Find upcoming Gstaad events, festival dates, venue information and independent local reporting for Gstaad, Saanen and surrounding villages.
This site was launched in July 2026 by Ardan Michael Blum, who lived in Geneva for 30 years and returns regularly to Gstaad, Saanen and Lenk.
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Updated September 7, 2026.
Important: Dates, times, prices, availability and programs may change; verify details with the linked organiser before travelling.
Translations: Some linked sources are available only in German; see Translating German-Language Sources for instructions.
Date: September 11, 2026. Start: 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. Start location: Kronenplatz, 3775 Lenk. Finish: Crans-Montana. Course: 42 kilometres with approximately 2,700 metres of elevation gain.
About: The Wild Glacier Marathon runs from Lenk to Crans-Montana with a maximum race time of 10 hours 30 minutes. The finish and awards ceremony take place in Crans-Montana.
Category: Mountain Running.
Official URL: Wild Glacier Marathon.
Date: September 11–12, 2026. Time: 6:00–11:50 p.m. Doors: 5:30 p.m. Venue: Festivalzelt Gstaad. Address: Sportzentrumstrasse 9, 3780 Gstaad, Switzerland.
About: Two evenings of country music in Gstaad with the same concert programme on Friday and Saturday. The lineup is Dwight Yoakam, Drake Milligan, Appalachian Road Show and Amber Rae.
Category: Country Music / Festival.
Organizer: Country Night Gstaad.
Official URL: Country Night Gstaad.
Tickets: Official ticketing.
Date: September 12, 2026. Time: From 10:00 a.m. Venue: Rossinière village. Folk orchestra: From 11:30 a.m.
About: Rossinière en fête combines an outdoor craft market featuring craftspeople from the Pays-d’Enhaut with beer and wine tastings, food and activities for children. The exhibition finale includes the proclamation of the 2026 Cat King or Queen and presentation of the sceptre at 4:30 p.m.
Category: Village Festival / Craft Market.
Official URL: Rossinière en fête programme.
Date: September 12, 2026. Time: 10:30 a.m.–approximately 4:00 p.m. Venue: HwR AG grounds, Moos 1, 3772 St. Stephan. Anniversary evening: From 8:00 p.m.
About: Three groups of decorated cattle are expected between approximately 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The daytime programme includes festival food, a regional market, music, cheesemaking demonstrations and activities for children, followed by an anniversary evening in the heated festival tent.
Category: Alpabfahrt / Village Festival.
Official URL: Official St. Stephan Alpabfahrt information.
Date: September 13, 2026. Start: 9:10 a.m. Venue: Dorfplatz Saanen, Dorfstrasse, 3792 Saanen. Registration: Required. Participation fee: CHF 50.
About: The Gstaad Velo Classic is a vintage cycling event in and around Gstaad. Participants ride bicycles more than 30 years old and ride together rather than competing as a conventional race.
Category: Vintage Bicycle Ride.
Organizer: Gstaad Velo Classic.
Official URL: Gstaad Velo Classic.
Date: September 18, 2026. Time: From 2:00 p.m. Venue: Ludothek Saanenland. Address: Spitalstrasse 10, 3792 Saanen.
About: Ludo-Fest is an afternoon for children and families with puppet theatre, face painting, games and a snack buffet. Visitors are asked to use the Saanen parking garage.
Category: Children / Family.
Official URL: Ludo-Fest 2026.
Date: September 19, 2026. Time: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Venue: Begegnungszone, village centre. Address: 3792 Saanen.
About: The market brings together Alpine cheese, Hobelkäse, bells, local products and traditional crafts, with folk entertainment, festival catering, show cheesemaking, a petting zoo and old agricultural machinery. An alphorn concert is planned for approximately 3:30 p.m., followed by an aperitif.
Category: Market / Food / Tradition.
Official URL 2026 Alpine Cheese and Bell Market.
Date: September 20, 2026. Start: 9:15 a.m. Venue: TEC car park beside Lenk school. Address: Oberriedstrasse 15, 3775 Lenk. Kids-Run: 1:15 p.m.
About: The Iffiglauf covers 9.3 kilometres with approximately 550 metres of ascent. The finish cutoff is 11:00 a.m. and the awards are at 12:30 p.m. There is no walking category and poles are not permitted.
Category: Mountain Running / Kids’ Run.
Organizer: Skiclub Lenk.
Entry: CHF 25 for the Iffiglauf and CHF 12 for the Kids-Run.
Official URL: Iffiglauf information and registration.
Date: September 26, 2026. Start and finish: Promenade 59, 3780 Gstaad. Race-number collection: September 25, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Awards: From 2:00 p.m. Party: From 6:00 p.m.
About: The Swiss Highlands Trail offers five Saturday starts: 60 kilometres at 6:00 a.m., 42 kilometres at 8:00 a.m., the family relay at 10:45 a.m., 25 kilometres at 11:00 a.m. and 15 kilometres at 1:30 p.m. Race numbers are collected on Friday at the Kirchgemeindehaus. Online registration is scheduled to remain open until 10:00 p.m. on September 24, subject to availability.
