Saanenland in winter - GstaadLife print edition

GSTAADLIFE
No. 9 4 March 05 X ???
View of Gummfluh and Rübli on the way from Schönried to Saanen.
Saanenland in winter: a joy to discover on foot
Two local residents, Walter Jungen and
Ernst Romang, had the idea to improve the
winter walking paths. Three years ago the
new winter walkways were prepared for the
first time. To discover Saanenland on foot in
winter is a joy not to be missed.
New preparation technique
Walter Jungen and Ernst Romang, both local residents,
had the idea to improve the winter walkways
after seeing walkers slipping and sliding in
slushy or frozen conditions. The paths used to be
opened for walkers by removing the snow. This
had the unhappy side-effect that the path was
fine at first, but no upkeep was possible since
what snow that was left on the path would either
melt and turn to slippery slush or, even worse,
would freeze over. The solution to the problem
was easy. Instead of clearing the snow away it is
left and compressed, which makes for a good
surface to walk on and is easily maintained. Jungen
and Romang gained the support of Gstaad
Saanenland Tourism, and three years ago the
walkways were prepared for the first time compressing
the snow with a machine normally used
for making cross-country skiing tracks. Walking
along these paths is easy as long as you wear
sturdy winter shoes or boots. The new walkways
were an immediate success, and the network of
connecting paths continues to be enlarged. Find-
On the way to Turbach
from Schönried. View of Rellerli from Gruben.
Ernst Romang and Walter Jungen,
initiators of the improved winter walkways.
ing your way around is simple. You just follow the pink signposting.
A map with suggested walks is available from tourist offices.
Generous landowners
The winter walkways connect all the villages of Saanenland with
each other and some continue beyond. Thanks to the landowners,
who in some cases needed quite a bit of persuasion to allow the
walkways to run across their land, it is possible to hike practically
anywhere in Saanenland. The winter paths do not always follow the
summer routes. Sometimes they go across land where there are
normally no paths. Many people are not aware of the fact that they
are actually on privately-owned land and that the walkways are
designed for walking on, not driving, cross-country skiing, riding or
other activities that damage the paths and annoy the landowners.
Enjoyment in winters to come is guaranteed if everyone shows a little
consideration for those who take to the walkways after them and
to the landowners themselves. A walk, or for the more adventurous
a hike, on these winter paths is a joy not to be missed.
Photos made available
by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
1
Photo by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl

Gstaad Promenade complaints
In recent weeks the Promenade has been
the subject of several complaints and readers’
letters. Following up on this debate
GSTAADLIFE spoke to Mr. Linder, who is in
charge of infrastructure for the Saanen
Gemeinde, and Mr. Tritten, head of the road
maintenance department.
GSTAADLIFE: Mr. Linder, Mr. Tritten, there
have been a number of reader’s letters and
complaints addressed to one of our editors
with regard to the clearing of snow and ice
in the Promenade. Elderly people fear the ice
and resulting falls, and mothers with prams
get stuck. There has apparently been no
improvement in the situation despite these
complaints. Have you seen the letters?
Mr. Linder: Yes, we have read them. We have also
received a total of three complaints via the tourist
office in Gstaad, though only one concerned ice in
the Promenade. For comparison: last winter there
were five complaints and only one was about the
ice.
Mr. Tritten: I also took notice of the letters. My
English is not so good, but my wife translated
them for me.
Goodbye for now
The third season of
GSTAADLIFE is coming to a
close. We hope you have
enjoyed reading our magazine
and that you will stay
with us next summer.
On the occasion of our extra,
the eleventh edition, the last
of this winter season, we
would like to say a big thank
you to all our readers and subscribers
for the continued and
growing support. Throughout
this season, we have been
able to gain a considerable
number of new subscriptions.
We also wish to thank our editorial
staff and our members
of the board: Anne Pfeiffer-
Brechbühl, for the bulk of the
writing and reporting, Marc
Rome for the culture column,
Antoinette de Scheel and
Xavier Ferguson for their
ongoing support, and Peter
Kuntze for taking care of
advertising. In addition we
GL: What exactly is being done in the Promenade? And what
is the policy?
