no. 19/06 - GstaadLife print edition

GSTAADLIFE
No. 19 September 8 2006 www.gstaadlife.com
Rezoning plan published
The new zoning plan focuses on four main points:
more hotel beds, creation of residential space
for local residents, the availability of more
land for local commercial enterprises, and
a near-moratorium on secondary residences.
Interested parties have until October 2 2006, to
register their input.
The number of hotel beds in the Gstaad-
Saanenland region is to be markedly increased,
with four new hotel zones created. In addition,
the rezoning of land for the construction
of apartments for local residents will be
undertaken. Local building laws are to be
adjusted, including a new restriction on
construction noise during the high season.
Nevertheless, despite the major revision of area
land-use planning, the Gemeinde of Saanen
is seeking to remain true to its pledge of “quality
over quantity”, and “longevity over short-term
profiteering”.
A high-end health center in Schönried
Through rezoning, the number of hotel beds
is to be markedly increased. “There exists a
discrepancy between the number of hotel beds
and the number of bed in apartments used as
secondary residences,” said Andreas Hurni, local
council president. Four new hotel complexes are
planned with a total of 600 to 750 beds. Near the
Fraubrunnen vacation home in Erli (Schönried),
there will be a zone for a health clinic with
approximately 50 clinic beds with an adjoining
hotel complex comprising 150 to 200 beds.
“We have interested parties who would like to
bring such a project to fruition,” Hurni said.
“I welcome this idea very much. It would mean
a huge investment and would create jobs.”
The new clinic would not pose a threat to the
existing hospital, as it would be a clinic including
a hotel complex designed for the high-end
market. “Family members or staff for the patients
could be put up in the hotel,” Hurni
added.
IN THIS ISSUE
Taki PAGE 3
Local news PAGE 4
Gstaad / Saanenland PAGE 6
FYI PAGE 7
The number of hotel beds will increase
markedly. “There exists a discrepancy
between the number of hotel beds and
the number of bed in apartments used as
secondary residences,” says Andreas
Hurni, local council president.
An additional 200 to 250 beds are planned for
the Grüenbüetli-Moos area, also in Schönried.
This is a miniature version of the “La Terrace
de Gstaad” project with a much-reduced golf
course. An additional hotel zone will be
designated in Unterbort in Saanen. Also, the
vacation home zone in Lengnau in Schönried
is to be turned into a hotel zone (featuring
approximately 80 beds). “The vacation homes
are not as much in demand as they were years
ago,” Hurni said. The Fraubrunnen vacation
home will remain as such.
Share of apartments run as hotels to decrease
The current 50% market share of apartments
run as hotels is to decrease to 40% of gross
hotel space. “This does not apply to existing
projects, only to future ones,” Hurni explained.
Nevertheless he expects some opposition to this
decision.
A balance between primary and
secondary apartments
Population growth of between 5% and 10%
is expected between now and 2020. The pressure
to create residential space for local residents
will therefore continue to rise. Approximately
Photos: Anita Moser
NEW
14.5 hectares (35 acres) of land is to be rezoned for
this purpose. “The zone for local residential space
was created 18 years ago. We want to continue this
successful model”, explained local council member
Beat Baumann. Residential areas for locals are
to be created on the Wispile and near Alpenblick
in Gstaad, in the Rübeldorf, Halte and Farb
neighborhoods of Saanen, in the Bettlersmatte
area of Schönried, south of the Saanenmöser
schoolhouse, as well as by the Saanersloch. Also,
the supply of residential space for local residents
will be expanded in the villages of Grund,
Chalberhöni, and Turbach. In addition, incentives
will be created in order to better use existing
residential zones as primary residences.
Only very few secondary residence zones will be
created, and these only with infrastructure contracts.
In total, just 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) will
be rezoned, and this only on the Wispile and in
the Unterbort neighborhood of Saanen. The necessary
infrastructure fee per square meter will be
between SFr 100 and SFr 1,000.
Commercial construction:
new 14-meter height allowance
“Since the last revision to the zoning plan, no
new commercial zones have been created,” said
Hans Reuteler, president of the Trade Worker’s
Group. “Saanenland has a significant tradition
in trade, and it is an important pillar of the
business framework. This employment value must
be preserved,” Reuteler added. New commercial
zones will be created on the Lauenenstrasse
(Thomi and Büdemli) and a commercial/industrial
storage zone will be established in Grund. There
will also be more possibilities for construction
in existing and new commercial zones. Within
and adjoining commercials zones, the closed
construction method will be allowed and the
maximum allowable building height will be
increased from 12 to 14 meters.
