This year's Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad presented – once again – an exceptional selection of internationally known artists. One of the highlights of this year's programme was the Hungarian soprano Polina Pastirchak, accompanied by Jan Philip Schulze on the piano.
The Saanenland is known for its adventurous outdoor sports, but one man is determined to bring a quiet, concentrated, and decidedly indoor sport to the region. The man is Primo Frattali; the sport is judo.
At the entrance of the village of Saanen, on the fairly quiet Oberdorfstrasse, Isabelle Giovanella runs her stained glass workshop and atelier. Her grandfather founded the workshop, in which she still produces and sells her art.
This February, The Alpina Cup took place for the fifth time. Teams of Le Rosey competed local teams in hockey (Hockey Club Gstaad-Saanenland) and skiing (Grammar School Gstaad). After a sporty day, the organisers and competitors came together at The Alpina for a festive dinner.
After little more than a year, Localmed Aare decides to close their Medical Center Saanen by the end of the winter season. The extended opening hours could not be financed in the long run. It remains to be decided if the Medical Center will reopen with a new concept in summer.
The founder of Simple Gallerie, Greg Holt, is one of the initiators of the project Open Spaces, which aims to provide temporary space for artists to live and work in the unused school building in Feutersoey.
Gstaad is no stranger to Hollywood – or Bollywood for that matter. Now, the village is set for another glamorous turn as one long-time Gstaad aficionado, Yannis Siatopoulos, prepares an intriguing new film project.
If you know what ski cross is, you can easily imagine what cross-country ski cross looks like. You can also find out by visiting the new venue for cross-country skiers in Schönried.
The last issue of the winter season is available now – in print and digital format. Download our app or visit our homepage, www.gstaad.life, to read the ePaper free of charge until the end of the month. Happy reading and see you again next summer – or anytime online!
Erich von Siebenthal was a member of the Grand Council of Bern from 2002 to 2007, when he was elected to the National Council. He is an outspoken representative of mountain regions. GSTAADLIFE met him to discuss his political motivation, his party, and his family.
Schönried is taking Gstaad’s motto – Come up, Slow down – literally, as plans for the village to be transformed into a 30 km an hour zone are under consideration.
The mountain railways company, Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) has confirmed the status of two new rail projects. The Saanerslochbahn will soon progress to the next stage, while the Gstaad-Eggli line has been stalled while they resolve public objections.
After many years of closure, the Hotel Valrose is no longer an eyesore, but the jewel of Rougemont. Completey renvated and refurbished, it has become a home away from home for guests and locals alike.
For a couple of months, an open letter entitled “Greed and Fear ou Cupidité et Peur” has been circulating. The municipality of Saanen, which is also being criticised in this letter, now addresses the public to explain its position on the main claims.
Two New Exhibits Pique Local Curiosity. A provocative wave of contemporary art is now on display in Gstaad at Chalet Saqqarah and the Gstaad Palace.
The Col du Pillon is a busy road for many of the Saanenland’s guests. Accidents, however, are numerous and the route is dangerously susceptible to avalanches. This winter, safety has taken top priority as two avalanche towers were constructed for prevention purposes.