Mr. Linder: Maintenance is based on a political decision. Gstaad is a
mountain resort. Our guests come here in the winter to experience
and enjoy the snow and a snowy environment, which includes the
village. Much thought went into safety and how best to maintain a
white village. Compared with other places, we spend a lot more
money on maintenance in Gstaad. By trial-and-error we found that
our specially-developed ice-mortising machine that is used to
roughen up trodden snow and ice on a daily basis works best. If
necessary we clear away surplus snow and sprinkle special salt
that stays clean. Occasionally we use ecologically sound and
degradable gravel. It has to be imported from Germany though.
GL: This is all fine, but would it not be possible to clear a
path for the elderly or have a continuous stretch covered
with gravel?
Mr. Tritten: We have tried almost everything. Clearing a path would
not work as it would be lower to the ground than the snow-covered
part. We fear that people would trip up and fall. Gravel is not ideal
either. We know from experience that it can collect up over the winter
and we end up getting complaints, often from shop-owners,
because the Promenade looks dirty and muck gets trampled into
their stores. Apart from that, walking on gravel when the snow has
melted is not easy either. We are aware of the fact that elderly people
are afraid sometimes. I make it my business to look out for
would also like to thank all those who have generously
given their time to write for GSTAADLIFE
providing us with occasional articles and
columns: Maria Embiricos, Ninetta Fix, Maria
Frick, Diana Kiker-Oehrli, Léonie Müller, Taki
Theodoracopulos, Alexandra de Scheel, and
many others.
We are happy that the many interesting and at
times controversial topics covered this season
gave rise to a number of reader’s letters, showing
us that GSTAADLIFE is being noticed and
discussed. We look forward to hearing more
from you, our readers.
Don’t forget, if you have missed an issue or
would like to look up an old article, GSTAADLIFE
is now also on Internet at www.gstaadlife.ch.
Thanks to everyone involved, writers and readers
alike, GSTAADLIFE is a success. Taking a
break we expect to be back fresh and ready for
the new summer season on 8 July 2005, the
week of the Swiss Open tennis tournament.
We wish you a wonderful spring and look forward
to seeing you in the summer!
Frank Müller-Brand
Editor-in-Chief
FYI
Enjoy
spectacular
Alpine winter
ballooning
in the comfort of our
luxury baskets. We will
serve you brunch as we gently
float over the Alpes. For those with
more time on their hands, join us on a
balloon safari over Africa in Namibia and
Botswana this spring.
them. For example, there is one eighty-year-old
lady I see almost every day in the Promenade. If I
see her walking alright, I feel things must okay.
Sometimes I get complaints, which I am happy to
see to right away. I have to add that much of the
work is carried out by hand. It takes time to get
everything done.
GL: So there is not much else you can do?
Mr. Linder: We take notice of complaints, which
reach us best via the tourism bureau. We feel we
are doing our utmost. In a mountain resort in winter
people have to accept that there can be snow
underfoot and that they wear their most suitable
shoes. And for ladies with pushchairs, maybe a
sledge would be a good solution and certainly fun
for the child.
GL: Mr. Linder and Mr. Tritten, thank you for
explaining the situation.
by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
For complaints please call the tourism bureau on
033 748 81 81.
Hans Büker
Alpine balloon pioneer since 1978 in Gstaad
Tel. 079 393 8013 · 026 924 54 85
e-mail: gstaadballoon@dplanet.ch

Interview
Putting himself out for Saanen: Andreas Hurni
Andreas Hurni is the president of Saanen
municipal council. He is not to be mistaken
with the president of the Gemeinde, Bethli
Küng, whose sole duty is to lead the
Gemeinde assembly four times a year.
Mr. Hurni is the head of the executive
authority in this Gemeinde, but what does
that actually mean? And who is he?
GSTAADLIFE set out to find some answers.
Andreas Hurni, president of
Saanen municipal council.
GSTAADLIFE: Mr. Hurni, you are currently
serving in your second term of office, which
started this year. As president of the municipal
council of Saanen you are allowed two
periods of office, eight years in total, and
then someone else has to take over at the
helm of the executive authority. What path
led you to this office?
Mr. Hurni: Originally I was a secondary school
teacher, which I still am incidentally. It wasn’t
until I was 50 years old and ready for a change
that I got into politics. I was a municipal councillor
for four years. When my predecessor Leonz Blunschi’s
term ended, a new president of the municipal
council was needed and I was interested in
the job. There were several candidates and following
talks, both parties represented in the
council, the FDP (Liberal Democratic Party) and
the SVP (Swiss People’s Party), decided to support
my candidature. The post was mine for the
taking and at 54 years old I found myself with a
new job. Luckily I had gained leadership experience
and had learned management skills as longtime
headmaster of the regional secondary school
and during my prolonged deployment in the Swiss
army.
