Gstaad is – suprisingly given its reputation – rather a pretty and unassuming village some distance away from most of the slopes associated with it. With a car or by public transport. however, you have access to around a dozen different communities and seven different and very varied ski area in both French and Schweizerdeutsch speaking Switzerland.
| Ski Area | Gstaad Mountain Rides |
| Resorts | Gsteig, Lauenen, Rougemont, Saanen, Gstaad, Saanenmöser, Schönried, St. Stephan, Wasserngrat, Wispile, Zweisimmen, Château-d’Oex, Eggli, La Videmanette, La Braye, Rinderberg, Saanersloch, Horneggli, Rellerli, Glacier 3000, Scex Rouge |
| Ski Region | Bernese Oberland |
| Piste (km) | 250 |
| Top run (m) | 3000 |
| Bottom (m) | 1000 |
| Max Drop | 2000 |
| Snow’n’Rail | Y |
| Black (km) | 40 |
| Red (km) | 90 |
| Blue (km) | 120 |
| Lifts (#/hr) | 57600 |
| My Rating | 5 |
| Alpine | 5 |
| SnowPark | 4 |
| Nordic | 5 |
| Hiking | 5 |
| Family | 4 |
| Apres Ski | 4 |
| Free Ride | Y |
| Snow making | Y |
| Fun park | Y |
| Snow park | Y |
| Half pipes | |
| Spa |
In Brief
By public transport the easiest of the resorts in Gstaad Mountain Rides to get to is Zweisimmen from the North and East and Chateau D’Oex or Rougemont from the West. Zweisimmen couldn’t be easier, the Rinderberg gondola is right at the bottom of the railway station (turn left out of the station). Chateau D’Oex and Rougemont have their bottom stations a few minutes walk south from the station. Glacier 2000 is served by a post bus that runs between Gstaad and Les Diablerets railway stations, with stops at both Reusch or Col du Pillon, and a ski bus that runs every half hour, 9-5, from Les Diablerets station to Col du Pillon. Twice an hour a bus runs from Saanen station to the Eggli lift, and three times an hour buses run from Gstaad station to Eggli and Wispile – some are dedicated ski buses but all are gratis to people using the winter sports facilities. Saanenmöser and Schönried lifts are a few minutes walk from the respective railway stations.
Parking is available at or near all the base stations, but can be limited at weekends unless you arrive early.
There are something like 17 valley stations in Gstaad Mountain Rides, so it is a huge area, and although the best skiing and snowboarding can most easily be accessed from either Zweisimmen, Rougemont or Col du Pillon, all the areas have something to offer. Chateau D’Oex seems to be quietest at weekends and has ample parking; Glacier 3000 can get very cold, but is excellent for early or late season skiing, Rellerli conversely is delightful on a cold, clear January morning.
Accommodation, entertainment and cuisine are also wide-ranging. You can fly in by private jet, hire a Range Rover, stay in the impressive Gstaad Palace Hotel and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants. Or you can enjoy the rustic charm of a village B&B with the fabulous country foods of Saanenland and Pays-d’Enhaut. There is not the nightlife of Verbier, but there is a casino, a couple of discos and plenty of bars and restaurants. For those who don’t ski or snowboard the area provides a huge variety of alternative distractions. In late January hte highlight is the balloon festival in Chateau D’Oex.
Here is a rough summary of all the main ski and snowboard areas in Gstaad Mountain Rides:
Glacier 3000
(Scex Rouge, Dôme, Gemskopf) 25km of mixed flattish glacier runs and some steep off-glacier runs. Varied off-piste. Sector 4.
Schönried – Saanenmöser – Zweisimmen – St. Stephan
(Rinderberg, Parwenge, Saanerslochgrat, Hornberg, Horneggli) Large impressive area with around 85km piste. Sector 1.
Gstaad – Saanen – Rougemont
(Eggli, La Videmanette) Large and recently upgraded area with around 86km piste. Sector 1.
Gstaad-Wispile
Small family area with some tough runs. Sector 1.
Gstaad-Wasserngrat
Steepest run in the valley and a gourmet restaurant at the top. Sector1.
Schönried-Relleri
Sunny area with a short season but about 24km runs. Sector 1.
Château-d’Oex
(La Braye) 40km of pleasant skiing and snowboarding Sector 3.
Lauenen
Tiny family skiing area, with one ski lift. Sector 6.
Gsteig
Tiny family skiing area, with one ski lift. Sector5.
