GstaadLife

Apologies to Stella Artois for borrowing their UK tagline, but we know GstaadLife.com readers will find a perverse satisfaction in the news that, according to Credit Suisse, Gstaad is the fourth best tourist destination in Switzerland, and...the most expensive. Now our general scepticism of rankings is well known to regular readers, so once again we take this latest survey with a pinch of salt. Indeed, the Credit Suisse ranking reveals nothing new, pursuing a fairly standard narrative (great summer events, but limited snow security, yawn…). However, with a SFr 200 average room night price, Gstaad is firmly established as Switzerland’s most expensive place to stay.

Annual ski pass prices are flirting with the SFr 1000 mark this year. Local residents are not up in arms though: they benefit from lower prices. So when Niki Rommel, a Saanenland émigré, called for the removal of these privileges in the Anzeiger von Saanen a few weeks ago, he ruffled some feathers (see Leserbrief: Einheimische sollen weiterhin Rabatt auf Skiabos erhalten (German only)). A stream of responses argued that low prices should be understood as a token of gratitude for the ongoing local commitment from the ski-lift operators. Further, in their various roles local residents continuously secure Gstaad’s success – an effort that ought to be recognized. Fair enough. Yet it is unclear why Gstaad Mountain Rides should feel obliged to finance these externalities.

Not unlike the start of this winter season, three of Gstaad's major summer events are shifting from their usual dates for 2008. Following the success of this year's beach volleyball world championships (see Let the summer begin), 2008's Beach Volleyball Grand Slam has managed to get itself a new slot in the middle of Gstaad’s main season calendar, running from July 22-27. Regulars may be irritated, but the main motive for this change was to avoid clashing with the Euro 2008 football tournament, jointly hosted by Switzerland and Austria (this of course would not have been a problem for England fans, but we won't go there).

The local council of Zweisimmen has announced its intention to place a bid on Schloss Blankenburg, a government-owned property that will go on the market in mid-2008 (see Schloss Blankenburg will go up for sale). Although the Gemeinde has a pre-emptive purchasing right, it will have to match the highest bid on the property. Since numerous individuals (among them a number of GstaadLife readers) have already expressed interest, its price will probably be pushed up. This in turn reduces the likelihood that the Gemeinde's general assembly will want to afford the investment. To cut a long story short: if you really want it, the property is still up for grabs.

Here in Gstaad, the age of analog television officially ended this past Monday November 26. The antenna on the Eggli has been switched off, and the Hornberg antenna is now only transmitting a digital signal. For those of you who have clung onto the analog service to the bitter end: it's time to change. Essentially there are three options. If you are within range of one of the digital antennae, you can head down Schmid TV or Interdiscount to purchase a SFr 200 set-top box to receive the digital signal. Alternatively you can switch to satellite (~SFr 800 for a dish), however, without an extra “sat-access” card you cannot receive Swiss TV (and the loss would be what, exactly? Let's not go there...). Finally, for as little as SFr 20 monthly charge you can opt for a basic terrestrial cable connection. With the Cablecom and Swisscom currently battling it out with their over-the-wire offers both these services have improved substantially in recent months. Our recommendation...

This past weekend, Gstaad’s 2007/8 winter season got off to one of its best starts of recent years, with ski lifts in Saanenmöser, Videmanette-Rougemont, Wispile, and of course the Glacier all open for business. All were taking advantage of the recent cold and snow in Gstaad-Saanenland, during which more than half a meter of snow fell (even in the village). Indeed, were it not for the fact that most of the boutiques were closed, the scene in Gstaad’s Promenade (see above) would have been reminiscent of February. On the slopes themselves, reaction to the conditions was generally very positive, and asides from a few gripes about overcrowding in Saanenmöser, cold on the Glacier, and rocks on the Rougemont runs, most were just happy to be out feeling the wind in their hair and enjoying conditions that really did feel more like late February. All of this has meant bang-up early business for area sports stores, with Silver Sport Rougemont in particular an absolute roadblock for much of the weekend (and last weekend). Note to the other sport stores…the secret is in the opening hours, the broad selection of ski kit for even the little ones of the family, and the presence of LB himself shaking hands, arbitrarily giving out discounts, and generally making everyone feel special. 

Attention, this weather probably won't last. Check the weather below, click here for current conditions on area ski conditions. At the time of writing, only Saanenmöser remains open.

In the wake of the Bertarelli family’s decision to make their primary residence in the Gemeinde of Saanen (of which Gstaad is a part), the local authorities have announced that local income taxes will be reduced from their current 1.6% level to 1.4%. Apparently it’s not just down to the Bertarelli contribution, but also the anticipated tax receipts from a couple of other families as well. Tax relief…in Britain or America this would be a reason to vote for the other guy (indeed there are many who think that the only good thing George W Bush did was reduce the tax burden, especially for married couples…but they’ll never admit it). But not here in Gstaad. The villagers have been earnestly marking their turf for the latest village debate, with some expressing reservations about the Gemeinde’s decision to reduce local taxes, and other simply upset it was done right on te heels of the Bertarelli announcement. Gift horse in the mouth, anyone? Arguments against the proposed reduction range from the idea that the Gemeinde should invest its projected surplus in services and infrastructure projects, to the concern that our local tax base shouldn’t be anchored on the comings and goings of a few families…what will happen, they say, should these families ever decide to leave? But the Gemeinde points out that budget surpluses can simply be spent, and any unexpected revenues must be placed into a cantonal pool for less well-off communes...so better to keep the money in the region in the form of a tax reduction. December 7 is the date for the people’s vote to ratify next year's budget which incorporates the tax reduction, and there promises to be much debate between now and then.

