Why Skiers Keep Coming Back to Gstaad, Switzerland

365 Aviation

Oct 30

3 min read

Nestled in Switzerland’s illustrious Bernese Oberland, Gstaad remains a firm favourite among avid skiers who prefer discretion and quiet luxury over high-profile glamour.

Snow-covered pistes across the Gstaad Mountain Rides ski network in the Swiss Alps

Views from Gstaad Mirage, art installation by Doug Aitken

Often overlooked in favour of the glitz of St. Moritz or the chic crowds of Verbier, this picturesque, tranquil village is the epitome of alpine chic. Since the 1950s, strict building regulations have required new developments to honour traditional chalet architecture, which is largely why the village has kept its cosy, authentic character. Along its car-free promenade, you'll find legendary five-star hotels and designer boutiques alongside century-old local bakeries and cheese mongers, adding to Gstaad’s timeless charm.

Left Image of Gstaad, Switzerland & right image of Glacier 3000

The ski area itself spans around 200km of pistes across the Gstaad Mountain Rides network, extending across several sectors and into neighbouring Château-d'Œx and Rougemont. Runs tend towards the gentle and scenic rather than the extreme, making the resort a consistent draw for families. The Eggli and Wispile sectors offer some of the most reliably uncrowded slopes in the region, even at the height of season whilst the Glacier 3000 offers perfectly groomed pistes with views of over two dozen majestic peaks of 4,000 m or higher, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Off the slopes, the winter atmosphere is magical, from horse-drawn sleigh rides through snow-dusted valleys to cross-country trails and classical music performances. A highlight is Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, a multi-day classical festival held annually in late January or early February.

Booking a Private Jet to Gstaad

For charter clients, flying to Gstaad requires a little more planning. While Gstaad Saanen Airport (LSGK) is the closest airport, just a few minutes from the village, its short runway means it's only really suitable for turboprops and very light jets such as the Pilatus PC-24 or Cessna Citation Mustang.

Images of a Pilatus PC-24 courtesy of Platoon Aviation

The more practical gateway is Sion Airport (SIR), around an hour's drive from Gstaad, better suited to larger aircraft like the Citation CJ4 or Challenger 350. An alternative is Bern Airport (BRN), which offers similarly convenient access with a comparable drive time. For clients travelling on larger long-range aircraft, Geneva remains the primary hub, with the transfer to Gstaad taking around two and a half hours by road.

Citation CJ4 private jet chartered for arrival at Sion Airport near Gstaad

Image of a Citation CJ4 courtesy of Textron Aviation

Where to stay: Ultima Gstaad

Just a short 2-minute drive from the heart of the town, Ultima Gstaad offers brings ultra-private chalet living and flawless five-star service together.

Spread across three traditional wooden chalets, the property holds just eleven suites and six private residences, each with a balcony framing snowglobe-worthy mountain views. Inside, the design breaks away from standard alpine tradition, pairing classic wood exteriors with bold contemporary touches like mirrored lobby ceilings, rotating seasonal art collections, and lavish marble finishes.

Ultima Hotel Gstaad grand chalet with mountain backdrop

When you aren't out carving up the slopes, the cutting-edge spa is the ultimate sanctuary. Built for serious post-ski restoration, the space boasts a striking black-marble indoor pool, steam room, sauna, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, snow shower and fitness room.

As for dining, you can order everything from wagyu burgers to homemade ravioli directly to your suite, though the real highlight is Zuma, the world-renowned Japanese restaurant brand, which is set to return to Ultima Hotel Gstaad for the 2026/27 winter season following its Swiss debut in December 2025, once again transforming the hotel into an immersive culinary destination.

Thanks to our partners at Heavens Portfolio, we're pleased to offer our clients exclusive complimentary nights at both Ultima Hotel Gstaad and Ultima Hotel Courchevel for the upcoming winter season.

· Stay 4 nights, pay for 3

· Stay 7 nights, pay for 5