Hi Everyone,
Last winter it was a sense of Narnia that engulfed us as we arrived at the Glacier Hotel, Les Diablerets – see winter article here. This time it was the anticipation of a picturesque, sunny and adventurous weekend that consumed our souls.
Best of all was meeting hotel managers Alexandra and Stéphane Wartner as we arrived. It was just like catching up with old friends again as we greeted each other and discussed what was in store for the coming weekend.
Our visit did not disappoint – full of fabulous, fun, adrenaline and, of course, due to my navigation skills, a little chaotic. In fact, at one point I found myself texting Mr FunkyForty a string of four‑lettered words that would make a sailor proud… you’ll see exactly why further down.
Keep on reading for the full story of “The Glacier Hotel Les Diablerets – An Unforgettable Swiss Alpine Adventure”
The Glacier Hotel Les Diablerets – An Unforgettable Swiss Alpine Adventure
Our Room:
Having not slept well in Zurich for some time due to the continuous heat wave, we were even more excited to be back in this wonderful suite with full glacial mountain views. Many people have been escaping to lovely mountain resorts from the city this year – it really makes sense!
The lovely welcome table and little bathroom details made our room even more welcoming…
Dining:
Guests staying at The Glacier hotel, Les Diablerets can choose between à-la-carte or half board menus. We decided to try both on separate evenings.
The first night was half board – a delicious five course meal…
The hotel wine card is a real treat, especially if you enjoy discovering local Swiss wines. Mr FunkyForty was particularly impressed. There’s a wonderful selection from the region, and the prices are refreshingly fair. It’s the kind of wine list that makes you want to try something new each evening.
Our pick on night one was a “Les Landions Pinot Noir 2023 from Domaine des Landions”, from neighbouring Neuchâtel. Elegant, light on its feet and exactly right for a warm summer evening in the mountains. On our second evening we crossed the country for the “2018 Merlot Riserva dell’Ör” from Ticino. Proof of just how much ground that wine list covers.
A-la-carte was an even bigger delight, with my fish being filleted and served from the tray directly at the table…
ADVENTURE TIME:
Mountain Carting in Villars
The mountain cart adventure in Villars turned out to be far more eventful than expected. We were given fabulous instructions and told to simply follow the signs. Unfortunately no one mentioned that we had to turn off the main track almost immediately…
Mr FunkyForty went first and I didn’t see him make the turn so I happily continued merrily down my way until, largely due to the number of hikers on the trail, I realised something wasn’t quite right. Getting off the cart, I saw a lovely text from Mr FunkyForty informing me I had gone the wrong way. My heart sank, and in a moment of desperation I sent a few colourful replies back — smile.
Just as I was about to despair and drag the cart back up the mountain, a goddess‑like woman appeared in a Jeep, picked up my cart and drove me to the halfway stop where Mr FunkyForty and I were once again happily reunited.
Tree Climbing in Les Diablerets
Next on the list was tree climbing (accrobranche) at **Parc des Diables** – back in Les Diablerets. Only a picturesque 15-minute walk from the hotel.
We were met by the most patient instructor in Switzerland, who fitted us into harnesses and talked us through the safety system. Two carabiners, of which only one can ever be open at a time – they’re magnetically closed and electrically interlocked, so the system physically won’t let you unclip both at once. Clever, and very reassuring when you’re up in the canopy.
At first, I had some difficulty opening and closing the hooks. Mr FunkyForty, being an engineer, did not face quite the same difficulties… of course he didn’t. But with a lot of patience from our instructor, I mastered them too.
Walking among the treetops was really fun, and in places genuinely scary. The Flying Fox was particularly cool.
Glacier 3000
Getting to the top of the Glacier 3000 started with a short 8-minute drive from our hotel to Col du Pillon, from where we took the gondola. A 15-minute ride and one change to get to the top. We covered Glacier 3000 in detail in the winter article, but seeing it in summer is a completely different experience. Where we’d skied in February there was now bare rock, dust and the exposed blue-grey ice of the glacier itself, with green valleys running away in every direction below. Same mountain, entirely different planet.
The Peak Brunch
First things first, brunch. Restaurant Le 3 sits right at the top station at Scex Rouge, and brunch up there is every bit as spectacular in summer as it was in winter, with the Peak Walk framed in the window while you eat.
Fun fact: the entire Scex Rouge top station was designed by the great Swiss architect Mario Botta. Once you know, you can’t unsee it. Those long horizontal bands, the sweep of the timber ceiling, the way every window is aimed at exactly the right mountain. Worth the trip on its own, even before you factor in the food.
Even if you’re not skiing, you can book the combined cable car and brunch pass online here.
The Peak Walk
Suitably fed, we headed up the stairs to the Peak Walk by Tissot. You really notice the oxygen dip as you climb those stairs, and I am relatively fit – smile!
Fun fact: the Peak Walk by Tissot at 3’000 m is the only suspension bridge in the world connecting two peaks. 107 m of pure adrenaline.
In winter we crossed it in ski gear with snow blowing sideways. In summer, in shorts and trainers, with the whole of the Bernese and Valais Alps laid out around us. Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Jungfrau, it’s incredibly spectacular and, if anything, even more vertigo-inducing in summer because you can see exactly how far down “down” is. An absolute bucket list must.
The Alpine Coaster
And finally, the bit we’d been looking forward to all weekend, the Alpine Coaster, the world’s highest toboggan run, at 3’000 m. Nearly a kilometre of rail, 520 m of curves, waves and a full 360° loop, with your own brake lever and no particular reason to use it.
Of course I screamed my lungs out – smile. We both came off grinning like children.
Time to leave and conclusion:
All too quickly, it was time to drive home.
Two nights, two mountain passes, one runaway mountain cart, a forest full of zip lines, the world’s highest toboggan run and a wine list that spans the whole country. Not bad for a weekend three hours from Zurich.
We already loved the Glacier Hotel in winter. In summer, with the terrace open and adventure parks in every direction, we loved it just as much, possibly even more. It’s perfect for families or couples, and very much for wine lovers.
Alexandra, Stéphane and the whole team, thank you for having us back. We’ll see you again – smile.
For hotel bookings:
The Glacier Hotel, Les Diablerets
Chemin du Vernex 3
1865 Les Diablerets
Switzerland
CONTACT
+41 (0)24 492 37 21 or info@theglacierhotel.ch
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