GSTAADLIFE, 5. August 2016 by Müller Medien

P R O M E N A D E 2 , 3 7 8 0 G S TA A D T E L + 4 1 3 3 7 3 3 8 11 0 T H E A L P I N A G S TA A D , A L P I N A S T R A S S E 2 3 , 3 7 8 0 G S TA A D T E L + 4 1 3 3 7 4 4 7 4 8 0

August 5, 2016 - Issue 5 – CHF 3.50

NUMBER ONE FAN

Cécile's Words of Wisdom

MORE TO LOVE

Savour the Saveurs

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The Tyre that Binds

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GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

The RE/MAX Collection Gstaad c/o Grand Hotel Park | Wispilenstrasse 29 3780 Gstaad | Switzerland

Photo: AvS

Spokesmen of the Saanenland This issue has a focus on the people, places, and things that serve as representatives of our region. From Charly’s to the Palace to the humble Saanen goat, there are a wealth of classic institutions that people around the world associate with the Saanenland. As a testament to Gstaad’s commitment to continual improvement, new offerings hope to attract even more future residents and guests from around the world. Everything Old is New Again Gstaad’s iconic Charly’s is back in business after a renovation and new ownership. Some patrons might be nostalgic for the former café’s pretty blue colour scheme, but otherwise, not much has changed. Except maybe the coffee… the switch to illy brand beans is welcome news for lovers of a dark, rich cup of Joe. If you’re looking to add a little colour to your life, be sure to visit sculptor Alexander Calder’s installations throughout the Saanenland. In fact, if you haven’t seen one of these bright, enormous creations yet, you just might have your eyes closed. Be sure to check out our guide to appreciating his works in this issue. Tradition at its Best After a tumultuous past few years, the Hotel Wildhorn is back with new managers and a new focus on providing a traditional

experience. With old-time favourites like fondue on the menu and performances of Swiss folk music, the couple are ensuring those who like their Saanenland in its classic form won't be disappointed. One new event is certain to become a lasting tradition–the Gstaad Palace-Challenge. This year marks the second edition of the vintage car course, highlighting the unique blend of sports and leisure embodied by Gstaad itself. Change is in the Air In a historic first, a Chinese polo star will join the Hublot Gold Cup Polo Gstaad. In addition to seeing some of the most magnificent polo ponies and thrilling matches, we’ll get a taste of the truly international flavour of the tournament. Other firsts in this issue include a report on the tennis fever that hit the Saanenland for two weeks in July. With the successful re-launch of the ladies tournament and another exciting men’s championship, Gstaad might just be crowned the “King of Village Tennis.” Familiar Faces, Familiar Songs The region’s oldest music festival, Menuhin Festival Gstaad, opened with great fanfare last month, and the family was on hand to share in the special programme of memorial concerts in Yehudi

Menuhin’s honour. From a terrific performance of a hymn by original festival performer Benjamin Britten to a heartto-heart speech from Menuhin’s grandson, the two-month long celebration appears set to continue in fine fashion. After their chance meeting at another local concert, Januaria Piromallo presents the self-declared number one fan of GSTAADLIFE, Cécile Ringgenberg. A native of the Bernese Oberland, Ringgenberg lives just across the mountain in Les Diablerets but enjoys all the music, art, and culture that the Saanenland has to offer. So whether you’re a fan of the traditional or the modern–or hopefully, have the good sense to try them both on for size– get out there and explore Gstaad’s current offerings, in all the the splendour of a Saanenland summer.

Best regards, Alexis Munier Editor in Chief

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Photo: Diana Thermiotis D’Hendecourt subtlepatterns.com

READER'S PAGE Your Vision of Gstaad

On the day of the tennis finals, we installed the “fender blender”, our smoothie-making bicycle, in front of Maison Lorenz Bach on the Promenade. This photo displays Gstaad at its very best–a blend of young and old, of tradition and modernity. Just as a client was pedalling furiously to blend her choice of ingredients into a delicious smoothie, a local goat herder with a furry companion in tow stopped to witness this unusual scene. That’s part of what makes the region so special… it’s a place where locals and guests from all walks of life can chat over a cold beer–or freshly blended smoothie! –Diana Thermiotis D’Hendecourt is a locally based entrepreneur and mother of three. She and friend Blanca Brillembourg debuted Glow, Gstaad’s first and only cold-press raw food healthbar, three years ago. Now based at Viktoriastrasse 1, Glow serves up smoothies with tasty names like Very Berry, Peachy Keen, and Cocoa Shake, as well as a selection of organic soups and salads. When she’s not pedalling the “fender blender”, Diana enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family in Greece.

If you would like to share your photograph of the Saanenland, please send it with your contact details and a brief description to info@gstaadlife.ch.

Photo: AvS

Magazine

3 Letter from the Editor by Alexis Munier 4 Reader's Page 22 Events Calendar

Local News

Photo: AvS / Archiv

6 A Fortnight of Tennis Fever 7 Saveurs Gstaad Spreads its Wings 7 Charly's Chocolate Factory 9 All About Tradition

Gstaad Living

10 Summer Series – Architecture 11 Glory Be to Goats

Profile

12 The Tyre that Binds - Interview with Luca and Romeo Cairoli

Arts & Culture

Photo: zvg

14 Calder Heats Up Gstaad Landscapes 15 Requiem for a Dream Violinist 17 Bell Exhibition in Saanen

Sports & Leisure

17 Joint Effort to Host 2019 Games 19 Rally for Bon Vivants 19 Year of the Horse

Lifestyle

21 Number One Fan Cécile Ringgenberg

19 Read

Cover Photo: ©Luca and Romeo Cairoli www.lucacairoli.ch / www.bikeparkgstaad.com

at www.gstaadlife.com

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CONTENTS // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Photos: AvS

Swiss champion of the Ladies Championship Gstaad, Viktorija Golubic.

A Fortnight of Tennis Fever Gstaad Tournaments a Resounding Success

Tennis fever hit the Saanenland for two weeks as the newly resurrected Ladies Championship Gstaad came to town in mid-July, followed by a week of challenging mens matches at the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad. While the tournament saw fewer spectators view the matches in Roy Emerson arena, post-event reporting has shown a positive outcome. BY GSTA ADLIFE

Ladies on Top Despite inclement weather that resulted in the postponement of several games, the ladies tournament was popular amongst fans, with over 11500 spectators in attendance. The rain was so heavy that some fans waited out the storms in local cafés and shops. Although the tournament ended with a deficit of nearly a half million francs, according to tournament director Jeff Collet, it was a successful first edition. “ We saw wonderful ladies tennis in Gstaad,” said Collet, “and with the strength of the Swiss players, were able to sell another round of tickets.” Highlights of the weeklong event included the triumph of two Swiss nationals–

Viktorija Golubic and Xenia Knoll. Golubic beat the Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens to win the singles, while Knoll and her Spanish partner, Lara Arruabarrena, aced the doubles portion aced opponents Annika Beck (GER) and Evgeniya Rodina (RUS).

Next year’s tournament dates are already set. The Ladies Championship Gstaad will run from 15 to 23 July 2017, and the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open will follow from 22 to 30 July 2017.

