MAGAZINE
Edition no.02 2013/2014
SUMMER SPORTS HIKING FOR 300KM AT THE FOOT OF THE JUNGFRAU PARAGLIDING FLYING WITH THE WORLD CHAMPION THE EIGER BIKE CHALLENGE IN MID-AUGUST
IN COLLABORATION WITH
INTERVIEW
LAST CHANCE TO BUY A CHALET
THE APARTHOTEL FORMULA AN ATTRACTIVE PENTHOUSE FOR A SMALL PRICE
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Chalet Princess
LEADING ARTICLE
The MOST AUTHENTIC VILLAGE in the world The English poet William Blake said "Great things are done when men and mountains meet”, and it was in fact the English who discovered Grindelwald and turned it into a premium holiday destination 125 years ago - this year we will celebrate that anniversary. 2013 is a magical year for Grindelwald because we will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first time the North face of the Eiger was scaled, which was not achieved until 1938 by Anderl Heckmair, Ludwig Vorg, Fritz Kasparek, and Heinrich Harrer. The Irish Charles Barrington (with Christian Almer and Peter Bohren as guides) had previously reached set foot on the 3970 metre high summit on the 11th August 1858, taking what is now the normal route up the western slope. As its name suggests, Grindelwald is a valley with a forest “encircled” by mountains, which in turn cradle the largest glacier in the Alps. This is why it is known as the ‘Glacier Village’. Trip Advisor recently defined it as “the most authentic village in the world”. It’s an exciting place to visit or live, because it feels like you’re reliving the legend of the Eiger, with its tragedies and achievements. The Eiger is the mountain that towers over our village, and which has always announced good or bad weather. At its feet, the GriwaGroup builds beautiful, comfortable to live in, eco-friendly wooden chalets that blend in perfectly with the Alpine landscape. And for those who aren’t mountaineers, but who love walking, there are more than 300km of hiking paths and 160 km of mountain biking trails criss-crossing Grindelwald and the Jungfrau region. There are easy and challenging paths, romantic and scenic paths (UNESCO heritage), even educational trails for the whole family among the gentians (the symbol of Grindelwald), ferns, blueberries, raspberries, mushrooms, and edelweiss. A real healthy and sporty alternative to spas and diets: a truly anti-aging choice. A very warm welcome to this summer sports paradise! by MARKUS FRIEDLI
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SALEWA Mountainshop Grindelwald Mountain sports expertise at the foot of the Eiger
In the SALEWA Mountainshop Grindelwald, outdoor sports enthusiasts find everything their hearts desire. In summer, a full range of top quality climbing and hiking equipment gleams in the base camp at the foot of the most famous north face in the world. Clothing for biking and trail running completes the product mix. In winter, the selection of products ranges from clothing for touring and skiing to complete sets of ski touring equipment. The team consists of passionate mountaineers who are happy to share their experience. The great advantage of the SALEWA Mountainshop is that mountain lovers find all the equipment they need under one roof. This specialisation in outdoor sports is unique in Grindelwald.
More than just a shop The SALEWA Mountainshop Grindelwald is a combination of store and base camp. It is a place where mountain sports enthusiasts meet like-minded people and share their passion. The beanbags on the large balcony with a beautiful view of the Eiger and the comfortable armchairs inside the shop invite you to stay. The Mountainshop goes perfectly well with the glacier village Grindelwald: mountain sports expertise is deeply rooted in the genes of both Grindelwald and SALEWA. Mountain sports products for your needs Since 1935, demanding alpinists and mountain lovers have come to SALEWA for innovative and reliable equipment. The family enterprise SALEWA operates as a provider of the whole range of mountain sports products: from descenders to tents, from crampons to sleeping bags, from three-layer hardshell jackets to functional underwear, the mountain sportsperson will find at SALEWA all the articles that are needed for all forms of sport in the high mountains. Respect, sustainability and a clear orientation towards people form the core values of SALEWA.
Dorfstrasse 118 - 3818 Grindelwald - Phone:+41 (0) 33 853 09 67 - store.grindelwald@SALEWA.ch - grindelwald.SALEWA.ch Business hours: Mon - Sat 8:30 - 12:00, 13:00 - 18:30, Sun 8:30 - 18:30 (peak season)
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SUMMARY
Inside Interview with mayor Emanuel Schläppi
Interview with architect Markus Friedli
The center of Grindelwald gets a new look
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Trekking
Last chance to buy available chalets
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Building
The easiest paths for admiring the mountains
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An idyllic walk at the foot of the Eiger
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Summer sports An event in August: the Eiger Bike Challenge
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Living in ecologically constructed chalets
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Real estate A chalet on the lake Brienz
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A cosy apartment in Grindelwald
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Supplement
Paragliding
Hiking map
Flying in Grindelwald with the world champion
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Aparthotel A penthouse for less than 700.000 Swiss francs
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Nature Seven hikes to understand how the climate is changing
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The Grindelwald Magazine is a publication of GriwaGroup in Grindelwald created in collaboration with Ville&Casali. Texts: Enrico Morelli. Printed by: Puntoweb, Via Variante di Cancelliera, snc, 00040 Ariccia Roma. Published in February 2013.
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GRAND HOTEL
The traditional GRAND HOTEL REGINA Grindelwald A hotel that is renewed, preserving its historical charm.
W
ith over 100 years of histor y the Grand hotel Regina in Grindelwald st r ives towa rds new horizons, inves t i ng CH F 110 million and is preparing for the future. A hotel that is renewed, preserving the historic charm of Grindelwald. With spectacular views of the Eiger North Face, the Wetterhorn, the Schreckhorn and the Kleine Scheidegg as stone backdrops of the largest of the Alps Glaciers, the Aleschgletscher, the Grand Hotel Regina is in a prime central location. Just one minute from the Railway station, located at the bus station near the shopping area, it forms an ideal starting point for the convenient reach of all ski ar-
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eas of the Jungfrau Region. This elegant hotel is well developed, the staff is friendly and professional, the food is excellent and the spa leaves no wishes unfulfilled. These are the guest comments of the Grand hotel in Grindelwald. Certainly, the hotel with its 87 spacious and comfortable luxury rooms is not entirely new, but in a few years it will shine again in new light after renovation and expansion. For a stay various packages of a week or a prolonged weekend ca n be chosen from. Stay ing at Regina hotel means to be in the heart of Grindelwald and to avoid the need of a car. Walking near the tourist office you access the sports center with ice rink and climbing hall, shops and bus stops (just use the rack railway of the Jungfrau Railway
ABOVE Entrance of the Grand Hotel Regina.
