Glacier 3000
31km pistes, 1,666m vertical, 6.5m annual snow. Magic Pass included. Black Wall 46° pitch. November-April glacier skiing.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
7 Nov 2026
Closes
30 Apr 2027
Days open
174
Annual snow
7m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Glacier 3000 operates between 1,350 and 3,016 metres across 31 kilometres of pistes split into 13 marked runs. The vertical drop measures 1,666 metres, delivering one of Switzerland's most substantial descents from glacier to valley. Terrain distribution allocates 27 per cent to beginners, 38 per cent to intermediates, 25 per cent to advanced skiers and 10 per cent to experts, whilst 6.5 metres of annual snowfall anchors conditions from November through late April. The resort spans three Swiss cantons - Vaud, Bern and Valais - and holds inclusion in the Magic Pass network at CHF 419 for the 2025-26 season.
Signature descents include the Red Run at eight kilometres and 1,700 metres vertical, the seven-kilometre Combe d'Audon black and the Black Wall, opened in winter 2022-23 with a 46-degree pitch making it Switzerland's steepest groomed piste. Access to Black Wall requires passage through a 265-metre tunnel, the longest ski tunnel in Switzerland. Three T-bars on the Tsanfleuron Glacier serve gentle blue terrain at 3,000 metres, whilst the four-seat Ice Express chairlift links Scex Rouge to the glacier plateau. Off-piste routes descending north through forests to Col du Pillon attract advanced freeriders, though downloading via cable car remains mandatory for novices.
The Scex Rouge summit station, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta and rebuilt following a 2022 fire, houses Restaurant Botta on the fourth floor with panoramic glazing facing 24 peaks exceeding 4,000 metres including Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Eiger. The 107-metre Peak Walk by Tissot suspension bridge connects two summits at 3,000 metres and ranks as the only peak-to-peak bridge globally. Refuge l'Espace sits at Quille du Diable on the glacier, accessible via a marked walking trail. High-elevation exposure creates weather sensitivity, with winds exceeding 80 kilometres per hour forcing lift closures.
Magic Pass validity runs 1 November to 30 April, with summer access optional at additional cost. Adult day tickets price at CHF 79, whilst Swiss Travel Pass holders receive 50 per cent discount. The resort links with Villars-Gryon-Diablerets and Leysin under regional pass arrangements. Limited on-piste variety suits the terrain best to strong intermediates and experts comfortable with long, steep descents or extensive off-piste exploration rather than piste-focused intermediates seeking varied groomed cruising.
1666m
Vertical
13
Runs
31 km
Piste
7m
Annual snow
The Terrain
13 runs across 31 km of piste
Glacier 3000 spreads 13 runs across 31 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 38%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 4 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
13
runs
13 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 27%
Intermediate5 runs · 38%
Advanced3 runs · 25%
Expert1 run · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Glacier 3000
The 2025-26 season operates 8 November 2025 through 30 April 2026, delivering nearly six months of skiing. Glacier elevation enables early opening, often by late October in high-snow years, and extends operations into May when conditions permit. Col du Pillon base at 1,546 metres and Scex Rouge summit at 2,971 metres bracket 1,425 vertical metres of lift-served terrain, with skiing possible down to 1,300 metres via the Black Wall. Cable cars run daily 9:00am to 4:50pm with 20-minute intervals, whilst ski lifts operate 9:15am to 4:00pm.
Annual snowfall averages 6.5 metres, concentrated between December and March. Summit snow depth averages 2.34 metres mid-season with January typically delivering peak accumulation at three metres, whilst base elevations hold minimal natural cover. The resort operates without significant snowmaking infrastructure, relying on natural precipitation and glacier permanence. North-facing aspects on Black Wall and Combe d'Audon retain snow quality into spring. Glacier 3000 ranks among Switzerland's 15 best ski areas for snow reliability according to historical data.