Agriculture strongly affected
“Agriculture would be strongly affected by
the revisions,” said Toni von Grünigen, local
council member. Still he concluded that “the
AP 2011 will have a larger effect on agriculture
than the re-zoning”. With every new zoning
decision, profitable and workable land will be
protected into the future as much as possible.
Conditions for agricultural business (partnerships
and projects such as the Milk Farm) should
be improved. Farm-related tourism offerings,
continued on page 3

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Photo: Timothy Kilchenmann
Taki on summers in Gstaad
Taki Theodoracopulos,
better known as Taki, is a
journalist and writer, living
in Gstaad, London, and
New York. His column
‘High Life’ has appeared in
The Spectator for the past
Taki Theodoracopulos 25 years, and he has also
written for National Review,
the London Sunday Times, Esquire, Vanity Fair,
the New York Press, and Quest Magazine, among
others. In 2002 Taki founded The American
Conservative magazine with Pat Buchanan and
Scott McConnell. He is also publisher of the British
magazine Right Now! and has been writing for
GstaadLife since its first season in 2003/04.
One more summer kaput. Mind you, Mother
Nature’s teasing us, with September days
looking like the August ones we never had.
Good weather or bad, I am now happier in
summer up here than in winter. I guess it has
to do with age. When I was in my twenties,
winters in Gstaad were de rigeur. But summers?
No way. Back then it was the French
Riviera which beckoned Circe-like, and boys and
girls our age obediently answered her call.
Nightclubbing ditto. Back then Gstaad had as
much nightlife in summer as Hillary Clinton has
sex. Actually it was non-existent. Now I much
prefer summer nights at the Palace lobby than
even the GreenGo nights of the past forty winters.
Again, it all has to do with age. When one’s young
one doesn’t mind being roughed up in a nightclub.
When one’s a senior citizen, comfort is of the
essence. Even back in the Land of the Depraved,
continued from page 1
such as experience vacations, direct sales and
vacation apartments are also to be supported.
Similarly, the commune will have little influence
on forestry, although improved conditions will be
created for the maintenance and cultivation of the
forests. Wood as a renewable construction and
energy material should be embraced. In addition,
storage space must be created for the sorting and
processing of wood as in Gstaad on Turbachstrasse,
next to the Wispile base station in Grund,
in Unterbort in Saanen, on the Hubelstrasse, at the
Burrisgraben by the Horneggli parking lot in
Schönried, as well as in Saanenmöser.
Construction noise
to be reduced in high season
There are to be some changes to the building
laws as well. The controversy surrounding
building noise will hopefully diminish with a
new law. This new law states that noise created
by construction and its associated transportation
will not be allowed between December 20 and
March 15 and from July 1 to September 15.
as I call New York City — where the grief culture
(which will reach its zenith next week) is
just another embodiment of the towering selfabsorption
of the city’s natives — nightlife is no
more. Going out in New York was a great thing
then, as people went to Studio 54 to dance and
have sex on the balcony. Now nightlife is controlled
by PR and security. The GreenGo was never like
Studio, but some lucky ones have had a quickie or
two when Romano wasn’t looking.
Yes, summers in Gstaad have a lot to do with
health, family and lotsa walking and climbing.
And shooting. This takes place every year in the
TIR of Rougemont, a shooting club which is the
best kept secret of the region. George and Maruxa
Nicholson take it every year and hold a shooting
competition followed by a marvellous lunch during
which the lucky ones invited are inundated with
presents. How does one get invited? That’s like
asking how does one become attractive. One either
is or is not. It is up to the Nicholsons, punto basta,
as they say in the land of pasta.
This year was the best one yet. It had to do with
the brilliant sunshine and the fact that there were
fewer competitors. (Back in 1998, when the
Nicholsons began their annual give-away, we were
close to one hundred and it was a bit too much;
this year we were around twenty and it was perfection).