Tenth Times’ the Charm Unpredictable weather also plagued the men’s tournament and fewer spectators attended than were expected, the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open rose to the highest level of sporting competition. This marked the first tournament since private bank J. Safra Sarasin became title sponsor. Competition favourite Spaniard Feliciano Lopez emerged as the winner, taking the title after a thrilling final with Robin Haase. The 191 cm tall Haase, a native of the Netherlands, towered over his opponent–yet Lopez managed to win two sets, 6:4 and 7:5, to clinch the top spot at the podium. Lopez, who was ranked 22 worldwide at the start of the tournament, played in Gstaad for the tenth time in his career. In all, attendance was down 20% for the men’s tournament, presumably due to the weather and the fact that it is an Olympic year.

LOCAL NEWS // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Spain's Feliciano Lopez is Gstaad's number one.

Saveurs Gstaad Spreads its Wings For two decades, Saveurs Gstaad has delighted foodies in the Saanenland. The festival has been an integral part of Gstaad’s culinary offerings, bringing star chefs in for guest stints at local establishments.

Photo: Lukas Neuhaus

Fine Food Event Expands to Include More Offerings

BY GSTA ADLIFE

Now, 20 years after its conception, Saveurs Gstaad has parted with its original sponsor, Davidoff, and now includes fine food throughout the year rather than a concentrated block of ten days. Gourmet Year-Round Beginning now, the celebrated gourmet weeks have become a full gourmet year. The new concept allows a greater diversity of events and meals for connoisseurs. "We want the rest of Gstaad’s seasons to serve as a playground for enjoyment and care," says Thomas Frei, one of the festival’s founders. "The new Saveurs is more diversified and surprising." Saveurs Gstaad will select famous guest chefs and guest winemakers to present

Hans Peter Ruetli, left, and Thomas Frei, right, founded the festival two decades ago haute cuisine Gstaad’s finest establishments as well as something as simple as a beer with Cervelat grilled on a kindling fire in the Saanenländer Alps. More than Meals In addition to classic culinary meals, the Saveurs Gstaad 2016 will incorporate events such as a golf tournament,

train ride to the late Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs’ chalet, and a “tourism talk” with prominent speakers. According to the organisers, strengthening ties to the region is very important, including partnerships with regional caterers as well as hotels and more. www.saveurs-gstaad.ch

Charly's Chocolate Factory Iconic Café Reopens After Renovation

Charly’s, the legendary Gstaad café, reopened in July after a threemonth renovation. The tea-room has served as a unique meeting place for locals and guests alike for nearly a century. BY GSTA ADLIFE

Christa Hauswirth and Helmut Haldi are proudly running the café as a team, while the property, Charly’s Gstaad AG, is now owned by an investor group that includes Marcel Bach, Chaletbau Matti, and Dr Jamal Kaddaj. Hauswirth, a longtime Bach employee, manages the front of the house, staff, and service, while Haldi is responsible for production. A baker and confiseur by trade, Haldi brings eight years of experience gained at Early Beck to Charly's kitchen.

How Now, Brown Cow? Current management was able to keep Charly’s bustling ambience and signature baked goods, but some changes to the café will not go unnoticed by patrons. The façade has been stripped and the interior of the tea-room has been completely rebuilt with wood as the dominating material. Seating has been expanded, with hushed earth tones in the colour scheme instead of its former blue. Another switch which takes away a hint of colour is in the logo, which rather than a blue heart, is now a big brown cow. “The biggest change is in the pralines,” says Haldi, referring to the new recipe for the chocolate base used in the confectionary section. Naturally, this has altered the taste of some of the items.

Breakfast of Champions The tea-room has also expanded its morning offerings, with a menu featuring a regal breakfast with local fruit, and a champagne breakfast accompanied by a glass of bubbly. The bread is made at sister location BrotBar, where 10 of the total 30 employees are based. “Together with our team, we are looking forward to giving our guests a warm welcome,” say Hauswirth and Haldi, who hope it will continue to be Gstaad’s emblematic café, where guests and locals can mingle over coffee and more. Charly’s is open from 7:30am to 8pm daily year-round, except for a two-week holiday closure in October.

LOCAL NEWS // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

GIUSEPPE COLELLA Executive Chef at the Grand Hotel Park At the heart of Grand Hotel Park’s impressive food offering and overseeing four of the hotel’s restaurants, is Italian executive chef Giuseppe Colella. Hailing from the island of Ischia, Chef Giuseppe rose through the ranks under the tutelage of some of the most acclaimed European chefs in Milan, Berlin and Brussels, where he was hailed by The Delta Guide, Belgium’s first gastronomic guide, as being the “Best Italian Cook in the Region.” Overseen by Chef Giuseppe, Grand Hotel Park’s signature eatery, Restaurant, has 90 tables and serves an enticing range of local cheeses and meats in a contemporary setting, accompanied by an extensive selection of vintage wines carefully selected by the Sommelier. Alongside the A la Carte menu, Chef Gisueppe’s latest Menu Dégustation 3,7,8,0, ‘Park on The Sea,’ showcases his creativity and flair, giving guests an unforgettable evening of fine dining. The unique and care-

fully considered menu allows guests to choose three, seven or eight plates, with a ‘surprise’ chef’s special included in the menu. For those looking for a lighter bite, Chef Giuseppe has recently introduced an exciting Tapas menu at Grand Hotel Park. Perfect for enjoying out on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, guests can choose a selection of small plates whilst soaking up the restorative mountain air and breath-taking alpine views. Also making use of the hotel’s terrace this summer is ‘Sunny Sunday.’ Every Sunday throughout the summer months, Chef Giuseppe takes up residency on the hotel’s terrace, cooking up a delicious selection of meats and fish to order, alongside a delicious buffet of salads and side dishes. Chef Giuseppe’s passion for food and innovative menus, combined with the unrivalled setting of the inconic Grand Hotel Park, make this a destination for dining that satisfies the palettes of the most discerning of food-lovers.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

GRAND HOTEL PARK Wispilenstrasse 29 – Gstaad Reservation: 033 748 98 00

restaurantmanager@grandhotelpark.ch

All About Tradition

The Wildhorn reopened this season to much applause from the community with local proprietors Ruth Lüthi and Thomas Addor at the helm. The hotel and restaurant now has pleasing headlines praising its authentic village feel, as opposed to the negative press both it and the village of Launen received during several infamous years of fraught tension with the former operators.

Photo: AvS

New Wildhorn Proprietors Focus on Familiarity

BY GSTA ADLIFE

"We are very pleased with the initial days," stresses Addor, after the hotel had been congratulated by numerous colleagues and guests throughout the Saanenland. “We want to lead the Wildhorn in a traditional style.” Tradition, Tradition, Tradition Hosts Ruth Lüthi and Thomas Addor wanted to bring back the hotel’s traditional feel, and have brought back in the Stammtisch (regular’s table) as well as folk and country music performances. The Wildhorn is now amongst the three traditional establishments in Lauenen that all serve traditional food and present traditional music. The Stammtisch, of supreme importance to locals, is made of solid oak and is back at its regular spot. This comes as a relief to locals, after the Stammtisch was removed by the former operators and replaced with trendy sofas; some international guests are not as happy with the back to basics approach, as the colourful former setup was a welcome respite from the typical village style.

