Gstaad - Gstaad

Gstaad is a place in the canton Bern. She belongs to the community Saanen.

background

Gstaad is certainly one of the most renowned winter sports locations in Switzerland, after Zermatt and St. Moritz. However, skiing was always something of secondary importance here. Gstaad is still a posh vacation spot today.

getting there

By plane

By train

You can travel by train via Bern Spiez to Zweisimmen, where you have to change to the MOB to Gstaad. An alternative is to travel by MOB from Montreux. We particularly recommend arriving on the Goldenpass Classic, a train that was built in the Belle Epoque style and combines the ambience of the 1930s with modern amenities.

By bus

In the street

By car you have to leave the A6 motorway at the Lattigen junction and drive via the main road number 11 through the Simmental via Saanen to Gstaad.

mobility

The town center is traffic-calmed and car-free. There are two parking garages, the "Litzi" car park and the "Unter Gstaad" car park. An extensive network of public transport links the Gstaad holiday destination both internally and externally. The main means of transport are the "MOB" train and numerous Postbus routes. The MOB connects the villages of Château-d'Oex, Rougemont, Saanen, Gstaad, Schönried, Saanenmöser and Zweisimmen. Post buses run on the following routes: Gstaad-Lauenen, Gstaad-Turbach, Schönried-Gstaad-Glacier 3000-Les Diablerets.

Tourist Attractions

Palace Hotel

The Gstaad Palace Hotel is one of the most famous holiday hotels in Switzerland. It convinces with its romantic architecture, its elegant and cozy interior decoration, its charming and relaxed atmosphere, its first-class service and quality.

Lake Lauenen

The Lauenesee is idyllically located in the middle of a nature reserve. It is about 4 kilometers from Lauenen at 1,381 meters above sea level. The Lauenensee restaurant offers catering. There is a circular hiking trail, in the restaurant you can rent boats and explore the lake better, and you have a beautiful view of the Dungel Schuss waterfall. There is a road to the Lauenensee, on which you can drive by car or bus from Gstaad to a spacious parking lot.

Menuhin Center Saanen

In the Menuhin Center Saanen one experiences a creative encounter and examination of the work, the life and the cultural environment, the musical and educational work of Lord Menuhin.

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46.4897.26121  Museum of the Saanen Landscape, Saanen, village square. Temporary exhibitions, a historical cellar room with the round stone paving (1575) can be viewed under a glass floor.Open: Opening times: from Whitsun to October 15, mid-December to Easter: Tuesday to Sunday: 2pm - 5pm.Price: Admission prices below CHF 10 per person.last change: not specified

The Saanen Landscape Museum offers changing exhibitions and events on current topics. The historic cellar room with the round stone paving under the glass floor reveals the history of the house before the village fire in 1575. The traditional handicraft lives on in the pottery and hand weaving of the "Heimatwerk". With the construction of the railway (MOB) in 1905, the Saanenland developed into a tourist region. Johann Jakob Hauswirth (1808-1871) is considered to be the founder of the art of paper cutting, which is still alive today in the Saanenland and Pays-d'Enhaut. Alpine farming with its cattle breeding and cheese production is still an important branch of the economy in the region today.

activities

summer

hike

In and around Gstaad there are more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails and paths for all levels of difficulty. This hike is particularly recommended, as it offers a wonderful panorama of the surrounding valleys and the Bernese Alps: Starting from the mountain station of the Wispile gondola, it goes over the Chrinepass to the Lauenensee. The hiking time is 3:15 hours. The path is twelve kilometers long and has a difference in altitude of 50 meters uphill and 560 meters downhill. The Berghaus Wispile and the Lauenensee restaurant offer refreshments. In the Lauenensee restaurant you can rent a boat and explore the lake with it. Finally, you can take the bus back to Gstaad.

To go biking

Gstaad offers 280 kilometers of signposted routes and specialized bike hotels. One of the most beautiful bike tours, starting in Gstaad, via Turbach to Wintermatte and finally via Bissen back to Gstaad, leads into an idyllic but remote side valley of Gstaad, the Turbach Valley, which is embedded in an incomparable mountain landscape. The route is 16 kilometers long, the ascent is 395 meters in altitude, the highest point is at 1421 meters above sea level. You can eat in the Sunne-Stübli restaurant or in the Wintermatte restaurant in Turbach.

golf

The Gstaad-Saanenland golf course at 1,400 m above sea level. M opened in 1961. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful 18-hole courses in the Alps, as it is away from traffic and noise in the middle of the magical mountain landscape of the Bernese Oberland. Adjacent there is a nature reserve and a flat moor of national importance. It lies above Saanenmöser.

