In Switzerland’s German speaking Saanenland region, Gstaad has the kind of reputation in the skiing world that St Tropez has in summer. And it’s the local international schools we have to thank for it. Institute Le Rosey set up shop here in 1917 and as students, teachers and their families raved about the Gstaad good life, the village’s reputation as a luxurious destination grew and grew. Stars of Hollywood’s golden age graced its grand hotels and ritzy bars - Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly – a...
The ski area is huge and varied, featuring Bernese Oberland’s only glacier, Glacier 3000 as well as the Rinderberg, Lengebrand, Saanerslochgrat, Hornberg and Horneggli mountains.
Beginners can access easy blues from the Ruttli and Zuckerli lifts at the end of Gstaad village. More easy runs are served by the Gstaad – Eggli lift, streaming down into Saanen.
Intermediates should be able to handle the area’s longest run from the top of Mt. La Videmanette, all the way down into Rougemont. Blue and red ru...
As you’d expect of a resort of Gstaad’s calibre, there are some fabulous restaurants to dine in. The Alpina Gstaad and Restaurant Chesery have a Michelin star and 18 Gault&Millau points each, and more G&M points are scattered around the resort’s remaining eateries. We like Berghaus Wispile for 360° views of the surroundings and Saagli Stubli for fondues and all things cheesy. For DIY fondues, there are fondue huts and giant fondue pots scattered around the region to form Fondueland – pick up a rucksack from...