Category: Trail Running.
Official URL: Event programme.
Race information: Swiss Highlands Trail.
Registration: Swiss Highlands Trail registration.
Date: September 26, 2026. Time: From 9:00 a.m. Venue: Village centre. Address: 3785 Gsteig.
About: Gsteigmäret brings together a variety of market stalls and sweet and savoury food, with entertainment for children and adults and a mixture of traditional and modern music.
Category: Village Market.
Organizer: Dorforganisation Gsteig-Feutersoey.
Official URL: Municipality of Gsteig.
Additional URL: Gsteigmäret.
Date: September 26, 2026. Market: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Venue: Festival square and village centre. Address: 1660 L’Etivaz. Evening programme: From 7:00 p.m.
About: Decorated herds pass through L’Etivaz during the morning. Published sources currently differ on whether the herd procession begins at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., so the timetable should be confirmed before travelling. The daytime programme includes a large craft market, folk entertainment, farm animals, cheesemaking demonstrations and cheese tastings, followed by cheese judging and an evening meal and prize presentation.
Category: Désalpe / Cheese / Village Festival.
Admission: CHF 10 for adults; free for visitors under 16.
Official URL: L’Etivaz AOP programme.
Additional URL: Pays-d’Enhaut event information.
Date: September 28–October 11, 2026. Venue: Cinéma Lenk. Address: Gässli 14, 3775 Lenk.
About: Two different children’s films are scheduled each day, with programmes intended for younger and older family audiences. Individual screening times have not yet been published.
Category: Children / Film.
Official URL: Kinderfilmwochen Cinéma Lenk.
Date: October 3, 2026. Time: From 10:00 a.m. Venue: Geltenhornplatz, Dorf, 3782 Lauenen b. Gstaad.
About: The Louene Märet brings market traders from near and far to Lauenen, with children’s activities and food and drinks including grilled sausages, raclette, homemade cake and coffee. The market is advertised as taking place in all weather.
Category: Market.
Organizer: Verein Louene Märet.
Official URL: Louene Märet.
Date: October 3, 2026. Venue: Village centre, 3775 Lenk im Simmental.
About: The Lenkermärit brings together local sports shops, craftspeople, farmers and other vendors. Detailed opening hours had not yet been published in the event listing.
Category: Market.
Official URL: Lenkermärit event page.
Date: October 8–10, 2026. First round: October 8, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 1:30–4:00 p.m. and 4:30–7:00 p.m. Semifinal: October 9, 2:00–4:30 p.m. and 5:00–8:00 p.m. Final: October 10, 3:00–7:00 p.m.
About: The competition brings young violinists together over three public rounds. The first two rounds are held in Gstaad, with the final at the Church of Saanen accompanied by the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra and conductor Pietro Rizzo. Admission is free.
Venue: Kirchgemeindehaus, Untergstaadstrasse 8, 3780 Gstaad, for the first rounds. Final: Church of Saanen, Chilchgasse 5, 3792 Saanen.
Category: Classical Music / Violin Competition.
Official URL: Alberto Lysy Competition.
Date: October 9–18, 2026. Hours: Vary by performance. Locations: Château-d’Œx and Rougemont.
About: The festival includes chamber and vocal music, percussion and harp, film, a baby concert, a musical forest walk, a singing brunch and a literary event. The October 10 opening begins with a free public aperitif at 4:00 p.m., followed by the opening concert at 6:00 p.m. The closing concert is October 18 at 5:00 p.m. in the Temple de Château-d’Œx.
Category: Music / Arts Festival.
Admission: Varies by event; some activities require advance reservation.
Official URL: Festival du Bois qui Chante.
Date: October 10–11, 2026. Älplerfest: October 10. Älplerzmorge: October 11. Venue: Dorfzentrum Lenk, Markt-/Gadeplatz, 3775 Lenk im Simmental; Sunday breakfast in the festival tent.
About: Saturday centres on the arrival of the decorated cattle, the selection of Miss Lenk, the Buremärit farmers’ market, music, food and an evening celebration. Sunday continues with the Älplerzmorge breakfast featuring local produce.
Saturday: Cattle arrival by 9:30 a.m.; formal opening at 9:45 a.m.; evening celebration from 8:00 p.m..
Sunday: Breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with last admission at 11:00 a.m..
Category: Alp Festival / Regional Tradition.
Official URL: Älplerfest and Älplerzmorge.
Date: October 16, 2026. Time: 10:00 a.m.; approximately one hour. Venue: Chalberhönistrasse 46, 3792 Saanen.
About: A family farm visit centred on the farm animals, including goats, cows, calves, donkeys, rabbits, cats and Mogli, the farm dog. At least one child and one adult must participate, and every attendee requires a booking.
Category: Farm Visit / Family.
Admission: Free.
Booking: By 4:00 p.m. the preceding day.
Language: German, with simple explanations possible in French or English.
Equipment: Sturdy shoes and clothing that can get muddy.