The beautiful Lara Livanos won the ladies
trophy, and although I have to say so myself, it was
your’s truly who won the men’s. Trophies and gifts
aside, Princess Romanov gave me the most wonderful
birthday present, one that some may take
exception to, but one that I have already hung up
on my wall for everyone to admire. (Heinz Moratti,
the shooting expert, worked his usual magic, and
“It is a merciful solution,” said Christa Kunz,
local council member. “There are some tourism
areas that have a total construction moratorium
during their summer and winter seasons,” Hurni
said. Otherwise, local building styles are to stay
the same. The commission for construction
looked at all the construction laws and made
small changes according to relevant past
cases. The only exceptions to the local building
style laws are public buildings and certain
commercial buildings.
MASTHEAD Editorial: Alexandra de Scheel alexandra.descheel@gstaadlife.ch; Antoinette de Scheel antoinette.descheel@gstaadlife.ch; Xavier Ferguson xavier.ferguson@gstaadlife.ch;
Frank Müller frank.mueller@gstaadlife.ch; Peter Kuntze-Schneider (Advertising) peter.kuntze@gstaadlife.ch
Publishing, Conception, Printing: Müller Marketing & Druck AG, Gstaad. Subscriptions: Tel. 033 748 88 74, Elsbeth Wyss
EDITORIAL
Taki Theodoracopulos, Lara Livanos
the winners and George Nicholson
Prize giving the best man Taki, l to r.
George Nicholson, Taki Theodoracopulos,
Prince Nicolas Romanoff, Maruxa Nicholson
the competition went off beautifully — it involves
rabbit, tower and trap — except for when this
writer almost did away with George Nicholson by
keeping my finger on the trigger while loading.
Never mind. It’s been a great summer… see you
in winter. By Taki Theodoracopulos
Historical buildings
A new count of buildings in the commune of
Saanen brings the total inventory of historic
buildings to 263, 51 more than were counted in
1994. Six of these buildings are of archeological
value, including the Landschaft Museum in
Saanen.
By Anita Moser, translated by Diana Oehrli
The planned revisions can be reviewed until
October 2 2006 (see box for more details).
Property owners must inform themselves
The planned revisions can be reviewed until October 2 2006 at the local Gemeinde hall in Saanen. All documents
and plans can also be seen on the Gemeinde website at www.saanen.ch. Public input, which must include reasons for
opinions, must be submitted in writing to the construction permits department (Bauverwaltung). The public is also invited
to submit their opinions using the appropriate questionnaire. “Legally, property owners are responsible for informing
themselves” reminded Benz Hauswirth.
Next steps, deadlines
After the submitted public input has been considered, changes will be made by January 2007. After this, the plan
goes to the cantonal level. By October 2007 the final version of the plan will be republished and open to public review.
Voters will make their decision in spring 2008. The canton will put its final stamp on the new plans by the end of 2008.
For more information visit www.saanen.ch
3
Photos: Antoinette de Scheel

GSTAAD / SAANENLAND
Local news
Mid-summer tourism numbers looking good
Local hotels reported a 9.3% year-on-year
increase in overnight stays through the end of
July, representing an increase of 7,068 overnight
stays. Although these numbers show potential
for 2006 to be a banner year, it’s still too early to
tell. Most significant was a 20% growth in hotel
guests originating from France and Italy. There
was also good news for area mountain lifts.
Gstaad Saanenland Tourism reported a 12%
increase in mountain rides, with July 2006
results above those of the record July in 2003.
Wasserngrat middle station sold
Amidst negative financial results for fiscal
year 2005/2006, Wasserngrat 2000 AG — the
company that runs the Wasserngrat mountain
chair lift and general operations — announced
at its recent board meeting that the sale of the
former Wasserngrat middle station had gone
through at a reported price of SFr 3.3 million.
Once capital gains taxes are deducted, and the as
yet unknown cost of a new garage for the piste
machine is taken into account, it is expected that
there will be enough left over to make up for
the lackluster ski lift results. The number of lift
rides decreased by 11.2% compared with the
prior year, with income decreasing by 14.6%
to SFr 688,000. Board president Hans-Ruedi
Spillmann attributed these weaker numbers to
bad weekend weather and to the cold. When
one stockholder asked if there would be a
dividend payment, Spillman responded that
stockholders should be happy that thanks to the
middle station sale, they would not be required
to invest more money.
