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Winter Topics 2011/12
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Source: Gstaad Saanenland Tourism
Current situation: November 09, 2011
In addition to the tourist offers and leisure activities available in Gstaad in the winter of 2010/11, there are also a number of exceptional events and topics on the agenda. The key messages are: winter sports can be pursued in Gstaad from the end of October until the beginning of May. The extensive and varied skiarea is popular with bons-vivants and families. Children aged 9 and under can travel for free on all mountain lifts. Gstaad Saanenland Tourism warmly invites journalists to report on the holiday destination.
Here is a summary of the most important aspects:
MOUNTAIN LIFTS & CABLECARS
60 percent of main pistes covered with artificial snow
As our offering of pistes has been analysed and optimised on the basis of new transport systems, investment in artificial snow machines, etc., with effect from winter 2011/12 and new to Gstaad, Mountain Rides will be offering winter sports guests a total of 220 km of wellprepared pistes. 57 mountain railways and lifts will ensure an enjoyable mountain experience. 60 percent of the main pistes will be covered with artificial snow. The snow machines will augment the guarantee of snow.
New tunnel at La Videmanette mountain station for better service
From the 2011/12 season, winter sportsmen and sportswomen will be able to enjoy even more comfort at the mountain station of the Rougement-La Videmanette cable car. A newly constructed, 25 m long tunnel now runs from the cable car exit past the back of the mountain restaurant directly to the leisure area. The previous route over the terrace no longer exists, so in future guests can enjoy their sunbathing, the magnificent view and delicious cuisine. Around 1 million Swiss francs have been invested.
“Season ticket plus” Include the summer for only CHF 100
From the winter of 2011/12, Gstaad Mountain Rides will offer a new annual pass. All who buy a winter 2011/12 season ticket can include the entire summer season of 2012 for just additional CHF 100 (CHF 50 for children older than 9 years). Children aged 9 and younger travel for free on all mountain lifts throughout the whole year.
"Skiline": Try personal piste performance free-of-charge
The "Skiline" service has proved itself. Thanks to this free service, winter sports enthusiasts can log their own personal piste performance online. It operates on mountain railway systems using a ski pass or key card number.
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/CalenderPrices/SkidayOverview
Bigairbag at the Z’Loft in Saanenmöser
A new location to discover for fans of freestyle: The bigairbag will give skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to practice various jumps from February 11th to March 3rd at the Hotel Z’Loft, 200m below the middle station of the cable car Saanenmöser-Saanerslochgrat. Free access at a minimum of 12 years.
HOTEL- AND RESTAURANT-NEWS
Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage: Reopening after total renovation
This summer, Heiner Lutz and Laurenz Schmid, owners and hoteliers, are investing in the region of 40 million Swiss francs rebuilding and extending the 5* Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage. Apart from a new kitchen, restaurant facilities, hotel bar, lounges, hotel cinema, wine shop and sports shop in the hotel and a sauna area that has been doubled in size with a "Lady Spa", hotel guests can look forward to another 28 new rooms, including senior suites with an area of 60 m2. The hotel reopens on 21 December 2011.
Pioneering spirit in the Palace gleams in pleasant LED lighting
Once more, the Gstaad Palace is demonstrating its pioneering spirit thanks to its use of ecological technologies. With this new LED lighting concept in rooms and restaurants, hotel manager Andrea Scherz is treading a path formerly regarded as a no-go area in the Swiss luxury hotel industry. LED spotlights create a pleasant ambience and score points thanks to energy savings of up to 80 percent and an extremely long service life. In 2008, the Palace had already become one of the first customers of the local wood chip district heating association, one of the largest in Switzerland.
4* Hotel Arc-en-ciel celebrates its 50th anniversary
The Gstaad Hotel Arc-en-ciel celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2011. The Arc-en-ciel is a family-friendly hotel and is situated right at the foot of Gstaad’s signature mountain, Mt. Eggli, opposite the valley station of the cable car there. Christiane Matti and her hotel staff are a dedicated team.
Grand Hotel Park presents ice-skating rink
An ice-skating rink was built as a wink to the hotel’s past, to the time when it was still called the Park Hotel, giving skating fans and others the perfect opportunity to enjoy a winter sport without leaving the warm cocoon of the Grand Hotel Park. The idea is to recreate the excitement of times gone.
Steve Willié, Le Grand Chalet, Hotel Chef of the Year
In July, the Swiss business magazine ‘Bilanz’ named chef Steve Willié from the gourmet hotel Le Grand Chalet (Gstaad) ‘Swiss Hotel Chef of the Year 2011’. Steve Willié causes a sensation with technical and flavouring precision. Vegetarian menus are also a raving success in every way. The Alpine ambiance, the international guest mix and the perfect service under Pedro Ferreira are the icing on the cake in terms of diner satisfaction.