Mountaineering and climbing

In Gstaad there are via ferratas, rope parks and climbing halls. The via ferratas on La Videmanette are recommended. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding valleys and the Bernese Alps. Mountain guides can be hired to offer tours for beginners and connoisseurs.

Swimming and bathing

In Gstaad there are not only public pools (e.g. Gstaad indoor pool, ...) but also bathing lakes (e.g. Arnensee, ...). The Arnensee is the most beautiful bathing lake. It is located in the Tschärzistal, around 12 km from Gstaad at an altitude of 1550 meters. In addition to swimming and fishing, attractions include the Arnensee circular hiking trail and pedal and boat rentals. The Huus am Arnensee offers refreshments.

Summer tobogganing

Tobogganing is possible on the Alpine Coaster on Glacier 3000 or on the toboggan run on the Rellerli high above Schönried.

Mountain boarding

Mountain boarding is possible on the Rinderberg. From the Eggweid middle station, you can enjoy the descent through the wonderful landscape into the valley to Zweisimmen. After a few tries, it drives itself. You can set the speed with the brakes.

Scooter

There are scooter runs in Schönried, Gstaad, Zweisimmen and Château-d'Oex.

River rafting & canyoning

The Saane and Simme offer exhilarating conditions for rafting and canyoning, especially when the snow is melting, but river rafting & canyoning is also fun in midsummer.

winter

Ski and snowboard

The mountain railway company Gstaad Mountain Rides operates 53 mountain railways, one of the largest, most diverse and at the same time most snow-sure snow sports areas in Switzerland. Thanks to the only glacier ski area in the Bernese Oberland, you can practice winter sports here from late October to early May. The ski area extends between 1000 and 3000 m above sea level. M. on 220 km of slopes, 60% of the main slopes are snow-covered. There are 10 snow sports schools, 8 children's learning parks, 3 snow parks, 1 ski cross, 1 race track with time measurement, 1 ski movie track and a fun slope.

Cross-country skiing

In Gstaad, the cross-country trails cover all levels of difficulty, classic cross-country skiers and skater lovers get their money's worth. A varied trail is the one from Gstaad to Chlösterli. It leads from the Gstaad sports center along the Saane over Grund over 5 kilometers (classic / skating) in a quiet, sunny location to Chlösterli. 50 meters in altitude are overcome. From Chlösterli you can continue to Gsteig via Feutersoey, but you can also take the bus back to Gstaad.

Sledging and airboarding

Toboggan and airboard fans get their money's worth in the Gstaad holiday region with eight varied toboggan runs. The Wispile - Gsteig toboggan run is particularly recommended. From Berghaus Wispile you hike for around 40 minutes over a beautiful panoramic path to Chrinetritt, where the rapid part of the descent starts: the upper part is medium to difficult, the lower part is less steep. It is only a few minutes from the end of the toboggan run to Gsteig, from where the PostBus drives back to the Wispile valley station. This takes about 2 hours, the distance is 7.5 kilometers, the difference in altitude 600 meters. You can get refreshments in the mountain inn Wispile.

Winter hiking

More than 30 prepared winter hiking trails are available to guests in Gstaad. The one from Gstaad via Ebnit to Saanen is a nice, leisurely route. Its wide paths run over sunny meadows or in the shade of the trees. The hiking time for these three kilometers is 45 minutes, the difference in altitude is 40 meters. There are catering options in Gstaad and Saanen.

Snowshoeing

The Gstaad holiday region with its gently rolling hills is ideal for snowshoe tours. A nice, easier tour leads from Gstaad via Schönried to Saanenmöser (blue step), from Gstaad towards the Hotel Le Grand Chalet. Behind this the route turns left. The first houses in Schönried can already be seen from pits. Above the “Kuhstall” snow bar, the route passes under the Horneggli chairlift and leads via Wittere to Saanenmöser. This snowshoe tour is marked. It takes 2:30 hours, is 6 kilometers long and has an altitude difference of 220 meters. From Saanenmöser, take the train back to Gstaad.

Ski touring

Gstaad is a ski touring area for connoisseurs. In addition to a multitude of routes from the simple foothills of the Alps to demanding high-altitude ski tours, interesting combinations of enjoyment such as ski tours with wellness or mountain and gourmet experiences attract thanks to the short approach paths.