Dark clouds gather over Gstaad Tennis
The Gemeinde of Saanen is negotiating with the
Swiss Tennis Association to resolve the problem
Water woes
Although it has not felt like it this August,
summers are getting hotter. As recently as
summer 2003, local residents were asked to
conserve water. Area water tables were below
healthy levels and took until last winter to
recover. Many people see drinking water as
a given, however in light of changing weather
patterns, how will we ensure that we have
enough clean drinking water into the future?
Since summer 2003, groundwater and wellwater
levels in our region have been very low,
and since last August there has been a lack of
precipitation. The northly winds dry out the
land, and currently the water source levels in the
4
regarding the rights to the Allianz Suisse Open
tennis tournament. The trouble began when
Jacques “Köbi” Hermenjat signed a SFr 3.5
million contract to sell the rights to Swiss Tennis,
having already signed a SFr 1.7 million contract
with the Gemeinde. The fact that Hermenjat and
his lawyer may have sold the tennis tournament
rights twice has become the focus of a lawsuit
initiated by the Gemeinde. In the meantime,
talks with Swiss Tennis are ongoing with the goal
of reaching an out-of-court settlement. The main
issues are that the tournament remains in Gstaad
and that the Gemeinde of Saanen owns at least
50% of the shares in the tournament. In the end,
it is the ATP that will have a final say over who
will own the rights. According to media reports,
other towns, including St Moritz, Neuenburg,
Athen and Kitzbühel, have shown an interest in
acquiring the rights.
More cooperation between regions sought
A 30-page report entitled Habitat Development
Obersimmental-Saanen has just been published,
highlighting the similarities and differences
between Saanenland and the neighboring area of
Obersimmental. Among the similarities is that
the number of students in both areas has
drastically decreased. And among the major
differences is that the average per head income
in Saanen is SFr 63,000, some SFr 22,000
higher than the cantonal average, whereas in the
Obersimmental the average per head income
is just SFr 26,000. Concrete ideas are being
discussed for the development of a master plan
for the two regions, with the goal being to find
ways of eliminating redundancies while taking
advantage of synergies. Each region wants to
be able to build on inherent strengths, and
coordination would be useful when public
infrastructure projects are being considered and
commune of Saanen are beneath the all-time
record set in December 1962. Area water is
drawn from eight springs and two underground
water wells. A third well is planned at Saanen
airport. According Saanen water department
head, Ueli Haldi, the airport’s runway is
adequately drained to ensure that the soil
beneath the surface would not come into contact
with dirty runoff. It is said that water has to
flow over seven stones before it is considered
clean enough to drink.
Vast protected water sheds
In order to protect the first and elementary
filter, every well and source in so-called
protected water shed zones are fenced in to
protect them from wildlife and cattle. Frequently,
however, narrow fissures in the top ground
implemented. Strengths that could be focused
on for each region include a landscape park
in Lauenen, energy in Gsteig, Saanen-Gstaad
tourism, Zweisimmen as a living and industrial
center, St Stephan and Boltigen as a place for
land, forestry and wood for energy, and Lenk as
tourism, sport and landscape center.
Hermès Gstaad re-opens
On August 25 Hermès
International announced
the opening of its
new store in Gstaad,
which has been recently
renovated and expanded.
Although there has
been a Hermès store in
Gstaad since 1974, the
new space is now 171
square meters spread Maya Krogstad
over two floors. The
store was designed by the interior firm of RDAI
led by Rena Dumas. Dumas has been entrusted
with Hermès store design around the world,
and her look is dominated by the modernity and
simplicity of stone and glass, combined with the
intimacy of wood paneling. The official opening
event for the store will be held in the winter
season on December 27.
Compiled and translated by Diana Oehrli;
based on various reports in the Anzeiger von Saanen
GOODBYE!
This will be GstaadLife’s last issue of the summer.
We will be back once again in the winter
season. In the meantime, our blog is up and
running at www.gstaadlife.com. We would like
to thank all of the writers, contributors and
readers who have kindly offered up their time
and input. See you next season!
layer can open up into which dirty rainwater
could flow. Therefore regular testing is undertaken
to ensure that these protected watershed
areas are clean.
The second step in the preparation of drinking
water occurs at the reservoirs. For five years the
commune of Saanen has been using ultraviolet
rays to disinfect water. This is an environmentallyfriendly
method, but there is a downside; no
follow-up treatment within the network can
occur, and only small amounts of water can
be treated at one time. If it is determined during
an inspection that there is damage in the pipes,
then the ultraviolet method becomes too timeconsuming.