to the Kleine Scheidegg-Wengen). Those who prefer a cozy atmosphere may enjoy resting in the t wo onsite restaurants with a magnificent view from the spacious terrace or relaxing in the new bar and lounge K ings & Queens w ith its live piano music. The atmosphere is classy and elegant at the same time, but also approachable and charming. The history of Regina is long-standing and significant for Grindelwald. The present hotel was built in the immediate vicinity of the remains of the historic Hotel B채ren, which was completely destroyed by a devastating fire in 1891. In a vote by t he loca ls t he poor funds destined for equipment of the fire brigade were invested for
Grindelwald LEFT Historic picture of the hotel Alpenruhe.
the purchase of a new organ in the village church instead. Due to the not extinguishable devastating fire the appearance of the village changed substantially by creating new space for the hotel Alpenruhe, as today's Regina was called at that time. From 1941 - 1945 the building was used as a military hospital and in 1954 it was taken over by the family Krebs-Wirz. In subsequent years millions of fra ncs were i nvested a nd in 1962 the Regina impressed with the first outdoor pool in Grindelwald. In 1968 followed the first indoor pool of the village. Another reconstruction and expansion in 1976 created the current structure of the hotel and it became the Grand Hotel Regina. In the following years the owners invested continuously in the expansion of the hotel and the renovation of the rooms. The planned expansion will provide for new hotel rooms also as conference rooms and an additional 42 new homes in the sprawling park, which will be
sold as hotel managed units to external investors and guests. The apartments will be for sale and ready to move in by summer 2013 /2014. An interesting investment oppor t un it y, as t he ow ner w i ll make a good return on his investment in a prime real estate. The new owners of the Regina plan to invest more than 120 million CHF in this Grand Hotel deemed to be an existing institution in Grindelwald. The historic charm of the hotel still appears in the various small details, such as cutlery, curtains, the historic furniture and the particular attention of the staff. To renovate does not mean to throw traditions overboard. In par ticular, great emphasis is placed on t he i nteg rat ion of new buildings in the traditional wooden style of Grindelwald, of which the uniform townscape in the typical chalet style exerts a great attraction on visitors. The architects of the "new Gra nd Reg i na" w i l l cont i nue with this tradition, also agreed by t he residents of Gr i ndelwald. The Alpine Spa offers in over 1,600 m2 a w ide ra nge of sau na s, ma ssages, stea m bath, solarium, hay bath, and a spacious indoor and outdoor swimming pool for guests seeking relaxation. You can choose between six types of sauna, as the glacier steam room (65 ° C), heat tunnels (55-65 ° C), herbs
refuge (42-50 ° C), Angel Room (48-52 ° C), Poachers Sauna (90 ° C) or Crystal Cave (39-45 ° C) and a salt cave with 36 ° C. It also gives a relaxed feeling in the ice and glacier fountains, Kneipp walk on the rocks or in the Sennhüttenbad. The director, Ms. Gina Achermann leads the Regina into the new continually changing era of the Swiss alpine hotel industry with much experience. Information under www.grandregina.ch, Tel. +41 (0) 33 854 86 00. LEFT The outdoor swimming pool with the view of the valley. Below the plant of the expansion and renewal of the hotel with new chalets.
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INTERVIEW
The centre of Grindelwald GETS A NEW LOOK The mayor, Emanuel Schläppi explains the advantages for residents.
B
e t w e e n s p r i n g 2 013 a nd spr i ng 2015, Gr i ndelwa ld w ill get a new look. "Last summer", the mayor, Emanuel Schläppi, explains, " my fellow citizens approved a project to rebuild the historic town cent re, a projec t wh ich t hey had rejected two years earlier. The scope of the project was reduced slightly, but it's basica l ly a l most ident ica l." T he new centre will get rid of cars, which will be hidden away on three underground floors; it will give more space to the BEKBbank and the COOP, and will offer new commercial spaces t hat w i ll at tract some of t he six thousand tourists who take the train up the Jungfrau every day and maybe take the bus to Grund station, one of the two stations in the village, but
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LEFT Emanuel Schläppi.
who don't stop to v isit Grindelwald. At least, this is what the mayor hopes."The new centre will let us have a square as well", adds Emanuel Schläppi, "which we can turn into an ice rink in w inter for skating or curling, like you can see in
the old black and white photos from years ago." The new village centre will be built by the Losinger Marazzi company and will include a car park with 250 spaces, about one third of which will be rented annually to nearby hotels or anyone who wants them. The total cost of the project is 28 million francs ( just over 23 million euros), of which 2.7 million francs will be paid by the community of Grindelwald. However, only 1.6 million francs will be paid by the local population, since the difference has already been paid by some local businesses, like GriwaGroup. Emanuel Schläppi is ver y proud of t h is new project, which he will be able to unveil just before his term of office ends, (anticipated for the end of 2014)as there is no guarantee he will be reappointed, since in Switzerland the mayor cannot be elected for more than two consecutive terms. So he focuses on other plans: creating a music pavilion, a new, bigger children’s playground, and more space for the restaurant based in the building of the Tourist Office, t he head of wh ich is equally enthusiastic with this project. In the future, the main ro ad , D or fs t r a s s e, c ou ld b e moved slightly to allow more space for a pedestrian zone for tourists arriving from the station, but this is one of the elements that was taken out of the project to make it more likely to be approved. Other projects that put Grind-
Grindelwald BELOW The new square with trees and gardens and the playground for kids.
elwald at the forefront are the modernisation of the gymnast ics ha l l, wh ich is c u r rent ly housed in the conference centre (and which could also act as an ice hockey club). Also the channeling of a spring that has existed for 100 years near Bussalp (a 3.9 million franc investment) and which will be used to support the village's water supply capacity. The village has 4 t housa nd i n ha bita nts, but offers 2700 beds in hotels of all categories as well as another 8300 in holiday apar tments. The mayor also points out that the water will also be used to maintain or bring snow to the ski pistes, even though various artificial lakes are used for t h is. T he new soft water source could also improve the quality of the village's water, which is already very good, by lowering the calcium content. The community is also thinking about real estate development in the village. There are various projects currently underway or just getting off the ground, even though the new law that limits the availability of second homes to 20 % for non- residents has been exceeded by a long way in Grindelwald, where the proportion is 57%. "Nonetheless," explains Emanuel Schl채ppi, "all the licenses and old residences from
before the referendum in March 2012 are valid, and over the next two years, around a hundred new apartments could be completed in Grindelwald. More than half of these are intended wholly or partially for hotel usage." In addition, there is also a rule in Grindelwald that's more rest r ic t ive t ha n t he genera l one, because a t h i rd of new buildings have to be intended for residents, another third for S w i ss p e ople, a nd on ly t he remaining third for foreigners (as second homes). "This", the mayor explains, is exactly why t he ma rket for houses to be renovated has really picked up." A couple of years ago, a new rule was introduced in Grindelwald that allowed the intended use of properties to be changed from residential to free usage (or for foreigners) on payment
of a percentage of the value, which is 30 % for new buildings. The percentage is reduced by 1% a year and is wiped out in the 25th year. "The amounts we receive from this change in intended use", says Ema nuel S c h l 채ppi , " w i l l b e u s e d for building apartments for the local population." In Gr indelwa ld, t here a re various opportunities not just to t ra n sfor m a hotel i nto a n aparthotel, like the Aspen Hotel, wh ich was renovated by t he Gr iwaGroup, but a lso for other uses, such as construction of an international school. This is another possible way of creating work and encouraging tourism that the mayor would look favourably upon. BELOW The new commercial center.