Photo: Archiv AVS
GL: What does your job for the Saanen municipal council
entail?
Mr. H: As a member of the municipal council I am the president of
the zoning commission and vice president of other commissions, as
well as being on various committees. I attend many meetings and,
of course, there are representational duties too. It is fair to say that
it is demanding work, but also multi-faceted and very interesting. I
get to meet and work with many people from all walks of life, from
officials to residents and guests.
As the president of the council a great deal of effort and enthusiasm
is needed. Saanen is different from many communities, as
many of our duties are not among the key tasks a Gemeinde has to
take care of, but nevertheless need attention. For instance there
are the mountain lifts and cable cars and events, but also business
with regard to the hospital, infrastructure, roads, water supply and
sewage treatment that all have to be attended to. The Gemeinde of
Saanen has 7,500 full-time residents, but provides infrastructure
for up to 30,000 people, which is the equivalent of a medium-size
town!
GL: That is impressive. How much of your time does this job
take up?
Mr. H: The post of council president is currently a so-called “halfoffice”,
which means it is reckoned to be the equivalent of half-time
employment. However, I work forty hours a week for the Gemeinde
and still have a 60% work quota teaching natural sciences at the
secondary school which I used to run.
GL: Who is there to help shoulder the workload?
Mr. H: There are eight councillors, nine including myself. Each one
presides over one area of responsibility. We have more than thirty
employees working for the administration. All-in-all we have a total
of 130 people working for the Gemeinde, though some of them
have only small part-time jobs.
GL: What is your main goal as council president, and what
are the most important topics currently?
Mr. H: My main goal is to be here for all the residents. As I still work
as a teacher I am independent. It is important to me that an overall
view and the welfare of the majority prevail, not personal interests.
The principal topic right now is the major revision of village planning,
which lays down the strategic principles of how Saanenland is
to develop for the next fifteen years. The main points are to look
after the land, at the least to preserve today’s quality, and to ensure
that no mass tourism will evolve. We do not want to develop into a
town. Land prices are very high and there is a dearth of reasonably
priced apartments. We will seek to have influence on prices and
plan zones especially for local residents. The wishes of our guests
also need to be taken into account. What we are looking for is balance
and consensus.
Other topics include issues with regard to youth and the elderly,
infrastructure (we have just completed a new triple sports hall in
Ebnit, then there is the extension of the Sports Centre Gstaad and
the renovation of the indoor swimmung pool, the construction of the
new indoor ice rink and the Saanen bypass), the mountain lifts and
cable cars, cooperation with tourism organisations, and the exten-
sion of the “House of the Guest”, where the
Gstaad tourism office is located.
GL: So far we have talked about your council
activities. You are also married and have
three grown-up children. What do you do in
your spare time to recuperate from your
demanding working life?
Mr. H: I like to ski, which incidentally is what
brought me to Saanenland in the first place. I also
like to read and am an active member of a choir.
In general I enjoy music and culture. I like the outdoors
and nature. When I go on holiday I like to
keep moving and go cycling.
GL: You are not from Saanenland originally.
Where did you grow up?
Mr. H: I grew up in Erlenbach in the Simmental
with three siblings. My father was an orthopaedic
shoemaker. I got my teacher’s education in Bern.
Later I was offered a teaching job in Saanenland
and came here in 1971…and never left.
GL: Mr. Hurni, many thanks for giving us
some of your time and talking to us. We wish
you all the best. by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
The Gemeinde of Saanen
The Saanen Gemeinde consists not just
of one village, but several, and has to
cater for many more people than its
7,500 full-time residents.
The following four villages and seven
hamlets make up the Gemeinde of Saanen:
Abländschen, Bissen, Ebnit, Gruben, Grund,
Gstaad, Kalberhöni, Saanen, Saanenmöser,
Schönried and Turbach. The
Gemeinde covers 120 square kilometres.
28% of the people living here are foreigners.