Ruth Lüthi and Thomas Addor aim to run a traditional hotel and restaurant. in strategy has quickly made the rounds in country-music circles, with requests for performance increasing in the weeks leading up to the hotel’s official opening. Staying with the return to tradition theme, the restaurant also now features classic Swiss cuisine. Although Addor says he likes making new dishes, he has not worked in a professional kitchen for five years, and will stick with proven favourites like rösti, raclette, and cheese fondue for the meantime. Locals will also appreciate the “worker’s menu”, an inexpensive option for those on limited budgets. "Guests and locals appreciate precisely this traditional cuisine in a village,” insists Addor.

not only for the cooking, but for management and accounting. Confident of Success Through their years of experience in the industry, Lüthi and Addor know that making the house profitable is no easy task. They are both aware of the challenges and emphasise that they depend on the locals as well as guests and chalet owners. "It is a challenge… the season is short,” they explain, but remain confident. “Since we’ve known we would assume the Wildhorn’s lease, we have received many positive responses.” www.wildhorn.ch

Wild World of the Wildhorn

Celebrities are known to frequent the restaurant, and Addor thinks the Wildhorn will be appreciated by guests who want to mingle with locals.

Traditional Look Not much in the restaurant has changed; the tables have been sandblasted, patio furniture replaced, and Lüthi has personally sewn new curtains. The hotel rooms have been refurnished with rustic wooden beds and bedside tables–all created by a local carpenter.

"Celebrities have always wanted proximity to locals,” states Addor, “Where better than at the table?” Addor also notes that without a village Stammtisch, the restaurant could not have been profitable.

"Now all rooms are uniform,” says Ruth Lüthi, in charge of service in the hotel and restaurant, emphasising the difference with the uniquely furnished previous rooms.

As for entertainment, the Wildhorn is now known for its Ländlermusik–traditional folk music. Regular performances will be held throughout the season. The change

Most importantly, the kitchen has been renovated and transformed for the comfort of Addor, a tenured assistant cook with significant experience. He is is responsible

Two well-known actors, Isabelle von Siebenthal and Hans Schenker, took over three years ago and brought a touch of their theatrical nature to the hotel. They gave it a modern restyling for an eclectic atmosphere that set it apart from the traditional establishments in Lauenen. The changes were not welcomed by all patrons, and the couple saw several acts of vandalism at the property; their term ended after Ms von Siebenthal suffered emotional damage from the hostility and the spat was splashed across the German-language press. Eventually the municipality agreed to break the contract, leaving the couple free to cease operations.

LOCAL NEWS // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Photo: Mark Nolan

Holes under the roof, through which smoke used to escape.

Summer Series – Architecture

ADAPTED BY MARKUS ISELI

The writing is engraved in Roman capitals and reads: “CHRIST IS MY LIFE AND DEATH MY GAIN. 1583. PD.” The final PD stands for the builder or master carpenter, about whom no further information is available. Such inscriptions can be found on many chalets in Saanen–most of which give information about the owner of the house and not only the master carpenter.

Sanona House is a three-story high residential building from 1583, simply designed, with the gable facing the Mittelgässli. Like some other buildings in the village, it bears no decorative elements. The inscription with text, year and abbreviation of a name is unique, though. It is the oldest such inscription on a residential building facade in the Saanenland.

The two small openings above the inscription are also notable. Before simple wooden chimneys were constructed in the early 17th century, the smoke from the fireplace had would rise uncontrolled until it was under the roof. There it could escape through these narrow square holes in the wall.

Many buildings in the village of Saanen are quite simple, with few decorative elements and apparently no notable features. However, even such houses have a story to tell and provide insight into the history of daily life of our ancestors.

Photo: Collection Bendicht Hauswirth

Saanen Village: Sanona House

Saanedorf – ein historischer Dorfführer This GSTAADLIFE series is taken from Saanendorf – ein historischer Dorfführer. The book contains texts in German and French, and is available for purchase in all the book shops in the region and at Müller Medien, which worked with the authors and the municipality to develop the book project. An audio guide was just launched, which is available for download onto smartphones to listen to it as one is making the tour through the village. For everybody who is not visiting Saanen anytime soon, the guide is also available via the web browser on your computer. For more information visit http://www.gstaad.ch/en/enjoyment/tradition-handcraft/architecture.html Sanona House around 1910

GSTAAD LIVING // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Glory Be to Goats

Saanenziegen Provide Milk & More for the USA Photo: Marta Hays

What does the tiny hamlet of Elkview, West Virginia, USA have in common with the luxury village of Gstaad? Why, the Saanen goat, of course. They may have originated in our glorious green hills, but in the wilds of the Appalachian mountains, Saanen goats are providing the milk for a full line of organic soaps, and hence a livelihood for Marilyn and Brad Grossman. BY GSTAADLIFE

She has never been to the Saanenland, much less Europe, but that doesn’t stop Marilyn Grossman from knowing exactly where the ancestors of her snow-white, shorthaired Saanen goats came from. "From the Swiss Mountains!” she shouts. Saanen’s Pride The Saanen goat, known as Saanengeiss or Saanenziege in German, is the beloved face of the village Saanen. Amongst the dozen goat breeds in Switzerland, the Saanen goat is considered a champion. Exported worldwide, the breed is known for its adaptability and frugality in addition to a reputation as a high volume milk producer. In fact, the goat used to be known in the Saanenland as “the poor man’s cow,” giving sustenance through its dairy output. The breed is able to withstand harsh climates, including steep rocky terrain and arid semi-deserts, which makes it popular not only in the Alps, but in the developing world. In the 19th century the Saanen goat was exported throughout Europe, and finally in the 20th century to the United States. Now in the 21st century, families like the Grossmans are able to survive just as Swiss goat farmers do–from the rich milk of their precious Saanen goats. Milk & More It may not be fashionable just yet, but goat milk is being used more and more in health and beauty products. The milk makes excellent creamy lotion and soap, which are purported to reduce skin irritations with their anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains anti-bacterial properties, which allows treated skin to delay the growth of the micro-organisms that can cause acne, eczema, and other skin problems.

