Saanen Ski Resort Guide
Saanen, Switzerland
| Total Piste Length | 250km 155 miles |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 3,000m 9,843ft |
| Resort Height | 1,050m 3,445ft |
| Nearest Airports | Berne and Sion |
Saanen
Saanen offers a charming alpine experience with diverse slopes. Ideal for skiers and snowboarders, it boasts breathtaking views and well-groomed runs.
Summary
Nestled in the Bernese Oberland, Saanen is part of the larger Gstaad ski area. With over 200 kilometers of slopes, it caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
The ski area of Saanen is in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 1,050m 3,445ft , with 250km 155 miles of marked runs.
Saanen is part of the Gstaad Mountain Rides ski area with access to 250km 155 miles of downhill skiing, with 144 marked pistes, served by a total of 57 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Saanen itself ( 250km 155 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Gstaad Mountain Rides ski resorts of Château d'Oex, Gstaad, Saanenmöser, Schönried and Zweisimmen.
With ski lifts as high as 3,000m 9,843ft , skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Saanen is 10km 6 miles long.
Partner Offers
Snow and Weather
Saanen typically enjoys reliable snow conditions, with an average snow depth of 80 cm throughout the season. For the latest updates on snowfall and conditions, check J2Ski for accurate information.
When will it snow in Saanen?
The next notable snow forecast is 4cm 1in , expected on 14 February, with around 75cm 30in forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to resort | Snow to resort | Snow to resort | Snow to resort | Snow to resort | Snow to resort | Snow to resort |
Ski Area Stats
Saanen Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 39km 24 miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 101km 63 miles | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 110km 68 miles | |
| Downhill Total Length | 250km 155 miles | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 135km 84 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 57 | |
Gstaad Mountain Rides Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 11 | 39km 24 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 35 | 101km 63 miles |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 50 | 110km 68 miles |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 4 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 250km 155 miles | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 135km 84 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 57 | |
Saanen Altitudes
| Highest Lift | 3,000m 9,843ft |
|---|---|
| Lowest Piste | 1,050m 3,445ft |
| Resort Altitude (Saanen) | 1,050m 3,445ft |
| Max Vertical | 1,950m 6,398ft |
Skiing
Saanen's ski area includes the stunning mountains of the Gstaad region, with elevations reaching up to 2,525 meters. Notable pistes like the Wispile and the Eggli provide varied terrain, while lifts such as the Gstaad gondola and the Wasserngrat offer efficient access to the slopes.
Ski Lessons in Saanen

To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Saanen Ski Schools and Saanen Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will enjoy the terrain parks at Gstaad, which feature fun boxes and jumps suitable for all levels. The park at Wispile is particularly popular for its diverse features.
Location and Map
Where is Saanen?
This ski resort is in the Swiss Alps in Obersimmental-Saanen District, Canton of Bern.
Map
Tap
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Saanen is Berne, 60 minutes drive away.
Sion, Basel, Geneva, Annecy, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg and Zurich airports are all within three hours drive.
Berne is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Saanen is easily accessible via the Bern Airport, approximately 90 km away. Alternatively, the Geneva Airport is about 150 km, offering a scenic drive through the Swiss countryside.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 57 ski lifts are able to uplift 40,380 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 20km 12 miles of ski runs, with 40 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Saanen open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Piste Map
Aprés Ski
After skiing, Saanen offers cozy après-ski options like the Bar Doldenhorn and Restaurant Charly's. For nightlife, the Gstaad Palace hosts events that attract visitors looking to unwind.