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HIKING
The easiest PATHS for admiring the MOUNTAINS The Jungfrau Region offers 300 km of summer walks and the highest railway station in Europe, at 3453m, which in 2012 celebrated its centennial.
Alpina_
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I
n an unforgettable location facing the Eiger, Grindelwald, the "Glacier Village� is the only large highaltitude location in the Jungfrau Region that can be reached by car." This is what the Michelin guide to Switzerland says. This valley is sunnier and dominated by the Eiger and the Wetterhorn. The Jungfraujoch, whose 3453 metre high summit can be reached by a cog railway, celebrated its one hundredth birthday in 2012. In the winter, Grindelwald is a skiers' paradise, while in summer it's a wonderland for walkers, bikers and climbers. There are more than 300km of well- signposted paths throughout the Jungfrau Region, which is considered a UNESCO
heritage site. The first thing to do is get a Jungfraubahnenpass, which costs about 180 Swiss francs for adults and 140 for children aged 6-15, and lets you travel on the buses and trains in the region. The only thing not included is the ticket for the final part of the rail journey to the Jungfraujoch from Eigergletscher, but this can be bought at a discount of 50%. There are so many excursions that we've decided to only present the main ones. In any case, we advise you to pick up the brochures from the tourist office, which also tell you the journey times. Take the cable car to First from the town centre. The station is at 2168 metres, and its newest feature is the First Flyer, four parallel steel cords sup-
ABOVE The cable car to First starts from the center of Grindelwald, near the Hotel Alte Post.
porting special seats that slide all the way to the Schreckfeld station at a speed of 84km/h. An adrenaline hit for the youngsters! The most important thing about First is the view of Grindelwald village nestled in the valley among the forests, and the peaks of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. It is also surrounded by glaciers above and below, the Grosse Fiescherhorn, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, and the Morgenhorn. In 40 minutes, an easy path takes you to Bachalpsee, one of the smallest but most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, which was once the emblem of Grindelwald and on whose surface you can see the
Grindelwald
ABOVE The new restaurant with terrace at First and to the right the playground for children in Bort, near a restaurant known for its good cuisine.
reflections of the mountains. From here, you can walk down towards the village, passing streams and herds of grazing cows, who enjoy
Alpina_Griwa_Magazin_E_Layout 1 21.12.12 14:05 Seite 1
the fresh Alpine grass in summer. After a few hours, we recommend you take a break at the Waldspitz restaurant. From there you can take the bus back home or face another few hours' walk. You can also reach this restaurant by taking a romantic walk through the
blueberries from the Bort stop, a medium-difficulty two-hour walk. But First can also be the base for two other destinations. The first is called Grosse Scheidegg. A couple of hours' walk among the cows and streams, through marmot valley that will take you to
The family Regula and Thomas Wolf-Stucki 033 854 33 44 · www.alpina-grindelwald.ch
With us you’ll enjoy personal service with a great deal of charm and discretion Situated in a lovely quiet spot just «a few steps» above the train station, with a cosy atmosphere and clear views of Grindelwald’s towering mountains A hidden gem of Grindelwald cuisine • a wide range of creative dishes • • large selection of fish dishes • • vegetarian dishes • • Monthly specialities • We look forward to meeting you, Regula & Thomas Wolf and the Alpina Team
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HIKING
ABOVE Bachalp lake only 45 minutes walk from First.
Rastst채tte, a very good restaurant, from which you can enjoy the view of the Schwarzwaldalp. From Grosse Scheidegg you can take the bus down to Grindelwald. A stop at the bird park is recommended. An aviary park with mountain birds such as falcons
and owls - a small zoo that's not to be missed. The more arduous alternative is walking towards the Faulhorn, resting for a couple of hours, and then continuing towards Bussalp, the same walking distance away. Here you can stop for a nice raclette and maybe buy some Alp cheese from the nearby Alpine farm hut. If instead you'd rather go to Schynige Platte, it's advisable to spend the night at the mountain hotel Faulhorn, because it takes four to five hours to walk to this site, although the route is easy. In Schynige Platte, you can visit a beautiful botanical garden, which was established in 1927, and stop at the Lowa test center, where you can choose the most suitable mountain shoe from over 200 models. From here you can admire both the mountains of the Jungfrau Region and the Brienz and Thun lakes, which are divided by Interlaken, another unmissable dramatic scene.
From there you can take the old trains with wooden seats down to Wilderswil, passing through evocative surroundings. From there it's easy to get back to Grindelwald. Finally, another unforgettable sight is the gorge of the Grindelwald Glacier, which you pass through for more than 2.5 kilometres among waterfalls, ice grottos, and rock faces of pink and green marble. The path starts out from the edge of the village, after the Protestant church. If you'd rather look at the gorge from above, we advise you to go down below the church to the cable car station that goes to Pfingstegg, at 1391 metres; from here a couple of hours of hard walking will take you to the B채regg hut, which looks out over the glacier. The restaurant offers excellent food and exquisite desserts. You can sleep at the hut, but in bunk beds!
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www.wenger.ch
Pub_BrandCampaign2012_magGrindelwald_225x143.5mm_0712.indd 1
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GriwaTreuhand AG Real Estate Dorfstrasse 20, CH-3818 Grindelwald Tel. +41 (0)33 854 11 60, Fax +41 (0)33 854 11 61 www.griwatreuhand.ch, info@griwaplan.ch
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HIKING
An idyllic WALK at the foot of the EIGER From Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, from Holenstein to Brandegg, from Alpiglen to Eigergletscher, three spectacular hikes.
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RIGHT Tourists at the foot of the North Face of the Eiger look at the trail which the Alpinists followed in 1938 to reach the top.
