GstaadLife

 
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 ...

For those of you who are interested in such things, GstaadLife.com and our sister publication Anzeiger von Saanen are now on Twitter. You can follow all the latest updates from Gstaad in English or German by signing into your Twitter account and following "gstaadlife" and "anzeigersaanen". And if you have no idea what we're on about, click here.

 

We have always been huge fans of the Alpenruhe playground and petting zoo - a place which is simply fantastic fun for families with kids, with swings, slides, huge trampolin, climbing facilities, tunnels, pirate ship, water games, zipline, sand pit, table soccer, table tennis, little train rides and horseback riding on Wednesday afternoons, and a petting zoo to boot. And a couple of weeks back a new addition was installed - something even the normally bored daddies marvel about and spend hours trying to figure out. We're not sure what to call it, so we shall refer to it simply as a "ball thingamajig". Balls roll from one place to another, wheels have to be turned, step ladders mastered, ball elevators negotiated, and hydraulic pumps enabled. (see picture above). It is simply fantastic, fun and educational.

On our recent off-season/bad weather urge to find something different to do in and around Gstaad, we stumbled across the Arc-en-ciel private spa. We had heard of it before but for some reason never tried it. Well, now we can undoubtedly fully recommend this oasis to you. You get your key to the spa which is situated in the Residence building of the Arc-en-ciel at the reception desk and then you are on your own. Once you found it (which will be about the hardest thing you'll do all day) you unlock the door to a h(e)aven of candlelight and ambient music. Changing room, bathroom, big steam room with light therapy, big bio sauna, rain shower, free-standing bathtube for two, relaxation chairs, fresh fruit - and all of that for just SFr 120 for two people for 2 hours - what a treat. So if naked with strangers is not your thing, and SFr 600 for the Palace's hammam is a tad over-indulgent, then Arc-en-Ciel is your spa ticket. Enjoy!

 

 

Thanks to an increase of the share capital a couple years back, the Lauenen ski lift was saved from certain bankruptcy. A large part of the Lauenen population, including a few chalet-owners, supported the ski lift. But it is still not sure to survive. Admittedly it is far off the beaten track but that is exactly what makes it special. The region is secluded, which for many means exclusive, it is simply stunning, has a wonderful 8km cross country trail, a really cute children's area, and a piste featuring a permanent time trial section. The other great benefit is Hotel Alpenland right in the center of it all (and the center of the photo above) with its supreme, sun-drenched terrace and excellent food for reasonable prices (the tomato cream soup appetizer is quite something). Granted it is not the most challenging ski area (one blue and one red slope) but that's absolutely perfect for families with kids: learning to ski for the first time, or having that first experience when you realize your kids will soon ski faster than you do.

If downhill's not your thing, then there's a beautiful walk, with or without a sledge, around the cross country plateau of the Rohr. Actually in it's own way Lauenen's got it all... except enough people to ensure its long term future. So check it out, and start by clicking below to see a few more pictures of this pearl of our region.

There are many Christmas markets in Switzerland but we still think that the Christmas market in Montreux is one of the best. Take the MOB down to Montreux, enjoy a wonderful ride through the winter wonderland to arrive at the probably-not-so-snowy Montreux --  which manages to make up for the lack of snow by offering up a town-wide heart-warming Christmas atmosphere, with lights, music, many many stands with wonderful gift ideas, and of course many Glühwein and food stops (even a few VIP champagne bars if crowds aren't your thing). If you have kids then a run up to Rochers-de-Naye (2,032m above Montreux) to see Santa is an absolute must. But be sure to ask ahead at the train station for the Santa train because at peak times you need to reserve seats. See for yourself and see you there: