GstaadLife

 

The Sweet Smell of Success

What do pastry and politics have in common? Here in Gstaad, it’s Heinz Brand, the baker who traded bread for bureaucracy when he retired from business and ran for office.  Recently Heinz Brand sat down with GSTAADLIFE on the Hotel Bernerhof’s terrace to discuss his remarkable life in and out of politics, and his current and future plans for the betterment of the Saanenland.

 

GSTAADLIFE:  As a young man, you left the Alps and lived and worked along Lake Biel. What brought you back to the Saanenland?

Heinz Brand: I’ve always had a lust for adventure, so after my schooling in Gstaad I took the first opportunity I could to attend business school in La Neuveville. Same canton, sure, but different language, different culture! After earning my business diploma I wanted to continue my studies and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor or government official.  But life doesn’t always turn out as planned.  For family reasons, I came back to the Saanenland and took over my parents’ business—the Brand Bakery.

 

GL: How did you make the unlikely transition from successful bakery owner to politician?

HB: I took over the family business with one goal in mind—to retire at 50 (he says with a smile).  It was a goal I set for myself, a personal compromise.  I would run the bakery well and expand the business to allow for retirement at a relatively young age—and I would then pursue my earlier professional dreams.  And through hard work and determination, I made it happen. I wouldn’t give up on my dreams. I’m a stubborn man, or so my wife says.

 

GL: Tell us about your current role and position in the local government.

HB: I have held the position of Gemeinderat (roughly the equivalent of Councilman) since 2007. My current role puts me in charge of city planning and construction, which along with building infrastructure also includes building consensus in the community.

 

GL: There are a lot of changes (and cranes!), in the air for Saanen these days. What are biggest items on the town’s development agenda?

HB:  Saanen is evolving on a daily basis. And as Gemeinderat, I’m very proud to be a part of that development.  As you know, the Sanona project is designed to ensure sustainable, vibrant town.  The top items on our to-do list are:

1. Implementing industrial zones;  

2.  Renovating the Dorfrütti Zentralwäscherei (centralized laundry center for hotels); and

3. Finishing the parking garage in Saanen, which will facilitate access to the town and increase local business.

 

GL: Can you tell us more about the proposed zoning changes in Gstaad and Saanen? Is this good or bad news for local businesses?

HB: We recognized the need for special industrial/production zones in the two towns some time ago, and have worked tirelessly to find available land. Getting the business community on board was also an important step, as it requires relocation on their part.  New zones “Tomi” (Gstaad) and “Dorfrütti”(Saanen) will accommodate industry, so that the historic villages can be preserved in their entirety for both residents and tourists.  In other words, plenty of space for industry to grow—with no more eye-sores.

 

GL: Two big construction items are the Le Rosey project in Schönried and the Gstaad Sportzentrum. What is their current status?

HB:  Le Rosey was finally approved a few months ago. The next step is waiting for a construction permit from the Canton of Bern (see a detailed summary of the approval in GSTAADLIFE's June 21 print edition).

 Gstaad Sportzentrum is planning the renovation of the main building to include first-class equipment and bright fitness rooms.  The locker areas and walkways will be modernized as well. Much of the facility hasn’t been changed in more than forty years—including the pool. It’s time to renovate completely and even construct part of it outdoors.  The community also plans to build two chalets on the Sportzentrum’s property, where we can house sports teams recruited to stay and train in Gstaad.

 

GL: Do you have any personal ideas for making Saanen a more attractive place to live that you can share?

HB: I would like to see more people in the village itself, at all hours. By encouraging outdoor socializing, we could make this a reality.  Imagine if all the bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafés and hotels had terraces—people could sit out and enjoy the warm summer and clear autumn seasons here, while local businesses profited as well. 

Another idea is to bring back vital small shops onto Saanen’s main street. Demand is high enough that a butcher, for example, could make a good living there.  The trick is finding someone respected locally, who would not only open a new business, but would contribute to the social fabric of the village.

 

GL: There has been a lot of discussion lately concerning the Secondary Home Initiative and its possible effects on the region. Anything to add that hasn’t already been said?

