GstaadLife

This past weekend the Swiss voted "yes" to an amendment of the constitution that will see the expulsion of foreigners convicted of certain serious crimes. Nationwide 52.9% supported the measure and in the region Obersimmental-Saanenland it was as high as 68.1%. Say what you like about the measure: perhaps it's not such a bad idea. But can't we skip the polemic re-run of the racist posters, promo that was criticized by the UN on its first outing? And then the Swiss wonder why they are sometimes seen abroad to be less than open to foreigners. Above, one of the top stories last night on the website of new newspaper ARA.cat in Barcelona (that ran right up there next to the main headline of Barca's 5-0 thrashing of Madrid).

 
Above, the old location of the Zwahlen-Hüni clothes shop. Due to the sale of the chalet the store is being forced to move to the side-street behind the Bijouterie Villiger. It is one of the few shops in Gstaad with lots of tradition, quality clothes, old-school service and owned by a local family. If you haven't checked it out yet you should - from December 1 at their new location. And they are not the only ones moving... we'll have more on the Gstaad Promenade musical chairs in the coming days -- joining Zwahlen-Hüni in this grandiose game are HSBC, Engel & Volkers, Hermenjat, Brigitte Glur, the Engelhorn boutiques next to Charly's, Style Gstaad at the Migros roundabout, Peter Brand, the ever-changing location behind the Hotel Victoria that used to be Club95, the ground floor of Bernerhof staff house, and, of course, Lorenz Bach.

The time has come and the snow is here in abundance. Here are the opening dates for the skilifts in and around Gstaad-Saanenland:

1.12.10 Saanerslochgrat-Hornberg-Horneggli
11.12.10 Gstaad-Wasserngrat
11.12.10 Château-d‘Oex-La Braye
18.12.10 Zweisimmen-Rinderberg
18.12.10 St. Stephan-Parwengesattel
18.12.10 Gstaad-Eggli
18.12.10 Lauenen
22.12.10 Schönried-Rellerli
22.12.10 Gstaad-Wispile (Skilift Rütti from 18.12.10)
22.12.10 Gsteig
23.12.10 Rougemont-La Videmanette (could change)

Check the maps and webcams before you go as these things are subject to change in the early-season.

For the first time, the Wispile gondola is to interrupt its winter season from January 24 to February 6. But it will be open a week longer than originally planned through March 6. The thinking is that by skipping a low traffic week, the slopes will be in better shape for the higher traffic days in March. Never mind the locals and the people who love to ski in the quiet time between Xmas and February holiday. 

In order to improve the four year-old Rinderberg-Ronda above St Stephan (which was quite tricky in certain conditions and ended for none-too-few on a stretcher) the piste will be extended by 100 meters. Alongside, the run will feature 15 new artificial-snow lances. The project cost runs to SFr 1.2 million. Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) believes that these improvements to the Rinderberg-Ronda will make the two-hour round-trip more pleasurable for skiers of all skill levels.

The roof is on - and with it the builders have achieved a major milestone in the construction of the Grand Hotel Alpina. This, of course, calls for celebration. So everybody is invited to visit the largest construction site in Gstaad on Saturday November 20 from 11h30 to 16h00. There will be free, yes free, lunch and beer, music and also entertainment for the little ones. Parking is non-existent, so there are shuttle busses from the cinema parking lot. Definitely a unique opportunity to see the bowels of what is already a major new element of Gstaad's skyline. More pictures after the jump.

 
by Niki Rommel

On November 28th the Swiss are voting on a public initiative launched by the Swiss Popular Party (SVP) aiming to add provisions to the Swiss constitution that enable the automatic expulsion of foreigners residing in Switzerland who have been convicted of one or more clearly-defined serious criminal offenses. Under the present laws expulsions under certain circumstances are left to the discretion of judicial authorities. The political opponents of this initiative and certain journalists claim that automatic expulsion mutilates the claim for free movement and violates the freedom given to foreigners to emigrate to and settle in Switzerland. I have no affiliation to any political party but disagree with this criticism. The right to settle in Switzerland is at the outset linked to the condition that immigrants respect our laws and integrate themselves into the local environment. Having been convicted of serious criminal offenses means they will have certainly spent time in jail (at the taxpayer’s expense!), but the moral offense of having not respected our laws is not wiped out. These foreigners must therefore assume their responsibility and accept the automatic expulsion from our country. If I offend the wife or children of my host he will throw me out and understandably not invite me again; but with that he has not mutilated my freedom.

The building of the new Institute «Le Rosey» in Schönried has been delayed due to disagreements between the architect and the institute. Local architects are now being asked to submit alternative plans.

 
Hope you were not amongst that crowd waiting at the bottom of the Dôme lift at Glacier 3000 last weekend. Well, the boarders did the only sensible thing - they walked up instead of queuing for the 45 minute waits at the bottom (of a 90-second run). It was to be expected with the perfect weather, good snow (on the glacial bit at least) and the first weekend of validity for the season pass. But with the red run next to the Alpine Coaster closed due to lack of snow, it wasn't even slightly fun. A little more transparency from the authorities would be nice.

by Diana Oehrli

Saanenland’s music community mourns the death of long-time Gstaad and Rougemont resident, musician, and impresario Connie Lane Anderson.

Two months after the Titanic sank and two years before the First World War began, Constance Lane was born in Hecla, South Dakota, USA, on June 22 1912. Although Hecla is defined as a city, its population was 295 in 2009, not much higher than it was in 1912. They didn’t stay there long.