Marilyn Grossman and one of her beloved Saanen goats. Where good eating is concerned, the Saanen goat’s milk is lower in fat and lactose than cow milk, which makes it a good choice for those who suffer from lactose intolerance. While the Saanen goat’s milk is only about 2–3% butterfat, it still makes for a fine soap; however some cross breeds have been found to have even more success at producing higher fat content milk for beauty products. Kickadee Hill Farm Several Swiss goat farms make excellent creamy lotion and soap, which are available for purchase at local pharmacies and cosmetic stores. Further afield, high quality goat milk products are available online from Marilyn and Brad Grossman of Kickadee Hill Farm.

ent perfumes. In addition to fresh goat’s milk, the soaps contain essential oils such coconut and soy, as well as oats and honey. So the next time you’re looking to pamper your sensitive skin, why not bypass the expensive brands lining the beauty store shelves, and opt for a handmade, organic bar of pure Saanen goat milk soap? As it does for Marilyn Grossman, it may just bring you back to basics–and able to appreciate our region’s most adorable mascot, the Saanen goat. “I’m able to take delight in the smallest of things,” declares Grossman. "Every day of my life that I spend with these loving creatures is a beautiful day.” www.kickadeehill.com

The couple have dedicated their lives, and careers, to working with goats. The Grossmans have turned their Appalachian property, Kickadee Hill Farm, into a home for dozens of the cuddly white Saanen goats. As soap producers, the Grossmans have teamed up with a local milk processor and marketing professional to take their products to the next level. The soaps are made in the traditional, coldpressed fashion, using oil and brine. The mixture is poured into moulds where it sits for two days to harden, at which point it is sliced. After eight weeks of curing, the organic soap is ready for packaging and distribution. The soaps, which are GMO-free and organic, are now available in 20 differ-

Goat Beauty Bars According to the cosmetic experts, goat milk is a godsend for those with allergies and sensitive skin. The linoleic acid present in the milk has an influence on the growth and function of cell structure, and for the formation of tissue hormones called prostaglandins. Goat’s milk protein is very finely divided and contains very high proportions of short and medium chain natural fatty acids. These substances are considered metabolically invigorating and provide more intense nourishment for the skin than plant oils.

GSTAAD LIVING // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Photo: zVg

Luca Cairoli, left, is the only elite racer from the Saanenland. Romeo Cairoli, right, is a mountain biker and president of Veloclub Saanenland.

The Tyre that Binds Cycling Brothers Luca and Romeo Cairoli

INTERVIEW BY ALEXIS MUNIER

Just before the Tour de France rolled through the Saanenland, GSTAADLIFE spent an afternoon with Romeo and Luca Cairoli. With his compact, muscular frame, Romeo is a natural fit for mountain biking, while the lean and lanky Luca spends his time on two wheels competing in elite road cycling. The two local brothers gave us an intimate look at their upbringing, passion for velocipedes, and how the region is uniquely poised to promote biking in all forms.

GSTAADLIFE: Are you both from Gstaad? Romeo Cairoli: We grew up here in Gstaad at the bottom of the Eggli cable car station. We had a very traditional upbringing–no social media or smartphones.

dad is from Basel, but we have a lot of family down in Ticino.

GL: Who’s older? LC: Romeo may be the big brother, but at least I am taller.

GL: Have you both participated in sports since a young age? LC: I followed Romeo’s lead in sport activities. He skied, so I skied. Then he played volleyball, so I played volleyball, too. He started mountain biking and I went for road cycling–at this point our disciplines diverged.

GL: Do your parents bike as well? Luca Cairoli: We went into the woods to play, and we came home covered in dirt.

GL: Cairoli sounds like an Italian name. RC: Our mom grew up in Gstaad and our

RC: Yes, and when we went on family holidays we always took our bikes. At the beginning I was not a fan of mountain biking because of all the uphill. That’s why I now race primarily downhill. I love downhill mountain biking.

PROFILE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

GL: So when did you discover cycling as a serious sport? LC: I went to school here in Gstaad, then headed to Bellinzona to learn Italian and worked as an au-pair. When I was there, I discovered road cycling races. That was just five years ago. RC: I started mountain biking when I was a teenager.

GL: How do you describe the difference between mountain biking and road cycling? LC: Road cycling is truly a team sport. Usually there are at least four or five of us in a race. One is named the leader, and the others are responsible for helping him in whatever ways he needs–like bringing water and food or giving wind shadow–so he can save all his energy for the final km of the race. On TV it might come across that it’s an independent sport but that’s definitely not the case. RC: Mountain biking, on the other hand, is a solitary sport. You compete in each race

as an individual, although you may be affiliated with a mountain biking team.

GL: And the difference in sensation between mountain biking and road cycling? RC: Mountain biking has an adrenaline rush that road cycling simply can’t beat! Road cycling is spectacular, but it’s dangerous in the sense that it takes place on roads shared with cars and trucks. There are too many circumstances beyond your control. If you crash on a mountain biking trail, it’s your fault and your fault alone. LC: This may be your opinion, but road cycling has an adrenaline rush as well for me, even it’s not as spectacular to watch as mountain biking. What really suits me on the road bike are long distances and the speed you can reach on the road.

GL: Does one require more brain than brawn? RC: Road cycling races are more than pedalling. Strategy and theory are very important. On cycling teams, different racers have different strengths and weaknesses. You have to know yourself as an athlete so you can plan how you’ll race. In downhill racing you have to be very fit to handle the rough terrain, but you also need brainpower to channel your energy.

GL: Do you ever participate in your brother’s type of racing? RC: After my accident, my physiotherapist suggested I start road biking to help my knee. At first I was hesitant as I never really enjoyed road biking, but in the end it was good for my recovery. LC: A few times a year I go mountain biking with Romeo, but I’m so busy training in road cycling that I simply don’t have the time. During the winter, I sometimes do my trainings on a fat bike.

RC: Not really, but a lot of people told me that downhill is a “lazy sport” because they said you just sit on your bike and roll down without using a lot of energy. Just join me on a downhill ride…you’ll be dead at the end of the day. You need a lot of power, strength, and energy in this sport– I’m not sure naysayers realize that.

GL: With the high cost of equipment and travel, how do you make ends meet? RC: I’m currently completing a diploma in sales and business, and working for the events company Experience SA in Schönried. I’m responsible for planning and building the Bikepark Gstaad on the Rellerli and I also consult for Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad, the company set up to promote Saanenland cycling, in the region. LC: I ride for VC Mendrisio, but the team doesn’t pay me. But when we win prize money at races, we split the pot. After my year in Ticino as an au pair, I did an apprenticeship at the Raffeisen Bank. I’m lucky enough to work there now at 50%, so I can devote half of my time to training and racing. I have some sponsors here in Gstaad, but I’ll need more sponsorship in order to seriously pursue my sport. If any readers are keen to help, I’d be happy to discuss a way to work together for mutual promotion.

GL: VC Mendrisio is one of only four elite teams in Switzerland. How does one enter into a club of this level? LC: I first tried to join Veloclub Bellinzona, but they refused me, as I had no experience in road cycling. Finally they gave me a chance and had me attend two sample training sessions. I raced first as a junior, and now I switched to VC Mendrisio where I have a big learning curve in the elite category. I have lots of opportunities to race all over Switzerland, but most of the races are held in France and Italy. In September I will race with VC Mendrisio the “Tour de Hokkaido” in Japan. This is going to be fun!

GL: Has it always been your dream to race professionally? GL: Romeo, do you find that mountain biking is considered a youthful or wild sport, which road cycling has a prestige it doesn’t?

LC: It was never my dream to become an elite racer, but the cycling came so naturally to me that now I’m determined to be the

best I can be. I have Fabian Jeker as coach, who prepares a training plan and tells me which exercises I should do to improve. RC: At one time I was a relatively high-level racer, and participated at Swiss and European downhill races, but I suffered an injury. I broke my knee three years ago at the High-Fly Freestyle event on my special snow bike. I still race occasionally to keep my head in the game, but mostly I concentrate on planning mountain bike events rather than participating in them.