December through February offers optimal powder skiing during storm cycles, though high-altitude exposure creates harsh conditions in poor weather. March and April deliver spring corn snow with longer days and stable weather patterns, attracting fewer crowds than midwinter. Early season November skiing and late-season April dates suit those avoiding peak periods, when only upper glacier terrain operates. The snowpark typically functions November through March at 3,000 metres elevation.
The Glacier Run takes place each August, the 18th edition scheduled for 8 August 2026. Summer cable car operations continue for hikers and sightseers, with the Alpine Coaster running June through September. Winter walking paths total 2.4 kilometres, with snowshoe trails extending three kilometres from Scex Rouge. No night skiing operates. The resort closes 19 October to 6 November 2026 for technical maintenance.
Season 2026 - 2027
7 Nov 2026
Opens
30 Apr 2027
Closes
174
Days open
7 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Glacier 3000, and where to stay
Glacier 3000 sits in the Alpes Vaudoises within Canton Vaud, straddling borders with Bern and Valais cantons in western Switzerland. The Tsanfleuron Glacier occupies the upper ski area whilst Col du Pillon pass at 1,546 metres marks the valley station position. The Diablerets massif rises to the east, with the Scex Rouge summit reaching 2,971 metres. Lake Geneva lies 50 kilometres west, whilst the Sarine Valley extends north into Bernese Oberland. The resort operates year-round at 3,000 metres elevation with permanent snow cover.
Les Diablerets village sits eight minutes by road from Col du Pillon, positioned 1,200 metres above sea level in the Ormont valley. Gstaad resort lies 20 minutes north via Col du Pillon pass, serving as the primary access point from Bernese Oberland. Les Diablerets offers traditional alpine village character with thermal baths, whilst Gstaad delivers upmarket hotels and shopping. Both towns provide accommodation bases, with Les Diablerets favoured for Magic Pass holders accessing Villars-Gryon-Diablerets and Leysin. Route du Pillon 253 marks the official cable car station address.
Col du Pillon pass road remains open year-round, linking Aigle and Lake Geneva via Les Diablerets from the south with Gstaad and the Saanenland to the north. The 13-kilometre climb from Les Diablerets averages 11 per cent maximum gradient. From Aigle, total drive time reaches 30 minutes; Gstaad requires 20 minutes. Montreux on Lake Geneva sits 45 kilometres south, approximately one hour by car. PostBus line 180 operates hourly between Les Diablerets and Gstaad via Col du Pillon, with free travel for Magic Pass and Glacier 3000 ticket holders between November and April.
Geneva Airport lies 140 kilometres southwest, requiring two hours by car via A9 motorway to Aigle then Route 11 through Les Diablerets. Zurich Airport sits 200 kilometres northeast, approximately 2.5 hours via A12 through Bern. Bern and Sion regional airports serve smaller aircraft. Rail connections run Geneva-Lausanne-Montreux-Aigle with narrow-gauge transfer to Les Diablerets, whilst Zurich-Bern-Spiez-Zweisimmen reaches Gstaad via GoldenPass Line. The Glacier 3000 Express bus coordinates with GoldenPass Express train arrivals in Gstaad. Total journey from Geneva by rail and bus approximates three hours.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Glacier 3000, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Glacier 3000's ski season?
Glacier 3000's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 7 through April 30. That window is roughly 174 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Glacier 3000 have?
Glacier 3000 lists about 31 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 13 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Glacier 3000?
Trail grading at Glacier 3000 breaks down roughly as 27% beginner, 38% intermediate, 25% advanced, 10% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Glacier 3000 have?
Glacier 3000 operates 11 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 3 aerial trams, 3 quad chairs, 3 t-bars, and 2 surface lifts.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Glacier 3000?
Base elevation at Glacier 3000 is about 1,350 m (4,429 ft), with the summit around 3,016 m (9,895 ft), giving roughly 1,666 m (5,466 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Glacier 3000 get each season?
Glacier 3000 averages about 650 cm (256 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Glacier 3000 lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CHF 45 to CHF 89, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Glacier 3000 before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 1 live mountain webcam, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Glacier 3000 so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Glacier 3000 have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Glacier 3000. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Glacier 3000 located?
Glacier 3000 sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026