In this event, chlorine is used, which
Haldi says is a harmless step because the amounts
used are way under the tolerance limit.
continued on page 5
Photo: Antoinette de Scheel

continued from page 4
System control
Finally, the entire water network system must
be maintained. Underground pipes are flushed out
on a regular basis and disinfected with bleach.
Every year the reservoirs are cleaned at least once
a year. This way, any particles in the pipes can
be removed. The water department is only responsible
for public pipes. The pipes that lead from the
system to fixtures in the home are private and must
be maintained by homeowners themselves.
This also applies to private springs that are
not tested by the Gemeinde. Haldi says that
insufficient attention is given to testing water
from private springs and wells, and this poses
a potential health risk in light of runoff rain
water that can lead to dirty drinking water. It has
been known that homeowners choose to connect
to the municipal water supply in order to take
advantage of the frequent water testing.
Rainwater – no easy solution
At the moment, demand for water within the
Gemeinde of Saanen is between 370 and 580 liters
per head per day. The disparity between these two
numbers can be attributed to high and low season
usage. Agricultural and hospitality usage are also
included in these numbers. To illustrate a point:
one toilet flush uses approximately 12 liters of
Important Numbers
Medical emergency number 0900 57 67 47
Saanen Hospital 033 748 02 00
Hospital in Château-d’Œx 026 924 75 93
Fire-brigade 118 · Police 117
Car accident service
7 days, 24 hours, Tel. 033 744 88 80
For additional useful numbers please
visit www.gstaadlife.ch/usefulnumbers
RELIABLE
WEATHER
Don’t forget to check
page 2 of your
Anzeiger von Saanen.
CHURCH SERVICES St Peter’s English-speaking
Anglican Church, Château-d’Œx
Sunday September 10: 17h30. Rev. Clive Atkinson
Roman Catholic Church St Josef, Gstaad
Saturday September 9: 18h00 Holy Mass; Sunday September 10: 18h00 Holy Mass;
Santa Misa (esp); Wednesday September 13: 16h30 Rosary; 17h00 Holy Mass
For your next stay in Gstaad:
***** Gstaad Palace: La Grande Terrasse, Snack & Barbecue, Le Grill, The Lobby Bar &
GreenGo Nightclub, Beauty&Spa, 4 tennis courts, Olympic size outdoor pool, and
squash. Tel: 033 748 50 00, Fax 033 748 50 01, info@palace.ch, www.palace.ch
***** Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad: 99 rooms, Spa Chakra Wellness-Care, Restaurants:
“Le Greenhouse”, “Die Panoramaterrasse”, “Le Grand Restaurant”, “Marco Polo”,
“Le Chalet Waldhuus”. Tel: 033 748 98 00, www.grandhotelpark.ch
***** Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad: GaultMillau Hotel of Year 2003, 70 beds, 2,500 m2 SPA, “Restaurant Prado”, Restaurant “Coelho” with sun-terrace, “Bellevue-Bar”,
“Porsche 911 Club”, “Carnotzet”. Tel: 033 748 00 00, www.bellevue-gstaad.ch
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water and raises the question as to whether it
would be better to use collected rainwater for
such things as flushing toilets and washing cars.
Using rainwater for such needs may be ideologically
sound, however in practice, it would not
be easy to carry out and would not help the
water department. According to Haldi and his
colleague Arno Romang, the cost of installing
a second water line into each house would be
prohibitive. As long as the rains continue to come
and the north wind is not too strong, there is
enough well and ground water to meet current
needs. In addition, during dry spells, private
rainwater tanks would empty and the public
water system would be called upon to supply
the water anyway. Water cannot be stored over
the long term as Swiss law dictates that water
must be used within 24 hours of being collected;
otherwise it must be returned to a stream. When
water is stored too long, harmful substances,
such as algae and bacteria, can grow.
Water testing
According to food laws, water preparers and
suppliers are required to test water for smell, taste
and composition; and water must be particle-free.
This means that a certain level of cloudiness
cannot be exceeded. Eleven times per year micro-
Advertisement
LOCAL NEWS
biological and chemical tests are undertaken.
Results are published annually on March 22. It
is during such tests that feces such as manure,
dung water, and sewage can be detected. Over
the past years all tests have met legal requirements
in this regard.