So to get things started, we invite you the GstaadLife.com reader (many of whom aren’t eligible to vote in these things anyway, but still have to pay the taxes) to have your say. Our imaginary Gemeinde ballot paper goes like this:

Those of you who here in Gstaad right now might have noticed those ominous building markers outside the Pernet Comestibles gourmet grocery store. They indicate that Chalet Edelweiss, which houses the store, will soon be no more, with the builders moving in shortly after Easter to demolish the structure and build out a completely new chalet. The plans look exciting, and store owners Michael Kneubühler (left in photo) und Patric Lutz are already looking forward to the new opening of the store scheduled in about a year from now for Christmas 2008. The new structure will be a couple meters higher and deeper than the current chalet, with delvery and storage facilities integrated at the rear on the railway station side. The left side of the building will be joined up to the Hotel Bernerhof to maximize available space, upstairs will see the constructions of apartments, and underground will be a parking garage. Lovers of fine foods need not despair, as home delivery will be available throughout the construction period from Pernet's new logistics center in Zweisimmen.

Previously: Changes at the Pernet gourmet store

The construction of the new riding center between Gstaad and Saanen has been postponed indefinitely due to the withdrawal of one of the project’s financiers. No word from project leader Marcel Bach on who the investor was or his/her reasons for withdrawing, but as the intended president of a new company to be founded to oversee the project, he was emphasized that the remaining funds are still secure. So much so that a trust is being founded to keep the existing funding safely harbored as the organizers seek new backing. It is hoped that planning permission and new funds can be obtained in time for a September 2008 construction start.

It’s finally over. Team Gstaad Automobile Club has successfully completed the 2nd Transafricaine Classic Rally from Paris to Dakar. And not only did they finish, but they came in a remarkable 9th place in the overall standings. Everyone here at GstaadLife.com congratulates Stanislas de Sadeleer and Vincent Janssens on this remarkable achievement. In a conversation with GstaadLife.com shortly after what de Sadeleer described one of the best baths of his whole life, there was palpable relief in his voice has he reflected of what he called one of the greatest sporting challenges he had ever undertaken.

Thu. 15.11.2007 17:14. This Paris-Dakar thing is no five-star experience.

When asked what made this achievement different from last years’ 11th place finish, he said emphasized the fact that the route to Dakar was much more challenging this year, and scoring well was that much harder because of the presence of so many semi-professional teams with support crews and auxiliary vehicles. Indeed every single one of the eight teams that finished ahead of Team Gstaad was racing with a support crew. Interestingly Team Gstaad was also the highest ranked vehicle with a petrol as opposed to diesel engine.

Sun. 11.11.2007 18:00. Janssens fills the Land Rover with gas. Team Gstaad's Land Rover was the highest ranked petrol-powered car in the race.

The last couple days racing saw a near disaster in racing terms when de Sadeleer and Janssens were penalized 450 points for missing a way point, an error which ended up costing them two places in the overall standings. But ultimately after listening to the stories of the past two weeks, we here at GstaadLife.com can point to two secrets of success. The first is the improved physical fitness of de Sadeleer, who trained hard for this year’s race and who was thus had the stamina to do all the driving, leaving Janssens to concentrate in his areas of specialty, namely navigation and mechanics. Not that he had much to do in the latter department, because the second secret to Team Gstaad’s success was most certainly the impeccable running of their 1994 Land Rover Discovery Series 1, which asides from a couple of very minor hitches a couple of days before the end saw absolutely no problems whatsoever. Really, not even a tire change. One only need look at the photos of the camps every night to see iridescence of the floodlights glowing in the desert night as they shone upon engine parts strewn across the sand as team after team repaired and rebuilt their cars after each day’s rallying. Not so Team Gstaad as all the heavy lifting had already been done by Hansueli Brand and the team from Ledi Garage in Feutersoey, and the fine running of the car was evidently a by-product of Brand’s experience with de Sadeleer in the 2006 edition of this race.

So it’s back to the real world for our intrepid duo, with de Sadeleer (see photo left, just after the conclusion of his African adventure) flying back to Europe on Sunday with the car following him by boat from Senegal. When asked if he would do it all again next year, the answer from de Sadeleer was unequivocal…"no way”.

Just remember Stan, that’s exactly what you told us last year! Congratulations again to you and Vincent.

• Click here to view and buy official race photos of de Sadeleer and Janssens
• For the final rankings, click here