Ski & Board
Gstaad Mountain Rides is one of the safest and largest areas for skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland. The Bernese Oberland's only glacier ski area is suitable for winter sports from mid-October to early May.
In Figures
Skiing between 1000 and 3000 m above sea level
220 km of pistes
60% of the main slopes are covered with artifical snow
57 cableways
26 ski lifts, 10 gondola lifts, 17 chairlifts,
4 aerial cableways
Degrees of difficulty: 58% blue, 27% red, 15% black
10 ski schools
8 children's ski nurseries
4 snow parks
Ski cross
There is a permanent ski cross slope just waiting to be discovered on Mt. Rinderberg in Zweisimmen. Wild waves, bowls, banked curves and jumps provide a rush of adrenaline. Even average skiers, young people and children can dare to go on a ski cross tour. The slope complements the existing fun-oriented offering in the area of Gstaad Mountain Rides:
There is a tradition of ski cross in Zweisimmen. Races of this type were already held here more than 10 years ago.
Location
Rinderberg
Highlights
Real start gate near "Chäle"
520 metres long
100 metres level difference
Night skiing
Night-time fun on the slopes
Anyone who didn’t get the chance to let their hair down during the day on the slopes has ample opportunity to do so at night-time in the holiday destination of Gstaad.
The floodlights on the Wispile and Rinderberg offer ski and snowboard enthusiasts exceptional winter sports excitement.
The next opportunities to do night-time skiing will be in winter 2011/12. The exact dates are available here.
Snow parks
Gstaad Mountain Rides offer freestylers exciting slope-style fun at its four Snow Parks, with a Park to suit every level, from beginner to pro-rider.
For full-on action in its purest form.
Cross-country
The holiday region of Gstaad is considered one of the top cross-country ski areas in Switzerland. The offering in the various sub-areas covers all degrees of difficulty. Both traditional cross-country skiers and skating enthusiasts will find exactly what they are looking for here.
Sledding
There's nothing quite like letting that sled run and feeling the powdery snow swirling up in your face – and in the Gstaad holiday region sledding enthusiasts have eight very different sled runs to choose from. The choice goes from family sledding in Sparenmoos to sledding by moonlight on the Wispile.
Sled hire is available from the mountain railways and cableways and from sports shops.
Airboard
The fashionable sport of airboarding is considered as an alternative to skiing and snowboarding. You can either sit, kneel or lie face down on the air-filled airboard and then go downhill. The board is easy to control thanks to its runners. The proximity to the snow guarantees a fun ride. Airboarding is permitted on the specially set up slope near the Lätz-Güetli ski lift as well as on the mixed slopes and toboggan runs.
Special Airboard slope
Saanenmöser, ski lift Lätz-Güetli
Opening hours 9.00 am – 4.30 pm
Hiking
What's the best way of enjoying the wonderful views of snow-covered peaks and the clear winter air? Taking any one of the more than 30 well prepared winter hiking trails in the Gstaad holiday region. Simply follow the pink or yellow signposts with the snowman logo to reach your destination.
And there are plenty of cosy restaurants to rest up along the way.
Important note
The time indications for the proposed trails and runs are approximate values.
Hiking Guide
Going on a tour with a trained hiking guide is an all-round experience. The hiking guides are very familiar with the local terrain and stand out for their broad knowledge of mountains, fauna, flora, types of rock and meteorology.
Snowshoe walks are also offered.
Ice skating
There's always something fascinating about the ice – whether it's with pucks, pirouettes or curling brushes. And the fore ice rinks of the Gstaad holiday destination provide an attractive alternative to the fun of downhill skiing. So there's lots of fun to be had on the ice by families and friends.
Curling
Curling is extremely popular in the Gstaad holiday region and is played on the ice rink of the Gstaad Sports Centre. During the winter season various tournaments are also held on natural ice rinks throughout the region.
Information
The season runs from October to March
Curling - Programme for the Year
Gstaad Sports Centre, curling rink
Other ice rinks offering curling
Natureisbahn Schönried, information and reservations,
Tel: +41 33 744 81 40
Natureisbahn Château-d'Oex, information and reservations,
Tel: +41 26 924 24 51
Eisstockschiessen (alpine curling)
Information and reservations,
ESC Zweisimmen Rinderberg, Postfach, 3770 Zweisimmen
Ski tours
Welcome to the ski-tour paradise for lovers of nature and skiing. Besides a multitude of routes ranging from easy pre-Alps mountains to demanding high-altitude ski tours the offer also includes appealing combinations of outdoor and indoor pleasures, all of which benefit from the short access routes, i.e. ski tours combined with leisure and spa facilities or mountain and gourmet treats.
About the ski tours
Ski tours should only be undertaken if you are well prepared (fitness levels, equipment) and if the weather and avalanche situation is calm. The examples of tours listed below are taken from the ski tour guide books of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). See the relevant links in the right-hand column (difficulty rating, tour guide, maps required). The times indicated are intended as guideline times for experienced tourers under good conditions.
Snowshoeing
The Gstaad holiday region with its gently rolling landscape is ideally for snowshoeing. With a range of easy to demanding routes for the young and not so young, it's the perfect way to enjoy the unspoilt natural surroundings.
But even as a "sports arena", nature is first and foremost the habitat of animals and plants, and as such it must be respected.
Heli-skiing
Fly away from it all by helicopter and experience the Alps at their most beautiful in the company of a mountain guide or skiing instructor. The Gstaad holiday region has no fewer than six heli-skiing landing sites (Gstellihorn, Wildhorn, Vordere Walig, Stalden, Gumm, Glacier de Tsanfleuron)
Operators Contact
Air Glacier
Gstaad Saanenland
+41 (0)33 744 55 50
Heliswiss
Heliport Gstaad-Grund
+41 (0)33 755 13 21