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rindelwald, the famous ‘glacier village’ in the Jungfrau Region, is dominated by the legendary Eiger a 3970 metre high mountain the northern face of which was only conquered in 1938. Every year, it works its spell on hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Let's start out towards the southern slope, which stands to the West of the v illage at the foot of the Eiger, to explore the easiest paths. You can take the train to Kleine Scheidegg, (2,061 metres above sea level), which is the station where tourists coming from both Wengen and Grindelwald come together to reach the Jungfraujoch. This is where you'll find the highest station in Europe, at 3,453 metres. Kleine Scheidegg is a place that's always full of people, attracted by the view of the glaciers, which only a hundred years ago brushed against its railway tracks. The small shop, the Top of Europe, which sells souvenirs, and the Hotel Bellevue des Alpes, which was built in 1840, are not to be missed. Anyone who has seen the film North Face will remember this hotel, because this was where those following the daring climbs on the north wall of Eiger, which has claimed so many victims, experienced hours of apprehension. From here you can tackle two walks. The first is slightly uphill and takes you to the gourmet restaurant Eigergletscher in an hour. Along this
Grindelwald
A chance to admire the roof of Europe
pat h, wh ic h ha s b e en op en barely a year, you'll find a small museum that commemorates the climbers who have tried in vain to scale the Eiger and shows the various routes of ascent and the rock material of the mountain. From the terrace of the Eigergletscher you can admire the Mönch, the Jungfrau, and the valley where the Lauberhorn World Cup slalom championship takes places every January and Snowopenair, a concert with international artists, is held every year at the end of spring. The second walk, towards Männlichen, is known as the panoramic tour; it lets you look out over the Grindelwald valley and is suitable for everyone, young and old. You walk for 1h.30 along an almost-level path, where the only sound is the noise of the bells of the grazing cows. It's advisable to stop every now and then to admire the view, have a snack, or take photos of the numerous artistic arrangements of stones along route, or of the colourful Alpine flora. At Männlichen, you can admire the breathtaking view of the Jungfrau chain, from the Wetterhorn to the Breithorn, which includes five peaks above 4 thousand metres (Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn, Fiescherhorn, Mönch and Jungfrau), as well as the Aletsch glacier, the biggest in the Alps. From Männlichen, you can also get to Wengen by
cable car, or go back down to Grindelwald on the "gondolas" (on foot it takes three hours). By taking the Männlichen cable car you can reach another three walks. The one to Holenstein (the intermediate cable car station) is known as Felix way and is recommended for families with children, who can encounter marmots and squirrels and try to blow the alphorn, a typical Swiss musica l i nst r ument t hat ca n send signals over many kilometres and is heard in Brahms' first symphony (he heard it in Switzerland and was inspired). From Holenstein you can follow the apple path (Öpfelchüechliweg) a nd reach Bra ndegg i n lit t le over 1h.30. Your destination is a restaurant with a terrace, where, as well as the usual Swiss specialities based on cured meats and cheese, you can also enjoy apple fritters served with a tasty vanilla sauce. This path is dotted with numerous signposts explaining the most common fruits in Switzerland. The third path goes to Männlichen and Alpiglen. It's known as the romantic walk and takes you through the woods at the foot of the Eiger, where you can pick raspberries and blueberries and, on the right day, even chanterelle or porcini mushrooms. From Alpiglen you can take the Eiger Trail, one of the most difficult walks (6km uphill). In three hours it will
Last year was the celebration of the centenary of Europe's highest cogwheel railway in the heart of Switzerland, which runs from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfraujoch at 3454 metres high. It looks out over the Aletsch glacier, the biggest in the Alps at 160 square kilometres. To celebrate the occasion, last April, the Jungfraubahn, which runs the highest observatory in Europe, opened a new ice museum and a permanent exhibition, Alpine Sensation, which allows the visitor to experience the history of the Jungfraubahn back to its beginning, a unique enterprise, conceived on the 28th August 1893 by Adolf Guyer-Zeller, an industrialist from Zurich (pictured). In 2013, tourists can also take advantage of offers that allow you to stay in a hotel and travel on the Jungfraubahn network at half price. Information can be found under www.jungfrau.ch The trip to the Jungfraujoch is an unmissable experience that attracts around 800 thousand visitors from all over the world every year.
take you to the Eigergletscher station, where it's worth stopping for the restaurant and the view of the Jungfrau. Along the Eiger Trail, you can admire the legendary North Face up close. For those who want something a bit easier, we recommend following the trail in the other direction; there's also a good restaurant in Alpiglen for a nice rest.
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MOUNTAINBIKE
An event in August: the EIGER BIKE CHALLENGE Every year around 1500 cyclists make a date in Grindelwald for three international mountain bike races: 88km, 55km and 22km.
M
ountain bike lovers consider it the most spectacular race i n t he world. T h is year it will be held for the 16th time at the foot of the north fac e of t he E iger. Like every year, the Eiger Bike Challenge takes place in August in Grindelwald. Registration will begin on Friday the 9th 2013, although bookings are already made months earlier. The day of the race will be Sunday the 11th August 2013. Nearly all competitors set their alarms for 4 am to get to the pasta party in the centre of Grindelwald, where an abundant buffet breakfast is put on in anticipation of the first
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start at 7 am. The atmosphere is surreal. Grindelwald is still asleep and the temperature is usually around 10 degrees, but the bikers begin their frantic movement. When they get into their grid a few minutes before seven, the atmosphere is very rela xed, but t he su n is slow to peep out between the high peaks. A blank shot is fired to give the go ahead for the race, and the pace picks up straight away. W hen t he competitors pass the village centre there's already a group well in the lead. Every year, the race winds its way a long t h ree routes: t he first is 88km long at an altitude of 3900 metres, the second is 55k m long at a n a lt it ude of
2500 metres, and the third is 22km long at an altitude of 1000 metres. The starts are staggered with the 88km starting at 7 am., the 55km starting at 8.15 and
ABOVE The departure of the 22 km race in front of the Grand Hotel Regina.
Grindelwald
8.45, and the 22km at 10 am. A ll competitors are equipped w it h a helmet a nd gloves. It costs between 35 and 95 Swiss francs to take part. All the prizes, both in money and in items, are worth around 30 thousand
Swiss francs in total. The most challenging course is obviously the first one. It starts out from the lower part of the village of Grindelwald at 850 metres and climbs the Grosse Scheidegg, up to an altitude of just under 2000
metres, looked over by the Wetterhorn, one of the mountains of around 4000 metres in height that towers over the village. After a brief descent, the cyclists climb up to 2167 metres to the First, then they throw themselves into a highly technical headlong descent over steps of rock and wood. The third ascent, up to Feld at an altitude of 2170 metres, involves fairly challenging slopes, ending in a single track between the pastures. At this point, there is a rapid descent down a dirt road, before beginning a road that's all up and dow n to Bor t, t he fourth ascent of the day. The narrow and extremely steep final ramp between the meadows makes this a strategic vantage point for the spectators. Hundreds of people pack together at the side of the road to support the competitors right to the top, creating an exciting spectacle
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MOUNTAINBIKE with their shouts of encouragement and the racket of cowbells. Having returned to the bottom of the valley, the most able riders begin the longest climb of the Eiger Bike Challenge, the 13km to Kleine Scheidegg. This winding path leads to Wengen, in one direction, and to Jungfraujoch, in the other. But the cyclists don't need to reach the Top of Europe. Instead, t hey have to descend towards Grindelwald and collect their welldeserved reward. The 55km and 22km courses are no less exciting, and of course they can be adjusted to the different abilities of the competitors, who are divided into a total of twenty categor ies. A nyone ca n ta ke part; not just clubs but anyone who registers by the 31st July can proudly display his name by their starting number. Registration continues online and from the 9th of August on-site as
well, but it costs more. Amateurs and professionals start training several weeks beforehand, but enthusiasts come to Grindelwald t h roughout t he mont hs from May to October. Gr iwaGroup, the most important real estate company in the region, offers special packages for one-week stays in its numerous holiday apartments and chalets. You can find more information at www. griwarent.ch. Taking part in the Eiger Bike Challenge and witnessing this spectacular event that attracts thousands of cyclists and mountain-bike lovers every year is a unique opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful mountain regions of S w it zerla nd, su r rou nded by 4000 metre high mountains and luxuriant landscapes. Grindelwald is a unique attraction for anyone taking part in the Eiger Bike Challenge (which has been called the "lion’s lair").
We build for you
satisfaction through quality and character
kitchen construction, furniture, bathroom and wellness oasis windows in wood and wood and metal general interior construction
Stylish, extremely comfortable ecofriendly chalets
Your regional chalet builder makes your dreams come true
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3818 Grindelwald, fon. +41 33 853 43 36, fax +41 33 853 43 20
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20 www.brawand-zimmerei.ch – info@brawand-zimmerei.ch
www.holzkreation-schmid.ch – info@holzkreation-schmid.ch
PARAGLIDING
FLYING above Grindelwald with the world CHAMPION Mountain climbing and hang-gliding are two popular sports on the slopes of the Eiger and the Jungfrau.
T
h e G r i n d e l w a ld i n d o o r mountain climbing park is the largest in Europe and was established in 2008. "At least 3.000 people visit it every year, mostly Swiss people, but also Russians and Indians", explains Johann Kaufmann, the person in charge of grindelwaldSPORTS (tel. 0041(0)33 854 12 90, www. grindelwaldsports.ch). It's made up of five parts of varying difficulty, which represent different ascents of the actual Eiger wall, the legendary mountain of Grindelwald." The indoor park is open both in summer and in winter. Grindelwald is also a paradise for paragliders. It's no coincidence that a world champion was born here: Peter Neuenschwander became world champion last year following his victory at the World Cup Superfinal in Mexico, in which 120 "pilots" competed for nine days. The competition involves flying from one mountain to another as fast as possible, and the average speed achieved by the Swiss champion from Grindelwald was about 30kph. Peter is also one of the instructors at the Jungfraujoch flight school and accompanies tourists or students who want to experi-
ence the excitement of flight. The world champion explains: "it takes about fifty flights to be able to do it on your own, but after two or three lessons you begin to fly." There is a flight base in Grindelwald at First, at just over 2.000 metres. Anyone who wants to try this experience has to wear a pair of mountain boots and a windbreaker. The helmet and the body harness are provided by Paragliding Jungfrau (tel. 0041-(0) 79 779 90 00 or www.paraglidingjungfrau.ch). The instructor holds the tourist or student in a kind of pouch and guides the paraglider, maintaining radio contact with the base. The best time of year to fly is spring or summer. "The LEFT Peter Neuenschwander.
sun is the engine of the system", explains Peter Neuenschwander, "because it heats up the ground, providing hot air for the upward thrust." To become a paragliding expert, you need to be able to navigate the winds, which blow in the valleys in summer but over the mountains in winter. "For example", admits the Swiss champion, "I've only been over the Eiger and the Jungfraujoch, which are at about 4.000 metres, once, because there's no wind above the glacier and you can't fly there." A flight in a paraglider with an instructor costs 170 CHF (about 130 euros) and the flights last about 20 minutes. A longer flight of 40-50 minutes costs 280 francs (just over 220 Euros).
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APARTHOTEL
A PENTHOUSE in Grindelwald for less than 700 thousand Swiss francs How to buy a beautiful apartment next to the ski slopes and ski lifts and live in a natural paradise.
S
et t i ng out f rom home with your skis on your feet, and coming back on skis, without queuing for ages at the ski lifts to enjoy 250km of pistes. "Anything is possible", explains architect Markus Friedli, who runs the biggest real estate company in the Jungfrau region. With his company, GriwaGroup, Markus Friedli has recently completed the construction of a new multifamily chalet attached to the Aspen Hotel, located in a strategic position in the valley at the foot of the Eiger and only a few kilometres from the Grindelwald village centre. "It's wonderful to come back home on skis without having to join the long return queues," asserts the architect,
"as everyone who comes down to Grindelwald from the Kleine Scheidegg-M채 n n l ichen a rea knows. The Aspen Hotel, which is right on the ski slope, is often used for an aperitif or happy hour before dinner, to enjoy a moment of relaxation watching the sunset caressing the main facade of the hotel. But even in the morning, setting out from the Aspen Hotel with skis on your feet and heading to the ski lifts towards Kleine Scheidegg at Grund station or the cable car to M채nnlichen only takes a few minutes." Within a few years, the M채nnlichen facility will be renovated and improved. "The other significant advantage", Mark us Friedli continues, "is being able to enjoy excellent catering. The Aspen Hotel has
been run for several years by Suzanne and Stefan Grossniklaus, a young family. They employ chef Sebastian Schuster, who received the Swiss Gastro Award in 2010 for his remarkable skill in giving a modern twist to traditional Swiss cuisine". "The new chalet", explains the architect, "has14 apartments with one or three bedrooms and a living room, bathroom, and large balconies. It is being sold according to the aparthotel formula. There are also some penthouses with lofts. "But what does this formula, which is being offered in Switzerland for the first time, involve? According to Wikipedia, an aparthotel is a property designed to contain both apartments and hotel rooms, all under the same management. "The idea arose", Markus Friedli explains again, "after ownership of the Aspen Hotel passed to the Grossniklaus family. The hotel and the new chalet are joined by a Wellness Oasis on the ground floor and on the first floor is a restaurant." The aparthotel combines the flexibility and privacy of an apartment with the services of a hotel. In short, it allows you to "live in an apartment" and "stay" in a hotel. "Anyone who buys an apartment in the new multi-family chalet will be able to achieve an income of at least 4% in the first three years", adds Markus Friedli, and "they will almost certainly enjoy a higher LEFT The entrance of the four star Aspen alpin lifestyle Hotel.
22
Grindelwald PHOTOS Hotel suite and double room showing a cosy and modern ambiance.
return in the following years". This means that anyone who wants to pay for the apartment w ith a mortgage could offset the payments with their income from the period it's leased out (it is mandatory to lease it out for at least three months per year). They could thus support an expenditure for the purchase equal to half the price of the property. Prices vary between just under 700 thousand francs and just over 2 million francs, depending on the size of the apartments, which range from about 60m2 to 122m2. A garage space carries an additiona l cost of 45 thousand francs. The purchase price does, however, include full furnishing of the apar tment, which is offered in three different, very elegant styles, and has a value of about 50 thousand swiss francs. All apartments on sale can be bought by foreigners, which is a nice exception to the Grindelwald construction licences, according to which a third of each chalet must be intended for foreigners, a third for Swiss people, and a third for locals. Swiss banks offer mortgages on these apartments that are generally around 50% of the value. The capital can be paid back at no less than 2% annually. This means that a ten year mortgage
can be extended for another 10 years, and so on for several decades until the total is paid off. Swiss banks do not grant mortgages on the basis of the age of the buyer, but only on the basis of their income and the value of the property. Taking out a mortgage will be even easier thanks to the income from renting out the property. In fact, the mortgage can easily be paid by renting out the property for about half the year, both in summer and in winter. This also has the advantage of neutralising taxes, which are equal to 1.5% of the assessed value (about half the actual value). T he deed, including tra nsfer
taxes, costs about 2.5% of the value of the property. An example: a 60m2 apartment with one bedroom and a living room, which, with a sofa bed, c a n ac com modate fou r peo ple, costs about 700 thousand francs, including the garage. With an exchange rate of 1.20, this means 600 thousand euros, of which half can be paid with a mortgage. This means that a family can buy an apartment to use for 4 months a year, summer and winter, in one of the most beautiful places in the Alps, An investor bought four so there are just a few apartments still for sale.
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NATURE
Grindelwald is still the GLACIER VILLAGE Seven routes to take to understand how climate change could alter one of the biggest skiing areas in Switzerland.
"
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I
t's a never-ending story", they say at the Grindelwald tou r i s t of f ic e. "I f globa l warming continues," they add, "Gr i ndelwa ld cou ld be forced to build a new tunnel to allow the glacier water to drain away, like the one built a few years ago, which cost the canton of Berne and the community of the Jungfrau valley, up to Brienz, a total of 16 m i l lion fra ncs." "T here was a time when you could go up the Eiger or the Wetterhorn i n mid-July", ex pla i ns Ma rco Bomio, a mountain guide from Grindelwald, who has an Italian grandfather and more than thirty years of experience. He adds: "Now it's better to climb up there at the beginning of the year." There is a risk of the rock crumbling, and, as happened in the hot summer of 2005, a mass of stones falling. Glaciers are retreating all over the Alps, and Bomio fears that the biggest glacier in this huge European chain, the Aletsch glacier, which runs for 160km at the foot of the Jungfrau and today can be reached at up to 3453m on the nearby Jungfraujoch by cog–wheeled train, could disappear within a few centuries. Hansruedi Gertsch, "In t he past", ex plains Marco Bomio, "5-6 metres of snow fel l ever y year, whereas nowadays you don't see more than half of that." And since it takes 10 cubic met res of snow to ma ke
ABOVE Grindelwald Glacier a century ago. Below an iphone device shows seven trails to understand the climate changes.
one cubic metre of glacier, the consequences are easy to imagine. If we want to know what the climate will be like in the future, we need to look back at t he past. T hat's why va r ious research groups at the University of Berne have specialised in reconstructing the histor y of the climate. The geographer and art historian, Heinz Zumbuhl, on the other hand, has reconstructed the advance and retreat of glaciers by examining old paintings. The paintings of Caspar Wolf, an 18th Century artist, have been of great help. Wolf was painting during one of the most important glaciation periods. "The advance of the
Grindelwa ld glacier bet ween 1768 and 1778 is clearly shown in the drawings and oil paintings of this painter", explains Heinz Zumbuhl. In fact, Wolf's pa i nti ngs made q uite a contribution to the fame of Grindelwald; even in the first few years after it became a tourist destination, it was known as t he "glac ier v i l lage". T he lowest glacier in Grindelwald reached t he fur t hest a round 1850. Since then, however, the glaciers have begun to retreat. "Since then", Marco Bomio tells us, "the glaciers of the Alps have shrunk by a third due to the rise in temperature." From 1900 to today, the glacier that
Grindelwald BELOW The view of the lake formed under Grindelwald Glacier which has been drained through a tunnel. On the left, Marco Bomio.
passes right by Grindelwald, has shrunk by 200 metres in height. Bet ween 1863 a nd World War 1, Grindelwald exported its ice all over Europe, from Paris to Prague. To begin with, production reached a total of 174 tonnes of ice a year, but already by 1877 production was reduced to 10 0 ton nes, in 1895 it had dropped to 37 tonnes, and by 1915 it was over. Of course, a round 1/5 of t he ice shipped never reached its destination, but this industry provided work for hundreds of people from the Swiss village, mostly peasants who were supplementing their income with a second job. In Grindelwald and the Jungfrau region, the change BELOW An old painting of Grindelwald Glacier.
in climate has become another tou r ist at t rac t ion, t ha n ks to the studies by the University of Berne and the climate guide created in 2009 by the company Texetera, with financial support from BKW FMB Energie sa. This initiative is supported by the whole region and the municipalities of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. By using an iPhone that can be borrowed for 15 Swiss francs a day (10 CHF for groups) from the Grindelwa ld, Wengen, or Lauterbr u n nen tou r ist offices, you can really get an impression of the climate changes that are underway by following seven routes, each between 2.5 and 4.5km. If you choose the second route, from Pfingstegg to B채regg (starting out from the cable car below the Grindelwald Evangelist church), you can see how the Stiereggshelter, which is at 1659 metres, was engulfed by mov ing rock. Climate change could also create problems in the future for cable cars, which w i l l h ave to rei n forc e t hei r foundations to combat the phenomenon of permafrost, which
is when frozen ground thaws out. This happens for example at the Schilthorn, where there is a rotating restaurant at an altitude of 2970 metres, which was made famous by the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. This is mentioned in itinerary F, which starts out from Wengen. It discusses future problems for the skiing industry. The seven routes can all be followed in s u m mer, w here a s on ly fou r can still be visited in w inter. The experts at the University of Berne predict huge changes in the future. Today there are 26 ski areas in the Jungfrau region. If the temperature rises by one degree, there w ill be 22 left, but if it rises by four degrees, only three areas would still be snow-covered; in particular, the K leine Scheidegg area above Grindelwald, Wengen, and the Schilthorn. This might not be a disaster for tourism, because the cities and seaside regions would also get wa r mer, wh ich cou ld at t ract more visitors to the mountains, but it would be an irreparable loss for nature.
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REAL ESTATE
Last CHANCE to buy available chalets Markus Friedli, president of GriwaGroup, explains why the property market in Grindelwald is set to grow even more and why you should invest now.
H
"
ere are few plots of land available and they are n o t c h e a p", e x p l a i n s Ma rk us F r ied l i, of t he biggest real estate compa ny i n Gr i ndelwa ld building on ly the best quality buildings in the ‘glacier village’. On paper, there are still only a few apartments under construction (due to the licences granted), and no one knows when they will be built. Most construction projects in Gr i ndelwa ld i n recent yea rs were developed by the GriwaGroup Markus Friedli's holding company offers a range of services through its five companies, from design to sale, from renti ng to fi na ncia l adv ice, a nd,
BELOW View of Grosse Scheidegg and the village of Grindelwald.
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more recently, hotel ser v ices (with the 4-star Aspen Hotel, which was opened recently). The GriwaGroup also rents out a bout a hundred apa r tments for its clients (with three, four, or five stars). "The aparthotel formula (commercial premises, partial use) of the Aspen Hotel, t he fi rst i n Sw itzerla nd, has been successfu l a nd w i l l be repeated", says Markus Friedli. In fact, it's this new solution that will be favoured in future by Swiss legislation, which recently had to accept the 2012 referendum that placed a limit of 20 per cent on building second homes i n prop or t ion to homes for residents. This limit has been far exceeded in Grindelwald, where the proportion is about 57%. This is why apartments for ren-
ABOVE Markus Friedli, president of GriwaGroup.
ovation have suddenly gone up in value, not to mention new or recent apartments that are exempt from the measures that came into force at the beginning of 2013. "In Grindelwald, for example, proper t y prices, which rose by about 30% bet ween 2006 a nd 2011, leapt another 10% in 2012", asserts Ma rk us F r ied l i, a n a rch itec t who has worked h is way up (he started out as a carpenter). Markus Friedli is fifty years old and loves tennis; he's jov ia l, speaks several languages, and is involved in various humanitarian projects in Africa and Mongolia. GriwaGroup propert ies, even t hose u nder construction or already available, are also offered at a lower price than those of the competition (which are still only on paper). There are also recent properties on the market that enjoy a modest view and are of good but not superb constr uction
Inserat_vivereblu_ville casali_E_225x287mm_2011_300dpi.pdf
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23.11.11
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IN TICINO... A prestigious apartment in one of the most exclusive locations in Switzerland – Ronco sopra Ascona – a pearl between the Mediterranean climate of the Lago Maggiore and the Alps.
GriwaGroup Real Estate Trustees, Sales, Management & Architecture Tel. +41 (0)33 854 11 60 info@griwagroup.ch www.vivereblu.ch
REAL ESTATE
ABOVE Luxury chalets built by GriwaGroup.
q ua lit y, a nd wh ich may cost less, but which are unlikely to increase much in value. But how much do GriwaGroup proper ties cost? "Prices var y
from 12 to 14 thousand francs (about 10 thousand euros) for the first or second floors, to 1820 thousand francs (15 thousa nd euros ) for pent houses", explains Markus Friedli. It's important to note that the prices
are per square metre of gross living space. Furthermore, the balconies, which are often more l i ke ter races where you ca n have breakfast in the open air, are included in the total price (in other countries, they are worth 1/3 of the square metres of the gross liv ing area). The garage, on the other hand, is valued separately, at 40 thousand francs per car space. The total price also includes other faci l it ies, such as t he cel la r, ski storage space, and laundry room. Furthermore, one mustn't underestimate the value of the post-sale assistance that GriwaGroup provides; the condominium management is always ta ken ca re of by Gr iwaGroup which means the chalets are taken care of and are always in good condition. Finally, there is strength in numbers. It's one thing to buy heating oil for one apartment, and quite another
VISIT O E XHIB UR ITION!
Schertenleib Keramik AG . Wychelstrasse 47 . CH-3818 Grindelwald Telephone 033 853 33 14 . Fax 033 853 33 16 . Mobile 079 448 18 33 . info@schertenleib-keramik.ch . www.schertenleib-keramik.ch
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CERAMIC WALL & FLOOR COVERINGS . NATURAL STONE . SILICONE . FIREPLACE & STOVE CONSTRUCTION . CONSULTATION . EXHIBITION
W
W
M
w
Grindelwald
Property prices in Grindelwald CHALETS PRICES
APARTMENTS PRICES
In Swiss franc s for living square meter
In Swiss francs for living square meter
20’000 18’000
18’000
16’000
16’000
14’000
14’000
12’000
12’000
10’000
10’000
8’000
8’000
6’000
6’000
4’000
4’000
2’000
2’000 0
0 2004 t1
2005 t1
2006 t1
average
2007 t1
2008 t1
maximum
2009 t1
2010 t1
2011 t1
2012 t1
minimum
to buy it for 100 apartments," explains Markus Friedli. "Furmaintaining the chaFonte: Wüest & Partner;thermore, UBS WMR lets well means preserving and increasing their market value." Today could be a good time to buy a property in Grindelwald, both because new builds will be easily absorbed by the
2004 t1
2005 t1
average
2006 t1
2007 t1
2008 t1
maximum
2009 t1
2010 t1
2011 t1
2012 t1
minimum
market in the next two years, region, reminds us, that a vila nd b e c ause a f ter t hat, t he lage like that can only continue only properties on the market to WMR increase in value. This will Fonte: Wüest & Partner; UBS will be renovations or aparthobe aided significantly by the tels. "Grindelwald has recently construction of a new and more been called the most authentic welcom i ng tow n cent re ( see destination in the world by Trip interview with mayor Emanuel Adv isor", Philippe Sproll, the Schläppi, page 10), which will director general of the Jungfrau be ready in two years, the new
For You. For construction.
We’re celebrating! We’ve enjoyed your loyalty for 30 years. Thank you. Moosweg 5 | Thun
www.santag.ch
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A company in the Bringhen Group
REAL ESTATE
Rules of buying and the costs of financing If you want to buy in Grindelwald, you need to know the Lex Koller law as well as the municipal restrictions. For example, a foreigner cannot buy an apartment less than 60m2 or larger than 200m2 or a plot of land larger than 1000m2. These restrictions do not exist if you apply for residency, which is very easy to obtain in the Canton of Berne. There are also additional restrictions in Grindelwald: only 1/3 of new-build properties can be sold to foreigners, which is also because 30 % of properties must belong to residents of the village, whether or not they are of Swiss nationality. Foreigners may not buy apartments with an assumed taxed revenue of less than 300 thousand francs, which increases to 400 thousand francs for a detached house. The average taxation on the income of residents (taking local, cantonal, and federal taxes into account) is about 25% . The cost of purchasing a property (transfer tax and notary fees) is about 2.5% . In Switzerland, it's a good idea not to pay entirely in cash, since the cost of interest on a mortgage is tax-deductible. Furthermore, the low interest rates and rules for granting mortgages are very attractive. But how much can you ask banks for? "Residents can ask for up to 80 % of the value of the property", explains Bruno Reber, director of the bank UBS in Grindelwald. "Non- residents can ask for up to 60 % . But what is really interesting is the way mortgages
FLEXIBLE INTEREST RATE MORTGAGE LIBOR UBS (February 2013)
are repaid. Residents only need to pay back 1% of the capital per year, plus interest, while non-residents need only pay 2% , plus interest." The interest rates on mortgages can be variable or fixed; the first, the varied at around 1.2% in 2012, while the 10-year fixed rate (maximum duration) at around 2.4% . So the latter seems more convenient. When the mortgage expires, there is of course always the issue of renewal, if you aren't able to pay it off and the interest rates could be higher. "Banks today already assess how sustainable mortgages are for customers (generally, the payment should not be more than a third of their income) as if the interest rates were 5%", explains Bruno Reber. Swiss caution is proverbial! "We are also able to offer financial advice", concludes the president of GriwaGroup, Markus Friedli."
FIXED INTEREST RATE MORTGAGE LIBOR UBS (February 2013) Duration
Interest rate
2 yrs
1,40%
3 yrs
1,49%
4 yrs
1,60%
5 yrs
1,77%
6 yrs
1,92%
Libor
Interest rate
Duration
7 yrs
2,07%
3 mesi
1,37%
Three months
8 yrs
2,21%
6 mesi
1,45%
Six months
9 yrs
2,34%
12 mesi
1,53%
Twelve months
10 yrs
2,45%
LEFT Modern chalets.
and more modern organisation of the tourist office (interview with Bruno Hauswirth, tourist director, page 8, winter section),
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which will increasingly focus on i nter nat iona l ly i mpor ta nt events, and the Jungfraubahnen i n it iat ives, wh ich br i ng
800 thousand tourists to the Jungfraujoch at 3454 metres (Top of Europe) every year and which is planning to improve connections in the ski zones. "T he Gr iwaGroup c a n c ou nt on buyers from as many as 35 different countries; there are Ger ma n s a nd F renc h, D utch and British as well as Italian, American, Mexican etc. Recently, thanks to the strong franc, the Swiss are buying more as well", says Markus Friedli. A lot of them buy property to come and live in Grindelwald or to spend their summer and winter holidays here, but there are also quite a few investors.
BUILDING
Living in ALPINE REGIONS in ecologically constructed chalets Building houses primarily with local lumbers, from the European spruce to the larch, from oak wood to the pine and decreasing heating costs at the same time.
"
D
o not dream your life but live your dream´, with this slogan by Tommaso Campanella, the largest builder of Grindelwald, the GriwaGroup, promotes their chalets. An apartment in the glacier village at the foot of the North Face of the Eiger begins at approx. CHF 650.000, and can go up to CHF 8 millions, for a chalet. But how are these chalets and apartments built? `The foundations and load-bearing elements are concreted and brick-built´, explains Markus Friedli, architect and president of the GriwaGroup, `everything else such as interior walls and roof constructions are made out of wood.´ For Grindelwald, whose name comes from the word `Waldbarriere´ (forest barrier), wood is the most important resource and is used for buildings, furniture and for the district heating plant. White and red European spruce, maple, larch, beech, oak, birch, cherry tree and walnut are the most commonly used types of wood for building construction. For the
roof construction and walls we mainly use fir wood; for the inner and outer doors as well as the kitchen front we use larch, oak or spruce wood. Furnitures is generally made out of mountain pine. The doors can also be made out of walnut or cherry wood and the floors are mostly constructed with spruce. Wooden shingles for the roofs are only allowed for the Alpine huts and are banned from the village centre, even though their life expectancy is nearly twice as (50 years) as long modern external shingles. `This ban has existed for over 100 years, when Grindelwald was destroyed by a terrible fire´, explains Markus Friedli. A legend that Grindelwald residents like to tell is, that a larch that turns left to the sun will give good shingles for roofs, but when it turns right, the wood can only be used for roof gutters. Lumber is an important material in the chalet construction for insulation (see graphic), it is eco-friendly and sustainable but at the same time it is a lovely design element for the interior and exterior area. `An impor-
tant effect of lumber that is not to be underestimated´, architect Markus Friedli continues, `is the energy impact due to the good insulation in facade construction, which often is more than 30 cm. Consequently we can decrease heating costs for an apartment to an average of under CHF 500 per year.
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PROPERTY
A CHALET on LAKE BRIENZ
H
ave you always dreamed of living on a lake shore and casting off in your boat from your own mooring? Then the Seefels Development in Ringgenberg is the perfect
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place for you! A property with three apartments on a plot of about 551 m2. The unique attic apartment with 3 bedrooms is the only one to sell. Enjoy incomparable views of emeraldgreen Lake Brienz set against a
magnificent mountain backdrop. In just a few steps you reach your own boat or dive into the crystal-clear waters. The Seefels residential area is exceptionally peaceful, an idyllic place to rest.
Information and visit: GriwaTreuhand AG, Tel. +41 (0) 33 854 11 60, info@griwaplan.ch, www.griwatreuhand.ch
Free apps Available online on App Store and on Google Play
ST Y LE IDEAS COUNTRY HOME
THE REN EWED D ESIRE OF COM FORT, THE CO NTINUO US LEAN TOWARD A NEW K IND OF HOME Q UALITY , THE W BE LAVIS ISH TO HED WIT H BEAU AND DU TIFUL RABLE THINGS TRANSM ITTING E MOTION TO SHA S RE, ARE THE V E RY T R END OF THE CONTE MPORA R Y FURNIS HING: T HE HOU IS NOW SE THE PLA CE WHE TAKING RE CARE O F FAMIL AND PLE Y ASURAB LE OBJE PERSON CTS ALIZED AND ESSENT IAL AT T HE SAM E TIME.
WWW.VILLEECASALI.COM
FOR INFO AND SUBSCRIPTION www.edizionimorelli.it - abbonamenti@eli.it
PROPERTY
An apartment at CHALET BÄRGROSE in the heart of GRINDELWALD
C
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halet Bärgrose – discover the inspiring ambiance of this idyllic apartment chalet in the heart of Grindelwald. The
4-bedroom attic apartment with gallery is easy to reach by lift from the parking garage. High-quality construction and the charm of traditional building methods
afford a most attractive lifestyle. The many details on the facades, carefully created in time-honoured craftsmanship, give the building an old-world chalet character.
Information and visit: GriwaTreuhand AG, Tel. +41 (0) 33 854 11 60, info@griwaplan.ch, www.griwatreuhand.ch