GL: What do you think about the Saanenland’s push toward becoming a cycling region? LC: We have very special mountains with a lot of nice climbs and descents. There is at least a week’s worth of great cycling here. Gstaad created a road book, which is basically a course book showing the map, indications, and times for each route. This is a great first step, as it encourages cyclists to come here and shows them specific routes they can take. RC: A lot of planning has been done to promote cycling here. It’s terrific that Gstaad sponsors the Gstaad Scott downhill racing team, for example, which helps get the Gstaad name out to those in the mountain biking world. But we need to work on establishing official tracks so these bikers can have somewhere to do their sport. Our first official track has just opened on the Rellerli and we’ll host the Swiss National Championships from 12 – 14 August. But to attract mountain biking guests, we need to improve what’s on offer.

GL: And in addition to your careers, you’re both actively promoting cycling in the Saanenland? RC: Yes, I’m president of the Veloclub Saanenland. We host bike tours every Wednesday afternoon beginning at Kapälliplatz at 6.30 pm. All are welcome to join. LC: I’m a cycling ambassador for Gstaad. When they have official openings and end of season road cycling events, I participate in them. My goal is to encourage people to bike, whether that’s on the road or in the Alps. www.lucacairoli.ch

www.bikeparkgstaad.com

PROFILE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Alexander Calder's ‘Untitled’ (1976) adds a touch of colour to the countryside.

Calder Heats Up Gstaad Landscapes Famed American Sculptor's Works on Display

You may have noticed intriguing outdoor art gracing the Gstaad region, from the garden of Le Grand Bellevue to Saanen church. The sculptures are part of a remarkable body of work by famed American sculptor Alexander Calder, and represent the first time his works have been shown in Switzerland. BY GSTA ADLIFE

Situated against Gstaad’s dramatic mountainous landscape, the exhibition comprises artwork from the 1960s and 1970s, which have been installed in public locations including Lauenensee, Kirche Saanen, or the Promenade. The exhibition is a joint collaboration between Hauser & Wirth and the Calder Foundation, and coincides with an exhibition of Calder & Fischli/Weiss at the Fondation Beyeler, Basel. Calder’s Vision Calder concentrated his efforts on making outdoor sculptures on a monumental scale during the later part of his career, turning his attention to major commissions for cities, museums, and universities around the world – working with renowned architects along the way. With these graceful works, Calder truly unleashed his creativity and genius for compositional balance, imbuing traditional sculptural form with a dynamism

and torsion that belies its static nature. “My grandfather reset the traditional relationship between volume and void with his monumental sculptures,” says Calder Foundation President Alexander S. C. Rower, grandson of the artist. “Installed against the mountainous backdrop of Gstaad, these works will surely surprise viewers as they harmonize in unpredictable ways with their surroundings.” Mobiles and More Among the works on view is ‘3 flèches blanches’ (1965), which stands out for its elegant motion as the only standing mobile on display. Exhibited for the first time in the artist’s posthumous retrospec-

tive in Turin in 1983, the seemingly delicate sculpture can hold its own, whether in front of Mies van de Rohe’s Seagram Building in New York City, where it was last installed, or alongside the dramatic rural landscape of Gstaad. ‘Tripes’ (1974) has a surprising curvaceous quality not usually associated with Calder’s monumental works. With biomorphic arms reaching out in a multitude of directions, the work radiates energy, activating the surrounding space. The exhibition runs until 30 September at various locations throughout the Saanenland.

Alexander Calder, ‘Six Planes Escarpé’ (1967)

ARTS & CULTURE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Requiem for a Dream Violinist To celebrate the 100th birthday of its founder, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, his eponymous music festival has prepared a selection of memorable concerts. The most important of these, a Mozart Requiem in his honour, was held Friday 15 July and featured a sublime rendition of one of the most beloved classical works of remembrance.

Photo: Raphael Faux / gstaadphotography.com

Concert Celebrates 100 Years Since Birth of Festival Founder

BY ALEXIS MUNIER

The bells in Saanen Church’s newly renovated steeple rang out on Friday evening for the first time at a memorial concert for Menuhin. The church, which hosted the first Menuhin Festival concert in 1957, was supposedly the famed violinist’s favourite place to perform. Live from London Conductor Paul McCreesh led his troupe of honey-voiced singers, the Gabrieli Consort & Players through a crowd-pleasing programme of Mozart, Bach, and Britten. As a specialist in early music, McCreesh showed off his superior skills in directing an orchestra with period instruments. Beginning with Bach’s Jesu Meine Freude, the choir sang with pure, lilting voice, which despite its beauty could be described lackluster. As for diction, the choir suffered from the typical pitfalls of English-speakers singing in German, namely a recurring lack of clear consonants. In contrast, the Gabrieli Consort & Players excelled in Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia, firing up the crowd with an inspired, energetic performance. The Hymn to St Cecilia, surprisingly under performed, is this reviewer’s favourite Britten choral piece, whose soaring beauty firmly ensures his place in Valholla of choral composers. Fittingly, Benjamin Britten was part of the original group of three friends who played with Menuhin at the festival’s early beginnings, making it a fine choice for both its personal connection as well as its juxtaposition to the Bach. The soprano soloist sang with aplomb, displaying a silvery, flexible instrument. As for Mozart’s Requiem, McCreesh took to the microphone to address the audience on the version his group was performing–

The Menuhin family were on hand for the Menuhin Festival Gstaad's opening. one by musicologist Robert Levin rather than the more widely used Süssmayer. With tempi that seemed rather brusque compared to the standard interpretations of the piece, the choir managed to keep things light and fast-moving, including inspired performances by the group of soloists. Music and Family Following in the theme of this year’s festival, Musique & Famille, several Menuhin family members were present at the concert. Daughter Zamira Benthall Menuhin told Blanca Burri of the Anzeiger von Saanen that the evening was especially meaningful to her. “The concert touched me deeply, and I felt that my father’s soul was very close to us,” said Benthall Menuhin. The evening’s main speaker, Benthall Menuhin’s son Dominic Benthall, painted a picture of Menuhin that might not be known to the average audience member. Benthall’s anecdotes humanized him, proving Menuhin a man of incredible talent yet very real emotional and family challenges. Intimate Memories Passionate about performing, Menuhin spent much of his life on the road, far from his family. Benthall recalled seeing him

occasionally backstage or after concerts while in London, but not for traditional family time like dinners or birthdays. Yet the Menuhins were able to retain their family bond through holidays in the Saanenland. No matter what his busy professional schedule, Menuhin would consistently reunite with the family for several weeks in the summer at their Gstaad chalet. "During this time we got to know a completely different, intimate side of him,” explains Benthall, later revealing that it wasn’t all peace and quiet–Menuhin had a steady stream of guests that would come and go both for meals and musical collaboration. Menuhin’s family reaffirmed his passion to transmit his knowledge to the younger generation, and continue to promote classical music worldwide. The Menuhin Festival Gstaad, according to Benthall, was a source of pride for his grandfather. "If my grandfather were alive, he would be very happy about the development of the festival, and the festival today," beams Benthall, concluding a warm and engaging speech that set the mood for an intimate evening of the music closest to Menuhin’s heart. www.menuhinfestivalgstaad.ch

ARTS & CULTURE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

COMMERCE OF ART & ART OF COMMERCE: FROM CHÂTEAU TO CHALET Swiss Boutique Auction House Oversees Every Aspect of Selling the Contents of Your Home, or That of Your Clients

Contents of the Château d’Hauteville, near Montreux, Switzerland

Estimate: CHF 1,000,000 Result: CHF 4,400,000

“Safe passage requires local knowledge,” reads a sign for boaters navigating waterways near Palm Beach, Florida. Nothing could be truer for those tasked with the cumbersome valuation, insurance,

removal as well as sale and/or disposal of furnishings in a mountain residence. The Hôtel des Ventes possesses both the experience and the expertise for any home, be it a chalet or a château.