Official URL: Visit the Ellenberger farm.
Date: October 17–18, 2026. Locations: Lenk and the Zweisimmen–Lenk railway line. Detailed programme: Still being published.
About: The anniversary weekend brings historic MOB railway travel and Belle Époque activities to Lenk. The programme includes a historic train journey, activities around the station square, a local-history presentation and a traditional livestock show on Saturday, followed by a Belle Époque brunch at the Lenkerhof on Sunday.
Category: Railway Heritage / Anniversary.
Official URL: 125 Years of the MOB.
Date: October 18, 2026. Start: 9:30 a.m. Venue: Feutersoey, with the route continuing toward Seeberg and around Arnensee. Distance: 11 km mountain run / 7 km Nordic Walking.
About: The mountain run follows the gravel path to Seeberg, continues around Lake Arnensee and finishes at the established destination. Children's races are also part of the programme.
Category: Mountain Running / Nordic Walking / Children.
Registration: Online by October 16 at 8:00 p.m.; same-day registration closes 30 minutes before the applicable start.
Official URL: Berglauf Arnensee.
Date: October 27–29, 2026. Venue: Curling Hall Gstaad, Sportzentrumstrasse 5, 3780 Gstaad. Field: 20 international mixed-doubles teams. Entry fee: CHF 400.
About: The tournament brings 20 international mixed-doubles teams to Gstaad. The prize fund is at least CHF 10,000 provided that at least 16 teams participate. Match times and spectator arrangements had not yet been published.
Category: Curling / Mixed Doubles.
Official URL: Mixed Doubles Gstaad.
Date: October 28, 2026. Time: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Venue: Dorfplatz / Begegnungszone, Dorfstrasse, 3792 Saanen.
About: The traditional market brings together local and visiting traders offering goods from Switzerland and abroad. Food stalls serve visitors, with tables and benches in the village.
Category: Market.
Official URL: Traditional market in Saanen.
Date: October 31, 2026. Time: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Venue: Viehschauplatz, St. Stephan.
About: A regional food market featuring vegetables, mountain potatoes, honey, cheese, sausages, baked goods and other local products.
Category: Regional Food Market.
Official URL: Municipality of St. Stephan event calendar.
Date: October 31, 2026. Family concert: 4:00 p.m. Autumn concert: 8:15 p.m. Venue: Landhaus Saanen.
About: The day begins with a family concert in the afternoon before Brass Band Harmonie Saanen returns for its autumn concert in the evening.
Category: Brass Band / Concert.
Official URL: Brass Band Harmonie Saanen.
Date: November 1, 2026. Time: 5:00 p.m. Venue: Kirchgemeindehaus, Untergstaadstrasse 8, 3780 Gstaad.
About: The MSSO Kids Singers present their public final concert in Gstaad, following a 4:00 p.m. rehearsal.
Category: Children / Choral Music.
Official URL: MSSO Kids Singers flyer.
Date: November 5–8, 2026. Start: Group A begins on the evening of November 5. Venue: Curling Hall Gstaad, Sportzentrumstrasse 5, 3780 Gstaad.
About: The anniversary tournament marks 20 years of the Gstaad Curling Hall, with the main tournament running November 6–8. Group A begins on Thursday evening because of the number of registrations, and the current tournament page shows one remaining starting place.
Category: Curling / Anniversary Tournament.
Official URL: 20 Years of the Gstaad Curling Hall.
Date: November 27–29, 2026. Venue: Kulturhaus Lenk, Aegertenstrasse 1, 3775 Lenk. Daily times: Not yet published.
About: LiteratureLenk brings German- and French-speaking Swiss authors together for a bilingual festival centred on mountain literature, with readings, discussions and writing workshops. Most programme events take place at the Kulturhaus Lenk.
Category: Literature / Bilingual Festival.
Official URL: LiteratureLenk programme.
Date: November 28, 2026. Time: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Venue: Viehschauplatz, St. Stephan.
About: A regional market featuring vegetables, mountain potatoes, honey, cheese, sausages, baked goods and other products from the region.
Category: Regional Food Market.
Official URL: Municipality of St. Stephan event calendar.
Date: December 4, 2026. Time: 8:15 p.m. Venue: Church of Lauenen, 3782 Lauenen.
About: Jodlerklub Lauenen presents its evening concert in the village church. Admission is free, with a collection.
Category: Jodel / Choral Music.
Organizer: Jodlerklub Lauenen.
Official URL: Jodlerklub Lauenen agenda.
Date: December 5–6, 2026. Venue: Talstation Metsch, Stand Xpress, 3775 Lenk im Simmental. Registration: Not yet available.
About: Visitors can test current ski and snowboard models with advice from local sports retailers and take part in technique workshops with qualified instructors. The workshops are not beginner lessons. Ski testers can also receive discounted lift tickets and two mulled wines at the Tipi Bar.
Category: Ski / Snowboard Test.
Official URL: Lenk event page.
