Nestled in the rolling snowy hills of the Bernese Oberland is Gstaad Palace, part of The Leading Hotels of the World. Here, its exceptional team are eagerly counting the hours to the start of its 111th winter season, which begins on the 13th of December, 2024. On offer will be a fantastic collection of new activities and experiences, which are sure to make for a perfect fairy-tale winter escape in the mountains.

Alpine Adventures Await
For those looking to experience the Swiss Alps at their best, guests at Gstaad Palace have access to a myriad of outdoor excursions at their doorstep.

Explore the stunning heights of Glacier 3000, just 20 minutes from Gstaad and accessible by a 15-minute cable car ride, offering breathtaking panoramas of the Alps’ most emblematic snow-capped peaks, including The Matterhorn, the Jungfrau and Mont-Blanc.

At the top of the Scex Rouge mountain station is The Peak Walk by Tissot – the only suspension bridge in the world to link two peaks. Thrill seekers can also enjoy the “Black Wall” slope at Glacier 3000, one of the steepest ski slopes in the world with a maximum gradient of 46°.

For families, the hotel team can direct guests to a myriad of exciting outdoor adventures, including tobogganing on the Wispile Run, scenic hikes at Sparenmoos, electric fat-bike tours, sledging, snowshoeing and charming horse and carriage rides through the snowy valley of Lauenen.

Fun for the young ones at Sammy’s Winter Kids Club
Younger guests at The Palace can look forward to an exciting lineup of activities and experiences at Sammy’s Winter Kids Club.

A full calendar of activities will keep children entertained all season round, with highlights including daily festive movie nights with freshly made popcorn; Christmas Tree crafting for Sammy’s Christmas tree; traditional Swiss ‘Zopf’ bread making; a pyjama party and pillow fight; mountain games and tales and mocktail making with Maître Paulo.

Outdoors, the magical Palace Garden awaits with a special Christmas Eve encounter with Santa’s reindeer, a chance to meet with the resident St. Bernard dogs (1 January), and a mini animal farm (8 February). On the 13 February, The Palace will also host a fun family treasure hunt from 10 am – 12 pm, where guests can compete against other families to win a special prize.

Celebrate the New Year ‘Venetian’ Style
Ring in 2025 with a night of elegance at Gstaad Palace’s ‘Venetian Dream’s’ New Year’s Eve celebration. Step into an evening inspired by the romance and mystique of Venice, featuring live music from a star DJ and an exquisite dinner. Guests are encouraged to dress in their most opulent attire to experience a magical evening filled with Venetian glamour.

The celebrations will begin with a lavish drinks reception in The Lobby Bar and GreenGo, followed by an exquisite dinner at the hotel’s restaurants. Alongside delicious fine dining, guests can expect live entertainment, dancing and plenty of champagne to ring in the New Year.

For those travelling with family, children can enjoy the VIK (Very Important Kids) Party at Sammy’s Kids Club for an equally special evening of fun and dancing.

Cultural Highlights
This winter season, Gstaad and the surrounding Saanenland region also offer a magical selection of events that celebrate the rich heritage and enchanting scenery of the Swiss Alps.

The Saanenland Christmas market entices visitors with rustic wooden stalls, all offering an array of handmade crafts, accompanied by the irresistible scents of cinnamon and spice and a beautiful mountain backdrop.

The 45th Festival International De Ballons will take place from 25 January – 2 February 2025 in nearby Chateau-d’Oex, the alpine capital of hot air ballooning, where the sky will become painted with vibrant colours as over 70 balloons from different countries take to the skies.

For music lovers, the 19th Gstaad New Year Music Festival will take place from 27 December – 11 January 2025, bringing world-class performances to the Swiss Alps.

The ‘Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad’ will take place from 31 January to 8 February 2025, a prominent winter rendezvous for classical music enthusiasts since 2001.

A Special Valentine’s Night by Chopard
The Palace’s GreenGo nightclub will transform into a celebration of romance on the 14 February for Valentine’s Night by Chopard.

Couples can dance the night away and enter to win a Chopard diamond bracelet from their Happy Diamonds collection. This unforgettable evening will add a touch of timeless Swiss elegance to the magic of Valentine’s Day.

Gstaad Palace will open for the winter season from 13 December 2024 – 2 March 2025. Rooms start from 935 CHF (approx. £835) per room per night, including breakfast and a culinary credit.

Lead image: Gstaad Palace by Andrea Scherz.