Glacier 3000: Day Trips and Tours from Geneva

Glacier 3000 is an alpine wonderland, offering adventurous activities high up in the mountains during both summer and winter.

Soak up those jaw-dropping views from the cable car, then test your nerves on the thrilling glacier walk. Adrenaline junkies love skiing or dog sledding, and there’s even a hillside coaster to get your heart pumping.

Want to take a day trip to Glacier 3000? Then read on to discover everything about this one-of-a-kind day trip from Geneva!

How to get to Glacier 3000 from Geneva?

Glacier 3000 is at the highest point of the Vaudois Alps, 30 minutes from Gstaad. It is accessed by cable car from Col du Pillon and can easily be visited on a day trip from Geneva.

• By car: The journey lasts 1 hour 45 minutes one-way and takes you along the side of the lake via the A1 and A9 roads. You can park at the Col du Pillon station before jumping on the cable car up to the Glacier 3000.
• On a guided tour: Guided tours to usually last a whole day so you can make the most of your visit. All the transportation and organization if arranged for you, with hotel pick-ups and a guide for a super smooth experience.

How much does access to Glacier 3000 cost?

There are lots of activities to enjoy at Glacier 3000. Some are included in the price of your cable car ticket while others can be purchased separately.

Standard ticket

This includes a return cable car ride from Col du Pillon, as well as entry to the Peak Walk, Glacier Walk, Ice Express Chairlift, and Fun Park for sledding.

• Adult: 85 CHF (€87)
• Child (6 – 15 years): 43 CHF (€44)
• Infants (up to 5 years): free

Optional activities

• Alpine Coaster: 9 CHF (€9.20)
• Day Ski Pass Adult: 85 CHF (€87)
• Day Ski Pass Child: 43 CHF (€44)

What is the usual itinerary of a Glacier 3000 tour from Geneva?

A day tour from Geneva to Glacier 3000 begins with a pick-up from your hotel or a convenient meeting point, followed by a 1 hour and 45 minutes drive.

On arrival you’ll board the cable car and glide smoothly up to the summit station of Glacier 3000. You will then have free time to enjoy some of the activities and experiences on offer, including alpine walks and lunch in the panoramic restaurant.

After your adventures, you’ll ride the cable car back down into the valley and your driver will return you to Geneva.

What kind of tours are available to go to Glacier 3000?

There are several different types of Glacier 3000 jaunts to choose from, including shared group excursions and private tours. Most tours provide round-trip road transfers, with the option to add activities at an extra cost.

Guided tour to Glacier 3000 from Geneva

Organized tours are a fun way to discover the delights of the Swiss Alps.

By sharing transfers with other travelers, you can keep costs to a minimum. Access to the cable car and other activities can be added to your tour. At the end of the day, you will be driven back to Geneva.

Guided day trip to Glacier 3000 plus Montreux from Geneva

These Glacier 3000 excursions include a stop at the lakeside town of Montreux so you can make the most of your day out.

Travel is by air-conditioned minivan or bus, often with hotel pick-up included. As a bonus, some tours offer the opportunity to enjoy a wine and cheese tasting.

Private tour to Glacier 3000 from Geneva

Private tours are a great choice if you want to tailor your experience to your preferences. You can take as long as you want at key photo locations and enjoy first-hand insights from your guide.

What are the best tours from Geneva to Glacier 3000?

Full-Day Trip to Riviera Col du Pillon & Glacier 3000

• Price: From €80 per person
• Duration: 6 - 10 hours
• Includes: Tour guide & transportation

Tour to Glacier 3000 and Montreux Riviera from Geneva

• Price: From €120 per person
• Duration: 10 hours
• Includes: Tour guide & transportation, free time in Montreux Riviera

Private Tour to Glacier 3000 from Geneva

• Price: From €215 per person (depending on group size)
• Duration: 7 - 10 hours
• Includes: Private transportation, cable car to Glacier 3000, peak walk & fun park access

How much does a tour to Glacier 3000 from Geneva cost?

A guided group tour to Glacier 3000 from Geneva costs €80 per person. The cable car ride and mountain activities are usually charged as optional extras.

If you want to include a visit to Montreux on your Glacier 3000 tour then expect to pay at least €120 per participant, with bus travel and a guide provided.

For a private day trip to Glacier 3000 from Geneva, prices start at €215 per traveler (on a group of 15 people) for road transport, guide, and cable car ride. If your group is small, the price can go up to €830 per person.

What will I see and do at Glacier 3000?

Glacier Walk

This epic hike takes you right across the glacier, where crevasses and dramatic ice formations keep you on your toes. The walk takes an hour and finishes at the mountain restaurant Refuge l’Espace where the views are superb.

You can ride the Ice Express Chairlift to the start of the hike for added adventure.

Peak Walk

You’ll need a head for heights on the first suspension bridge in the world that links two mountain summits. At 350 feet/100 meters long, the bridge offers incredible views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks - like the Matterhorn, the Eiger, and the Jungfrau. Even Mont Blanc can be seen in the distance.

Snowsports

There’s nowhere better than Glacier 3000 for trying out some thrilling winter sports. Skiing and snowboarding are popular pastimes up here in the snow park, but dog sledding across the glacier will keep you on the edge of your seat too.

Alpine Coaster

A real highlight of a Glacier 3000 day trip from Geneva is the Alpine Coaster. It’s the highest toboggan run in the world, with a heart-pumping outdoor track that will have you zooming across the hillsides.

You will travel up to 40 miles or 60 kilometers per hour as you take on the turns, waves, and even jumps on this high-flying adventure.

When is Glacier 3000 open during the year?

While Glacier 3000 is open all year round, some of the activities are seasonal so do plan your day accordingly.

Here are the opening times for the main attractions:

• Peak Walk and Glacier Walk: open year-round
• Alpine Coaster: open 9:15 AM – 4:30 PM from May to September
• Snow Park: open from November 1st to May 30th
• Dog Sled Rides: available when conditions allow and must be pre-booked

When is the best time to visit Glacier 3000?

Glacier 3000 is blessed with year-round snow, and you can enjoy the hikes and views at any time.

Winter is a great time for day tours to Glacier 3000 from Geneva as this is when snow activities are in full swing. Meanwhile, summer offers sunny days and glorious scenery for those all-important photos.

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable outdoor clothing and remember to wrap up warm – it does get cold up on the glacier, especially in winter.
• Take sunscreen and sunglasses during summer to protect yourself from those intense rays.
• Book tickets for your Glacier 3000 day trip online so you can compare prices and find the cheapest deals.
• Feeling hungry after all your adventures? The summit restaurant Refuge l’Espace serves up Swiss favorites with a view – make sure you reserve a table in advance.
• Charge your camera batteries the night before so you can snap away to your heart’s content.