By Debora Leuenberger, translated by Diana Oehrli
How are water charges calculated in
the Gemeinde of Saanen?
Water customers of the Saanen Gemeinde pay according
to the number and the type of water fixtures or appliances
they have in their home. Sewage charges are levied on a
similar basis. For example, a hand washing sink has a unit
value of 1, whereas a washing machine or bathtub each
have values of 4, a garden faucet has a value of 5, and a
dishwasher a value of 2. Each individual unit value has an
associated cost of SFr 13, and this unit value is multiplied
by the number and type of facilities in your home.
That water customers are not charged based on actual
consumption taken from meter readings has annoyed
some part-time residents, but the unit value charging
system better takes into account fixed infrastructure
that must be present and maintained year-round even
if the water itself is not used. Furthermore, in many
communities where water charges are based on metered
readings, customers are also subject to a minimum yearly
charge as well as a rental charge for the meter itself.
Friday September 8 until
Thursday September 14 2006
Friday September 8
Until October 10 Info: 033 722 10 56
10h00 Photo exhibition
Venue: Restaurant Galerie Hüsy, Zweisimmen
For more information: www.huesy.ch or info@huesy.ch
Until Sunday September 10
Healing power of alpine herbs
Course of the healing power of alpine herbs from around Gstaad
For more information: brigitte.pulfer@tiscali.ch
15h00 Fashion show Info: 033 722 18 39
Venue: Wittwer-Mode, Zweisimmen
For more information: Wittwer-Mode, Bahnhofstrasse 16,
3770 Zweisimmen
19h00 Country Night Gstaad Info: 033 744 88 22
Europe's Top Country Night!
September 8-10, Festival Tent Gstaad
Country stars from all over the world are presented
at the Country Night Gstaad 2006: Ronan Keating, Clay Walker,
Rhet Akins, Cornell Hurd Band and many more.
Win concert tickets for Friday September 8 www.ticketpark.ch/blog
For more information: www.countrynight-gstaad.ch or
info@countrynight-gstaad.ch
20h00 Music evening Info: 033 722 18 16
Venue: Gasthof Bären, Zweisimmen
For more information: www.baeren-zweisimmen.ch or
info@baeren-zweisimmen.ch
By Diana Oehrli
20h00 Folklore Evening in Lauenen Info: 033 765 30 22
Foklore and Swiss Music
Venue: Hotel Geltenhorn, Lauenen
Reservations required. Call Peter Zumbrunnen at
Hotel Geltenhorn Lauenen for more information and reservations.
events
5

GSTAAD / SAANENLAND
Disneyland
at 3000 meters
It will be called the Alpine Coaster, and it is not
just a vision in the planning stages; it is a reality
that will be open for business this coming
November. Running three meters above the
ground, the 935-meter long toboggan will stretch
across the ski runs of Glacier 3000 from the
Botta Restaurant to the chairlift at Sex Rouge,
and will feature 12 curves, three jumps, two
bridges and a 560-degree loop; and all this at
3,000 meters above sea level.
The new toboggan is part of a SFr 17 million
investment designed to increase the frequency
of visits to the glacier. Other projects included in
this investment are new snow-making machines
on the Oldenalp and an expanded network of
walking trails.
Some, however, are not happy with these plans.
The Foundation to Protect Swiss Landscape, in
particular, has strongly questioned the permit
process regarding the toboggan and artificial
snowmaking plans, and says that these plans will
turn the glacier area into a “Disneyland”. It is this
group’s opinion that an environmental impact
study should be made and that the public should
have had more input into the permit process.
In a letter to the editor of the Anzeiger von Saanen
published on August 22, Martin Marti, president of
the Gsteig local council, dismissed the foundation’s
criticism, writing that the permit process was
indeed carried out correctly. He also stated that it
was the canton of Valais which was responsible for
issuing the toboggan permit. It is his opinion that
the toboggan is an attraction that will only help
the area. He said that tourists in this day and age
Paper Art
Regina Martin is a “self-taught Scherenschnitt”
expert. Her beautiful work can be found in
many private houses and also in hotels. One
of her biggest collections is on display at the
Hornberg Hotel in Saanenmöser.
Martin comes from a farmer’s family in Lauenen,
and was asked as a schoolchild to make some
star paper cut-outs for the class Christmas
decoration. Instead, her cut-outs were horses.
