Famous as a celebrity retreat, this village in the Bernese Oberland has superb skiing and summer sports, magnificent mountain landscapes, fine dining and shopping.
Set in the shadow of towering mountains, the Swiss village of Gstaad has long been associated with the rich and famous. Gstaad counts Elton John, Grace Kelly and Roger Moore as previous visitors. Walk the calm streets, spot celebrities and shop at upscale retail outlets. Explore miles of ski runs, hiking trails and biking routes.
Cutting through the heart of this traditional Alpine village is the pedestrian-only Promenade. Browse high-end boutiques, jewellery stores and chocolatiers. Watch for renowned movie stars, musicians and royalty. Admire regional art exhibitions at Galerie Bel-Air Fine Art and Galerie Buchs. Investigate architectural masterpieces, including the early 20th-century Gstaad Palace.
Throughout the year Gstaad’s mountains are great for family-friendly adventures. From the centre of Gstaad, walk or take the ski bus to the stations that service the local mountains of Eggli and Wispile. They form part of Gstaad Ski Resort (aka Gstaad Mountain Rides).
Snow-based sports take place from late October to May. Ski and snowboard on 136 miles (220 kilometres) of well-groomed slopes. Freestyle at snow parks such as Snowpark Glacier 3000, which provides views of Mont Blanc. Try night skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and winter hiking.
Hike and bike along marked and themed trails in Gstaad in the summer. Walk to spectacular Lake Lauenen and swim in its deep blue water. Learn about Alpine cheese-making traditions on the Wispile Cheese Trail. Take a paragliding flight, go rafting on the River Saane or play golf at nearby Gstaad-Saanenland Golf Club.
Gstaad draws food lovers to both the village and the mountains. Consult the Saveurs Gstaad website for a calendar of events that celebrate not only food but music and sport. If you’re visiting in summer, try to catch the annual Gstaad Menuhin Festival, a classical concert series founded in 1957 by the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
Reach Gstaad in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland by rented car or public train. Enjoy a ride on the Golden Pass panoramic railway, which links the village with Montreux, which is located on Lake Geneva. During your stay, visit Rougemont and Saanen, picturesque villages in the Gstaad-Saanenland Holiday Region.