HB: What’s done is done; the Federal Court has made a decision and we must respect that, however unwillingly.  While there are some merits to the Secondary Home Initiative, here in Saanen we had developed and already implemented a wiser plan for reducing the number of so-called “cold beds.”  Rather than limiting the total percentage of secondary homes, it limited percentages in all new construction to 70% for local residents and 30% for secondary residents. Buildings had be a mix of residence types, allowing for locals to benefit from reduced housing cost as well (which is associated with this type of classification).

 

GL: Besides having your roots here, what do you like best about the Saanenland and what has kept you here even after retirement?

HB: I love the Saanenland for both the kindness of its people and the beautiful natural surroundings—it’s my home.  However, now that I’m “mostly” retired, my wife and I can indulge our love of travel. Last year we visited Egypt, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, and we’re already planning our next adventure to somewhere equally as exotic.

 

GL: As a well-liked and respected politician who’s considered an asset to the local government, is there any truth to the rumour that you may run for higher office?

HB: I’m more than happy with my current role. In fact, there’s so much more I’d like to do for development in the Saanenland that I couldn’t leave my Gemeinderat position just yet.  My boss, Aldo Kropf, does an excellent job as Gemeindepräsident, and I’ve been fortunate to learn a lot under his tutelage. But never say never….

How exactly does a California girl make it up to the Berner Oberland? Via Gstaadstrasse, of course! When I arrived in Zürich in 2003, a fresh-faced writer and opera singer with a hankering for adventure, I rented a room in an old home on Gstaadstrasse.  Who knew that a decade later I’d be coming up and slowing down in the village of Gstaad itself?

This year the Ascension “Auffahrt” holiday is marked by a local celebrity’s climb into the skies--the Schönried-Rellerli gondola.  Today the gondola begins daily summer service through October 27.  It will also conveniently run until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays between July 5 and August 11.

Residents and tourists alike are warmly invited to attend the inaugural festivities, which include the live folk band Thunerbuebe and delicious grilled fare at the Berghaus Rellerli.  Reservations are recommended, and can be made via rest.rellerli@gstaad.ch or 033 748 8722.

From the Berghaus, a world of beautiful trails opens up for both beginning and experienced fans of hiking and mountain biking.  Jaun Pass, Abländschen and Save Moss are just several of the destinations reachable from the gondola’s end point.  Families will enjoy the 620-meter long summer toboggan run, as well as fat-tire scooters to zip about the valley.  On June 1, Children’s Day, youngsters ages 8 to 16 ride free (those 7 and under always ride free with an accompanying adult) Both activities are dependant upon weather conditions; please visit www.gstaad.ch to confirm current offerings. 

 

World-renowned Scottish mountaineer Jamie Andrew, OBE, will speak Wednesday, May 25, 8 pm at the Landhaus Hotel, Saanen. 

Andrew was the height of his climbing career in 1998 when tragedy struck; a terrible storm in the French Alps claimed the life of his climbing partner and left him with severe hypothermia and frostbite. As a result, Andrew became a quadruple amputee, losing both his hands and feet.  Despite this challenge he has continued to thrive both personally and professionally, continuing his mountaineering career and raising a family. 

 “Our greatest limitations are those we impose on ourselves,” believes Andrew, who focuses on realistic, achievable goals and the power of positive thinking.  He shares his inspirational account of survival and adaptation in Life and Limb—A True Story of Tragedy and Survival.  Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Sponsored by the John F. Kennedy International School’s Alpine Club and Parent Teacher Association, there is no charge for entry.  Donations, however, will be accepted to cover the cost of the event and further school development projects.

