Travel Guide + Video: Gstaad, Switzerland

As I near my destination in Switzerland, I can tell a visit to the mountain village, Gstaad, will be different than the dozens of other villages we pass in the train along the way. During the three-hour train ride on the Golden Pass, I stare wide-eyed as we pull into the village in the Southwestern part of the country that first started attracting tourists in the early 1900s, who came to ski after the rail line was built.

This is one of Switzerland’s most moneyed resort towns, home to pricy and posh shops and two grandiose castle hotels that sit mighty above the town. But it’s also a spot where there are as many cows as people: about 7,000 of each, and the locals feel very unpretentious. And best of all, Gstaad feels timeless: in restaurants and shops it’s easy to find cheese and beef that is as local as it gets, with many cheese makers and farmers working steps from the village in the same manner they have for decades now.

Here are five experiences to not miss on a visit to Gstaad.

1. Ski Mt. Eggli

It’s fitting that a mountain village touting relaxation and a slower pace has a ski area like Mt. Eggli with wide-open slopes that allow skiers to cruise rather than race down the mountain. The ski area, which is a local’s favorite, offers 53 ski lifts, with more than 120-miles of terrain and plenty of off piste (backcountry) for those seeking a rush. Here you’ll also find Glacier 3000, the only glacier skiing area in the region with guaranteed snow from October to May.

From the top of Mt. Eggli you can spot jagged mountains with pointed peaks and glaciers, forests, streams and lakes.

If skiing isn’t your sport, there are plenty of other options including groomed hiking trails, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in town.

At lunch hour, grab a seat on the sun deck of Mountain Restaurant Eggli, where you’ll find plenty of Austrian specialties. Try the rosti, which is a mix of hash browns, Swiss style cheese, ham and an egg on top. It’s a Swiss specialty and absolutely delicious.

Getting there: The slope is about 10 minutes from downtown.

Rentals: Z Ski Rental can be found at the base for an easy pick up and drop off point.

Lift Tickets: Pricing starts at 60 Swiss Francs at the beginning of the ski season and increase to 65 Swiss Francs at the height, after Christmas.

2. Ride on Big Wheels

There are plenty of other types of winter adventure to keep you entertained in Gstaad, including riding Fat Bikes. Grab a rental from Fredy’s and head along the Saanen River which winds along snow covered trees, farmland and eventually runs into another village, Saanen. For some real fun, try off roading in fresh snow off to the sides of the trail, which is sure to skyrocket your heart rate. For more trail options, head to the visitor center in town to check out more routes, some of which are all downhill after ascending the mountain via gondola.  Each year, at the end of January, more than 500 athletes come into town for the international Snow Bike Festival.

Pricing for Bike Rental: 38 Swiss Francs for a half-day, 50 Swiss Francs for a Full Day. Multiple day rentals are also available.

3. Shop the Promenade

One of the first things to notice on this pedestrian only promenade is the Swiss style chalet architecture, which is uniform throughout the village and by law, is the only style allowed. Here, you will find luxury shops like Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren and also a movie theatre and plenty of boutiques selling any sports gear and active wear you may be in the market for. Make sure to check out some of the local bakers like Dubu and Early Beck and peek in local grocery stores for a look at some local products like cheese and ice cream, which can be best enjoyed from your hotel. Or, take a skate around the ice rink directly across from the train station.

4. Stay At a Family Run Hotel

One of the coolest parts about Gstaad is that it is completely void of any chain hotels and all are family run. Which means you can’t really pick a cookie cutter spot to stay. But if you are here for mountain adventure, you may as well stay as close to the adventure base as possible, which makes Hotel Arc-En-Ciel a top pick. It’s less than a 5-minute walk to the promenade too.

The hotel started as a restaurant 55 years ago- attracting skiers looking for a warm beverage and meal after getting off the slopes of Mt. Eggli. Today, it’s been transformed into a proper hotel attracting tourists from all over the world. Rooms range from double beds all the way up to apartments that sleep up to four people, the perfect choice for those traveling with families or a larger group. There is still an onsite restaurant, however, which is very good and focuses on local Swiss (beef Carpaccio, air dried meet, veal) Italian (pastas and pizzas made in a wood fired oven) and French (locally caught trout). Also consider a visit to the spa, which is different than most because it’s private and only fits four people. Inside, find a tub, steam bath and sauna. For guests, there is no charge but for others it’s 120 Swiss Francs for 90 minutes.

Pricing: Starts at 619 Swiss Francs per person for 3 nights lodging, breakfast, dinner and a ski pass. For complete pricing and packages check online.

5. Eat Traditional Swiss

Posthotel Rossli was built in 1821, making this the oldest hotel in town and has been run by the same family since 1922.  Even if your not staying as a guest in the hotel, it’s worth heading in to eat. This is the place to come for fondue, which you can’t leave Switzerland without trying. I mean, this is the land of cheese with more than 80 cheese makers set up in the nearby mountains. But if cheese isn’t your speed, there are plenty of other options like veal and fresh fish. It’s also a place to try Swiss wines like the Aigle Crand Cru, a fruity and floral wine that matches perfectly with fondue.

Getting to Gstaad: I recommend arriving by train because it’s a great way to see the region on the way, is efficient and you don’t need a car once you arrive.

Gstaad is on the Montreux Oberland Bernois railway line, which runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen. We say opt for the Golden Pass Panoramic trains, which shows off plenty of wonderful sights as you climb up from Lake Geneva.