GstaadLife

They say money makes the world go round. And around and around till the people who have it find a place where they don't have to spend so much of it on income tax. Saanenland is one such place. Canton Bern, however, is currently discussing plans to scrap the so-called "Pauschalsteuer" tax breaks for foreigners, an increasingly popular passtime in helvetic government chambers in light of the global economic environment, increased scrutiny on Switzerland as a tax haven, and cantons that have already voted to strike down these tax deals, such as Canton Zurich. And since half of the 160 people who profit from these special tax treaties in Canton Bern actually live in Saanenland, the discussion has taken over local discourse. Notably Gemeinde president Aldo Kropf is for the special tax deals, probably a sensible position to take given that SFr 4 million of the SFr 12 million francs which are earned every year in the canton go to the communes. In other words, it's better to create a win-win situation for foreigners who want to live and pay tax here or they will simply end up paying it somewhere else. Opponents, especially Swiss people, argue the deals are unfair, with wealthy individuals basically free to propose their own tax regime to the local authorities based loosely on property-related formulae, leaving ordinary income earners paying a much higher proportion of their earnings than foreigners with Pauschalsteuer agreements. So what do you think...

On Saturday April 11 the renowned French sopranist Carole Bajac is giving a concert at 17h00 in Rougemont Church. She will be accompanied by pianist Roumen Kroumov, and trumpeter Elisabeth Nouaille-Degorce, soloist at the Biel Symphony Orchestra. The sopranist says that she is giving this concert because she loves the region... good enough for us. Tickets at the Rougemont tourist office.

by Taki Theodoracopulos

It’s past midway in March and the slopes still don’t have that used-up look which comes by the end of February. No gritty slush, just beautiful pure powder tracked only by furry things such as foxes and deer. While out cross-country skiing, I feel elated by animal tracks next to my own, a great silence enveloping the bowl where I’m skiing, without a human in sight. It could be Russia, with giant pines lining my path, the river slapping on the ice along the edges. Yet it’s only Lauenen, seven klicks from the glitz of Gstaad. The lake is above me, and it goads me uphill, climbing on my arms, as one’s supposed to do on cross-country skis. Once on top I rejoice and regret. Going up separates the men from the tourists. This is my last week in the mountains, and I’m taking advantage. From the back of my chalet I can see south-facing slopes starting to melt, but in Lauenen the bowl is still pristine and I like skiing it alone, just before sunset.

Looking out of the window we can hardly believe that some of the ski lifts have already closed and that others are preparing to do so very soon. The slopes are still supreme and supremely still, and there are no crowds even on the sunniest of days. So why does it have to end? Well, because it's time for spring, dammit. Most people here are quietly fed up of the white stuff, and even the clocks are springing into summer this weekend. And if we do have to deal with the white stuff for five months (yes it's been five months since we've seen the grass on the lawn here at GL.com central), then at least let us do the one thing -- ok one of the few things -- winter is good for... skiing. Click here for the detailed closing times.

Yes that really is Kenny Rogers. Advance ticket sales for Country Night Gstaad 2009 have gotten underway, with this year's edition taking place from September 11 to 13. And amongst the stars is the one country crooner even country haters know well, Mr Rogers, an artist who has sold 15 times as many records as people who live in Switzerland. Seating plans and tickets can be obtained here.

Soon, very soon now, the digging will start again. The local building authority recently announced that the construction works will start before the spring comes. Of the two big digs, Saanen bypass works will get going in the next days, and everybody's favorite public works project, the Fernwärme district heating system, will be extended in the area of the Litzi parking garage (the one at the Park Hotel end of Gstaad) towards Egglistrasse. Moreover various properties in Saanen and Gstaad will be hooked into the Fernwärme grid, streets (that they didn't properly repair after last summer's Fernwärme construction) are going to be resurfaced, and drainage and sewage works in the Saanenmöserstrasse area will be undetaken this autumn. Also the Gstaad tunnel needs work, but thankfully they are sparing us that one till 2010. So we are looking at a another summer of waiting at traffic lights, numerous jams, and "wir bitten um Ihr Verständnis" obstructions -- the local building authority is asking for our patience and understanding... like we have a choice.

They are ready - the new number plaques for your chalet in Saanenland. Homeowners in the region will receive a letter from the Gemeinde in the next few days with information about the new official addresses. In this letter you will also be asked if you wish to mount your new number plaque yourself or if you want the Gemeinde to do it for you (no costs involved, but we are guessing that means they'll put it wherever they want). From January 1 2010 only the new address is valid, so it's all over with our quaint chalet names only addresses - but at least then the courier deliveries will actually arrive...

In the early hours of Friday morning, a fire started in the igloo on Eggli. Seven people had to be hospitalized due to the effects of smoke inhalation.  The cause of fire -- the second this winter season in the Eggli igloo -- is investigated.

We always have to chuckle when people from other countries come to Gstaad-Saanenland in February and March and wonder out loud why we are still celebrating Christmas. Tales of Liza Minelli and explanations about seasonal decorations are usually met with puzzled expressions. But perhaps in a rush of guilty environmenal conscience, the Gemeinde has come forth in this week's Anzeiger von Saanen and asked residents to switch off their decorative chalet lighting. Christmas is over, the season is basically over... and besides it's better for our planet. So lights out, folks.