 
For those of you who find yourself moaning about the lack of challenging skiing in Gstaad: or groaning about how our ski areas are not inter-connected. Well, pipe down and get yourself over to Lenk - yes that Lenk, down to Zweisimmen, turn right, all the way along the valley to the town, then left up to Bühlberg at the first intersection. Make sure you leave Gstaad no later than quarter past the hour, as the mountain road to Bühlberg is strictly direction up in a ten-minute window beginning at quarter to the hour (driving up to Bühlberg saves you having to slum it in the big gondola from Lenk). Park the car right next to the ski lift, snap on your skis, and from there you can enjoy endless runs, all day sunshine, some tricky blacks, wide, fast big-carvin' reds, and never the same run twice unless you want to. You can even test your skills on the men's downhill run above Adelboden (watch it because it's still icy from the race in January). Even this year, the on-piste snow quality is inexplicably good, and this despite the fact that the snow-making is limited (ok it's high, ranging from 1'600 to 2'400 meters). For eats, skip the mass market Berghaus scene at Hahnenmoos and Sillerenbühl, and ski down towards Aebi at the back end of the ski area. About a third of the way down, you'll pass by the sun-soaked Alphütte Chüebodmi (+41.79.335 27 48), where the Swiss farmer and his Japanese wife will surprise with delicious noodle dishes, open sushi, a simple green salad with a stunning miso dressing, flavorsome barbecued steaks, an engaging Syrah from Wallis, and other Swiss-Japanese specialities all prepared with a touch of gourmet that goes beyond the same-old-thing from most alpine huts in Saanenland. In a recent survey on 20Minuten.ch, the Swiss voted the Lenk-Adelboden ski area as the 5th best in the land. They're not wrong. Let us know how you get on.

Can't be bothered to cook but want something homemade and really delicious? Take a little drive out to the butcher in Rougemont, to André Reichenbach. His wife Birgitta quietly stocks the freezer in the far left corner with the most mouth-watering prepared dishes. One of our favorites is the poulet à l'orange, which, we shamelessly admit, was even used for a dinner party once - transferred from the aluminum container into a beautiful glass dish, prepared in the oven for 90 minutes, and accompanied by a generous helping of compliments (sorry Birgitta). Other fantastic dishes include a delightful salmon-spinach lasagne, a supreme potato gratin, real Swedish-style meatballs that your kids will absolutely love, and an exquisite, delicately-spiced lamb curry that even the most Indian of Indian specialists approved of. So empty your freezer of all those boxes with E-numbers and pass by André's.

 
Interview with Joanna and Peter Burri by Tess Larosse

From GstaadLife print edition July 16 2010

After landing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital, I took a short hop on a little plane over to Arusha where I found myself jumping straight into a totally unplanned safari by gatecrashing a charming chap from Latvia’s Jeep. Luckily he was very pleasant, willing to share, and only slightly bewildered by the intrusion. Nine dusty days later I flew from the mainland and on to the neighbouring island of Zanzibar, where I caught up, quite unexpectedly, with Gstaad boy Peter Burri and his wife Joanna, who now live on the NE coast of the island in Matemwe, a magical place steeped in history and teeming with local culture. You may remember that Gstaad-born-and-bred Peter ran the Rialto restaurant for several years prior to moving to the Seychelles, and then last year relocated to the mysterious, exotic island famed for its white sandy beaches, wonderful spice gardens, pristine waters and its capital, Stonetown’s, notorious involvement in the slave trade. So what on earth are they doing here? 

TL - Peter, what brought you to this part of the world?

 
Did you know that the Steigenberger Hotel has a dance club? Well, it's been closed for the last 15 years but for the duration of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which begins today, the "Stollen“ will re-opened as a World Cup Lounge. Until July 11 all 64 of the matches will be shown on a large projection screen and a large monitor, accompanied by the best party atmosphere. Before and after matches there are chances to win the “tip of the day”, play table football, play X-Box football, or just enjoy some music.

 
Some still think it's called Cabana. Others long ago wrote it off as a cross between a hostel for extreme sports enthusiasts and quirky GCSE art project. But if you haven't been over to the AlpineLodge in Saanen recently, then it's time for another look. The lobby lounge area has just been very tastefully renovated, and the new family rooms are absolute best-in-class in Saanenland. Stop by at the bar and ask Martin to make you the AlpineLodge Cocktail, and get Mirka to show you a refurbished suite. The hotel is open year-round. Be surprised ...