There are 7,500 full-time residents, but
the infrastructure has to cope with up to
30,000 people in high season. The budget
for 2005 is SFr60 million, including investment
plans for SFr22.5 million, which is
equivalent to the budget of a medium-size
town. The foundation of the Gemeinde’s
prosperity lies in tourism, services, commercial
businesses and farming. Thanks to
Gstaad the Gemeinde is well off. Taxes per
capita are twice as high as the average in
Canton Bern.
3

Le Rosey celebrates its
This year marks the 125 th anniversary of the founding of
Institut Le Rosey and the 40th anniversary of the A.I.A.R., its
alumni association. Under the leadership of John Silvin,
President of the A.I.A.R., and thanks to the untiring and dedicated
efforts of Knut B. and Barbara Strömstad, a two day
event-packed series of sporting and social events and competitions
was organised. The theme this year was a Winter
Carnival, although Circus would perhaps have been more
appropriate.
Tony Paulino,
Anne-Catherine Gowen
and Marwan Shakarchi.
The black-tie fundraiser dinner hosted at the Palace Hotel on
18 February reached new heights for the Le Rosey Foundation
Scholarship Fund. Close to 300 attended the Venetian Carnival
themed evening in the Salle Baccarat. Another 100 were left on a
waiting list. Thanks to the flawless organisation of Carolyn Krausse
Favre-Bull, Executive director of the Foundation, the dinner exceeded
all expectations. Hand-painted plumed Venitian Carnival masks
adorned each place-setting, along with multi-coloured boas and
indulgent party favours. The generosity displayed by Debbie Zoullas,
Elizabeth Schrurs, Bulgari, and Tristan chocolates was more
than appreciated by all. The Palace kitchen outdid themselves by
whipping up a black truffle mashed potato dish of such richness
that even Miguel Esteve, the most demanding of food critics, admitted
that it was one of the best things he had ever eaten — he
ordered three additional helpings. The tombola prizes that followed
dinner were better than anything Santa could have thought of.
Underwriters, well-aware of the marketing advantages to be
accrued from an association with this famed institution, were most
4
Alain Kittler and
Carol de Tigny at the
Foundation dinner.
Winners: (from left) Maroussia Fabert,
Samuel Turrettini, Biddle Duke, Antoine Spillmann
and Mr. Zürcher accepting prizes on behalf
of his son Patrick.
Le Rosey
The much-anticipated Rosey
Races were held the following
morning at the Wasserngrat.
The most difficult part of the
race for the Anciens is of
course arriving on time – at the
start that is – especially after a
quick stop the night before at
the Palace bar and a “few”
dances at the GreenGo. The
uncivilized hour of 09:00H was
the set time to pick up start
Celebrating at the bottom of the slalom run.
numbers. Few if any were there
on time, preferring to use the
generous. Winners were delighted by their unex- new telephone race number reservation service
pected gains and the losers…well they just went on a first-call, first-placed basis. That way, com-
out shopping the next day, of course. In these petitors could comfortably stay in bed an hour
days of uncertain markets, the Ancien Roseens longer and order a second coffee from room
outdid themselves in expressing their generosity service. Many nevertheless over-slept or simply
towards their Alma Mater scholarship fund. Char- conveniently “forgot” when the stresses of comity,
of course, begins at home, and home is what petition and potential embarrassment fell upon
Le Rosey was for so many of us, and part of that them. For the 50-odd participants it was a great
family is what we all are.
afternoon. Michael von Grünigen, World Cup and
Olympic medalist opened the race and signed all
the “dossards” for the Anciens. What a magical
Snow sculpting competition:
(from left) participant Betty Close,
winners David Moake and
Bruce McKelvy,
and Tony Paulino (2nd place).
Maroussia Fabert, Carnival Queen
and winner of the
Coupe Sally “real time”.
Marcus Oeyenhausen (left) and
Antoine Spillmann preparing for the
torchlight ski run.
Winners of the curling contest: (from left)
Peter Harris, Henry de Labouchere,
Charles Yakopin, Hal Ball.
Photos by Fotostudio Reto, Anne-Catherine Gowen, Sonja Kehl, Knut B. Strömstad

moment it was to see him command the slope and the gates. Jean-
Michel Barbey outdid himself with amusing race commentaries,
divulging rather intimate details of each of the participants as they
negotiated the slope. The age specific handicap system evened out
the odds for all and enabled spirited competition. Jaxie Gowen, one
of the most beloved of Anciens went flat out to win the Best Slalom
Costume award and Pharoed himself through the gates and across
the finish line to great applause, laughter and embraces. The prizegiving
ceremony produced few surprises with excellence being
cheered and celebrated by all.
