Alfredo Beracasa talks about his love for Gstaad

Warm Welcome
A bunch of grown-up kids open the door when I ring the bell. ‘Papa is expecting you’, Olympia Beracasa welcomes me while they all happily hop out of the chalet. Alfredo is hiding right behind them. I know his wife, Elizabeth, but I had never met Alfredo Beracasa before. He makes me feel at home immediately.

It takes a Village
Back in the fifties, Alfredo started coming to Gstaad as a Rosey student. His parents were founders of the Eagle Ski Club. Ernst Scherz was in school with him; they remained friends their whole lives. Alfredo made many friends. And for all these years, all these friends kept meeting here. You bump into someone every two steps on the Promenade.

Ola! Elizabeth now joins us after a lovely lunch with friends. “We bring friends here, and when they leave, they know every restaurant, every drink in Gstaad”, Alfredo says, “and then they want to get a chalet too.” Friends and gatherings are at the heart of their stays in Gstaad. The Beracasas throw these house parties uniting people from at least 12 nationalities, where everybody aged 8 to 88 is having a good time. At their 2022/23 New Year’s party, a lady friend stumbled upon an old boyfriend she hadn’t seen for over 35 years. Now, how fun is that!

“This is a place where you come to take your mind off anything else”, declares Alfredo.
As we all are regularly told, the earth now has 8 billion people, and it certainly feels good to get away sometimes. Gstaad may not be exactly what it was back in the fifties. Skis are no longer made of wood. Breaking a leg is no longer included in the ski pass. But friends are forever, and all these generations of Gstaad lovers together, keep this special feel to the town.

Gstaad Grass is Greener
Not only in the beginning of this season, when we have a good laugh looking at the little video of two “grass-skiers”. Fortunately, we have snow now! But for Beracasa, the grass is always greener in Gstaad. His love for Gstaad is as warm as the sun that stripped the slopes of snow these days. Mother Nature is changing her agenda. Seasons seem to be shifting, and snow is coming later. Alfredo would be most happy to see the ski season extend beyond the usual mid-March date, going with the flow and snow. Like several of his friends, he is excited about trying the exoskeleton for skiing later this season. “Age”, he says. “Only our friend Polanski is still zigzagging like a youngster”, he ads almost jealously. “But then Roman drives like he skies”, Elizabeth laughs out loud, talking about her dear friend. She is very curious about when the movie is released,” It was hilarious being part of it.”

The Beracasa family also enjoys summers in Gstaad. Actually, Alfredo is dreaming of a Gstaad that’s blooming all year. Summer has become interesting, he says, a whole program of sports and music. He particularly appreciates the ice rink turned into a sand beach where striking ladies can throw a volleyball. Memories come up about the first concerts in the little church in the middle of Gstaad. Was it 50 years ago? Alfredo’s mom created a foundation and brought concerts and musicians here.

Art All Year Round
Far behind are the years where the only art available were Cow paintings to decorate the chalet. “Art is so significant”, explains Elizabeth with some excitement, “mega chalets and mega collections are coming to town; it’s becoming a big concentration of art and art lovers and people who know. “Gstaad developing as an Art Hub without the seasonal aspect.” The family has an interesting eclectic collection, and Elizabeth has been dedicating the last 8-9 years to going to all the shows and presentations of new artists and old masters alike, to know more about what else is out there. “We are friends with Olympia Scarry, and Patricia Low’, a whole list of artists and gallerist friends are listed with enthusiasm. And it is so pleasant to enjoy the works and events in this almost anonymous calm of Gstaad, far away from the hustle and bustle of NY, Paris or London art hubs.

Time Stood Still
Delicious coffee. Postcard view from their balcony. A kind invitation to come back and stay over. Plans made for strolling into town together next time I’m in Gstaad. Some indefinite time later, I hop out of the Beracasa chalet feeling like a twenty-year-old kid myself.

Time stood still. I feel like I am on holiday. Only the fun is left, and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. That’s Gstaad. That’s the life. Gstaad life.

GISELA VAN BULCK