Date: December 6, 2026. Time: 3:00 p.m. Venue: Landhaus Saanen, Dorfstrasse 74, 3792 Saanen.
About: Brass Band Harmonie Saanen presents its traditional Advents- und Jubilarenkonzert. Admission is free, with a collection.
Category: Brass Band / Advent Concert.
Organizer: Brass Band Harmonie Saanen.
Official URL: Brass Band Harmonie Saanen.
Date: December 12, 2026. Time: 5:00–approximately 9:00 p.m. Venue: Turnhalle, Gsteig.
About: The Advent market brings decorated stalls and Christmas gifts to Gsteig, with a large Christmas tree forming part of the setting.
Category: Christmas Market.
Organizer: Dorforganisation Gsteig-Feutersoey.
Official URL: Advent market.
Date: December 12, 2026. Time: From 2:00 p.m. Venue: Bahnhofstrasse, 3770 Zweisimmen.
About: Bahnhofstrasse becomes a Christmas meeting place with market stalls, food stands, music and fire bowls. The detailed closing time should be checked before travelling.
Category: Christmas Market / Village Event.
Organizer: Gewerbeverein Zweisimmen.
Official URL: Weihnachtsstimmung Zweisimmen.
Date: December 18–20, 2026. Venue: Curling Hall Gstaad, Sportzentrumstrasse 5, 3780 Gstaad. Edition: 10th HUUS Gstaad Curling Tournament.
About: The tenth HUUS Gstaad Curling Tournament returns to the Gstaad curling hall. An online registration form is available; team availability should be confirmed with the club. Match times and spectator arrangements had not yet been published.
Category: Curling Tournament.
Organizer: Curling Club Gstaad.
Official URL: HUUS Gstaad tournament.
Date: December 19–20, 2026. Venue: Kronengärtli, Kronenplatz and Hotel Krone, 3775 Lenk im Simmental. Hours: Exact times not yet published.
About: Saturday brings evening shopping and a Christmas-story reading at Hotel Krone. Sunday continues with a Samichlaus visit, candle making, Sunday shopping, family activities and a Christmas competition.
Category: Christmas / Family.
Official URL: Weihnachtszauber Lenk.
Date: December 26, 2026–January 10, 2027. Hours: Vary by concert. Locations: Multiple venues across the Saanenland and Pays-d’Enhaut.
About: The festival brings classical vocal and instrumental music, young-artist performances, literary events and jazz to venues across the region. The published calendar is an advance programme and may change, so each concert should be checked before attending.
Category: Classical Music / Opera / Jazz / Cultural Festival.
Official URL: Gstaad New Year Music Festival.
Festival agenda: Festival agenda.
Status: Advance programme.
Date: December 28, 2026. Food and drinks: From 5:00 p.m. Cows: From 6:00 p.m. Venue: Field beside the Tipi at the TEC car park, 3775 Lenk im Simmental.
About: Two Simmental cows are brought onto a field divided into 400 numbered squares. The first cowpat landing in its ticket square wins CHF 500 and the second wins CHF 1,000.
Category: Lottery / Village Tradition.
Organizer: Skiclub Lenk.
Official URL: Kuhfladenlotto Lenk.
Date: Selected home dates from October 25, 2026–January 30, 2027. Competition: Men’s 3. Liga, Central Switzerland, regular season. Venue: Eisbahn Gstaad, Promenade 76, 3780 Gstaad.
About: These are the selected first-team home fixtures currently listed for Gstaad during this period. Fixtures can change, so the federation schedule should be checked before attending.
October 25: EHC Oberlangenegg II — 6:00 p.m..
October 31: SC Freimettigen — 6:00 p.m..
November 14: EHC Grindelwald — 7:30 p.m..
November 21: SV Röthenbach — 8:00 p.m..
December 5: EHC Kandersteg — 6:00 p.m..
December 20: EHC Adelboden II — 6:00 p.m..
January 2: EHC Lenk-Zweisimmen — 6:00 p.m..
January 9: EHC Thun-Lerchenfeld — 8:30 p.m..
January 30: HC Beo Yetis II — 8:30 p.m..
Category: Ice Hockey / Men’s 3. Liga.
Organizer: HC Gstaad-Saanenland.
Official URL: Swiss Ice Hockey schedule.
Admission: Public ticket information has not yet been published.
Date: Every Friday and Saturday. Friday: 5:00–7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Venue: Chemin du Chamaveau 9, 1660 Les Moulins.
About: Le Potag’Oex sells seasonal organic produce directly from the farm. No closing date is published, so operation should be confirmed before making a winter trip.
Category: Farm Market / Organic Produce.
Organizer: Le Potag’Oex.
Official URL: Le Potag’Oex farm market.
Status: Recurring.
Date: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Time: 4:00–11:00 p.m. Venue: HUUS Bar and Terrace, Schönriedstrasse 74, 3792 Saanen-Gstaad.
About: DJ NIKSN plays Future Beats and global remixes drawing on soul, funk, disco, R&B, hip-hop and house. No closing date or seasonal exceptions are currently published.
Category: DJ / Nightlife.