The competitions in cross-country skiing, curling, hockey and
backgammon were attended by enthusiasts and novices alike. The
competitions were about everything other than winning or losing.
Rather they were about spirit, that indefinable, ever-present and
singular “Rosey Spirit” – a spirit, at its best, of friendship, of enthu-
Le Rosey
125 th anniversary
Jaxie Gowen
dressed up as
Tut-ankh-amun.
The heli-skiing team.
Hal Ball and Knut B. Strömstad.
Fondue Party at the Eggli: Robert Hissom, Antoine
Spillmann, a lady guest, Jean Wolfe, Christina
Spillmann, Marcus Oeyenhausen (left to right).
Roseens at a private dinner: Alex
Papadimitriou, Marcus Oeyenhausen,
Robert Hissom, Biddle Duke,
Manuela Richter, Christoph Richter,
Peter Harris, Sonja Kehl,
Léon Schrurs (left to right).
All-round champion Biddle Duke
and his wife Idoline,
winners of the couple’s cup.
siasm, of gusto for life, of accomplishment to the
best of one’s abilities, of loyalty, of concern, of
love, and, at its worst, simply having a good time.
What is it about this school experience and the
tightly knitted A.I.A.R association that drives hundreds
of highly accomplished and otherwise busy
individuals to fly in to this tiny village from the
four corners of the globe every year in ever
increasing numbers? What is it about this village
that provides the perfect venue? The answer is
that they are inextricably linked to a unique childhood
experience, the Rosey experience. It is an
experience that is incomprehensible to most, yet
unforgettable to those fortunate enough to have
enjoyed it. Le Rosey is about many things: a great
education for those that want it and are willing to
work for it, Gstaad, sports, excellence, diversity in
values, tolerance and above all, friendship.
Learning to value and respect friendship in a
multi-cultural environment is one of Rosey’s
greatest lessons. It is in that spirit that Michael
Kadoorie, Jaxie Gowen, John Silvin, Peter Huri,
Ricardo and Penn Sicre, Nick Zoullas and so
many others have attended almost every reunion
for the past three decades, and in that spirit dedicated
so much time, money and energy to their
school and its graduates. It is a school that is
made up of people like no other. by Lisa Woodward
A.I.A.R. winners 2005
Coupe Cova (real time men)
1. Biddle DUKE (0:56.18)
2. Samuel TURRETTINI (0:57.32)
3. Patrick ZÜRCHER (0:58.15)
Coupe Sally (real time women)
1. Maroussia FABERT (1:00.23)
2. Hertha ZÜRCHER BAUMANN (1:03.79)
3. Anouk SCHNEIDER (1:04.75)
Coupe Carnal (men – handicaps)
1. Biddle DUKE (0:44.18)
2. Patrick ZÜRCHER (0:48.15)
3. Samuel TURRETINI (0:48.32)
Coupe Carnal (women – handicaps)
1. Hertha ZÜRCHER BAUMANN (0:53.29)
2. Maroussia FABERT (0:53.73)
3. Carina FINK JONES (0:57.40)
Coupe VIKING (cross-country – handicaps,
men 5km, women 2.5km)
1. Morten ASTRUP (13’39)
2. Biddle DUKE (14’20)
3. Nicholas ANOUILH (14’32)
1. Carina JONES (9’55)
2. Unni FELDHEIM (10’23)
3. Ulrica DE MOLE (10’41)
Coupe SPILLMANN (combined Viking and Carnal)
1. Biddle DUKE
2. Antoine SPILLMANN
1. Carina FINK JONES
2. Evelyne PETEN
Couple’s Cup
1. Biddle & Idoline DUKE (1:43.37)
2. Carina & Paul FINK JONES (2:06.05)
3. Penelope & Nicholas KOHLER FABERT (2:40.87)
Santa Catharina Cup
Won by Anciens with a time of 4:51.95
Biddle DUKE
Samuel TURRETTINI
Patrick ZÜRCHER
Antoine SPILLMANN
Maroussia FABERT
Hockey match
5:4 for actuals
Backgammon
Maroussia FABERT
Curling
Hal Ball, Peter Harris, Henry de Labouchere,
Charles Yakopin
Snow sculpting
1. Bruce McKelvy & David Moake
2. Tony Paulino
Special award for best costume in giant slalom
Jaxie Gowen (dressed as Tut-anch-amun)
5

`Photos by Evelyne Peten
