The Schönried village organisation proved to be very clever in choosing the date on Maundy Thursday evening. Village organisation president Rolf Schwenter was able to welcome around 90 people to the Hotel Ermitage, including many second home owners, chalet and hotel guests.

Matthias In-Albon, Managing Director of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG, provided information about the plans for the Horneggli, including the multi-storey car park at the valley station (we reported).

Rellerli
Another topic was the construction of a new cable car to the Rellerli. A strategy group of about 20 people – formed from the "Friends of the Rellerli" association, which has about 1,000 members and sympathisers – is looking for solutions to make the panoramic mountain accessible again by cable car. "Our goal is to have a cable car that operates all year round," explained Mike von Grünigen, a member of the strategy group. The cable car should run in a direct line from the valley station to the mountain station – without the legendary curve.

The partnership with Mountain View AG – the owner of the plots of land for the valley and mountain stations – is very important for the project, von Grünigen went on to explain. They are mutually dependent on each other, and going it alone is out of the question for both parties. There has been fruitful discussions, and overall "it's a win-win situation," said Mike von Grünigen.

But there are still a number of hurdles to overcome. A major milestone is the zoning ordinance for the new route. Financing the new cable car is another challenge. Those responsible anticipate a funding requirement of around CHF 15m. The next steps are to raise funds and to set up a foundation as a suitable legal form for the cable car's subsequent operating company. 

Conversion of Schönried railway station in 2026/27
Public transport should be barrier-free by the end of 2023. Consequently, Schönried station must also be converted. At the beginning of November, a meeting was held between MOB officials, the municipality of Saanen, the GST and representatives of the village organisations of Schönried and Saanen.

There are no concrete plans yet, but there are visions and ideas, such as a pedestrian route from Hubelstrasse to the Horneggli valley station via a subway at the station. "That would be a great opportunity for guests who arrive by train and want to get to the valley station or the Horneggli area," Schwenter explained. He said the idea had been well received by MOB. "We have to take advantage of this opportunity," Schwenter said. Barrier-free by the end of 2023 is of course unrealistic, he said, adding that MOB expects the structural measures to be realised in 2026/27.

Relocation of tourism office at the end of the year
In principle, the location of the tourism office at the railway station is good, said Schwenter. It is regrettable, however, that the staff who look after the tourist office and the post office are not allowed to sell train tickets. Therefore, the request of the Saanen Bank to move the tourism office to its building on the main road was very convenient for Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus. The space available was perfect, said Schwenter.

Traffic planning
So far, nine meetings of the accompanying group on traffic planning in Schönried have taken place, said the chairman. In addition to the canton and the municipality of Saanen, the trade association and the hotel association (each with one representative from Schönried), the school, the village organisation, ASTAG and Les Routiers Suisse are represented in the support group. "Not everyone has the same interests," said Schwenter. The village organisation has given some input. The main goals are sufficient parking spaces near shops and hotels/restaurants, safe pedestrian guidance along the main road, improvement of the quality of stay in the village and forward-looking measures (over two generations). A key element is the moving further back of the retaining wall opposite the Hotel Kernen.

Playground to be rebuilt
The Schönried playground is no longer up to date and is to be renovated or rebuilt. The playground is located on the Promenadenweg and forms the end of the family trail Saaniweg. The new playground should be attractive for children of all ages, there will be more seats and, above all, it should be accessible to wheelchairs. "

Based on AvS/Anita Moser