Organizer: HUUS Gstaad.
Official URL: HUUS Gstaad Bar and Terrace.
Status: Recurring.
Date: Every Thursday. Venue: Kirchgemeindehaus Gstaad, Untergstaadstrasse 8, 3780 Gstaad. Cost: CHF 10, including drinks.
About: A weekly community lunch open to everyone. Registration is required by Wednesday at noon. The current listing does not publish a serving time or holiday exceptions, so these should be confirmed when registering.
Category: Community Lunch.
Organizer: Frauenverein Saanen.
Contact: 033 744 81 86 or 079 697 31 40.
Official URL: Frauenverein Saanen.
Status: Recurring.
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The Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway Company, known as the MOB, links many of the villages in which events advertised under the Gstaad name are held. It carries regional trains as well as GoldenPass scenic services.
According to the official MOB network description, the 62.4-kilometre Montreux–Zweisimmen main line and the 12.9-kilometre Zweisimmen–Lenk branch form a 75.3-kilometre network. Its highest point is at Saanenmöser, 1,275 metres above sea level.
The metre-gauge main line leaves Montreux above Lake Geneva and climbs towards the Pays-d’Enhaut and the Bernese Oberland. Among other stops, it serves Château-d’Oex, Rougemont, Saanen, Gstaad, Schönried, and Saanenmöser before reaching Zweisimmen.
Between Rougemont and Saanen, the railway crosses from the canton of Vaud into the canton of Bern and from the French-speaking Pays-d’Enhaut into the German-speaking Saanenland. Zweisimmen lies farther along the route in the Simmental.
Lenk is part of the MOB network, but it is not on the Montreux–Zweisimmen main line. It lies on a separate 12.9-kilometre branch running from Zweisimmen. The branch opened in 1912, seven years after the Gstaad–Zweisimmen section completed the main line in 1905, as recorded in the MOB history.
Some journeys between Gstaad and Lenk require a change at Zweisimmen, while some regional services run through. Check the specific departure in the current timetable.
At Zweisimmen, the metre-gauge MOB line meets the standard-gauge BLS line to Spiez, over which the GoldenPass Express continues to Interlaken Ost. The carriages pass through a gauge-adapting installation, where their variable-gauge bogies adjust from 1,000 to 1,435 millimetres and the coach height is altered for the different platforms. The locomotive is also changed because the two networks use different electrical systems. Passengers remain aboard. The official GoldenPass technology explanation describes the process in detail.
Apart from GoldenPass Express through services, passengers travelling between the BLS line from Spiez and the MOB line towards Gstaad or Montreux normally change trains at Zweisimmen.
The GoldenPass Express is a regular timetabled service, but not every train on the MOB line is a GoldenPass Express. Regional trains, GoldenPass Panoramic services and Belle Époque trains have different stopping patterns. For a local event, a regional service may provide a more convenient departure time or a stop closer to the venue.
On the GoldenPass Express, seat reservations are strongly recommended in first and second class and compulsory in Prestige class. A valid transport ticket or guest card does not, by itself, include a seat reservation or guarantee carriage on a full GoldenPass Express. Travellers who need a particular departure should reserve a seat; otherwise, another connection may be more dependable. Prestige class also requires a valid first-class ticket and a supplement that includes the compulsory reservation. Current conditions are given in the MOB seat-reservation guidance.
PostBus connects the railway corridor with Lauenen, Turbach, Gsteig, Feutersoey and other settlements beyond the rail line.
The official Gstaad–Saanen PostBus network map (PDF) shows how railway stations, village bus stops, side-valley routes and services operating only at certain times connect. It does not cover every AFA service around Lenk or the TPC network in the Pays-d’Enhaut. Use the map for an overview of the Gstaad–Saanen network and the SBB journey planner for the service operating on a particular date.
For an event outside the railway villages, allow time for the bus connection and any final walk. Check the last usable return connection as well, since evening, seasonal and mountain services may be infrequent.
Eligible guests staying in accommodation subject to the local visitor tax receive the Gstaad Card from the first overnight stay. It covers second-class travel on designated public transport during the stay, including covered portions of arrival and departure journeys. Anyone planning to use it for the arrival journey should ensure that the valid card or mobility ticket has been issued and is available before boarding.
The current public-transport coverage includes year-round MOB rail travel between Rougemont and Lenk via Gstaad and Zweisimmen. It also includes specified AFA and PostBus services serving places such as Saanenmöser, Lauenen or Lauenensee, Turbach, the Col du Pillon, Simmenfälle, Bühlberg and Iffigenalp or Alpenrösli. Some routes and endpoints operate only in summer or winter, so consult the current timetable before travelling.
The card issued depends on the location of the accommodation, not simply on the transport route being used. Guests staying in the Pays-d’Enhaut, including Château-d’Oex, Rougemont and Rossinière, receive the Pass d’Enhaut from the first night. For staying guests, it is active throughout the arrival day and remains valid until 05:00 on the morning after departure. Its transport coverage and other benefits differ by season.