Gala in aid of the Lionel Perrier Foundation
On Saturday 26 February 2005, a rather glamourous
and highly international group of no less
than 140 guests participated in the Charity Gala
of the Lionel Perrier Foundation at the Gstaad
Yacht Club/Grand Hotel Bellevue. The cocktail
reception was held in the beautifully decorated
“911 Club” of the Grand Hotel Bellevue. The
atmosphere was ebullient. Later on, dinner was
served at the Gstaad Yacht Club. Elegant, yet very
cosy surroundings made guests feel at ease. The
chatting and laughter were doubtless signs of
great enjoyment. Once again, the auction of rare
objects was led by the legendary Taki Theodora-
6
Masthead
Editorial:
Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl anne.pfeiffer@gstaadlife.ch
Antoinette de Scheel antoinette.descheel@gstaadlife.ch
Diana Kiker-Oehrli diana.kiker@gstaadlife.ch
Xavier Ferguson xavier.ferguson@gstaadlife.ch
Frank Müller-Brand frank.mueller@gstaadlife.ch
Marc Rome (Arts column) mr.rome@ukonline.co.uk
Peter Kuntze-Schneider (Advertising)
peter.kuntze@gstaadlife.ch
Publishing, Conception, Printing:
Müller Marketing & Druck AG, Gstaad
Mrs. Kirsten Sutin.
Mr. Paul-Robert Martin,
Princess Alexandra von Schönburg.
Subscriptions: Tel. 033 748 88 74, Elsbeth Wyss
Mrs. Marion Forsyth.
Charity
copulos. He was in great shape, got the crowd going, and made an
impressive benefit for the Foundation. The top sale was, as expected,
the navigator seat at the “Mille Milglia” 2005 race, which raised
SFr22,000. With immense pleasure, a total amount of SFr119,000
net profit was announced, to a big round of applause from the audience!
Some donations are still on the way.
The committee wishes to thank the very generous guests of the
gala, all the donors and sponsors, and last but not least, all the
silent helpers of the event!
Thank you for helping us to help!
Mrs. Susy Wolf, Mr. Igor Ustinov,
Mrs. Evelyne Pen de Castel.
by Susy Wolf
Comité d’Organisation Gala FLP/Gstaad
Mr. Taki
Theodoracopulos.
Mr. Werner Gruber, Mrs. Ninetta Fix,
Mr. Forester Labrouche Cabeza de Vaca,
Mrs. Madeleine Gerber and
Mrs. Stéphanie Labrouche Cabeza de Vaca.
Featured Hotels in Gstaad
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Lobby, Beauty&Spa, 4 tennis courts, Olympic outdoor pool, and squash.
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Greenhouse”, “Die Panoramaterrasse”, “Le Grand Restaurant”, “Le Grill”, “Le Chalet
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The beautifully laid out Chopard table.
Lady Nancy
Chopard-Sain.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Erzberger.
Mrs. Jeanette
de Vigier.
Mrs. Brigitta Notz and Mr. John Sutin.
Miss Katy Schurs, Miss Anoushka
Keusseoglou, Mrs. Elisabeth Schrurs,
Mr. Roman Faizov.

Memories
School at Chalet Flora
When a good friend of ours, Grey Gowrie, came to stay at the
Chalet Oldenhorn some time ago, he experienced a Proustian
moment, when he stepped onto our balcony and saw the
view of the Oldenhorn and the Wispile in front, with the Wassengrat
and the Eggli on either side. He thought our house
must be on the site of a school that he attended at the age of
twelve, as the view was so familiar. This set in motion a
piece of detective work. I realised that the best person to
contact was Mr. von Siebenthal, who produced the fantastic
book of old photos, the «Story of Gstaad». He told me that
Grey’s former school was Chalet Flora, that the building is
still standing, and he showed me how to find it. Though further
down the hill than our chalet, it has a similar view from
its balcony. In this article, Grey shares some of his memories
of his days at Chalet Flora.