Office hours by appointment only

For Further Information CALL +41 22 320 11 77 FAX +41 22 320 14 74 E-MAIL info@hoteldesventes.ch VISIT www.hoteldesventes.ch

Moreover, executors and other professional advisors—whether based here and/or abroad—need only delegate and in so doing also profit from “local knowledge,” or savoir-faire.

PIGUET – HÔTEL DES VENTES Rue Prévost-Martin 51 CH-1205 GENEVA

Tuesday to Friday 9:30am to 12 noon 2pm to 5:30pm Closed Mondays

Photo: Peter Ogi

Making bells, especially the casts, is no easy task.

Bell Exhibition in Saanen Retrospective on Famous Local Bellmakers

A retrospective of historic handmade bells is on display in Saanen through the summer season. BY HANSPETER GRUNDISCH ADAPTED FROM THE GERMAN BY ALEXIS MUNIER

Alfred von Siebenthal, who lived from 1899 to 1964, may have been an excellent bell-maker, but suffered from challenges that made his professional career one of sheer determination. “May 24: I engaged Alfred von Siebenthal as an apprentice,” says the diary of Kari Schopfer, who hired von Siebenthal as young man. The apprenticeship was short

and the experience bitter. Schopfer died unexpectedly and von Siebenthal was left without the necessary skills or the training secrets that should’ve been passed on to him. He made serious efforts to find the information, but did not succeed. Von Siebenthal failed to make a proper mould or cast, and finally made his bells with Schopfer’s remaining larger casts at a foundry in Uetendorf in order to start production. His desire to run a successful bell production like his mentor Schopfer was profound. The first bells, especially the socalled successor, are filled with defects. They were dirty and rough in places, and

bore large casting holes, which is a result of gas that remains trapped and cannot escape through the air ducts. If they aren’t too large, the holes can actually add to the sound of the bells, producing a more relaxed, freer, and richer sound that takes longer to die away. In fact, for this reason, bells with casting holes are often preferred by connoisseurs. For a detailed look in the bells of von Siebenthal and Schopfer, the joint exposition runs until end September at the Museum der Landschaft Saanen. www.museum-saanen.ch

Joint Effort to Host 2019 Games The Saanenland and Pays-d’Enhaut will team up in 2019 to host Swiss Orienteering Week, the country’s top event of its kind. BY GSTA ADLIFE

Swiss Orienteering Week will be held from 3 – 10 August, 2019, and is expected to bring over 20 million CHF in tourism spending. The event will include 3500 to 4000 visitors from three dozen nations worldwide. With nightly stays estimated at 40,000, the week-long competition will

bring approximately 6 million CHF in direct revenue and 14 million CHF in indirect revenue to the region.

Photo: AvS

Biggest Orienteering Event to Be Held Here

What is Orienteering? Orienteering is a competitive sport in which runners find their way through the wilderness with maps and a compass, often checking in specific points along the way. Combining racing with navigation, orienteering leads participants through unmarked terrain rather than on existing trails.

ARTS & CULTURE // SPORTS & LEISURE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

HAUSER & WIRTH

Alexander Calder GSTAAD / SAANENLAND 14 JULY — 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Gstaad Le Grand Bellevue – Untergstaadstrasse 17, Promenade – Promenade 66, Vieux Chalet (Private Property) – Oberbortstrasse 24 Saanen Church Saanen – Dorfstrasse Lake Lauenen Lauenensee – Close to Restaurant Lauenensee For more information visit hauserwirth.com Alexander Calder, ‘Six Planes Escarpé’ (1967) and ‘Four Planes Escarpé’ (1967) Installation view, Lauenensee, Gstaad, Switzerland, 2016

Rally for Bon Vivants Photo: zVg / Gstaad Palace

Classic Vintages of Cars (and Wine) at Palace Event the rally featured a deliberately small group to ensure a familiar and intimate ambience. The 116 participating cars were made between 1956 and 1990; this year, the age of the vehicles will increase slightly, with only those made from 1950 – 1980 allowed. This 26 August, the Gstaad Palace-Challenge is back for its second edition. While participation in the rally is by invitation-only, guests are invited to join in the fun by cheering on the teams as they leave and return to the Palace on their roadside adventures.

The Gstaad-Palace Challenge, in its second year, hosts an opening event for the public.

BY GSTA ADLIFE

so, that after the Palace's 45 years of hosting the Weekend des Veterans with local car enthusiast and rally racer Franco Lupi, Scherz pushed his love for cars to new heights by developing the Gstaad Palace-Challenge.

Andrea Scherz, third-generation owner operator of the Gstaad Palace hotel, is passionate about historic cars. So much

Event Premiere Held for the first time in summer 2015,

This year marks the second edition of the Gstaad Palace-Challenge, higlighting the unique blend of sports and leisure embodied by Gstaad itself.

Danger, Curves Ahead The technically demanding counterpart to the more leisurely Weekend des Veterans, the Gstaad Palace-Challenge lasts two days and spans just under 400 km. During the challenge numerous tests must be tackled, although Scherz insists there is still plenty of time for more indulgent aspects of leisure time, like a glass of fine wine and a cigar after a successful rally day. Last year’s event was such a great success that it culminated in a spontaneous charity event where CHF 21‘000 was donated to Fondation Théodora. Once again, this year funds will be raised to support the foundation. www.palace.ch

Year of the Horse

Chinese Polo Team Makes its Debut in the Saanenland Marking a first in its history, Gstaad's Hublot Polo Gold Cup will have a distinctly Chinese flair. BY GSTA ADLIFE

China is this year’s guest of honour at the 21st edition of the tournament. The Chinese Captain Shilai Liu, owner and founder of Beijing’s Tang Polo Club, will join forces with event sponsor Hublot’s team. Pierre Genecand, president of the Gstaad Polo Club, is delighted to host the

Chinese competitor. He received such a “wonderful welcome at the Tang Polo Club” and feels “delighted to return the compliment”. The other competitors are Argentina’s team led by Juan Pepa, and two Swiss teams, with Piero Dillier and Cédric Schweri at the helm. Various improvements to the infrastructure will allow visitors this year to enjoy the event even if the weather turns out to be as changeable as last year. The official

village and the shops are now protected from rain and mud and easily accessible from the VIP parking. Hublot, the fine watchmaker with a reputation for quality timepieces, is the tournament’s title sponsor, a position they have held since 2008. The event’s other team sponsors are the Bank Eric Sturdza SA, the Gstaad Palace, and the “Polo Friends”, a number of private polo fans.