The Gstaad Card applies only in second class and within its designated validity area. First-class upgrades, uncovered portions of journeys and seat reservations are not included. Individual seat reservations on MOB trains are generally optional, although they are recommended during busy periods. Prestige travel requires a valid first-class ticket and a compulsory reservation.
The Gstaad Card does not include fares for dogs or bicycles; ordinary fares and route-specific carriage rules apply. The Sparenmoos service is not included as free transport, although the card may provide a reduced fare on a seasonal hiking taxi.
Groups of ten or more must register or reserve with each relevant operator in advance, even when every passenger holds a guest card. Deadlines differ by operator and route: consult the current instructions issued by PostBus, AFA and the relevant railway company.
The Gstaad Card does not provide general mountain-lift or ski-area access. Any card-specific reduction for a lift or other attraction must be checked separately.
Information checked: 24 August 2026. Routes, seasonal operations and conditions can change; verify the current timetable and operator information before travelling.
For each event, confirm the exact village and venue, the nearest railway station or bus stop, the approximate walking time and any limitation affecting the return journey. A street address alone may not show whether a bus connection or a substantial walk is required.
Travellers who need step-free access should check the precise station and train. MOB states that accessibility varies on regional services and that Belle Époque carriages are not accessible to wheelchair or walker users. The MOB accessibility guide and the SBB journey planner provide service-specific information. Connecting buses, the route from the stop and the venue itself must be checked separately.
Shortly before departure, check the SBB journey planner, the PostBus timetable and the live MOB traffic information. Recheck the last return connection, particularly during bad weather, construction work or major events.
Gstaad lies in the Saanenland, at the western edge of the Bernese Oberland in the canton of Bern. The Saanenland borders Fribourg to the north, Vaud to the west, Valais to the south and the Simmental to the east.
By rail, the two principal approaches are from Montreux in the west and Zweisimmen in the east. Travellers from Geneva, Geneva Airport or Lausanne usually reach Montreux first; travellers from Zurich, Zurich Airport, Bern or Basel generally approach through Bern, Spiez and Zweisimmen. From Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express runs through Zweisimmen towards Gstaad and Montreux; other itineraries normally require a change at Zweisimmen. Exact itineraries vary, so consult the rail and bus information above and check the live SBB timetable for the travel date.
By road, common approaches are through Zweisimmen, Château-d’Oex and the Col du Pillon. Weather, roadworks and event traffic can affect the best route, so check current conditions and the venue’s exact address before setting out.
Gstaad is a resort village in the Municipality of Saanen. Its centre includes the traffic-free Promenade, hotels, shops, restaurants and event venues. Gstaad is not a municipality in its own right; that is why “Gstaad” and “Saanen” can appear together in addresses and official records.
An event carrying the Gstaad name may therefore take place in Saanen, Gsteig, Lauenen, Zweisimmen or another locality. Treat the event name as a destination label, not as the venue address.
Important: In event publicity, “Gstaad” may mean the village, the wider holiday region or a programme extending across the Saanenland and neighbouring valleys.
Said differently: Gstaad is both a village and a holiday region. Those uses overlap, but they are not geographically identical.
“Saanen” can mean either Saanen village or the larger Municipality of Saanen. The village is the municipality’s main settlement and administrative centre. The municipality also includes Gstaad and other settlements and valleys.
The municipality says it comprises the main village of Saanen and ten Bäuerten, which it describes as subareas and valleys: Abländschen, Bissen, Ebnit, Gruben, Grund, Gstaad, Kalberhöni, Saanenmöser, Schönried and Turbach.
Saanenland is not a municipality and it does not include every place associated with Gstaad events. The Municipality of Saanen defines the Saanenland as the municipalities of Saanen, Gsteig and Lauenen. Zweisimmen, Rougemont, Château-d’Oex, Lenk and Les Diablerets fall outside that three-municipality definition, even though they may appear in the same event programmes and regional visitor information.
Cultural and sporting organisations often use Gstaad as an umbrella destination name while operating in several villages. This is ordinary regional branding, but it can conceal a meaningful location difference when the precise venue is omitted.
The Gstaad Menuhin Festival’s 2026 venue and direction pages, for example, cover locations in Gstaad, Saanen, Schönried, Gsteig, Lauenen, Rougemont, Vers-l’Église, Château-d’Oex, Zweisimmen, Boltigen, Abländschen and Lenk (my favourite place for long summer walks), as well as the Col du Pillon. A concert presented under the festival’s Gstaad name is therefore not necessarily in Gstaad village.
The same issue appears in sport. The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad carries Gstaad in its name, but the 2026 tournament took place from 20 to 23 August on the polo ground beside the runway at Saanen Airport, several kilometres from Gstaad’s Promenade.
Under the canton’s three-municipality definition of the Saanenland, the region comprises Saanen, Gsteig and Lauenen; Zweisimmen and Lenk are nearby Simmental inclusions rather than Saanenland villages.
Gstaad — an internationally known resort village within the Municipality of Saanen, with the traffic-free Promenade at its centre.
