Mountain Layout — Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed map of Gstaad-Saanenland.

Click here to download a pdf of the Gstaad Super Ski Region Trail Map for a better idea of locations and altitudes.

The skiing in the immediate area of Gstaad is fragmented. Trail maps detail skiing in six “sektors,” with most of the trails found in sektors 1 through 4. Sektor 1 is comprised of Saaenmoser, Schonried, Zweisim-men and St. Stephan, Gstaad-Rougement, Gstaad-Wispile and Gstaad-Wasserngrat; Sektor 3, Chateau-d’Oex; and Sektor 4, Glacier 3000, Les Diablerets.

Sektor 1 — The Hornberg section is the largest interconnected grouping of lifts in the region. It is not directly connected with Gstaad, but is easily reached by bus or train (both included with your ski pass). Take either the Horneggli lift from Schönried or the Saanerslochgrat gondola from Sannenmöser. Both lifts are opposite the respective railway stations, making it impossible to get lost. This area, a lower-intermediate paradise, is served by 14 lifts, which keeps waiting time to less than five minutes.

For more challenging runs, head for the St. Stephan lifts connected with Hornberg. Take the Saanerslochgrat gondola and ski down to Chaltebrunne.

Then take the chairlift up to the Parwengesattel, which sits at the top of the St. Stephan section. The face of the mountain from Parwengesattel down to Chaltebrunne is an enjoyable wide-open slope. There is something for everyone, from advanced beginner to expert. Time it right for lunch and eat at the Chemi Hütte at Lengebrand on the slopes above St. Stephan, at the top of the chairlift from town.

Opposite the Hornberg section is the Rellerligrat (6,285 feet) with what many claim is the most beautiful view of Gstaad. The slopes face the sun, and so are the first to lose snow. Mornings can be icy and afternoons slushy, but skiing here on sunny days is a joy. The restaurant at the top is one of the best in the area. The runs back into the valley are long cruising trails, with a long black run under the gondola for experts.

Zweisimmen offers a relatively isolated ski area flanked on the left by St. Stephan and on the right by the Hornberg lifts. A new lift from Rinderberg to Saanersloch now connects this area with the rest of the trails. The gondola from town to the Rinderberg opens up seven prepared runs served by five lifts. It is pleasant for a day’s skiing. Most of the people who stay in Zweisimmen take the train to ski the Hornberg section.

Sektor 2 — The relatively low Eggli (5,494 feet) is the largest area, interconnected with the peak of Videmanette and the towns of Saanen and Rougemont.

The Wasserngrat (6,365 feet) and the Wispile (6,397 feet), are the two other totally separated areas. The Wasserngrat is the most challenging of the three areas, but it has only one lift. Still, the skiing is superb and there is rarely a line. If the Eggli is crowded, this area offers skiing with no waiting. (It should be noted that beginners and lower intermediates may be slightly out of their league here.)

The Wispile is not as difficult as the Wasserngrat and is closer to town.

This is a good intermediate area with limited lifts but long, enjoyable runs; wide stretches of the slopes are left unprepared for powder hounds. It also has short lines and is within walking distance of the Eggli lifts. The Swiss Ski School is located at its base and the drag lift is used mainly by the ski school.

The Eggli shows one black run and an intermediate should seldom feel anxiety here. The run through the trees from the chair lift at Eggli Stand to the ground Mojo station in neighboring Saanen has enough moguls and turns for an expert.

There is some genuine skiing adventure above Gstaad. The finest is La Videmanette. Ski over the Eggli and down to the Les Gouilles chair lift to reach the area above neighboring Rougemont. You can also drive there. From Rougemont, four-passenger gondolas ascend past rocky pinnacles to the La Videmanette summit at 7,071 feet. The run down through the rocks off the back side is strictly for experts.

On the Videmanette front side, the first 300 meters straight over the edge is also an eye-opener. Skittish types can take the traverse around the rim of the bowl. There’s a difficult mogul field to negotiate before beginning the remainder of the 3.5-mile intermediate run to Rougemont. Alternatively, ski around the corner to the top of the Les Gouilles lift and cruise the 3.5-mile-long schuss into the valley.

Sektor 3 — Chateau d’Oex is another area included in the regional ski pass. Here the La Braye gondola lifts skiers over a ridge behind the town to a mellow area of about a dozen runs also serviced by a couple of T-bars. This is a great family area that actually skis bigger than it is, and there’s also an Alpine sled ride; fun!

Sektor 4 — The head-swiveling views are reason enough to ride the Col du Pillon cable car to Glacier 3000’s 10, 637-foot summit, yet another reason is for lunch. The best reason is for the glorious advanced run from the cable-car summit at Scex Rouges down to Oldenalp. Stay on the groomed sections or venture off into the powder. Before trying that route, take a few runs on the glacier, serviced by three tows and one chairlift. The wide-open slopes are easy and short, the views extensive.

Descend to Col du Pillon base on trails or via the cable car. From the base, catch a bus to Les Diablerets, which has two sections: Isenau and Meilleret, both dominated by beginner and intermediate terrain.

From Meilleret, connect to the Villars-Gryon ski region. You can spend at least the better part of a day making your way across the mountains. requires the Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets lift ticket which covers 36 lifts and 100 km. of terrain. Travel to Bretaye with an on-mountain train stop, then on to Villars, a large village with extensive shopping and dining. The expansive terrain is primarily intermediate and advanced. Stop for lunch or a break at any of the outdoor restaurants. Trails also connect to Les Chaux, which has a handful of intermediate and advanced runs and a terrain park at the summit. They connect to two beginner runs, one down to Gryon, the other meandering over to Villars.

Mountain rating
If you are a beginner, Gstaad is an excellent destination. There are plenty of gentle inclines to practice snowplows and turns. The finest beginner run is the 1.253-km.-long Skilift Schopfen slope from the gondola station on the Eggli.

Intermediates will be overjoyed at the variety. Just when you think you’ve mastered it all, you can cut through the woods or go over the edge of a mogul field you’ve been bypassing and suddenly realize you have more to learn.

Experts can enjoy Gstaad if they place more emphasis on technique than thrills.