Construction work was a constant on Gstaad’s Promenade this autumn, and several new shops are now open for business. Although there is an expanding luxury shopping scene that some residents feel is detrimental to the region’s appeal, this season’s new offerings provide something at every price level.
This issue features a Profile interview with the grande dame of contemporary art, Georges Marci. In the 1970’s Marci opened Gstaad’s first art gallery at her Chalet Saqqarah. Today, her work focuses on Middle Eastern art, and the role it can play in fostering social and political change.
Summer and winter may be the Gstaad Yacht Club’s key seasons, yet the happenings in between are a vital part of our activities. Autumn 2015 held many important events that were cause for celebration, including the Littlecup 2015, 5th annual Centenary Trophy, and more.
The 10th anniversary edition of the annual New Year Music Festival in Gstaad features a world premiere of music, international prize-winning musicians, and stars of the stage and screen. The festival runs 26 December to 9 January, with concerts in Gstaad, Lauenen, Saanen, Chateaux-d’Oex, and Rougemont. www.gstaadnymf.com
The Ermitage Sport and Wellness Hotel Schönried has just opened the Fleischerei Füürgruebe, which translates as “butcher fire pit”. The kitchen boasts Gstaad’s first Big Green Egg, the original American-designed ceramic
cooker. In each of the restaurant’s cosy corners, the warmth of the open fire gives a feeling of homely luxury.
The Saanen-Obersimmental Breeding Club held their annual Foal and Breeding Show 11 September. The show
featured 16 foals fathered by just three different stallions. The winner was Nino who hails from the stallion Nils du
Sous Bois. The 8/7/8 high-scoring colt is owned by Juli and Ueli Reichenbach, who also run a hand-carved horse carriage business.
Peter Notz, who for many was the face of glamorous Gstaad, passed away on 7 September 2015. He was a brilliant MIT graduate who made a career managing businesses under the Notz name and beyond. Those who knew Notz say he was in love with love. Married four times, he is survived by his former wives, including local resident Brigitta Notz, and five children.
Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi have announced they will take over Gstaad’s legendary Charly’s. The café is now owned by an investor group that includes Marcel Bach, Chaletbau Matti, and Dr Jamal Kaddaj. Next March, Charly’s will close for a complete renovation, reopening in time for the 2016 summer season.
Many thanks to reader Arlette Bütschi for providing this photo and text:
On a beautiful winter morning, I set out from my home near Saanenmöser. I climbed one of the many
kilometres of winding trails, leading me over the high ridge to St Stephan and beyond. Oh Rinderberg!
Oh what a mountain!
Daniel J. Ziegler has returned to the Grand Hotel Park as general manager after the departure of Jean-Yves Blatt. Ziegler is back at the property, where he gained a first experience in hospitality more than two decades ago. An industry legend, he has been the only person honoured twice with the Best Hotelier award from the Swiss magazine Bilanz.
The Steigenberger Hotel Gstaad-Saanen has been acquired by the newly established HUUS Gstaad AG. Following substantial renovations, the hotel will open its doors as HUUS in December 2016. The hotel will offer an innovative concept, new owners, and a management team with lots of savoir-faire who is familiar with the Gstaad-Saanen region.
“There is nothing like a dame. Nothing in the world. There is nothing you can claim, that is anything like a dame.”
Legendary Broadway musical giants Rodgers and Hammerstein knew a grande dame when they saw one. Had they visited Gstaad, she surely would’ve been the inspiration for this iconic song from their musical South Pacific.
The Saanenland’s beauty has always attracted a steady stream of long- and short-term guests, making it one of the country’s most prestigious alpine resorts. But what if, amongst all this natural splendour, some of us couldn’t see the forest for the trees?
With the famous High-Fly ski jump and Gstaad Winter Games distant memories, a new snow sport event will take the Saanenland by storm. Held 22–24 January, the Snow Bike Festival is certain to put Gstaad back on the map of action-packed winter destinations.
The Municipality of Saanen is experiencing several changes on the political scene. With the election of both a new president and city councilmen, the local government welcomes both new and familiar faces to their offices. This is a triumphant moment for the SVP, which now controls the municipality again after 23 years of the FDP in power.
Our 18 December issue featured an update on the new Medical Center Gstaad-Saanen. While local doctors insist they welcome the center's support with regular patients, they have called into question the municipality’s plan to finance weekend services and have deemed their communication "misleading".
GSTAADLIFE sat down with Renaud Capuçon, for a chat about the Saanenland, the festival's legacy, and the future of classical music.
To read the interview in its entirety, please visit our "Services" section for subscription information.
Karim Ojjeh and partner had a successful racing season, culminating second place in the final race of the season at Nürburgring. Ojjeh, a Gstaad resident, has given us a play-by-play update of the race.
Early September 2015 marked the start of the Gstaad Palace’s first “Gstaad Palace Challenge” rally. Featuring 16 vintage cars from the years 1956 to 1990, the rally provided an opportunity for the 32 rally drivers to exert expert skill and know-how in the weekend- long event. The second annual Gstaad Palace Challenge Rally will be held 26-28 August 2016.
Benjamin Franklin said, “There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.” Local resident and “diamantaire extraordinaire” Laurence Graff has polished these three rare, but beautiful, things. Read our print issue for a glimpse into Delaire Graff Estate, his extraordinary vineyard that produces award-winning wines.