In 1952, when I was twelve, my mother took me away from my
orthodox English boarding school and left me at Chalet Flora. The
reason given was my perpetually running nose; recently a doctor
told me this was nothing more than the onset of puberty.
At first I hated Chalet Flora. For one thing, there were girls there, a
terrible insult to a young product of the segregated English system.
For another we wore bibs with rabbits on them at meals, a further
affront to my age and gender. But then everything
changed. I fell in love with one of the girls, a Mexican
even darker than me, older and much
stronger too. The first time I tried to kiss her, she
knocked me down. The second time went much
better.
Then the food turned out to be delicious, especially
when compared to the institutional fare of
post-war austerity in England, where eggs came
in powdered form and sweets were still rationed.
On Thursday evenings, for example, Chalet Flora
served huge bowls of boiled waxy potatoes. For
the first course you slathered them with butter
and Gruyère cheese, for the second with butter
and black cherry jam.
And then I turned out to be quite good at skiing
and won my silver medal on the Wispile. I shared
a bedroom with two American boys who were
homesick. They missed peanut butter, baseball,
and their parents; in that order.
It was an eccentric school. There were thirty children
and fifteen different
nationalities. You were fined fifteen
centimes of your two-anda-half
Swiss francs pocket
money if you were caught
speaking any language but
French. French was taught,
however, by Mlle. Schwab and
Mlle. Tchopps. They appeared
to be companions, calling each
other «Schwabli» and «Tchoppsi»,
and spoke French with
strong Swiss-German accents.
One day the Headmistress,
Tante Flora, came into class and pulled me out of
it. She told me she had dreadful news and I must
brace myself. Of course I assumed my mother
had died, or that my father had been killed in the
war; I was now an orphan. She cried a little and
then pulled herself together to say: “The King is
dead”. She took me back to class and suspended
lessons for the day. She told all the other children
that they must be especially kind to me. They
were and when at the end of term I left to go back
to my old school, sniffers cured completely,
I missed them, the grub, the skiing… and my
Mexican friend.
Lord Gowrie has been a Chairman of Sotheby’s in
London and was Minister for the Arts in Baroness
Thatcher’s government. by Maria Embiricos
Seen in Gstaad
Last week Roman
Polanski, the prolific
film director (“The
Pianist”, 2002) of Polish
origin, but born in
Paris, was seen enjoying
a meal at the
Olden Hotel in Gstaad.
The author: Maria Embiricos.
Photo: www.absolutenow.com
Meeting every Friday evening at
SAANEN HOSPITAL
in the café on the lower ground
floor, at 18:00H, in English.
7
Photo made available

125 years of the “Anzeiger von Saanen”
This year the “Anzeiger von Saanen” is celebrating its 125 th
birthday. Various activities will take place during the jubilee
year. The new layout of the “Anzeiger von Saanen” marks
the beginning.
125 years ago Rudolf Wehren-von Siebenthal, teacher and civil servant
at the registry office, founded the “Anzeiger für Saanen und
Obersimmental”. The importance of a local newspaper was clear to
the visionary Rudolf Wehren, to whom the region, the land and the
people were close to his heart. He was a “Saaner” through-andthrough
and lived for this valley. He saw the possibility to bring the
villages and valleys closer together through a local newspaper that
provided a platform for information and discussion of various opinions.
Time and again he acted in a reconciliatory manner as the
editor of the local newspaper, an approach still adhered to by the
editors of today’s “Anzeiger von Saanen”.
Go with the times
We have begun the jubilee year with a new layout for the “Anzeiger
von Saanen”. The text is now arranged in five columns instead of
four, the titles have been restyled and made more flexible, the list of
contents on the front page has been redesigned and given more
details, and the use and placing of pictures has been brought upto-date.
Through these steps, the “Anzeiger von Saanen” has become
clearer in its layout, more modern, and more reader-friendly.
8
culture
Galerie Lovers of
Fine Art
033 744 00 44
DeIio Romang
033 744 33 23
Gasthof Bären
Zweisimmen
The Keltones, Traditional
Irish Music
5 March 20:30H
033 722 18 16
Galerie wandelbar
Gstaad
Kirka de Jorio
New paintings exploring
the theme of the
summit Until 13 March
033 744 22 70
Geneva Art
Galerie Analix Forever
A gallery with a great
cross section of artists
who’s aim is to explore &
redefine the boundaries
between art, beauty,
fashion, media & communication.
