Interesting is the Tiger Run in the Wasserngrat area and the various trails leading from Glacier 3000 (more about the glacier in the chapter on Les Diablerets). The most interesting off-piste routes are located in the glacier area (it is recommended to hire a guide), and heli-skiing programs are also held there. During high season, exciting backcountry and ski touring routes can be found throughout the region. Gstaad is good for snowboarding, although it is not considered a snowboard resort. Four snow parks have been built in different sectors of the ski area: Monsterpark on the glacier (the largest and most interesting), Vanillenoir in Saanersloch, parks in Rinderberg and La Braye.

Restaurants in Gstaad
Gstaad is one of best places For gourmets in the Alps, there are more than 100 restaurants in the resort and its surroundings. Many of them are noted in gastronomic guides; in total, Gault Millau awarded local restaurants 240 points. The best establishment with haute cuisine is Chesery in Gstaad (18 points). The restaurant by Dalsass in the village of Grund bei Gstaad is not inferior to it in sophistication and creativity. Three restaurants are awarded 16 Gault Millau points: La Bagatelle in Gstaad (excellent regional specialties), Sonnenhof in Saanen (Mediterranean cuisine) and Prado in the magnificent Grand Hotel Bellevue. In the same hotel there is a wonderful Coelho restaurant: fashionable trends in cuisine, reasonable prices and attentive service.

The resort's most famous hotel, Gstaad Palace, is a true treasure for gourmets: Le Grill, Le Restaurant and Gildo's Restaurante offer different but certainly exquisite cuisine and excellent service (each awarded 15 GM points). Le Grand Restaurant in the renovated Grand Hotel Park has a pleasant atmosphere, and unexpected combinations of products in dishes will surprise even sophisticated lovers of “haute cuisine”. Other gourmet spots include Azalee, JP's Grill Restaurant and Ermitage Stube in Schönried. It's worth spending an evening at the stylish Belle Epoque, located at the golf hotel Les Hauts de Gstaad in Saanermoser.

Après-ski
Being a traditional bourgeois resort, Gstaad boasts an abundance of shops rather than a large selection of discos. But things are going great with the bars there – all that remains is to decide on the mood and style of music. The most elegant and social place of the resort is the lobby bar at Gstaad Palace. Atmosphere, style, mood - there is enough of it all, and after midnight you can feel another Gstaad, where the elite gather for glamorous discos in Green Go, the Gstaad Palace nightclub. A pleasant atmosphere also prevails in the bars of the resort's other luxury hotels, as well as along the Gstaad pedestrian street. The nightlife is quite vibrant at Cabaret Dancing Kristall and Club 95. The favorite bar for young people is No Limits, located in Zweisimmen.

Excursions and active recreation
Holidays in Gschaad involve not only (and not so much) continuous skiing, but also all kinds of winter entertainment. There are 6 toboggan runs above various villages in the region. The longest (and most difficult) of them goes from Wischpiele to Gsteig and has a length of 7.5 km. You can go sledding from Eggli to Grund (5 km) or from Wiedemannette to Rougemont (4.5 km). Night skiing is organized periodically. Gstaad is one of the top three resorts in Switzerland for cross-country skiing. There are 135 km of classic and skating trails around the resort and neighboring villages.

In winter, the surroundings of Gstaad are so picturesque that you just want to walk around them, leaving your skis and other equipment at home. The infrastructure is available: 160 km of walking paths have been cleared in the region, many of them are ideal for walking with children. There is an ice skating rink in Gschaad artificial ice, outdoor skating rinks operate in Schönried and Saanenmöser. During the high season, you can play golf on the snow in the Višpiele area. Flights over the resort in good weather are organized by Grand Hotel Park. Older children will be interested in excursions to the mineral museum in Rougemont, the art gallery and the farm museum in the Sanetsch mountain restaurant. In the village of Broc you can visit a chocolate factory and see how your favorite delicacy is made; you can get to the factory by a special “chocolate” train.

Spa and wellness in Gstaad
With an unusually high concentration of five-star hotels in Gstaad, it's not difficult to find a spa to your liking. The recently renovated Grand Hotel Park offers more than 60 different treatments and massages, a stylish spa with hammam, swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Palace Hotel Gstaad has a luxurious 1,800 m2 wellness area with various saunas, eight massage rooms, two swimming pools with Jacuzzi and a fitness center. Excellent spa at the Grand Hotel Bellevue: swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam, laconium, herbal sauna, baths with different temperatures, ice grotto and large selection Asian massages and treatments. A dozen other hotels also have their own wellness centers. The Gstaad sports complex offers three swimming pools, saunas, a gym, various sports programs and a tennis court.

With children
During the season, various entertainment programs for children are available in Gstaad. There are children's ski schools in all large villages, as well as kindergarten Snowli (half day lessons - from 35 CHF). The whole family can play curling, sledding and ice skating, and fly in a hot air balloon (weather permitting).

The tourism office and special agencies can organize any holiday, help celebrate an important event in a fun way, offering interesting programs - from night skiing and sleigh rides and dog sledding to more unusual and unexpected options.

Gstaad trail map

Map of Gstaad, neighboring resorts and hotel locations