GLACIER
3000 CABLE
Spectacular Alps Views and Glacier Snow Play
Take
a ride in the Snow Bus. Glacier 3000, the aerial tram to the glacier
snows gets its name, not from
some futuristic vision of the next millennia, but from its altitude,
three thousand meters (9,842 ft). Located between Les Diablerets and
Gstaad, the dividing line between French and German speaking Switzerland,
the panoramic cable rises from Col du Pillon station on two spans to
the top station of Scex Rouge. Glacier 3000 is one of the later arrivals
on the aerial ride scene in Switzerland. The main cable car route was
first opened in 1964 and rebuilt in its present layout, with
an additional cable from Reusch in 1999. At the top can be had a spectacular
view some of the most beautiful alpine
peaks,
from Jungfrau to the east in the Bernese Oberland, and the Matterhorn
and Mont Blanc in the distance to the south.
Prime time at Glacier 3000 is winter with a ski season open from November
to May, consisting of 10 installations and 30 kilometers of ski runs
ranging from 1,350 meters to 3,000 meters, and a highly rated Snow Park
in the start and end of the season. Glacier 3000 is part of the Gstaad
Mountain Rides and Vaudoises Alps network of ski areas and the only glacier
ski area in central Switzerland. For non-skiers, the Glacier Walk is
a marked trail on glacial flow. In Summer, the eternal snow of the glacier
remains, with the surrounding mountain crags exposed. A number of hiking
trails can be explored, and for casual rock climbers, a fixed rope trail
leads across and up the mountain cliffs.
Unique activities at Glacier 3000 feature the View Point, a stair climb
from behind the Restaurant Botta to the actual 3,000 meter point from
where you can take in the 360-degree panoramic view of more than 24 peaks.
Alpine Coaster, a fixed rail bodsled adrenaline ride curving and looping
down from the cable station to the glacial snow, is the highest fixed
blob sled ride in the world (normally open April to September, unfortunately
the coaster ride is currently closed for repairs until further notice).
The Snow Bus, an especially design snow cat plow which carries passengers
out onto the glacier. The trip spends about 30 minutes, with a chance
to get out and play in the snow, though warned not to stray too far in
fresh snow which can hide the crevasses. The Snow Bus operates all year.
The Dog Sled ride provided by an outside vendor operates in summer, racing
across the snow by Huskies. The Ice Express is a chairlift from the cable
station to the glacier.
The
Restaurant Botta at the Scex Rouge station was designed by famed Swiss
Architect Mario Botta. Enjoy a traditional Swiss Raclette of melted
cheese, potatoes and gherkins, or a full menu Botta Brunch, while watching
the cable car arrive and depart with the mountain peaks stretching into
the distance. At Glacier 3000, you’ll notice the array of Formula
One Grand Prix racing car photos and F1 drivers throughout the years
decorating everywhere. Bernie Eccelstone, the Formula 1 corporate chief
is a part owner of the Glacier 300 operating company.
Getting to Glacier 3000
Glacier 3000 at the Col du Pillon station is reached car or by Swiss Postal Bus from either Les Diablerets or Gstaad. By train from Thun or Interlaken in the north, or Montreux (see Golden Pass Scenic Rail)) or Aigle (TPC Cog Train) in the south. The cost for the Glacier 3000 cable from Col Du Pillon or Reusch Station is 77 CHF for adults, 54 CHF for kids 9 to 15 or half price, 39 CHF and 27 CHF respectively with a Swiss Pass or Swiss Card. Children under 9 years are free. A One Day Ski Pass is 61 CHF. © Bargain Travel Europe
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Glacier
3000
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SEE ALSO:
BALLOON MUSEUM – CHATEAU D’OEX
OLYMPIA BOB SLED RUN - ST MORITZ-CELERINA
AIGUILLE DU MIDE CABLE - CHAMONIX MONT BLANC
