Glacier 3000 in summer: snow in July, coaster and Peak Walk

Down in Gstaad or Les Diablerets it may be shirtsleeve weather, but at the top of Glacier 3000 you are on a glacier at almost 3,000 m, with snow underfoot all summer. That contrast is the joy of a summer visit: green valleys on the way up, then a white world at Scex Rouge.

Summer runs from May into October; the 2027 summer season pass is valid from 1 May to 10 October 2027. The cable car runs from 09:00 every 20 minutes; in summer the last ascent is at 16:20 and the last descent at 16:50.

The two classics are open all summer, and both are included in the cable car ticket. The Peak Walk is the 107 m suspension bridge, 80 cm wide, between the View Point and the summit of Scex Rouge; on a clear day Glacier 3000 names the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau among the peaks in view.

For the Glacier Walk, take the Ice Express chairlift down onto the glacier and follow the secured route to Refuge l'Espace beside the Quille du Diable, about an hour each way. Families can stop at the Snow Fun Park, where you can slide on snow all year.

Summer is the only time the Alpine Coaster runs. It is a 1 km rail toboggan with 10 curves, 6 waves and 3 jumps, reaching up to 40 km/h, and Glacier 3000 calls it the highest in the world. It usually runs from June to October, depending on the snow, from 09:15 to 16:00.

Rides cost CHF 9, or CHF 36 for 5, paid at the start of the ride. Riders can go alone from age 9 and 140 cm, and from age 3 with someone aged 9 or over.

Glacier 3000 counts 75 km of marked trails, from family hikes to alpine tours and via ferratas. One easy outing from the base is Lac Retaud, a lake about 30 minutes on foot from Col du Pillon, good for a summer swim or a paddle.

Up on the glacier you can even cross-country ski in summer, skating along the Glacier Walk. A classic or skating loop can be prepared on request by emailing booking@glacier3000.ch.

In summer 2026 Glacier 3000 opened on four evenings for Sunset Rides, with ascents from 18:00 and the last descents at 22:00. Watch the official site from spring for 2027 dates.

On Saturday 7 August 2027 the Glacier 3000 Run, a mountain race from Gstaad up to Glacier 3000, holds its next edition. It is organised separately from the cable car company, so check its own site for entries and timings.

Take a warm layer even on the hottest day in the valley. For summer, Glacier 3000 advises mountain boots, a windproof jacket, sunglasses and sun cream, and in spring and autumn it can snow at any time.

If you forget something, the souvenir shop at the top rents mountain trousers, jackets and shoes.

The return cable car costs CHF 95 for adults, and CHF 48 for children aged 6 to 15 and for Half Fare, GA or Swiss Travel Pass holders; children under 6 travel free. The ticket covers the Peak Walk, Ice Express, Snow Fun Park and Glacier Walk. Check the price for your date in the official shop.

Without a car, coach day trips run from Montreux, Lausanne and Geneva. On most of them the cable car is an option you add, so check what your booking includes. From Montreux, the GoldenPass Express to Gstaad is a scenic way to start the day.