SPORTS & LEISURE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

DROGERIE JAGGI A Special Reformation in Saanen The future has arrived in the historic Drogerie of Saanen. The third generation of the Jaggi family has established a Reformhuus. Our health-food-shop provides a wide selection of organic food and well-selected cosmetics. Products include fresh organic fruits and vegetables, an array of gluten- and lactose free food, vegetarian and dairy-free products, as well as organic milk products and much more. Come and visit and be inspired to healthy living!

TIMELESS PLEASUR SUMMER EXPERIENCE

TAP

GSTA DEGUST ME “ Experience Fish with Altitude every Sunday in our beautiful gardens along with a jazz band.” GRAND HOTEL PARK WISPILENSTRASSE 29 CH-3780 GSTAAD TEL. : +41 (0) 33 748 98 00 INFO@GRANDHOTELPARK.CH WWW.GRANDHOTELPARK.CH @GRANDHOTELPARK

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Number One Fan

Cécile Ringgenberg has a gift. Besides her witty intellect and infectious joie de vivre, she radiates kindness at first sight.

Photo: zVg

Words of Wisdom from Cécile Ringgenberg

BY JANUARIA PIROMALLO

And not only is she an attorney at the Geneva bar and a doctor of law, she is a big fan of our little magazine, GSTAADLIFE. “I like to keep myself informed about what is going on in the region,” she informed me and Alexis Munier, the editor in chief, last winter. If Music Be the Food of Love A cultured native of the Bernese Oberland, Cécile appreciates the Saanenland and the wide choice of classical music concerts available to the public. Yet we met at a small private concert featuring Tango 5 at George Marci’s Chalet Saqqarah.

Attorney and lover of the arts, Cécile Ringgenberg.

“The music was so warm and so forceful that we were simply overwhelmed,” Cécile confesses. “Thus the most marvellous conversations ensued!” Cécile attends the yearly concerts at Saqqarah with great enthusiasm, insisting, ”They are very unusual and special events, which create lasting memories.”

Slow Train to Diablerets Cécile chose Les Diablerets as her domicile in 2011 after years of secondary residence–for its quality of life, beauty, and last but not least, security. She keeps her law office in Geneva, and because the ease of public transportation, has been able to make Diablerets her permanent home.

But how does this lawyer, art lover, and music aficionado living in nearby Canton Vaud, stay abreast of the Saanenland news?

“All research and drafting is done here, in this immense tranquillity, and only court work and meetings take place in Geneva once or twice a week,” explains Cécile. “My work is judiciary and extra-judiciary, family matters, divorce, succession, banks, companies, contracts, and last but not least, representing victims of financial crime.”

Number One Fan “The Anzeiger von Saanen and GSTAADLIFE are always the first papers I read, even before the Neue Zürcher Zeitung and the Berner Oberländer,” says Cécile. "I am so pleased to finally put a face to what I read," she continues, her conversation sparkling, at our first meeting. “Januaria, you most recently described a skiing accident that made one tremble only by reading it…” And then she gives a slight rebuke: “Why don’t you ever write about Les Diablerets?” I immediately say that I am big fan of Les Diablerets; my aunt, Diana von Saurma, had a charming old chalet there, and I love shopping at La Laiterie du Petit Diable for gourmet specialities like confiture de lait caramelisé, pecorino brebis, double crème

with homemade meringues. I put weight by just mentioning these decadent treats!

“Victims, not crooks!" Cécile insists. But that’s not all. With the popularity of art in the country, and the number of collectors residing in Switzerland, it’s no surprise lawyers specialise in art law. “I am a member and yearly speaker of the Symposium on Economic Crime at Jesus College in Cambridge under the leadership of Professor Barry Rider,” says Cécile. “With his support, I also work on art law– as an instrument of combating forgery, theft, tax evasion, and money laundering in art.” Her subjects this year are the free

ports of Switzerland and their exposure to sheltering stolen art, predominantly from the war scene in Syria and Iraq, tax evasion, and money laundering. Another World of Charm “It would be lovely if GSTAADLIFE once wrote about my village, Les Diablerets, which is only half an hour away from Gstaad,” she says. “After all, we share the Glacier 3000, formerly called the Glacier des Diablerets, and which finds itself partly on Bernese, Vaudois, and Valaisan territory. “Surely the English speakers in Diablerets would subscribe to GSTAADLIFE,” Cécile claims. “While Diablerets is the complete opposite experience to Gstaad, there is a lot that both guests and residents of the towns would appreciate.” She continues, ”It completes the charm of Gstaad, just as Gstaad completes the charm of Diablerets. Despite its résidences secondaires spread over the hillside, Les Diablerets remains the small mountain village it has always been. It’s quite authentic, with a few sensible sport shops, but devoid of all branded outlets. However, if one wants to step out of the glittering world of Gstaad, it is only half an hour away!” And there you have it, words of wisdom from GSTAADLIFE’s number one fan, Cécile Ringgenberg.

LIFESTYLE // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

Events Calendar Friday, August 5, 2016 to Thursday, August 25, 2016 5.8. – 3.9.

Various

10.8. – 22.2.17

Various

Menuhin Festival Gstaad

Cheese Demonstration

60 anniversary, daily

Traditional cheese-making event, every Wed 10.30am

5.8. – 21.8.

Various

10.8. – 26.10.

Project 1049 Exhibitions throughout the region 5.8. – 30.9.

Various

After-Work Bike Tour Every Wed, 6.30pm

5.8. – 16.10.

Zweisimmen

Martin Loosli, Wed, Sat, Sun 2 – 5pm Saanen

Zweisimmen

Mannreider Funfair Alpine Cow Sale

Saanenmöser

At the Heimatwerk Saanen Blankenburg

www.stpeters.ch Contact: cliveatkinson@bluewin.ch

Important Numbers

Mountain open-air event, daily 13.8.

Papercuts Exhibition

St Peter’s Anglican Church English-Speaking, Château-d’Oex Service every Sunday, 17.30 pm

Alpine cheese and breakfast, evey Wed 9am 11.8. – 13-8.

Exhibition – Light and Line 5.8. – 3.9.

Gsteig

Dairy Tour

Hauser & Wirth hosts open sky sculptures

TONY Massage Therapist Home visits: 079 50 22 705

Church Services

10.8. – 17.8.

Calder Exhibition

5.8. – 3.9.

Gstaad

Classified

Ambulance 144, Police 117, Fire 118 Medical Emergency 0900 57 67 47

Public sale with music and fun

Dental Emergency 033 729 26 26

14.8. Zweisimmen

Police Station 033 356 84 31

Open-air theatre, every Friday and Saturday

Walking Night

Car Accident 033 744 88 80

5.8. – 26.8.

14.8. Saanenmöser

Oberammtman Effinger

Lauenen

Sunrise hike with llamas, 5.15am

Swiss Folk Music

Duo Wildhorn at Hotel Wildhorn, Fridays

On the Hornberg, 11am

6.8. Saanen

Brocante & Markt

18.8. – 21.8.

Gstaad

Hublot Polo Gold Cup

6.8. Various

Glacier 3000 Run

19.8. – 28.8.

Gstaad

Circus GO Annual circus entertainment

Race, 10am

21.8. Schönried

6.8. Gstaad

Gstaad Kids Run

Alpine Festival Alp party on Alp Gspan, 11am

9th annual event, 1.30pm 7.8 Zweisimmen

Motos Meet Every first Sunday at the Forellensee 9.8. – 25.10.

Guided Village Tour Every Tuesday, 4pm

Zweisimmen

Château-d’Oex Hospital 026 923 43 43 Veterinarian 033 748 08 58/ 033 744 06 61

International event, free entry

Second-hand market, 9am – 5pm

Zweisimmen Hospital 033 729 26 26

CORRECTION: BY GSTA ADLIFE

We incorrectly credited the photographer of our 15 July issue. The cover photo was taken by Tomas Wüthrich, www.tomaswuethrich.ch

Clubs Rotary Club Gstaad-Saanenland Meetings every Monday 12h00 Palace Hotel Gstaad (033 / 748 50 00), President: Rot. Patric Lutz (079 / 669 29 83) Secretary: Rot. Markus Iseli (033 / 748 92 08)

Lions Club Gstaad-Saanenland Meetings each first and third week of the month on Thursdays, either at 12 pm for lunch or at 7 pm for dinner. Meetings in Ermitage, Wellness & Spa-Hotel, Schönried, Tel. 033 748 60 60. For details and program contact Arthur Reuteler, president, 033 744 51 33, info@bikesport-reuteler.ch, gstaad-saanenland.lionsclub.ch.

Soroptimist International

EVENTS // GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016

**** * GRAND HOTEL PARK +41 (0)33 748 98 00, info@grandhotelpark.ch **** * LE GRAND BELLEVUE +41 (0)33 748 00 00, info@bellevue-gstaad.ch **** * THE ALPINA GSTAAD +41 (0)33 888 98 88, info@thealpinagstaad.ch ***** ERMITAGE, WELLNESS & SPA HOTEL +41 (0)33 748 04 30, welcome@ermitage.ch *** * BOUTIQUE HOTEL ALPENROSE +41 (0)33 748 91 91, info@hotelalpenrose.ch *** * GOLFHOTEL LES HAUTS DE GSTAAD +41 (0)33 748 68 68, mail@golfhotel.ch *** *HOTEL DE ROUGEMONT Member of Design HotelsTM +41 (0)26 921 01 01, info@hotelderougemont.com **** HOTEL LE GRAND CHALET +41 (0)33 748 76 76, hotel@grandchalet.ch **** HOTEL ARC-EN-CIEL +41 (0)33 748 43 43, info@arc-en-ciel.ch **** HOTEL BERNERHOF +41 (0)33 748 88 44, info@bernerhof-gstaad.ch **** HOTEL CHRISTIANIA +41 (0)33 744 51 21, info@christiania.ch **** HOTEL GSTAADERHOF: +41 (0)33 748 63 63, info@gstaaderhof.ch **** HOTEL OLDEN +41 (0)33 748 49 50, info@hotelolden.com **** ROMANTIK HOTEL HORNBERG +41 (0)33 748 66 88, willkommen@hotel-hornberg.ch **** STEIGENBERGER ALPENHOTEL AND SPA +41 (0)33 748 64 64, gstaad@steigenberger.ch ** * HOTEL ALPINE LODGE +41 (0)33 748 41 51, info@alpinelodge.ch ** * HOTEL DES ALPES BY BRUNO KERNEN +41 (0)33 748 04 50, info@desalpes.ch *** HOTEL BELLERIVE +41 (0)33 748 88 33, info@bellerive-gstaad.ch *** HOTEL ALPENLAND +41 (0)33 765 91 34, hotel@alpenland.ch *** HOTEL ALPHORN +41 (0)33 748 45 45, office@alphorn-gstaad.ch *** HOTEL ERMITAGE +41 (0)26 924 25 00, info@hotelermitage.ch *** HOTEL KERNEN +41 (0)33 748 40 20, info@hotel-kernen.ch *** HOTEL LANDHAUS +41 (0)33 748 40 40, info@landhaus-saanen.ch *** HOTEL SAANERHOF +41 (0)33 744 15 15, hotel@saanerhof.ch ** * HOTEL SOLSANA +41 (0)33 748 94 94, info@solsana.ch

Club des Leaders

*** POSTHOTEL RÖSSLI +41 (0)33 748 42 42, info@posthotelroessli.ch

Classifieds in GSTAADLIFE Place your classified ad here for CHF 17.– per line (plus CHF 20.– for the highlight box).

…the cozy shoe boutique in Saanen!

**** * GSTAAD PALACE +41 (0)33 748 50 00, info@palace.ch

President: Ursula Breuninger Tel. 033 744 05 80 Program: Patricia Glauser Edreira Tel. 076 426 16 11 President: Jean-Sébastien Robine www.clubdesleaders.com contact@clubdesleaders.com

dorfstrasse 51 | tel. 033 855 51 51

Gstaadlife is available in these Hotels

** * HOTEL SPITZHORN +41 (0)33 748 41 41, spitzhorn@spitzhorn.ch

*** SAANEWALD LODGE +41 (0)33 744 69 69, info@saanewald-lodge.ch *** SPORTHOTEL VICTORIA +41 (0)33 748 44 22, info@victoria-gstaad.ch HOTEL RESTAURANT BÄREN +41 (0)33 755 10 33, welcome@baerengsteig.ch HOTEL GELTENHORN +41 (0)33 765 35 91, brand@hotel-geltenhorn.ch HOTEL VIKTORIA +41 (0)33 755 10 34, hotel_viktoria@bluewin.ch HOTEL WILDHORN +41 (0)33 765 30 12, hotel@wildhorn.ch

CHÂTEAU-D’OEX

Apartments to sell in beautiful Saanen Beau chalet de 9 pièces – Situation idéale Bâti en 1965, ce chalet est situé à quelques enjambées du centre du village. Il est actuellement divisé en 2 appartements de 3 et 6,5 pièces, reliés par un escalier intérieur. Ceci laisse la liberté à une grande famille de s’épanouir dans un grand espace, d’utiliser le rez-de-chaussée pour y créer une activité indépendante ou de louer l’appartement pour en faire un objet de rendement intéressant. Grand pelouse et vue superbe sur le cirque majestueux des montages. Bien que proche de la gare et de toutes les commodités, il ne subit aucunes nuisances. Travaux de rafraîchissement à prévoir.

MÜ

Réf. 23D – CHF 1’150’000.--

‘The Site’, in Saanen 033 744 06 03 office@vgminvest.ch gstaad-saanen-site.ch

CF Immobilier Compagnie Foncière SA Rue du Village 40 – 1659 Rougemont – 026 925 10 00 Pl. du Village 2 – 1660 Château-d’Oex – 026 924 53 55 info@cfimmobilier.ch – www.cfimmobilier.ch Rougemont – Château-d’Oex – Bulle

GSTAADLIFE // ISSUE 5 // AUGUST 5, 2016