Glacier 3000's winter season runs from 7 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, and you do not need to ski to enjoy it: the pedestrian ticket covers the cable car, the Peak Walk in the snow, the Ice Express and the Glacier Walk, and husky sled rides start in November. Skiers get runs from 3,000 m down to 1,300 m and a snowpark until early January. The last ascent in winter is at 16:00.
Facts checked 16 October 2026
Independent guide, not the official Glacier 3000 website. Official tickets and live opening status: glacier3000.ch
After a maintenance closure from 19 October to 6 November 2026, Glacier 3000 opens for winter on 7 November 2026 and runs daily until 30 April 2027. That is a long season, starting weeks before most of the Gstaad lifts, which open on 18 or 19 December.
The first cable car leaves Col du Pillon at 09:00 and runs every 20 minutes. The last ascent is at 16:00 and the last descent at about 16:20; check on the day. Glacier 3000 suggests arriving by 15:00 to have time for the activities.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Maintenance closure | 19 October–6 November 2026 |
| Winter season | 7 November 2026–30 April 2027 |
| First cable car | 09:00, then every 20 minutes |
| Last ascent | 16:00 |
| Last descent | About 16:20 |
| Dog sledding | From November 2026 |
| Snowpark | November to early January |
Non-skiers are well looked after in winter. The pedestrian return ticket costs CHF 95 for adults, and CHF 48 for children aged 6 to 15 and Half Fare, GA or Swiss Travel Pass holders. It includes the cable car, the Peak Walk, the Ice Express chairlift, the Snow Fun Park and the Glacier Walk. The Magic Pass covers pedestrians too, from 1 November to 30 April.
The Peak Walk stays open all winter, weather permitting, and the 107 m bridge between the View Point and Scex Rouge is at its most striking with snow on the summits around it. Reaching it takes about 100 steps.
The Glacier Walk is open all year as well: the Ice Express takes you down to the glacier, and the walk to Refuge l'Espace by the Quille du Diable takes about an hour each way. The refuge opens from February 2027.
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Return cable car ticket from Col du Pillon to Scex Rouge, including the Peak Walk, Ice Express and Glacier Walk; you make your own way to Col du Pillon.
Departs from Col du Pillon (no transport) · Ticket only, no fixed departure; cabins every 20 minutes
From November 2026, husky teams take visitors across the glacier, starting a few minutes' walk from the bottom of the Ice Express. Tours range from the Discovery Tour, about 5 minutes on the sled, to the 6 km Panoramic Tour to the Quille du Diable.
A sled ride costs CHF 42, or CHF 110 with the return cable car (CHF 85 with a Half Fare card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass or SBB Day Ticket). Book in advance through the official shop.
Skiers get descents from 3,000 m down to 1,300 m, including the 8 km Red Run and the Black Wall, reached through a tunnel from Scex Rouge. A 2026/27 day pass costs CHF 84 for adults.
The snowpark opens with the season on 7 November and runs until early January, and there are two cross-country loops on the glacier.
A winter morning at the top is a fine time for Peak Brunch at Le 3. It costs CHF 35 on its own, CHF 108 with the return cable car, or CHF 83 with the cable car for Half Fare, GA, Swiss Travel Pass and SBB Day Ticket holders.
Brunch is served from 09:15, so take an early cable car, and book online in advance.
Dress as if you were skiing, even if you are not. Glacier 3000 advises warm boots, ski trousers, a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream for winter visits.
The souvenir shop at the top rents mountain trousers, jackets and shoes, but not skis; hire skis in Les Diablerets or Gstaad.
From 1 November to 30 April, the bus from Les Diablerets to Col du Pillon is free with a Glacier 3000 ski or pedestrian ticket or a Magic Pass, and from Gstaad the PostBus is free with the Gstaad Card. By car, Col du Pillon is about 8 minutes from Les Diablerets and 20 minutes from Gstaad, with large paid car parks at the base.
With the last ascent at 16:00, be on the mountain by late morning if you want to fit in the Glacier Walk or a sled ride as well as lunch.
Yes. The pedestrian ticket covers the cable car, the Peak Walk, the Ice Express and the Glacier Walk, all open in winter, and husky sled rides and Peak Brunch are available to book.
On 7 November 2026, after the maintenance closure from 19 October to 6 November. The winter season runs until 30 April 2027.
The last ascent in winter is at 16:00. Glacier 3000 advises arriving by 15:00 so you have time for the activities.
Yes. The Magic Pass is valid at Glacier 3000 for pedestrians as well as skiers from 1 November to 30 April, but not in summer.
Glacier 3000 advises warm boots, ski trousers, a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
Sources: glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, glacier3000.ch, magicpass.ch. Checked October 2026. Prices and times can change: confirm with the operator before you travel.