From this day on she refined her work and
taught herself how to make all of her outstanding
paper cut-outs. Her mission is to keep the
traditional ways of Scherenschnitt in Saanenland,
and the work she does is the so-called
“folded Scherenschnitt.” This requires a special
paper which is white on one side and black
on the other, on which she draws and cuts
her designs.
6
935 m long, twelve curves, eleven waves, three jumps, two bridges and one
560°-spinning top (inset): The toboggan run on the Glacier 3000 will thrill you…
have become increasingly demanding and that if
we, as a community, want our tourism economy
to survive, we must be flexible.
The idea for a toboggan stemmed from Marcel
Bach, co-owner of the company that runs the
glacier ski lifts. “Beautiful views alone are not
enough to attract guests any more,” Bach said.
“Attractions are needed, especially for groups,”
he added. It is specifically the group segment that
Bach would like to attract, and he would like to
do so with the “highest toboggan in the world”.
But naturally he would like to appeal to all other
toboggan fans too, including local residents. An
opening party is planned at the beginning of
November. “The toboggan will be in operation
year-round as long as the main glacier ski lift is
running,” Bach said.
Skiers should also be happy. Starting in November,
artificial snow will be made on the Oldenalp
(Combe d’Audon). “The permit has been granted;
Regina Martin
at work…
Her artwork is easy to spot. First, she always
cuts a frame in the form of flowers or other
designs around her pictures. Her designs are
mostly of animals, dominated by her beloved
horses. When asked how much time she takes for
this extraordinary work, she tells me that large
paintings like the one shown in the photo above
take up to 50 hours, with small ones needing
around 10 hours. The old wooden frames are
also quite unique; her husband Roland is a
Photos: Antoinette de Scheel
An example of Regina’s art,
her beloved horses
now we start the work,” Bach said happily. The
water for the snow-making machines will be taken
from the Sanetsch reservoir, and a tunnel will be
built under the Gstellihorn for the water pipes. At
the same time as the snow machines are installed,
the ski runs themselves will be improved.
Already installed in the Botta restaurant and ready
for use is the “Tecatron-Visiorama”, a giant television
screen. Although a total of 1,500 channels
can be viewed on it, its primary purpose will be to
show films of the panorama and skiing to visiting
groups during bad weather. Modest renovations
are planned for the restaurant and terrace as well.
Of the total SFr 17 million being invested,
SFr 10 million is being used for the artificial
snow-making infrastructure, including the SFr 2
million contribution from the Gemeinde of
Saanen approved by voters last March.
Based on articles and letters by Anita Moser and
Anja Moosmann, translated by Diana Oehrli
Regina showing her art
at Hotel Hornberg in Saanenmöser
carpenter and he cuts from old wood in very
special formats or old window frames.
Martin sold her first Scherenschnitt artwork in the
winter markets in Gstaad. Now she only showcases
her work in four markets, otherwise she would not
be able to fulfill all the orders which are coming in.
Indeed, she is now so well-known that she hardly
has time left for her “real” profession as a ceramic
designer, and her studio has been quiet for quite
a while. By Antoinette de Scheel
Photomontage: Egger Ingenieure AG/made available

Photo: made available
Gstaad Yacht Club
Summer News
Early June was the
start of our summer
sailing activities in
Italy where the Gstaad
Yacht Club was invited
to compete in the 3rd Annual Vela & Golf
Trophy in Porto Cervo,
Sardinia. For the first
time a GYC was
represented. Commodore George Nicholson and
members William Harding, Benjamin Worbs and
Timothy Mueller participated in this event which
combined golf and sailing. The team put in
an excellent performance and won 1st place
in the sailing Regatta and 4th place in the golf
competition resulting in a combined 2nd place
finish overall.Also in Porto Cervo in late June, two
GYC Teams participated in the 2006 edition of
Coppa Europa Smeralda. After two days of intense
fleet regattas with 10 Smeralda 888’s competing in
6 windward-leeward races, victory went to the
team from the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM). The
GYC teams could not keep up with the pace of
the competition, which has intensified this year
with new boats and new crews, but will come back
next year better equipped and with more training.
