Gstaad, Swiss Alps

Gstaad: 5 things to know before you go

Swiss Alps, Switzerland ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ

The byword for discreet Alpine luxury, Gstaad spreads 200 km of mostly gentle piste across a string of sunny Saanenland villages. Glamour aside, it is relaxed, scenic and surprisingly down-to-earth on the snow.

1.Is the snow reliable in Gstaad?

Usually, with help. From 1050 m to 3000 m the resort leans on grooming and snowmaking in lean spells, so check the live report before booking early or late dates (score 79/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

This is more of a valley base than a slopeside village, so expect a lift, train or shuttle to the snow each morning. Staying central, near the main lift, saves the most time.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

At 200 km of piste on 53 lifts, it is a substantial mountain that rewards a multi-day stay. The terrain is balanced (0 green, 50 blue, 48 red, 14 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Gstaad stands out for a polished, high-end scene.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Dec 14 to Apr 7 (about 16 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. Conditions soften as spring arrives, so earlier in the window is the safer call.

The full Gstaad guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Gstaad guide โ†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Gstaad have?
About 1950 m of vertical, from a 1050 m base to 3000 m at the top.
Is Gstaad part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 200 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Gstaad good for beginners?
It can work: 0 green and 50 blue runs are enough to start, though the area rewards skiers who can already link turns.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Hotel-Restaurant Arc-en-ciel
4.61.3k reviews
โ‚ฌ300
โ˜… Top pick

Hotel-Restaurant Arc-en-ciel

Excellent ยท 1.3k reviews

Why we like it

A polished, high-end base for Gstaad when you want to be properly looked after after a day on the snow.

Guests rate this hotel as excellent (4.6/5 from 1,292 reviews). It sits about 500 m from the slopes. A luxury option for Gstaad, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

โ‰ˆ 500 m to the slopesLuxury
From
โ‚ฌ300/ night
Check availability โ†’
Gstaad Palace
4.61.1k reviews
โ‚ฌ270

Gstaad Palace

Excellent ยท 1.1k reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Gstaad, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

โ‰ˆ 300 m to the slopesLuxury
From
โ‚ฌ270/ night
Check availability โ†’
HUUS Gstaad Hotel
4.51.1k reviews
โ‚ฌ285

HUUS Gstaad Hotel

Very good ยท 1.1k reviews

Why we like it

A polished, high-end base for Gstaad when you want to be properly looked after after a day on the snow.

โ‰ˆ 2.8 km to the slopesLuxury
From
โ‚ฌ285/ night
Check availability โ†’
Le Grand Bellevue
4.8614 reviews
โ‚ฌ295

Le Grand Bellevue

Excellent ยท 614 reviews

Why we like it

One of the highest-rated places to stay in Gstaad, with guests singling out the service and comfort.

โ‰ˆ 700 m to the slopesLuxury
From
โ‚ฌ295/ night
Check availability โ†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow report