GstaadLife 22. June 2018

THE

E XCLUSIV E

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LIFES T Y LE

M AG A ZINE

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Issue 3 | 22 June 2018 CHF 3.50

POST-POST FUTURE Two more post offices to close

THE END OF AN ERA Café du Cerf changes owner

CBD, THE LEGAL SIBLING OF THC Boris Blatnik on the benefits of cannabis devoid of THC

S U M M E R D E L I G H T S AT T H E B E L L E V U E 4th Gstaad Züglete

Outdoor Gourmet Cinema

World Cup

Real Brunch & Real Cows 1st September

“When movies and food are truly paired” 5th August - Woman on Top 26th August - Chef 9th September - Ratatouille

From 23rd June - All games are streamed in our private cinema 15th July - Watch the World Cup finals in our garden, accompanied by a BBQ, cocktails and beer from the tap

Cellcosmet Discovery Days Purchase a Cellcosmet product on the day of your treatment and you will get your treatment free of charge!

16th & 17th August

Krug Pergola Champagne and nibbles in our garden Throughout July & August

Le Petit Chalet‘s delicious Rotisserie Open year-round from 12.00 noon till 22.30

Swiss National Day Brunch

Afternoon Tea / Great Golden and Curious Cucumber Croquet Challenge Cup

Do as the Swiss do!

1st August

The Sushi Bar

Brunch from 11.30 followed by play and Afternoon Tea from 15.00 till 18.00 2nd September

All summer long from 12.00 noon till 15.00 / 18.00 till 22.00

The Lazy Sunday Brunch 15th July - 2nd September from 11.30 till 15.00

Full Moon at Le Grand Spa Spa till late...

28th June / 27th July / 26th August / 25th September from 20.30 till 23.30

Mexican Nights DIY fajitas and cheesy nachos by our Chef Urs Gschwend 8th July & 19th August

Thai Dinner Buffets

Le Grand Bellevue‘s 4th Motorbike Rallye

Visiting Chef - Mathias Droz 29th July & 22nd September

Come and ride the Bellevue way!

21st - 24th September

SUMMER SUN, WE'RE READY!!

Whoever thought that summer can only be properly enjoyed on a beach is totally wrong.

While I readily admit that the Saanenland is primarily a winter resort you will hopefully agree that the summer in the region has a lot to offer, too.

There are all the events that make every sport fan's heart skip a beat. All the outdoor people will enjoy hikes onto solitary peaks, a cable car ride onto the more touristic ones or simply a stroll along the river Saane. Oh, and don't miss out on a splash in the Arnensee!

And there is many a wonderful terrace in and around our villages to enjoy a cool drink in the evening.

There is one thing, though, that we might consider adopting from our southern neighbours.

We don't need Mediterranean, sandy beaches but maybe a little more village life because a beautiful village is only half as beautiful when it's empty. So, after reading this you should go out, meet people, fill the streets, sip a drink and have a good time.

Best regards,

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS Saanenmöser to Zweisimmen road works

5

Living in a post-Post future

5

New album by native-born Sandra Avilova

7

Spring warming continues

7

Into nature’s tranquillity

7

Tour de Suisse in Gstaad

9

A hitchhiker’s guide to the Arnensee

9

Arnensee road slide

10

The end of an era

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PROFILE 12

100% Benefits with 0% THC

GSTAAD LIVING Fighting food waste in the hotel industry

14

Transhumance, cows, dogs and alp pastures

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SPORTS & LEISURE From World-class centenarians and Junior Champions – Springtime 2018 at the GYC

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Bacsinszky returns to Gstaad

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Pole position for Karim Ojjeh

18

LIFESTYLE Free flowing jewels

19

Frauenverein Saanen: 101 years, and going strong

20

COLUMN Markus Iseli, Publishing Director

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Expat Adventures

Cover Photo: © Stefan Wermuth GstaadLife, Anzeiger von Saanen, Kirchstrasse 6, P.O. Box 201, 3780 Gstaad, Phone: 033 748 88 74, Fax: 033 748 88 84, www.gstaadlife.com Management Board and Publisher: Frank Müller, frank.mueller@gstaadlife.com Publishing Director & Editor in Chief: Markus Iseli, markus.iseli@gstaadlife.com Contributors: Alex Bertea, Anna Charles, Guy Girardet, Alexis Munier, Sophie Rieder Layout: Epu Shaha, Aline Brawand Advertising: Eliane Behrend, advertising@gstaadlife.com, Phone: 033 748 88 71 Subscriptions: Annic Romang, subscriptions@gstaadlife.com, Phone: 033 748 88 74 "AvS" after the author of an article indicates the the text is based on material from the Anzeiger von Saanen.

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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TOUR DU MONDE

DEDON COLLECTION MBRACE Design by Sebastian Herkner www.dedon.de

Your local interior decorator. www.staubgstaad.ch

w w w.s t aubg s t a a d.c h RZ_Staub_Inserat_GL_97x139mm_Feb_2017.indd 1

09.02.17 16:01

WWW.STAUBGSTAAD.CH

09.02.17

Représentée en exclusivité par

Vous accueille du lundi au samedi dans son agence Promenade 29 – 3780 Gstaad

Estimations – Courtage administration de PPE - Résidence Service On pale français – allemand – anglais – italien BARNES GSTAAD VALLEY- PAYS-D’ENHAUT

Gstaad – Rougemont – Château-d’Oex 033 748 10 02 gstaad-valley@barnes-international.com – www.barnes-suisse.com

Road repairs between Sannen-

In the winter of 2017/18 the snow came earlier than expected, which resulted in the Honegg road works to be shut down sooner than planned.

In turn, this meant that two traffic light systems were needed to be put in place after winter to both finish the Honegg section and begin the Leggraben section. Jürg Herrmann from Oberingenieurkreis explained that having the two traffic lights is unavoidable in the first weeks of construction. Construction at Honegg has been accelerated and with all going to plan the first traffic

möser and Zweisimmen are in motion for the coming summer with sections, Honegg and Leggraben in the process of being renewed. Due to these road repairs the traffic traveling between Saanenmöser and Zweisimmen is being regulated by traffic lights.

light system will be removed during the summer.

The broadened road on the valley side of the Honegg section has been achieved by straightening the turn, making a more visible path and lowering the risk of accident.

The safety of pedestrians has also been increased by extending the footpath from the bridge. The end of this construction phase is scheduled for December 2018, providing the winter waits.

SOPHIE RIEDER / AVS

LIVING IN A POST-POST FUTURE The threatened closure of the post offices in Saanen and Schönried will be soon reality. After recent negotiations, the municipal administration of Saanen, Swiss Post, and Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus have settled on a cooperation agreement.

Postal counters will open inside the tourism office in Schönried beginning this summer, and in the information pavilion in Saanen in spring 2019. The two postal counters will be managed by Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus.

In 2016, when it decided to reduce its offering, Swiss Post had the largest network of access facilities for postal services in Europe, according to the company. But changes in the way people communicate have resulted in a downturn. In the Saanenland, the post office closures in Saanen and Schönried follow those in Gsteig, Lauenen, Feutersoey, and Saanenmöser.

For the local population that lives in villages where the post offices have

Archive AvS

LOCAL NEWS

SAANENMÖSER TO ZWEISIMMEN ROAD WORKS

been, or will be closed, the postal counter is an option that allows most services without an untenable cost of operations. But despite this replacement offer, it remains a hotly debated topic, as is the case in many other places in Switzerland that loose the traditional post offices.

Until the opening of the postal counters with the new partner Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, the post offices in Saanen and Schönried will keep the same hours and remain fully operational.

ALEXIS MUNIER / AVS

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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HOM E IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

NEW BOOK

*Saanenland Calendar

The new publication on the history, meaning and sound of bells and trychels complements its sold out predecessor.

For everybody with an interest in the local history, customs and farming.

All texts are in German and French.

Editor: Museum der Landschaft Saanen Authors: Jean-Claude Bovet, Alexander Lauterwasser and Hannes Moor Content: 220 pages with nummerous pictures ISBN: 978-3-907041-71-0 Price: Fr. 50.–

Available at: Au Foyer, Saanen Museum der Landschaft Saanen Cadonau Papeterie, Gstaad Müller Medien, Gstaad K.U.H., Lauenen Peter’s Cheslade, Gsteig Pfander Buchhandlung, Zweisimmen La P’tite Librairie, Château-d‘Oex

GS TAAD S AAN EN L AN D 2019

Pre-order your Saanenland Calendar now.

Order online or visit our shop www.kalendersaanenland.ch Müller Medien AG Kirchstrasse 6 3780 Gstaad Tel. 033 748 88 74 www.mmedien.ch

HIKING-HIGHLIGHT 2018

WISPILELAKE LAUENEN «INTO NATURE’S TRANQUILLITY»

TI O N D U RA

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S 3 H R E: AN C D I ST

M 10 K

www.gstaad.ch/hiking

2018_06_22 Gstaad Life 209x140mm.indd 1

05.06.2018 12:02:09

Sandra Avilova (née Oehrli) recently released a new album. Her aim is to simplify and untangle the complexity of life through her music and convey a sense of calmness.

Music should give people the opportunity to follow their thoughts without any kind of judgements, she believes.

After British Airways adopted Avilova’s music on their flights last year (see our June 2017 issue), it is now also featured on all long-haul Swiss Airline flights. Through self initiative and a little luck, she managed to place her music on another very sought-after platform. Her reflective and soothing music is ideal for a journey above the clouds.

MARKUS ISELI

Unsplash

LOCAL NEWS

NEW ALBUM

BY NATIVE-BORN SANDRA AVILOVA

SPRING WARMING CONTINUES According to Meteo Swiss, the federal office of meteorology, May has been warmer across Switzerland only four times since systematic weather measurement was introduced in 1864. Locally it even ranked second in some places.

The hot weather brought along storms that are usually associated

with the typical summer weather in the mountains. Heavy showers were accompanied by thunder, lightning and hail in the evening hours.

These results confirm the tendency of spring warming, which has been observed for about two decades now, Meteo Swiss informs.

MARKUS ISELI / AVS

INTO NATURE’S TRANQUILLITY

T

he walking tour from Wispile to the Lauenensee is a classic one in the Gstaad hiking region. This highly enjoyable excursion promises you picturesque views and an unforgettable mountain experience. This three-hour hike is especially suitable for families. The cable car takes you comfortably from Gstaad to Berghaus Wispile. Before you start this high-altitude hike to the beautiful Lauenensee, the kids can have fun at the petting zoo or at the Wispile playground. After playtime, follow the crest and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view over Saanenland and the imposing peaks of the Oldenhorn group.

After a 40-minute walk you’ll arrive at the oversized fondue pot or “caquelon”. You can enjoy a leisurely fondue here while taking in the unique view. The backpack containing all the necessary ingredients can be ordered a day in advance from the Bergrestaurant Wispile.

Fully restored, the tour continues: at the Chrinetritt the path leads along the ridge to the Chrinepass.

Going downhill again you’ll reach the unspoiled Lauenensee nature reserve. After enjoying a short break at the lakeshore or in the restaurant you can take the post bus from the Lauenensee car park back to Gstaad.

Fondue country

Fondue backpacks can be picked up at the Berghaus Wispile during the opening hours of the Wispile cable car and returned to the Bergrestaurant or the Talstation (gondola base) until 4pm. Orders must be made a day in advance.

Berghaus Wispile: +41 33 748 96 32 rest.wispile@gstaad.ch

Restaurant Lauenensee: +41 33 765 30 62 www.lauenensee.net/restaurant

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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CELEBRATING 5 TH ANNIVERSARY

The Alpina Gstaad

ADVERTISING

THE ALPINA GSTAAD

The Alpina Gstaad, the newest five-star hotel in Gstaad turned 5 on 1st December, 2017. Since its grand opening, the luxury hotel, which is managed by Eric Favre, has received numerous international and national awards and was titled “Best Hotel in Switzerland in 2017”

by NZZ am Sonntag.

“The Alpina Gstaad” has become an established name in the Swiss – and even the international hotel industry in its first 5 years of operation.

“With our ambitious vision Beyond, we continue to strive for more specialities for our guests. For example, new programmes, new art and a commitment to sustainable luxury,” says Managing Director Eric Favre.

The Six Senses Spa team wear Adidas x Parley sneakers made of recycled plastic waste from the sea. Each pair of sneakers calls for eleven recycled plastic bottles which could otherwise have ended up in the ocean, endangering whales, turtles, fish and other residents of the sea.

And there is no doubt that guests won’t miss out on the experience of riding the hotel’s one-of-a-kind-allelectric Fiat 500 by the Leonardo

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DiCaprio Foundation, while leaving zero carbon footprint.

And there is much more to experience at this exclusive alpine hotel.

Treat yourself to a day of peace and relaxation at the Six Senses Spa, a true sanctuary of peace and wellbeing. A wide range of individual treatments, fitness, yoga and meditation lessons, a hammam, a salt cave, an indoor and outdoor pool and a gym are available for recreation or sports. As summer is promising longer days, sunshine and warm temperatures take the time to relax in the hotel’s fabulous outdoor pool. You will get a glimpse of what awaits you as the day comes to an end. Be spoilt for choice between exotic flavours of Indian Chai tea or Berner Rosen and delicious home-

made pastries served during “The Alpina Tea Time”. And when the sun has set, take romance to another level and indulge in a romantic candle light dinner for two under the starry skies of Gstaad, toasting with nothing less than the unique “Cuvée 5 ans”, a delicious white wine and personal recommendation of Managing Director, Eric Favre.

After 24 years, the Saanenland could host the Tour de Suisse again on the 12 and 13 June. While it occasionally passed through our valley, two years ago it rolled through Saanen, it hadn’t stopped here for over two decades. Accordingly, the anticipation in the weeks before the event was palpable.

On Tuesday, the Tour arrived in the Saanenland and the cyclists passed the finishing line after a spectacular final round on the airfield in Saanen.

Despite the rainy weather, many vis-

itors cheered the cyclists on their last meters. On Wednesday, the next stage in the direction of Leukerbad took off from Gstaad. Before the race began officially, the peloton gave Gstaad the honour of riding through the Promenade.

Blanca Burri

LOCAL NEWS

TOUR DE SUISSE IN GSTAAD

An unusual sight in Gstaad that attracts many spectators: the peloton in the Promenade

Fans and organisers are happy with the event, which offered great entertainment and made the Saanenland a road cycling hub for two days.

MARKUS ISELI /AVS

A HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE ARNENSEE The village organisation of Gsteig-Feutersoey has launched a novel concept in the Saanenland – a carpool system. The carpool was inaugurated in late May, with the goal of transport to and from the Arnensee.

Carpool benches

The Feutersoey-Arnensee and back route may be accessed via two striking yellow benches labelled Mitfahrbänkli (ride along benches). If hikers and walkers wish to ride up to Arnensee, they simply sit on the bench and await a ride. In the other direction, there is a yellow bench at Arnensee, where people can wait for a ride downhill back to Feutersoey.

There is no obligation to transport carpool-seekers, says the accompanying brochure, though it suggests there are multiple benefits for those who stop and offer a ride.

Former bus service

Until a few years ago there was a summer bus service to Arnensee, but this had to be cancelled after the coffers showed an annual deficit. De-

spite multiple attempts, the bus service cannot at this time be renewed due to financial difficulties.

Landowners and other partners have all offered a hand with the new project. With the Mitfahrbänkli, there is now a pragmatic and cost-effective alternative to the bus.

ALEXIS MUNIER / AVS

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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SALES | RENTALS | ADMINISTRATION THE ADRESS FOR YOUR HOME IN GSTAAD SINCE 1970.

Gschwendstrasse 2 | CH-3780 Gstaad Tel. +41 33 748 45 50 | Fax. +41 33 748 45 51 info@gerax.ch | www.gerax.ch

ARNENSEE ROAD LANDSLIDE The Arnensee road has experienced more damage than in other years.

After the long snowy winter, the road was taken over by a landslide.

Walter Sumi, President of the Tschärzistal Road Association says, “We have been lucky for a few years”. The minimal snow that was received in the previous winters did little damage to the Arnensee road. The winter we have just experienced was different. There was a lot of snow, especially in the high regions. Due to the heavy snow and rain, the wet snow avalanches caused major damage to the road with four sections being impassable.

There have been specialists at work.

They first took care of stabilizing the slope by setting up wooden box enclosures at certain precarious places.

The next step was to clear the road.

This was a large job as around 100m3

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of debris had to be removed. It was not until this job was completed that the final assessment of how much damage the landslide had caused was realized. The last step is the replacement of the iron railing. This work will be finished by the end of June.

Despite the closure of the Arnensee road, access to the lake has always been possible via a bypass. But the transhumance of livestock was more laborious than usual and crossing is more difficult for cars. It is a priority that the usual road is back up and running by the beginning of the summer season.

SOPHIE RIEDER / AVS

Walter Sumi

LOCAL NEWS

Advertising

It’s the end of an era – the legendary Café du Cerf in Rougemont has turned a new page. In April, it was announced that long-time owners Jacqueline and Toni Hählen-Bach have passed the baton to Red Mountain Valrose SA, who aim to continue the restaurant in a similar style.

I

n 1958, Jakob (Köbi) and Alice Bach purchased the establishment in Rougemont. After just a short time, the café gained the reputation of a cosy, quality restaurant where one could feast on fondue or raclette while being serenaded by Köbi’s enthusiastic voice. All manner of clientele, from local farmers to visiting movie stars, frequented the Cerf.

Alice Bach worked as a sociable landlady, while Köbi worked as the host as well as a much-sought-after ski instructor and musician. His talent helped shape the restaurant into a popular meeting place and music venue.

Two decades ago, their daughter Jacqueline and her husband Toni Hählen took over the management, continuing in the same vein as her parents. Jacqueline provided for the

Jacqueline and Toni Hählen-Bach (above) and their staff (right) served and entertained their guests for decades.

Rolf Eicher

LOCAL NEWS

THE END OF AN ERA

physical comfort of guests, while Toni, a well-known accordion teacher, played in the evenings.

One of the secrets of Café du Cerf’s success was that it remained true – very few changes were made over the years and the restaurant kept its guiding principles. This was evident

in the long-serving staff members – Christina Gerber and Greti Willener – that spent decades in service.

Gerber was an employee for 35 years, while Willener had an incredible half-century run under her belt at the Cerf.

ALEXIS MUNIER / AVS

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For our first article of the 2018 summer season, Gstaadlife sat down with Boris Blatnik, Chief Strategy Officer for KannaSwiss, to talk about the rapidly expanding market for “cannabis lite”.

Thank you for meeting with GstaadLife. Can you tell us a bit about your connection to the region?

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived there until I was seven years old when my family moved to Gstaad. I attended JFK School in Saanen and later went to Aiglon College in Villars.

Now, my wife Luisa and I live in Gstaad and our son NiKo, who just turned five, attends Rütti Schule and our daughter Alexa, who just turned two, will start JFK Playschool in the fall.

What attracts you to the region?

I feel very connected to nature. Having grown up in the mountains, I always have a desire to return when I’m abroad. I like the family feeling here in Gstaad and reconnecting with friendly faces after having been away.

You are the Chief Strategy Officer for KannaSwiss, which produces CBD. Can you tell us more about CBD and how it differs from traditional marijuana?

Marijuana has two principal compounds: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives the psychoactive “high” and cannabidiol (CBD), which provides a plethora of health benefits.

CBD, the component that has been legalized in many countries including Switzerland, is a very effective anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety agent. Studies have also shown that it helps with illnesses such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

What is the legal status of medical marijuana in Switzerland?

Cannabis that contains more than 1% THC is classified as an illegal drug in Switzerland. Legal canna-

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bis (called CBD or medical cannabis) contains less than 1% THC (the psychoactive component). When you take CBD, you won't experience the typical “high” that is associated with marijuana. You will feel your body relaxing – I like to compare it to drinking a glass of wine.

KannaSwiss intentionally avoided graphics that hark back to the stereotypical marijuana culture and opted for a contemporary design instead.

In terms of the CBD oil, how does this fit within current Swiss legislation?

In Switzerland and Europe we are not allowed to label any product for consumable use as “CBD”. This is due to the fact that CBD is now in the “Novel Food” category in Europe and you need a license. You will notice that all our products are labeled “full hemp extract”. We eliminate the THC during the extraction process and this allows us to legally sell our brand in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Can you provide more details about your production?

Our plants are grown on organic farms in Switzerland and Spain, some in greenhouses but most outdoors. It's very important for us to maintain a high quality. KannaSwiss is a vertically integrated company – we manage the entire process “from seed to shelf”. By maintaining control of every step, we are able to ensure quality and consistency. We also test extensively to avoid the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, etc. There are various methods to extract the oils from the plant. We’ve found the ethanol-extraction process, followed by chromatography, to be the most effective. We are able to isolate and eliminate the THC while retaining

© Stefan Wermtuh

PROFILE

100% BENEFITS WITH 0% THC

the health-enhancing cannabinoids and terpenes.

How much of the base cannabis plant do you need to produce CBD oil?

You need approximately three hundred kilograms of biomass to produce one kilogram of 90% CBD oil.

How do you market your product?

We initially sold everything wholesale using a white-label model: we produced the oil and other companies marketed it under their respective brands. We did quite well with that but we are now making the move to distributing it ourselves under the KannaSwiss label. We market our full hemp extract in an array of formats: •

•

Tincture – this is a CBD extract blended with a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil; the coconut fat in the oil helps with absorption (bioavailability) of the CBD, which is fat-soluble; Water-soluble tincture – with a

This summer, KannaSwiss will be starting a large study in Switzerland with a prominent hospital where we'll be examining the effect of CBD on patients with multiple sclerosis.

We will also conduct a clinical trial in Mexico on the effect of CBD on depression and Parkinson's. KannaSwiss will sponsor the studies and provide the CBD for the trials.

How do people learn about the health benefits of CBD?

In Switzerland, the benefits of CBD have already been widely reported in the media and we're seeing an increase in new clients, particularly amongst the older segment of the population. People also learn about the health benefits of CBD through word-of-mouth and the Internet.

Once people try CBD, they are usually repeat customers and tend to share the health benefits they’ve experienced with friends and family. bioavailability of CBD that is four times greater than with the regular tincture; • Transdermal cream – a patented product that has a bioavailability of over 90%; • Chocolates; • Vape pen cartridges; • Other exciting soon-to-be-released formats.

How do you see the market evolving?

Initially, our primary focus was Switzerland. However, things evolved so rapidly in 2017 that we are now selling all over Europe. Our goal is to distribute, primarily, through a network of pharmacies and health stores. We are currently negotiating with a group that comprises over 500 pharmacies in Switzerland. We also have business developments in France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US. Now that cannabis lite is legal within Switzerland, do you see more clinical trials developing?

Why do you think so many people are turning to using your products instead of pharmaceutical drugs?

I think interest has been fueled by news of the current opiate pandemic and the number of overdose incidents – statistics show that somebody dies of an overdose every 90 seconds. Many people don't want to take opium-based painkillers because they are afraid they may get addicted. So they ask themselves: why not try something natural that can really help? As mammals, we have an endo-cannabinoid system (ECS); it plays an important role in the regulation of endocrine functions and the control of energy balance.

Your company is very young and evolving rapidly. Where do you see yourselves in the next five years?

I can't really look that far ahead.

Five years in this business is a lifetime. The progress over the last five years has been dramatic. In the next couple of years, KannaSwiss should grow substantially and be at the forefront of the industry. We have strong

contacts in South America and some large companies are asking us to take our products to the United States, so I definitely see ourselves expanding internationally.

What do you feel gives you a competitive advantage in the market?

There are a few factors: • The high quality of our full hemp extract and the fact that it is produced in Switzerland: it lives up to the values that people look for in “Swiss made”. We strive to always provide the best quality and most effective products in the market.

• Our cutting edge delivery methods: we're always looking for new and novel ways to introduce CBD into the body. I don’t believe that you will find another patented product on the market such as our water-soluble CBD or our transdermal creams.

• Our visual identity: we made a decision to stay away from the stereotypic graphics of the cannabis/ marijuana culture, the 60s tie-dye look. We chose a more sophisticated, contemporary design that people are attracted to and our packaging is simple – it’s reassuring and unaggressive.

Can you tell us a little about the company itself?

We are situated halfway between Bern and Zurich, in a town called Kölliken. We have 15 full-time employees and another six part-time workers who join us depending on what needs to be done, as in the case of a harvest.

My last question: where is the best place for our readers to find out more about your range and perhaps purchase your products?

Definitely the best place would be online at our shop: www.kannaswiss.com. And starting this autumn, readers will also be able to find our products in pharmacies across Switzerland.

GUY GIRARDET

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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Blanca Burri

GSTA AD LIVING

FIGHTING FOOD WASTE IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

The interest group Procurement Hotel Association Gstaad-Saanenland (IG) wants to reduce food waste in hotels. For a month, food waste was weighed – and the results were astounding. Now all manner of solutions are under discussion, from serving smaller portions to eliminating fresh orange juice.

E

ight hotels in the Saanenland participated in a month-long food waste investigation: Gstaad Palace, Hotel Arc-en-Ciel, Hotel Bernerhof, Hotel Gstaaderhof, Hotel Kernen, Hotel Olden, Huus Gstaad, and Romantik Hotel Hornberg. All leftover food was weighed for four weeks and documented, with the company United Against Waste evaluating the data. The information was presented to hoteliers and chefs in the Saanenland in March.

A total of 60,305 meals were cooked, producing a total of 17.5 tonnes of waste.

This is an average of 116g per plate, which is about 40% above the Swiss average. A whopping 80g per meal are thrown away. Industry professionals agreed on several reasons for this waste including: happy people on holiday order more than they eat, fresh fruit and other delicate food spoils quickly – especially when presented on a buffet, and buffets make it easier for guests to serve themselves more than they can finish.

Additional fees

Disposal fees alone range from CHF 230 per 1000kg, making the hotel industry fork out approximately CHF 4000 per month simply on excess garbage.

But with the testing month came a newfound awareness. Companies were initially sceptical, yet saw the tremendous waste with new eyes. After a short time implementing measurements and tightening workflow, they realized that the additional time spent tracking food waste was not as costly as management had feared.

Food waste actually dropped by 20% in the last week of the test phase, as kitchens learned which dishes were more likely to be ordered, which were consumed in their entirety, and which food left uneaten. Some of the biggest sources of waste were fresh orange juice and the resulting peels for disposal.

Christian Ecoeur of United Against Waste suggested that instead of producing

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fresh juice, hotels bought quality juice from a supplier, leaving the supplier to dispose of the waste more efficiently. Not surprisingly, this suggestion was not immediately accepted. The IG will consider it but also investigate other options to reduce fruit waste.

Other solutions proposed by Ecoeur include serving smaller portions, which comes with its own risks. At the high prices of Saanenland cuisine, the last thing customers want is hunger after a smaller than expected meal and feel they’re being taken advantage of. They would expect to pay less for less food, critics hypothesized.

End results

All in all, the experiment has taught hotels how to produce less waste.

To maintain this, a regular survey and evaluation by a specialist firm was discussed but ultimately decided against.

There are also other measures, for example a self-constructed monitoring system, which would still keep the issue at the forefront of local discussion. In any case, the reduction of food waste is expected to continue, as consciousness has already been significantly increased in this short time.

ALEXIS MUNIER / AVS

Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

GSTA AD LIVING

TRANSHUMANCE, COWS, DOGS AND ALP PASTURES It’s the time of year when hikers, mountaineers and cyclist are likely to come across cattle that moves from one place to another, or one passes them as they are grazing around their temporary abode on the medium pastures or the alp pas-

Landwirtschaftliche Vereinigung

tures. Here is how you make sure that all encounters with cows and calves will be pleasant and make for a good holiday memory.

T

he agricultural society Saanenland and the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals Saanenland issued some basic rules to avoid upsetting cows and their young ones. Cattle is known to be calm, peaceful and placid. Under certain circumstances they may feel threatened or be upset, though. With three simple rules this can be avoided.

grazing. The dog is to be kept on the leash and taken on the side averted from the animals.

Dogs on the leash

So, as cute as a young calf may be, one should never get too close to them, let alone pet them. The mother cow may interpret this as a threat and defend her offspring.

Whenever dog owners cross a transhumance, they should take the dog on the leash and keep some distance to the cattle. Some cows may not be used to dogs, which can be a threat for them. If dogs are not used to cattle, they may bark and thus cause some turmoil among the cows or, in the worst case, trigger an escape reaction.

AvS

Our canine friends also profit if we keep them at a distance from our bovine friends. The bells and trychels of a whole herd of cows on the move makes a lot of noise. And if this doesn’t seem so to some humans, it will to dogs. The noise may hurt a dog’s sensitive hearing or cause reactions its holder doesn’t anticipate.

The same rule applies when crossing an alpine pasture where cows are

Respect mother cows

Cows are calm and placid. Sometimes they even seem indifferent, if one looks at them through an all too human lens. When their young ones seem threatened, however, even a cow will show her unpleasant side.

We are guests

The pastures are their home. That’s where the cows spend several months a year and that’s how we as visitors should treat it. We are all welcome guests on the mountains but what if a cow lies in the middle of the footpath? Just walk around her, the experts say. It’s her home and she is entitled to lie wherever her fancy guides her.

With these few rules in mind cows, people and dogs will easily get along with each other and enjoy a splendid summer.

MARKUS ISELI / AVS

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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week with light wind in Hyeres in April, Mateo Sanz Lanz on the Windsurf RS: X took second place in a veritable show of strength at the Medal Race and moved up a place in the final standings (9th place). Eliot Merceron achieved a bronze medal in the Laser in the Medemblik Regatta in the Netherlands in May.

Sebastian Devenisch / GYC

SPORTS & LEISURE

FROM WORLD-CLASS CENTENARIANS AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONS – SPRINGTIME 2018 AT THE GYC

Over the past three months the Gstaad Yacht Clubs sailing activities concluded with congratulations for various achievements – European Champions, the Centenarian Award in London and worldwide sailing successes of our racing members.

European Junior Champion

In March, GYC Racing Team member Nils Theuninck won the Finn Junior European Champion title for which 91 athletes competed in Cádiz, Spain. With winds up to 30 knots the final race on Saturday could not take place. With just one point ahead of last year’s winner Henry Wetherell, Britain, Nils took the victory after eight races.

“I am totally exhausted after one week of racing and long days on the water. I gave everything, and it fortunately paid off in the end”, states the 21-year-old racing team member.

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GstaadLife 3 I 2018

“I am very happy to have reached all my goals. Especially if I think back to the tricky situation at the end of the third day, when I broke my mast completely on the way back to the harbour. Thank god I could repair it overnight provisionally and start with a loaned sail from a rival the next day. As the material in the Finn class is tuned to the athlete it was difficult in the beginning but I got used to it quickly.”

Further success followed for Nils Theuninck, who is also a member of the Team Tilt sailing squad, which won the GC32 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy, in May. Team Alinghi, skippered by Ernesto Bertarelli came in GC32 WC 4th overall and 1st of the owner-driver.

Progress on the way to the Olympics

Other GYC Racing Team members are also advancing on their way to Tokyo 2020 and proved their talents in several regattas. After a difficult

The next generation Laser Sailors were very successful in Oostende in the Lasers Radial Europa Cup over Pentecost. Emma Savelon from Belgium won, closely followed by GYC member Joshua Richner, Switzerland. GYC sport member Gauthier Verhulst came in seventh. A week later Joshua and Gauthier became second and third in the Swiss Championship in Lugano.

Centenarian of the Year Award

The Classic Boat Awards ceremony was held on 3 April 2018 at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, in Knightsbridge, London. Guests included Royal Thames’ Vice Commodore George Ehlers and Gstaad Yacht Club’s Rear Commodore Manrico Iachia. Around 130 classic boat owners, designers, builders and other key individuals involved in the classic boat world travelled from Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, the Caribbeans and the USA to join the ceremony.

The GYC Centenarian of the Year Award went to Folly, a Charles Nicholson design from 1909. Sailed in authentic fashion, with no winches and period fittings, it is raced widely on the Med classic circuit, often winning against more modern boats, and often with the owner, naval architect Germán Frers at the helm.

GSTAAD YACHT CLUB

SPORTS & LEISURE

BACSINSZKY RETURNS TO GSTAAD Tournament ambassador Timea Bacsinszky, defending champion Kiki Bertens, and former Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur have confirmed their participation in the third edition of the Ladies Championship Gstaad. Canton Vaud native Stan Wawrinka had planned to play the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad but had to cancel due to health issues.

Swiss Tournament Ambassador

After Timea Bacsinszky (WTA 63) had to cancel the Ladies Championship Gstaad last year due to injury, a return to the court in Saanenland was clear to her this year. “I am all

the more motivated now and I will do everything to be able to play my best tennis again in Gstaad”, she said confidently. Two other Swiss players, Stefanie Vögele and Vikrorija Golubic, also confirmed participation.

Defending Champion

Last year’s winner, Kiki Bertens (WTA 18), will try to repeat her triumphant participation. Most recently, she made it to the final in the Madrid tournament in early May. The 26-year-old Dutch woman may be remembered by the Gstaad audience, as she won the tournament in the doubles last year in addition to the individual victory. Her final opponent last summer was Anett Kontaveit (WTA 25), the 22 year-old player from Estonia who attracted attention this spring when she moved to the semi-finals both in Stuttgart and in Rome.

Valeriano Di Domenico

No return of Wawrinka

There was a high level of anticipation for the projected participation of Wawrinka. Prior to his cancellation he stated that playing in the Bernese Alps in front of his home crowd “is a great motivation.” Wawrinka has always attracted a sizeable fan base to the events here, where he reached the final in 2005 and won the semi-final in 2008.

The men's Open will feature last year’s winner, Fabio Fognini (ITA, ATP 19), Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP, ATP 14) as well as the Russian hopeful and finalist of Next Gen ATP Finals Andrey Rublev (ATP 31).

Family offers

This year there are several discounts that will help families to better attend. Teenagers and young adults up to 25 years old receive a 50% discount on all tickets, while children up to 10 years old are free.

Tickets are available from CHF 75 upward for the final, and on Family Day Tuesday, 24 July families of two adults and unlimited children may visit for a total price of CHF 130.

ALEXIS MUNIER / AVS

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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Good news reach GstaadLife from the local racer Karim Ojjeh. The first June weekend he excelled on the Paul Ricard race track. Hold on tight as his race report takes us through the qualifyings and the main race.

Jorge Gil

SPORTS & LEISURE

POLE POSITION FOR KARIM OJJEH

We went testing with Philip Eng, BMW works driver, 10 days prior to the meeting and felt reasonable confident for the weekend. So when I entered the circuit on Friday morning, it was a great feeling being back so quickly. But, and there is a but, we were surprised that the lap times were 2 seconds slower. Was it the tarmac, the tires, the warm weather or the GT3 that had been on track before us? We started the second free practice with new tires. We were faster, regaining the good sensation we had during our test with Philip, finishing P2!

In the qualifying, which followed shortly after the free practice, for some reason the pace was not there and I only finished P8. Only when I entered the pits did I realise that I had done the entire qualifying in Map 6.

There are a number of different settings on the car, one of which is a Map setting, which sets different engine power. Map 1, is the highest engine power Map with the most performance and Map 6 is used when behind the safety car, so the least power. We calculated a loss of 0.70 to 0.75 seconds, which would have put me in either P1 or P2. The team manager was very unhappy, considering all the time and effort we had put ten days earlier during our test.

For the qualifying race the objective was simple – P4, which I managed 0.2 seconds behind the Ferrari. P1 and P2 where under investigation for a false start. The car in pole had

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accelerated too early, and the car in second went behind him prior to the lights turning green. They both received a 30 second penalty which placed them P11 and P12 respectively, giving me P2 for the main race.

The objective of the main race was to win. I was very lucky at the start.

The pole man was a little ahead of

me. We entered the first corner together, but I exited the second corner ahead, P1. From there I just needed to focus and build a lead. I did and won by 11.2 seconds.

It was the best race weekend I have had in a very long time!

KARIM OJJEH

Graff

LIFEST YLE

The sense of unbridled freedom that we feel when admiring large-scale artworks is captured in a pair of dramatic ruby and diamond earrings that spiral downwards, culminating in a radiant pear shape ruby.

Laurence Graff OBE, chairman of Graff, has a deep and enduring appreciation of the masters who revolutionised the 20th century art scene.

His own collection includes modern and contemporary masterpieces, including oeuvres by Cy Twombly, whose work inspired a recent collection of jewels.

The calligraphic artworks of Twombly and other artists formed the starting point for the designers at Graff, who

FREE FLOWING JEWELS have envisaged a collection of contemporary masterpieces, where the spontaneity of the gesture – the impromptu line animating the pieces – is painted in scintillating gemstones.

Mirroring the flow of paint on canvas, Graff’s master mounters have painstakingly hand-set baguette cut rubies and diamonds invisibly so that free-flowing forms daubed on vast canvases become seamless swirls of gems.

I am absolutely delighted with the new jewels, which capture succinctly what I love most about modern art: the spontaneity.

LAURENCE GRAFF OBE, CHAIRMAN OF GRAFF

Graff

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Graff’s classic yet imaginative design aesthetic is perfectly captured in these precious doodles.

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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LIFEST YLE

FRAUENVEREIN SAANEN: 101 YEARS, AND GOING STRONG It all started with two Swiss francs and an egg.

Those were the dues on 18 November 1917 when Frau Pfarrer Maria Lauterburg chaired the first meeting of the Saanen Frauenverein, or women's association. The egg was included because members thought that it wouldn't make much difference to individual households, and it would supply eggs for a planned cooking class. From the beginning, the main focus of the association has been on social issues and education.

The economic crisis of the 1920s and 1930s hit Switzerland hard, especially in the mountain valleys. In response, the Hausweberei (home weavery) initiative was founded by the group in 1928. The women's weaving work was ideally suited for the members' household schedules and child care, and it supplemented the often-small income of the main family breadwinner, the father. The start-up money for the weaving initiative was provided by the Frauenverein. Since 1931, the weaving committee, subsequently renamed the Heimatwerk, has been located in the same homey building in the middle of Saanen village, and remains an offshoot of the Frauenverein.

1934 saw the foundation of the Brockenstube, a so-called 'scrap room' or secondhand shop, the best income source for the Frauenverein to this day. The Wäschhüsi (washing house), next door to the pastor's house in Saanen, was its first home.

Today, the ‘Brocki’ is located near the river by Saanen’s Bahnhof, and is open twice a week on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons,

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every first Saturday of the month, and on market days. In addition to the Brockenstube, the Frauenverein operates the Rapunzel, a secondhand shop open Friday afternoons at the old hospital where one can find children’s toys and equipment. The Frauenverein also runs stalls at the Saanen and Gstaad markets, and is present at the Gstaader Messe, Gstaad’s biennial trade fair.

Throughout the years, the Frauenverein Saanen has adapted to ever-increasing current needs. If during the war years members were busy knitting warm socks for brave Swiss soldiers, today many women offer their services in a variety of capacities.

The Mittagstisch ('lunch table') provides lunch to seniors every Thursday at the Kirchgemeindehaus Gstaad for CHF 10.–, as well as lunch for upper-school students four times a week in Ebnit. For senior-home residents, there is a Zvieri afternoon tea, and the group also makes birthday and other visits to the elderly in the community. A plethora of other activities includes Gesundheitsturnen (‘health workout programs’), therapy for the learning disabled, and financial and legal aid to needy individuals to name just a few.

Another important contribution is the association’s program of over 45 diverse course offerings, rang-

ing from calligraphy and decorative craft to massage. Course information can be found on the group’s website, and is publicized quarterly in the Frauenverein’s newsletter, Trittbrett.

Additionally, ads for courses and other current activities appear in the Anzeiger von Saanen.

The Frauenverein Saanen has over 900 members and is currently one of the largest Frauenvereine in Switzerland. Membership is open to anyone, even men, and dues are CHF 20.– per year (egg no longer required).

Group members volunteer approximately 8,300 hours per year, and the Frauenverein is able to donate about CHF 60’000.– annually to the region’s needy and institutions primarily in the Saanenland. Because of the profits generated by the Brockenstube and other sources, the Frauenverein Saanen can fund its social efforts without any government assistance and provide financial help to those in need.

The Frauenverein Saanen fills many crucial community needs. Donations to this worthy organization are always welcome. Special thanks to President Andrea Maurer and Treasurer Patricia Dönier for their assistance with this article.

ALEX BERTEA

www.frauenverein-saanen.ch

A

friend once told me you should never do yourself what you can get others to do for you. Especially when it comes to home renovations.

But when you’re the daughter of a builder (me), married to the son of a builder (my husband), there’s not much chance of that. For us, ‘do-ityourself’ (DIY) home improvement is simply a way of life. I still remember the morning my father decided to knock down a wall separating our kitchen and dining room hours before my asthmatic grandmother came for lunch. DIY is a way of life.

So, when my husband and I decided to renovate a bathroom in our Rougemont chalet we didn’t even consider employing contractors.

We’d just re-built a house in the States after all. A bathroom would be a piece of cake, we confidently predicted.

What we hadn’t factored into the equation was that we were now in Switzerland, where the DIY market is far less developed than in the US or UK. On the tiles

The decision made, we got straight down to work, enthusiastically jack-hammering the garish floral tiles into a heap of crushed masonry.

Next it was time to go shopping. We weren’t after anything fancy, just a few boxes of plain cream tiles. Easy.

The garish floral tiles halfway down

Anna Charles

COLUMN

EXPAT ADVENTURES

drove further and further afield in our quest for tiles until eventually some kind soul told us about Hornbach. While not exactly in our back yard (the journey to Villeneuve via Aigle takes over an hour), it did mean we could drop in and buy what we needed when we needed. We were sorted.

Hallelujah, Mr Hauswirth!

But even Hornbach couldn’t help us when it came to the bathroom plumbing. Our chalet had been built in the 1970s and the piping was made of steel instead of the more modern copper. Worse, we would also need specialist tools, costing thousands of francs, to complete jobs that would take a few hours at most.

We could, of course, have hired contractors with the necessary tools and experience, but by now this had become ‘our’ project. To paraphrase a certain Mr Sinatra, we wanted to do it ‘our way’.

Or so we thought.

We were used to being surrounded

by DIY megastores offering all the materials you would need for such a project, direct from stock. Too late we realised it doesn’t work that way around here. We now had an outof-action bathroom and faced lead times of four weeks or more. We

Enter stage right: Mr Hauswirth.

What an excellent fellow.

Although Mr Hauswirth runs a commercial plumbing company, not a retail enterprise open to the public, he offered to help. He’d sell us the bits of specialist piping and connectors that we needed, and would even lend us

the all-important tools. “Just come to my workshop at 6 tomorrow morning,” he told my husband, somewhat cryptically.

Why 6am, we wondered. It seemed an awfully specific time, not to mention an awfully early time.

All was revealed the following day.

The workshop’s car park was packed with vehicles and the underground stock room a hive of activity as Mr Hauswirth’s crews scurried here and there, loading up their vans for the day’s jobs. They observed my husband with bemused glances as he went from shelf to shelf, feeling a bit of a spare part himself. But by the end of our bathroom project he was on smiling and head-nodding terms with many of the Hauswirth team, with one plumber even asking if he was looking for a job.

Thanks to people like Mr Hauswirth and the knowledge that Hornbach lies just across the mountain range, DIY around here isn’t impossible. But in retrospect perhaps my friend was right. So, when we moved to Gstaad we chose an apartment that required no renovation, my husband stored his tools and our jaunts to Hornbach ceased. But for how long?

ANNA CHARLES

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

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GSTAADLIFE IS AVAILABLE IN THESE HOTELS Gstaad Palace 033 748 50 00, info@palace.ch

Hotel des Alpes Saanenmöser 033 748 04 50, info@desalpes.ch

Le Grand Bellevue 033 748 00 00, info@bellevue-gstaad.ch

Hotel Spitzhorn 033 748 41 41, spitzhorn@spitzhorn.ch

Park Gstaad 033 748 98 00, info@parkgstaad.ch

Hotel Alpenland 033 765 91 34, hotel@alpenland.ch

The Alpina Gstaad 033 888 98 88, info@thealpinagstaad.ch

Hotel Bellerive 033 748 88 33, info@bellerive-gstaad.ch

Ultima Gstaad 033 748 05 50, info@ultimagstaad.com ERMITAGE, Wellness- & Spa Hotel 033 748 04 30, welcome@ermitage.ch

Member of Design Hotels

TM

026 921 01 01, info@hotelderougemont.com Huus Gstaad 033 748 04 04, welcome@huusgstaad.com Boutique Hotel Alpenrose 033 748 91 91, info@hotelalpenrose.ch Hotel Arc-en-Ciel 033 748 43 43, info@arc-en-ciel.ch Hotel Bernerhof 033 748 88 44, info@bernerhof-gstaad.ch Hotel Christiania 033 744 51 21, info@christiania.ch Hotel Gstaaderhof 033 748 63 63, info@gstaaderhof.ch Hotel Le Grand Chalet 033 748 76 76, hotel@grandchalet.ch

Hotel Ermitage 026 924 25 00, info@hotelermitage.ch Hotel Kernen 033 748 40 20, info@hotel-kernen.ch

Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaad 033 748 68 68, mail@golfhotel.ch Hotel de Rougemont

Hotel Alphorn 033 748 45 45, office@alphorn-gstaad.ch

Hotel Landhaus 033 748 40 40, info@landhaus-saanen.ch Hotel Saanerhof 033 744 15 15, hotel@saanerhof.ch Posthotel Rössli 033 748 42 42, info@posthotelroessli.ch Sporthotel Victoria 033 748 44 22, info@victoria-gstaad.ch

Lions Club Gstaad-Saanenland Meetings each first and third week of the month on Thursdays, either at 12 noon for lunch or at 7 pm for dinner.

Meetings in Ermitage, Wellness & Spa Hotel, Schönried, 033 748 60 60.

For details and programme contact Arthur Reuteler, president, 033 744 51 33, info@bikesport-reuteler.ch, gstaad-saanenland.lionsclub.ch.

Soroptimist International President: Ursula Breuninger 033 744 05 80 Programme: Patricia Glauser Edreira 076 426 16 11 Club des Leaders President: Jean-Sébastien Robine www.clubdesleaders.com contact@clubdesleaders.com

IMPORTANT NUMBERS Ambulance 144, Police 117 Fire 118

Dental Emergency: 033 729 26 26 Police Station: 033 356 84 31

Hotel Restaurant Bären 033 755 10 33, welcome@baerengsteig.ch

Car Accident: 033 744 88 80

Hotel Geltenhorn 033 765 35 91, brand@hotel-geltenhorn.ch

Château-d’Oex Hospital: 026 923 43 43

Hotel Valrose 026 923 77 77, welcome@hotelvalrose.ch Hotel Viktoria 033 755 10 34, hotel_viktoria@bluewin.ch Hotel Wildhorn 033 765 30 12, hotel@wildhorn.ch

Romantik Hotel Hornberg 033 748 66 88, willkommen@hotel-hornberg.ch

Jugendherberge Gstaad Saanenland 033 744 13 43, gstaadsaanenland@ youthhostel.ch

GstaadLife 3 I 2018

Rotary Club Gstaad-Saanenland Meetings every Monday 12 noon Gstaad Palace (033 748 50 00), President: Rot. Pascal R. J. Rey (079 776 66 02) Secretary: Rot. Markus Iseli (033 748 92 08)

Medical Emergency: 0900 57 67 47 Alpine Lodge B&B 033 748 41 51, info@alpinelodge.ch

Hotel Olden 033 748 49 50, info@hotelolden.com

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CLUBS

Zweisimmen Hospital: 033 729 26 26

Veterinarian: 033 748 08 58 / 033 744 06 61

CHURCH SERVICES St Peter's Anglican Church English-Speaking, Château-d’Oex Service every Sunday, 5.30 pm www.stpeters.ch Contact: cliveatkinson@bluewin.ch

23rd June – Early September: Outdoor Pool Season

Take a swim in our olympic outdoor pool surrounded by the beautiful alpine scenery and treat yourself to a break at our snack bar. Our pool is open every day from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm (weather permitting).

Every Sunday in July and August (Except 19th August): Palace Brunch

Is there any better way than kicking off a Sunday morning with a big buffet and grilled specialties on our sunny terrace, accompanied by Swiss live music and entertainment for young guests? Welcome to our Sunday Brunch!

This Summer Season: A touch of India at the Gstaad Palace

This summer, the creations of our Indian chef Ravi are served daily on the Palace's traditional menu of Le Grand Restaurant. Don’t miss a visit on our La Grande Terrace - not only to enjoy the wonderful summertime, but also to indulge in fragrant ingredients and exotic aromas surrounded by a beautiful mountain vista.

13th July – 1st September: Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Academy

Let your classical evening end with culinary delights and stunning views on our terrace – our Grand Restaurant remains open longer during the Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Academy.

27th July: White Night and season opening GreenGo night club

Be part of our traditional season kicking off White Night at the GreenGo night club and dance the night away at Gstaad’s place to be since 1971!

1st August: Swiss National Day

Celebrate Switzerland’s 727th birthday together with the Scherz family along a cocktail reception followed by a buffet of Swiss and international specialties, the traditional fireworks as well as a night of celebration at the Lobby Bar and our GreenGo night club.

5th August: Palace Kid’s Grand Prix

Big day for our small guests! Our inaugural Palace Kid’s Grand Prix with DJ, snacks and way more will create a fun atmosphere.

11th August: Chill-Out Pool Party

Craving for Hawaiian vibes in the middle of the mountains? Join our Chill-Out Pool Party at our Olympic-sized outdoor pool from 6.00 pm onwards. Tropical beats from our resident DJ, a welcome cocktail and a small surprise are waiting for you.

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