Alpine Coaster at Glacier 3000
The world's highest alpine toboggan run at 9,596 feet on Glacier 3000 above Gstaad, reaching 25mph: open to children 9+ and families year-round.
At 9,596 feet above sea level, the Alpine Coaster at Glacier 3000 holds a record that is not easily argued with: the highest-situated toboggan run on the planet.
The coaster descends from the Glacier 3000 viewing platform above Gstaad on a track that reaches speeds of 25 miles per hour, enough to qualify as genuinely exciting, and not so extreme that the experience becomes more about managing nerves than enjoying the scenery. The ride is over quickly, which creates the particular incentive structure that the best alpine attractions deploy: you queue for it again.
The mountain setting does much of the work. Glacier 3000 operates year-round and the coaster runs in both summer and winter conditions, which means that regardless of the season, the backdrop involves snow, ice, and the kind of unobstructed Alpine horizon that the village below does not quite offer. The approach gondola is part of the experience rather than merely the transport to it.
Age requirements are sensible and clearly stated: children of 9 and older can ride independently; those from 3 upward can ride with an accompanying adult. For families with a spread of ages, this makes the coaster a practical shared activity rather than a selective one.
For Gstaad visitors whose idea of the mountain includes something more dynamic than fondue and skiing, the Alpine Coaster makes a compelling half-day. The altitude alone makes the trip worthwhile. The 25mph descent is the bonus.