Ice sports

Four ice rinks in the Gstaad holiday destination offer an attractive alternative to fun on the slopes. The most beautiful is the natural ice rink of the Grand Hotel Park, in memory of earlier times, this again offers its own ice rink, which is also available to external guests. Snacks are available at the kiosk next door. Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., prices: Adults: CHF 5.-, children (up to 16 years): CHF 4.-

Ice climbing

Ice climbers will find their challenge on Glacier 3000 above the Col du Pillon or at Lake Lauenen. This activity is suitable for trained climbers between November and March (depending on ice conditions), but only when accompanied by a local guide.

Heliskiing

Escape everyday life by helicopter and experience the Alps from their most beautiful side. The Gstaad holiday region offers six landing sites for heliskiing (Gstellihorn, Wildhorn, Vordere Walig, Stalden, Gumm, Glacier de Tsanfleuron).

Independent of the season

Carriage rides

An excursion through nature is a romantic highlight in Gstaad.

Ballooning

The balloon floats gently towards the sky. There is silence upstairs, the view of mountains and valleys can only be enjoyed when driven by the wind. Balloonists appreciate the region for its microclimate, which gives them the best conditions.

Dog sledding

Greenland dogs and Siberian huskies are enthusiastic workhorses, their joy in exercise, snow and life in a pack provides the dynamism for the unforgettable experience of a dog sled ride. In summer, dog sledding is only possible on the glacier, in winter also on the Sparenmoos and in Lauenen.

Events

Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad

This is a traditional, classical music festival in the Saanenland region. It is organized in various locations in the Saanenland. The Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad was founded in 2001. Every year young talents, orchestras, internationally established artists as well as music lovers from Switzerland and abroad come together for 9 days and leave the most beautiful works of the classical repertoire. The prices for tickets range from CHF 25 to CHF 150.

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour - Grand Slam Gstaad

The world's best beach volleyball women's and men's teams play here for the coveted Grand Slam title. The whole thing is organized in the Beach Village. The cost of a ticket is usually less than CHF 50, and on some days admission is even free.

Gstaad Menuhin Festival

At the Menuhin Festival, the big names of the classical music scene are honored. The Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy AG impresses with its attractiveness, popularity and uniqueness. The program focuses on quality in the selection of artists: it ranges from classical music to traditional music to contemporary music. The aim of the festival is a beneficial symbiosis between art, people and nature. The event takes place in many different places in Saanenland. The prices for tickets can be up to CHF 200 in the best ranks, in the others they usually cost around CHF 100.

Crédit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad

The Crédit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad is the only clay court tennis tournament in Switzerland. In Gstaad, Stefan Edberg, Ilie Nastase and Roger Federer have already entered the list of winners. The Roy Emerson Arena, named after the Australian record winner in Gstaad, Roy Emerson (five wins), has a capacity of 4,500 spectators. The skyboxes above the grandstand give VIP guests an incomparable view of the contested rallies and the surrounding mountains. The tickets can range from CHF 10 to CHF 100.

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad

The international “Polo Gold Cup tournament” has established itself as a crowd puller. The “royal” game impresses every year with top-seeded players and tough battles for the coveted world ranking points. The tournament will be held at the Saanen airfield, entry is free.

Country Night Gstaad

Country Night Gstaad is Europe's leading country event. Every year he brings the big stars of the country scene onto the stage and celebrates the West through and through. Artists such as Josh Turner and Kellie Pickler will perform. The event will be held in the festival tent in Gstaad. The prices for tickets range from 70 CHF to 150 CHF.

shop

GSTAAD AUTHENTIQUE

GSTAAD AUTHENTIQUE is a label that guarantees the high quality of the products manufactured in Saanenland and the neighboring regions. This preserves traditional production methods and thus contributes significantly to the sustainable development of the pre-Alpine region around Gstaad.

Car-free promenade

The car-free promenade is Gstaad's "shopping mile". It was built in 1996 and has been awarded the “Milestone Tourism Prize Switzerland”. Here you will find elegant boutiques and international flagship stores, competent sports shops, fine jewelery shops, small and fine shops with regional products.

Historic village center of Saanen & Bahnhofsstrasse Zweisimmen

In contrast to Gstaad, Saanen and Zweisimmen are less busy. There are practically only small shops here that offer regional products, there are fewer large chain stores here. The products are cheaper than in Gstaad and locals often work in the shops.

kitchen

nightlife

accommodation

Cheap

Alpine Lodge

Gstaaderhof

medium

Arc-en-ciel

Upscale

Palace

park

trips

• Gruyeres Castle
• Cailler Chocolate Factory, Broc
• Balthus Foundation, Rossinière
• Le Moléson
• Montreux
• Bex Salt Mine
• Chillon moated castle
• JungfrauPark, Interlaken
• Tropical house Frutigen
• Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
• Bern
• Ballenberg open-air museum

literature

Web links

• Community site with tourism