New catering establishment in former bell foundry
Art enthusiasts are not the only people who have experienced a new form of hospitality since October 2011 within the historic walls of the former Schopfer bell foundry at Mittelgässli 16 in Saanen. Nik und Simon Buchs, who run the ‘16 Bar-Restaurant’ and are well-known for their creative cuisine, combine very modern interpretations of the chalet architectural style with an artistic, creative atmosphere. Apart from housing a bar and restaurant, the building also serves as the gallery of renowned painter and father Herbert Buchs. Nik and Simon Buchs are also the very successful managers of the mountain restaurant on the Wasserngrat (http://www.wasserngrat.ch).
16 BAR-RESTAURANT, +41 33 748 16 16, contact@16eme.ch
EVENTS
Increase in the number of events in Zweisimmen
One becomes two: the Snowgames Zweisimmen, which until now had been one of the seasonal highlights on the winter agenda, are being split up. The ‘Coop Skicross Tour’ with the European Cup and Open Competition is being given its own dates, namely 21 and 22 January 2012, with competitors coming from all over the world. It is the only ski cross race on the tour with the finish line in the village. The second, fun-oriented part of the Snowgames will then take place in the high season – the 24th February.
FROM THE VILLAGES
Gsteig: 700 years of village history & 100 years of tourism
Gsteig will celebrate a double anniversary in 2012: 700 years of village history & 100 years of tourism. To mark this special occasion, various activities – some of which are very traditional – will take place throughout the year for locals and visitors. The main celebration with lots of entertainment and music is scheduled for the weekend of 9 and 10 June. A ‘border tour’, a guided walk all around the local authority area, is also being organised. The celebrations will be supplemented by cultural activities in
the form of exhibitions.
Winter opening dates
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/CalenderPrices/OpeningDates
Panoramic Maps of the skiing areas
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/Skiareas/MapsSkiingareas
For further information please contact:
Kerstin Sonnekalb
Public Relations Manager
Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
Promenade 41
CH-3780 Gstaad
Tel. +41 33 748 81 20
Fax +41 33 748 81 83
k.sonnekalb@gstaad.ch
www.gstaad.ch
Current situation: November 09, 2011
In addition to the tourist offers and leisure activities available in Gstaad in the winter of 2010/11, there are also a number of exceptional events and topics on the agenda. The key messages are: winter sports can be pursued in Gstaad from the end of October until the beginning of May. The extensive and varied skiarea is popular with bons-vivants and families. Children aged 9 and under can travel for free on all mountain lifts. Gstaad Saanenland Tourism warmly invites journalists to report on the holiday destination.
Here is a summary of the most important aspects:
MOUNTAIN LIFTS & CABLECARS
60 percent of main pistes covered with artificial snow
As our offering of pistes has been analysed and optimised on the basis of new transport systems, investment in artificial snow machines, etc., with effect from winter 2011/12 and new to Gstaad, Mountain Rides will be offering winter sports guests a total of 220 km of wellprepared pistes. 57 mountain railways and lifts will ensure an enjoyable mountain experience. 60 percent of the main pistes will be covered with artificial snow. The snow machines will augment the guarantee of snow.
New tunnel at La Videmanette mountain station for better service
From the 2011/12 season, winter sportsmen and sportswomen will be able to enjoy even more comfort at the mountain station of the Rougement-La Videmanette cable car. A newly constructed, 25 m long tunnel now runs from the cable car exit past the back of the mountain restaurant directly to the leisure area. The previous route over the terrace no longer exists, so in future guests can enjoy their sunbathing, the magnificent view and delicious cuisine. Around 1 million Swiss francs have been invested.
“Season ticket plus” Include the summer for only CHF 100
From the winter of 2011/12, Gstaad Mountain Rides will offer a new annual pass. All who buy a winter 2011/12 season ticket can include the entire summer season of 2012 for just additional CHF 100 (CHF 50 for children older than 9 years). Children aged 9 and younger travel for free on all mountain lifts throughout the whole year.
"Skiline": Try personal piste performance free-of-charge
The "Skiline" service has proved itself. Thanks to this free service, winter sports enthusiasts can log their own personal piste performance online. It operates on mountain railway systems using a ski pass or key card number.
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/CalenderPrices/SkidayOverview
Bigairbag at the Z’Loft in Saanenmöser
A new location to discover for fans of freestyle: The bigairbag will give skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to practice various jumps from February 11th to March 3rd at the Hotel Z’Loft, 200m below the middle station of the cable car Saanenmöser-Saanerslochgrat. Free access at a minimum of 12 years.
