GstaadLife

Did you know that there are 18 public places where you can barbecue in Gstaad-Saanenland? They are run by Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, don't cost anything, and you do not have to sign up for them in advance. You just have to be the first there. So pack your Bratwurst and head out to one of these beautiful spots: GL.com recommends the ones around Arnensee and Lauenensee.

A proposed zoning change to allow for the loosening up of building codes in the middle of the Gruben neighborhood of Gstaad has spawned a flurry of concern among many residents in the area. The land, located near the level crossing on the Grubenstrasse, is zoned ‘agricultural’, meaning that no new chalets can be built; dwelling extensions are allowed only up to 30% of current livable space; and underground garages and fitness rooms are allowed under dwellings only and not under barns. The Gemeinde is in favor of rezoning 21 plots or 64,300 square meters (15.8 acres) of agricultural land in Gruben to allow for the loosening up of building laws for certain chalet owners. That has stirred up concern among some residents that this zoning change could affect farmers’ rights, lead to more development and a further loss of farmland in the future.

As previously reported, soon every house in Saanenland will have a house number and street address (see Saanenland to introduce house numbering). As of today the street name list and the allocation plan are available for public viewing. Owners are asked to review the plans, especially those of you in such locations where access is possible by two roads. Sure we love our dear chalet names, and for all practical purposes we will keep using them, but for exact administration of property, emergency-response, insurance, deliveries and the census of 2010, "proper" adresses are required. The final addresses are going to be circulated before the end of this year so that all households can adjust their admin to their new addresses no later than January 2010. You can review the proposed address lists here.

The summer season is truly underway with the arrival of the GstaadLife print edition on local news stands. Writers this season include the now-familiar Diana Oehrli, Tim Kilchenmann, and Greg Zwygart, with Andrea von Siebenthal now focusing her full attention to our rapidly-expanding online sister publication AnzeigervonSaanen.ch. GstaadLife print edition is available from local shops and kiosks as well as via mail. Click here for subscription information.

Our regular readers will have noted that there hasn't been all that much going on in Gstaad over the past couple of weeks. One piece of notable local news, however, has been picked up by virually all of the Swiss press, namely that the Bertarelli family are moving their place of principal residence to Gstaad-Saanen. The family has longed owned property in the region, with Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli in Gruben, and his Grand Hotel Park-owning sister in the Oberbort. While much has been made of the boon to the local tax authorities (remember the Bertarellis are Swiss and therefore not subject to those special tax deals of Hallyday ilk), we here at GstaadLife.com note that the Bertarelli family's move is part of a growing trend of "international citizens" who choose to base themselves in Gstaad...and when you could pick anywhere in the world that says something.

Above, Ernesto Bertarelli with wife Kirsty.

Excessive traffic and speeding on Grubenstrasse were hot topics at a farmers’ meeting August 29. Grubenstrasse is a one-lane road that leads from the Brot Bar intersection in Gstaad to Schönried. Tourists, construction workers, ski teachers, and taxis all use the road as a shortcut, much to the dismay of Gruben residents and pedestrians. People are worried that excessive traffic on the lane poses a serious safety risk to pedestrians and especially to schoolchildren. Drivers who use Gruben as a shortcut between Schönried and Gstaad and who ignore the 40km per hour speed limit are especially dangerous, they said. They also noted that construction firms and commuters use the road early in the morning and at lunchtime, when children are walking to and from school.

Above, the Grubenstrasse intersection at Brot Bar, where parked cars can sometimes make it hard to pull out onto the main road between Gstaad and Saanen.

Walter Egger is at it again. Fresh from his engineering endeavors on the glacier and now planning a complete restoration of the railway viaduct in Gstaad, Saanenland’s “mission impossible” construction specialist is at the center of plans to build a previously announced suspension bridge for hikers that will seamlessly connect Schönried to the hiking routes to Gstaad-Turbach and Rougemont. The plan is for a 210-meter long, 34 meter-high suspension bridge at tree-top height over the Chouflisbach river, a structure that will make it possible to walk the route even in winter. In recent surveys with guests, Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus has found guests trending towards easy, 2-hour long, pushchair-accessible hikes featuring dramatic views and if possible water. In addition routes without vehicular traffic or the need to cross major roads are preferred.

Above (click to enlarge): an aerial shot of the proposed bridge/train route from Gruben (top) to Schoenried (bottom).

In the run-up to the General Assembly meeting of Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, there was quite some debate in GstaadLife sister publication, the Anzeiger von Saanen, over the proposals to change the name of "Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus" to just "Gstaad Tourismus". On the one hand, there were those who argued that the brand of repute that attracts tourism and spending to the region is in fact "Gstaad", and that the use of the Saanenland reference specifically precludes the possibility to market such regions as Zweisimmen (technically in the Obersimmental) and Rougemont (technically in Pays d'Enhaut). On the other hand there were arguments made that the Saanenland moniker is the glue that binds the unique villages of the region together, a connection which is an important link to the rural authenticity of the countryside and which helps counter the perception in some consumer circles that the brand Gstaad stands for excessive wealth and snobbishness. In the end, the assembly rejected the name change proposals, with the 67 to 54 vote insufficient to trigger a by-law amendment that any name change would require. Bu it's still interesting food for thought though...Gstaad and Saanenland, which is the dog and which is the tail?

By Tim Kilchenmann

Whilst the Saanen Village Association is seeing through the plans for its new bypass road, its sister organization in Schönried has introduced major plans of its own. It wants to build a 200 meter long pedestrian suspension bridge over the Chouflisbach between Gruben and Halten. The project is the latest piece of the jigsaw puzzle to be added to the development of local hiking trails, and promises to be a new highlight. The Schönried Village Association will seek the official stamp of approval from voters in June.