Saanen — the municipality’s historic main village and the seat of its municipal administration. Its village centre is listed in the federal inventory of built sites of national importance, and Saanen Church and Hotel Landhaus are established concert and event venues.
Schönried — a village within the Municipality of Saanen, set on a terrace above the main valley. The Horneggli valley station is a few minutes’ walk from Schönried railway station.
Saanenmöser — a high-lying village within the Municipality of Saanen, at the Saanenmöser Pass crossing between Saanen and Zweisimmen. Because the same name can refer to the settlement, pass and transport destinations, directions should specify the exact destination—for example, Saanenmöser railway station or the Saanersloch valley station.
Gsteig — the village where the Municipality of Gsteig’s administration is based, south of Feutersoey. It lies on the road and PostBus route from Gstaad towards Col du Pillon. A marked hiking route and a seasonal cable car from Innergsteig provide access towards the Sanetsch reservoir area.
Zweisimmen — a village in the Simmental and a municipality of the same name, east of the Saanenland. Its station is a regional rail junction for routes towards Spiez and Interlaken, Montreux and Gstaad, and Lenk.
Lauenen — the principal village of the separate Municipality of Lauenen, in a side valley south of Gstaad. Its historic village core includes the old church district, while Lauenensee lies farther up the valley in the Gelten–Iffigen nature reserve.
Turbach — a dispersed side-valley settlement and Bäuert within the Municipality of Saanen, southeast of Gstaad. Its houses are spread through a predominantly agricultural mountain valley rather than concentrated in a compact village centre.
Lenk — a village at the head of the Upper Simmental and a municipality of the same name. Although outside the narrowly defined Saanenland, it is linked with Gstaad by rail via Zweisimmen and on foot by Via Alpina stage 16.
Feutersoey — a village in the Municipality of Gsteig, on the upper-Saane route between Gstaad and Gsteig. At Feutersoey, the Tschärzistal side valley branches towards Arnensee.
Abländschen — a small hamlet within the Municipality of Saanen, in the upper Jaun valley away from the municipality’s main Saane valley and below the Gastlosen. The seasonal Mittelberg route links Saanen, Abländschen and Jaun via the pass.
Wispile — Of the many points of interest bearing the Wispile name, I have selected the Höhi Wispile mountain station, the gondola’s upper station and the principal lift-served access point for the high ridge above Gstaad. Several distinct places in the area carry the Wispile name, so this marker does not represent the valley station, middle station, every locality along the ridge, or the separate 1,939-metre mountain summit. The mountain station stands near Berghaus Wispile at approximately 1,907 metres. From here, walking routes follow the broad panoramic ridge toward Vorderi Wispile and Chrine, with longer routes continuing toward Lauenensee, Lauenen or Gsteig. A mountain restaurant, playground and petting zoo are situated near the station, while seasonal activities include hiking, winter walking, sledging and access to ski terrain. Gondola service, trails and facilities operate seasonally and may also depend on weather and mountain conditions; check their current status before travelling.
Eggli — a lift-served mountain area above Gstaad, reached by the Gstaad–Eggli gondola and, in winter, also served from Saanen. In summer, Eggli has marked walks towards Gstaad and Saanen; the wider walking terrain towards La Videmanette crosses the Bern–Vaud cantonal and German–French language boundary. In winter, Eggli and La Videmanette are linked within one ski area when the connecting lifts and pistes are operating. | Here is a view from Eggli looking down to Gstaad.
Wasserngrat — a ridge and small lift-served mountain area above Gstaad, reached by chairlift from the valley station at Bissen. The chairlift operates only on selected days in summer and serves one end of the demanding, partly exposed 10.9-kilometre high-level hike between Wasserngrat and Leiterli–Betelberg above Lenk. In winter, its pistes include the black Tiger Run, piste 56, which the operator describes as the region’s steepest descent.
Horneggli — a lift-served mountain area above Schönried, with its valley station approximately five minutes on foot from Schönried railway station. In summer, it is one endpoint of SwitzerlandMobility Route 306, the Horneggli Panorama Trail, which runs from Rinderberg via Hornberg. In winter, Schönried is an entry point to the connected Rinderberg–Saanersloch–Horneggli ski sector.
Saanerslochgrat — the upper-station and ridge area above Saanenmöser, reached in winter by the two-section Saanenmöser–Saanenwald–Saanerslochgrat gondola. The operator currently lists Saanersloch for winter operation only. Its valley station is a few minutes on foot from Saanenmöser railway station and provides the Saanenmöser entrance to the connected Rinderberg–Saanersloch–Horneggli ski sector.
Rinderberg — a lift-served mountain above Zweisimmen, with its gondola valley station a few minutes on foot from Zweisimmen railway station. In summer, the signed Rinderberg–Horneggli panoramic route follows the high ground towards Horneggli. In winter, when the connecting lifts and pistes are open, Rinderberg provides the Zweisimmen entrance to the connected ski sector.
