In Switzerland, summer sunshine hours are long. At the height of the season, the sun can set as late as 9:40 p.m., which sounds dreamy until you realise that the mountain lifts and gondolas close hours earlier.

This means that, in most locations, you simply cannot reach the top of the mountain during golden hour unless you’re already there.

There are occasional special event evenings when lifts stay open later, but these are unpredictable and rarely align with travel dates. In the past, my solution was to recommend an overnight stay at the mountaintop lodge. While this worked beautifully on clear evenings, it came with a gamble: if the weather turned, you could find yourself paying for a night on the mountain without a view to match.

Over the years, I adapted my photography style so that I can create stunning images in the bright midday sun. I work without cumbersome flash equipment and embrace the elements, using the landscape and light to full advantage. Many families choose this option and love the results.

A New Option for Sunset in Grindelwald

In early 2025, I began working with a local taxi firm willing to collect us from the mountain after the lifts have stopped running.

Here’s how it works:

• We take one of the last lifts up in the late afternoon.
• You enjoy dinner at the mountaintop lodge around 6:30 p.m.
• At 7:30–8:00 p.m., we head out for sunset portraits while the light turns golden and the mountains take on extra depth and drama.
• Once we’ve finished, a private taxi will meet us and bring us back down to the village.

This service is currently only available in Grindelwald and adds CHF 250 to your session fee. Part of this cost is offset because you only need a one-way lift ticket up the mountain. For golden-hour lovers, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Other Sunset Locations

While Grindelwald is the main location where I can guarantee this arrangement, I do have a few other spots where sunset sessions are possible. If you have your heart set on somewhere closer to where you’re staying, let me know and I can tell you what’s feasible.

Is Sunset the Only Way to Get Great Photos?

Absolutely not. I’ve spent years perfecting my approach to mid-day photography, choosing angles and locations that flatter both the scenery and your family. Sunset light does offer richer colour and contrast, but beautiful, vibrant portraits are just as possible earlier in the day.

When This Applies

The sunset taxi option is relevant from April through mid-September. By mid-September, sunset times shift earlier and begin to align more closely with lift operating hours, so late-light sessions become easier without special arrangements.

If you’d like sunset photos in the Swiss Alps, we’ll need to talk through your dates, location, and logistics so you know exactly what’s possible.

I don’t publish every detail publicly, my competitors follow my work closely, so the best next step is to book a time to chat.

If you are interested in an overnight option, which is what we did to capture the images shown here, please get in touch and I can walk you through how it works.

Book a call with me and I’ll happily guide you through your options.