In mid July, the Royal Yacht Squadron organized
the Daring Class International Team Racing
Regatta in Cowes. The GYC with team captain
Marc Erzberger tied for 5th place after narrowly
missing entry into finals to YCM, who finished 3rd l to r. Commodore
George Nicholson,
William Harding,
Timothy Müller and
Benjamin Worbs
.
The trophy was won by RYC.
International Level
In late July the best 5.5 m teams met on the
Ijsselmeer, Medenblick (Netherlands), to compete
for a number of prestigious trophies held over
two weeks. The Scandinavian Gold Cup, second
oldest sailing trophy after the America’s Cup
won by GYC member Hans Nadorp. The Gold
Cup therefore stays in the GYC family, as the
Marazzi family had won it in the last edition.
In the Open Dutch Championship, GYC member
Flavio Marazzi and his crew won 1 st place,
followed in 2 nd place by GYC Rear Commodore
Peter Erzberger with GYC member Christoph
2006 marks 100 years of Gstaad Saanenland
Tourism (GST). Wednesday evening saw the big
jubilee evening with invited guests from the worlds
of tourism, hotelerie, politics, and business. The
festivities began with an apéro at the Landschaft
Museum in Saanen, with guests welcomed by Miss
Switzerland 2005, Lauriane Gilliéron. After the
drinks, guests moved on to Saanen church for a
performance featuring Klaus Maria Brandauer
and Daniel Hope. The evening wrapped up with
a Robert Speth-prepared feast at the Chesery in
Gstaad, accompanied by speeches from GST director
Roger Seifritz and GST president Walter Egger.
Another Reader’s Experience
Referring to the article in GstaadLife on
16th August it was a very sad story and
unlike the Swiss mentality to hear that the
dog was suffering in the middle of the street
in Feutersoey after being hit by a car. I was
badly surprised about the behavior of many
involved in this story, but also relieved and
happily surprised that there are still people
among us who really care, such as this couple
that made the impossible possible to help the
poor dog.
At this point I will recount my personal
experience involving dogs and Saanenland.
I had an incident some days ago in my home.
In fact the story begins that while I was in
Greece I adopted a puppy, a German shepherd
mix which was roaming and crying in the streets
GST Tourism
jubilee evening
l to r. Eric Oehrli-Chevalley, Christoph
Ringier and Murielle Oehrli-Chevalley
that were full of cars and people. I brought
him back to Gstaad with me where my other
four dogs, all King Charles Cavaliers and Kings
of the House, had to accept the newcomer.
Unfortunately one night the older of the King
Charles had had enough of his playful antics and
between his jealousy and despair he went after
the puppy, biting him several times in one of
his front legs. His screams were agonizing and
I had to rush to a doctor in the middle of the
night. I called Dr. Hauswirth, waking him in the
middle of the night. He told me to come to him
immediately, where his whole family, including
his daughter Francesca, was awake to help and
assist us. Dr. Hauswirth took very good care of
my little wounded dog and just a few days later
he was back on four legs – all happy again.
FYI
Burger, beating Alinghi’s helmans and sporting
manager Jochen Schümann who finished in 3 rd
place. In the 5.5m Word Championship, Flavio
Marazzi and his crew showed their excellent
form again and finished in 1 st place just ahead of
Jochen Schümann, with GYC member Hans
Nadorp in 3 rd and Peter Erzberger in 5 th place
out of 41 boats. Many congratulations to all
teams! By Angelo Frattali
Roger Seifritz (GST director),
Lauriane Gilléron (Miss Switzerland 2005)
and Walter Egger (GST president)
Urs Hodler (left; president of the Eagle Ski
Club) and his wife Alice (second from right);
Eunice Olsen (center; former Singaporean
MP, professional pianist, and Miss Singapore
2000); and Brian Richmond and his wife
(right and second from left), one of the most
popular radio DJs in Singapore.
READER’S LETTER
That night brought back memories of
another horrendous incident where once again
Dr. Hauswirth and Francesca assisted in a
serious situation, providing first aid and
accompanying me and the King Charles to
the Bern Animal Hospital. I will never forget
and will always be grateful to them for their
assistance and care, so in response to both
articles of GstaadLife, either I was only lucky
both times, or there truly exists doctors that
can provide you with first aid. I hope this
will continue to be the case and that animal
medical assistance will continue in the same
spirit and tradition set by Dr. Hauswirth and
his daughter Francesca.
by Ninetta Fix
7
Photos: Frank Müller-Brand

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