La Videmanette — a lift-served mountain area above Rougemont, reached by gondola from a valley station a short walk from Rougemont railway station. Its upper station provides access to mountain walking and, when installed and open, to three via ferrata routes on Le Rubli. In winter, when the linking lifts and pistes are open, it forms part of the Eggli–La Videmanette ski area.
Glacier 3000 — a branded high-altitude mountain excursion and ski area principally accessed from Col du Pillon, where the principal valley station lies in Ormont-Dessus, in the canton of Vaud. On the Bernese side, the Martisberg nature reserve lies in the municipality of Gsteig, within the Saanenland; the Canton of Bern states that a Glacier 3000 aerial cableway and pistes cross its high valley. The two cable-car sections run from Col du Pillon via Cabane to Scex Rouge. From the upper station, visitors can reach the Peak Walk, take the Ice Express towards the Glacier Walk, and access seasonal skiing and other weather-dependent activities. Scheduled PostBus services connect Col du Pillon with Gstaad and Les Diablerets.
Lauenensee (Lake Lauenen) — a natural mountain-lake site at about 1,380 metres in the Municipality of Lauenen. The singular name covers the main lake and the officially mapped kleiner Lauenensee. Their surrounding moors form a core area of the cantonal Gelten–Iffigen nature reserve. Seasonal PostBus route 181 runs from Gstaad, while road access ends at a limited paid car park that can close when full. Walking and open-water bathing are possible, but the protection rules require visitors to remain on marked routes through the moors, keep dogs on leads and avoid riding bicycles on the protected southeast path and boardwalk; watercraft are generally prohibited apart from specifically authorised rowing boats.
Arnensee (Lac d’Arnon) — a hydroelectric reservoir at about 1,542 metres in the Tschärzistal, within the Municipality of Gsteig rather than Gstaad. The municipality records the conversion of the former natural lake into a reservoir, and the SwissDams record identifies its hydropower purpose and operator. Summer road access branches from Feutersoey via a toll road that closes to private and tourist traffic in winter; there is no normal scheduled service to the lakeshore. Visitors come for lakeside walking, open-water swimming and regulated fishing requiring a Bern patent. Pedalos, stand-up paddleboards and rowboats are offered seasonally.
Lac Retaud — a small mountain lake at 1,685 metres near Col du Pillon, in the Municipality of Ormont-Dessus, canton of Vaud, and therefore outside the Saanenland. It is a practical excursion from Gstaad: PostBus serves Col du Pillon from the Gstaad and Les Diablerets directions, followed by roughly a half-hour walk. Summer swimming and paddling are advertised, while fishing requires a Vaud permit. The lake adjoins the nationally important Retaud low fen, so visitors should follow marked routes and local conservation instructions.
Seebergsee — a natural mountain lake with underground inflows and outflows at about 1,830 metres. It lies on Zweisimmen municipal territory, within both the Diemtigtal Regional Nature Park and the cantonal Spillgerten nature reserve. It is a wider-area excursion east of Gstaad rather than a Saanenland lake. From Gstaad, travel by train to Zweisimmen; a pre-booked seasonal hikers’ taxi can continue to Meieberg, followed by a marked mountain walk. An alternative approach through Zwischenflüh uses a permit-controlled mountain road to designated parking or a longer walk from the PostBus stop. Reserve rules prohibit fires, camping or bivouacking, drones, floating craft, plant collecting and uncontrolled dogs.
Lenkerseeli — a small village-edge lake in Lenk, in the Simmental rather than the Saanenland. It lies a few minutes’ walk from the village centre within the nature reserve of the same name. The surrounding path is flat and wide and is maintained for walking in winter as well as summer; a longer barrier-free Lenk circuit also passes the lake. Lenk is reached from Gstaad by rail through Zweisimmen. The adjacent AlpKultur playground makes this the most accessible family-oriented entry in the list; the lake itself should not be assumed to be a bathing facility.
Iffigsee — a mountain lake at 2,065 metres in the Municipality of Lenk and within the Gelten–Iffigen nature reserve. From Gstaad, the usual approach is by rail through Zweisimmen to Lenk, followed by the seasonal bus to Iffigenalp; drivers must observe timed one-way road controls. The lake itself is accessible only on foot. The direct return hike from Iffigenalp is approximately 3 hours, with 523 metres of ascent, following a T2 mountain-hiking route. Fishing requires a day permit; winter access is an avalanche-terrain ski or snowshoe undertaking rather than the normal hike.
Sanetschsee (Lac de Sénin) — a hydroelectric reservoir at about 2,034 metres in the Municipality of Savièse, canton of Valais, north of the Col du Sanetsch. It is not in Gsteig, although it is associated with the Bernese side because the seasonal Sanetsch cable car climbs from the Innergsteig power-station area to a mountain station beside the reservoir. A circuit of roughly one to one-and-a-half hours follows the lake. Longer mountain-hiking access is possible from Gsteig, while the road approach reaches the dam only from Savièse on the Valais side. Cable-car, road, trail, water-level and dam access can change because of season, weather or maintenance.
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