25 Rue de l’Arquebuse
022 329 17 09
www.forever-beauty.com
Gstaad Arts Scene
The arts scene in Gstaad continues to
grow and goes from strength to strength,
with its breadth of work and ever changing
shows. Change it seems is also the keyword
at the moment for a number of well
established galleries. Re-location, new
ownership and forged alliances will have a
cultural impact in the town in the forthcoming
year. Galerie Lovers of Fine Art is to
move from its existing premises to a new
location in the former Von Siebenthal hardware
shop and to a new alliance with said
name. Galerie wandelbar, has plans to
continue its programming of high profile
shows by exploring an alliance with a certain
highly noted Swiss gallery. The Delio
Romang Galerie is to change hands at the
end of March 05 and will be renamed
Galerie Simple, closing for some weeks for
an extensive refurbishment of the existing
interior and planning to re-open some time
in May. Gstaad’s growing reputation as a
place of culture will only be reinforced by
such positive moves.
Events...contact: Marc Rome mr.rome@ukonline.co.uk
Jubilee
The editors gain importance
At the beginning of 2005 we strengthened the
editorial office, in which mainly Anita Moser and
Anja Gfeller work. Going forward, the “Anzeiger
von Saanen” will report even more intensely on
what is happening locally and will cover various
topics. As has been the case until now, the editors
will count on free-lance help to report on associations,
organisations, political parties, and events
of all kinds. The “Anzeiger” is to remain a small
local newspaper for the local residents and the
friends of Saanenland.
We will keep you informed on further activities
during the year of the jubilee. All of us at the
“Anzeiger von Saanen” wish you much pleasure
reading the new/old “Anzeiger”, and as ever, we
look forward to hearing from you.
Frank Müller-Brand
Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Director
Church services
Château-d’Oex:
St. Peter’s English speaking
Anglican Church
Sunday 6 March
17:30H
Revd. Clive Atkinson
Evening Prayer
Saturday 5 March until
Friday 11 March, 2005
Saturday, 5 March
Sport Centre Gstaad
The Sports Centre Gstaad is still in need of
funds to be able to bring about its extension
and renovation.
Swimming Pool – Sauna – Tennis – Curling –
Skating… For everyone! For the renovation and
extension of the Sports Centre it is necessary to
raise a total of SFr1,4 million by 16 March 2005.
This sum has not yet been reached. The project
depends on each and every subscription for
shares that can be gained by then. Registered
shares are available at SFr100 apiece. For those
interested in this offer and wishing to make their
payment directly into the designated account at
the Saanen Bank, the account number is
16 1.043.735.05, BCL 6342, in 3792 Saanen.
For more information please contact the Sports
Centre Gstaad on 033 744 44 16 and ask for the
emission brochure. by Anne Pfeiffer-Brechbühl
10:30H, St. Stephan/Zweisimmen INFO: 033 733 22 15
Telemark Swiss Championships
18:00H, Gondelbahn Rinderberg-Zweisimmen
Night skiing INFO: 033 748 83 37
18:30H, Eggli, Gstaad INFO: WWW.SLIDEDESASTER.CH
Saanen Bank Slide Desaster
19:30H, Huble, Eggli, Saanen INFO: 033 748 47 48
Floodlight skiing
19:30H, Saanen Church, Saanen INFO: 022 738 66 75
Concert with Xavier de Maistre, harpe, and Zurich Chamber Orchestra
19:30H, Hotel Alpenland, Lauenen INFO: 033 765 34 34
Folklore evening inluding «singing saw»
20:00H, Hotel Landhaus Saanen INFO: 033 744 56 39
Folklore evening
Wednesday, 9 March
17:00H, Rinderberg, Zweisimmen: INFO: 033 722 11 33
Fondue evening followed by torchlight skiing
Thursday, 10 March
20:15H, Saanen Church, Saanen INFO: 033 748 06 00
Concert (Le Rosey), works by Bach, Kreisler
Friday, 11 March
Important Numbers
Medical emergency number 033 744 86 86
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
20:00H, Gasthof Bären, Zweisimmen INFO: 033 722 18 16
Folklore evening with accordeon trio Heimberg
20:30H, Hotel Wildhorn, Lauenen INFO: 033 765 30 12
Folklore evening with Heinz Annen
events