HOTEL- AND RESTAURANT-NEWS
Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage: Reopening after total renovation
This summer, Heiner Lutz and Laurenz Schmid, owners and hoteliers, are investing in the region of 40 million Swiss francs rebuilding and extending the 5* Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage. Apart from a new kitchen, restaurant facilities, hotel bar, lounges, hotel cinema, wine shop and sports shop in the hotel and a sauna area that has been doubled in size with a "Lady Spa", hotel guests can look forward to another 28 new rooms, including senior suites with an area of 60 m2. The hotel reopens on 21 December 2011.
Pioneering spirit in the Palace gleams in pleasant LED lighting
Once more, the Gstaad Palace is demonstrating its pioneering spirit thanks to its use of ecological technologies. With this new LED lighting concept in rooms and restaurants, hotel manager Andrea Scherz is treading a path formerly regarded as a no-go area in the Swiss luxury hotel industry. LED spotlights create a pleasant ambience and score points thanks to energy savings of up to 80 percent and an extremely long service life. In 2008, the Palace had already become one of the first customers of the local wood chip district heating association, one of the largest in Switzerland.
4* Hotel Arc-en-ciel celebrates its 50th anniversary
The Gstaad Hotel Arc-en-ciel celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2011. The Arc-en-ciel is a family-friendly hotel and is situated right at the foot of Gstaad’s signature mountain, Mt. Eggli, opposite the valley station of the cable car there. Christiane Matti and her hotel staff are a dedicated team.
Grand Hotel Park presents ice-skating rink
An ice-skating rink was built as a wink to the hotel’s past, to the time when it was still called the Park Hotel, giving skating fans and others the perfect opportunity to enjoy a winter sport without leaving the warm cocoon of the Grand Hotel Park. The idea is to recreate the excitement of times gone.
Steve Willié, Le Grand Chalet, Hotel Chef of the Year
In July, the Swiss business magazine ‘Bilanz’ named chef Steve Willié from the gourmet hotel Le Grand Chalet (Gstaad) ‘Swiss Hotel Chef of the Year 2011’. Steve Willié causes a sensation with technical and flavouring precision. Vegetarian menus are also a raving success in every way. The Alpine ambiance, the international guest mix and the perfect service under Pedro Ferreira are the icing on the cake in terms of diner satisfaction.
New catering establishment in former bell foundry
Art enthusiasts are not the only people who have experienced a new form of hospitality since October 2011 within the historic walls of the former Schopfer bell foundry at Mittelgässli 16 in Saanen. Nik und Simon Buchs, who run the ‘16 Bar-Restaurant’ and are well-known for their creative cuisine, combine very modern interpretations of the chalet architectural style with an artistic, creative atmosphere. Apart from housing a bar and restaurant, the building also serves as the gallery of renowned painter and father Herbert Buchs. Nik and Simon Buchs are also the very successful managers of the mountain restaurant on the Wasserngrat (http://www.wasserngrat.ch).
16 BAR-RESTAURANT, +41 33 748 16 16, contact@16eme.ch
EVENTS
Increase in the number of events in Zweisimmen
One becomes two: the Snowgames Zweisimmen, which until now had been one of the seasonal highlights on the winter agenda, are being split up. The ‘Coop Skicross Tour’ with the European Cup and Open Competition is being given its own dates, namely 21 and 22 January 2012, with competitors coming from all over the world. It is the only ski cross race on the tour with the finish line in the village. The second, fun-oriented part of the Snowgames will then take place in the high season – the 24th February.
FROM THE VILLAGES
Gsteig: 700 years of village history & 100 years of tourism
Gsteig will celebrate a double anniversary in 2012: 700 years of village history & 100 years of tourism. To mark this special occasion, various activities – some of which are very traditional – will take place throughout the year for locals and visitors. The main celebration with lots of entertainment and music is scheduled for the weekend of 9 and 10 June. A ‘border tour’, a guided walk all around the local authority area, is also being organised. The celebrations will be supplemented by cultural activities in
the form of exhibitions.
Winter opening dates
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/CalenderPrices/OpeningDates
Panoramic Maps of the skiing areas
http://www.gstaad.ch/en/page.cfm/Cablecars/Skiareas/MapsSkiingareas
For further information please contact:
Kerstin Sonnekalb
Public Relations Manager
Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
Promenade 41
CH-3780 Gstaad
Tel. +41 33 748 81 20
Fax +41 33 748 81 83
k.sonnekalb@gstaad.ch
www.gstaad.ch
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Winter topics 2010/11
Winter Topics 10-11 (195 KB)
(Current situation: September 9, 2010)
In addition to the tourist offers and leisure activities available in Gstaad in the winter of 2010/11, there is also a number of exceptional events and topics on the agenda. The key messages are: winter sports can be pursued in Gstaad from the end of October until the beginning of May. The extensive and varied ski area is popular with bons-vivants and families. Children aged 9 and under can travel for free on all mountain lifts. Gstaad Saanenland Tourism warmly invites journalists to report on the holiday destination. Here is a summary of the most important aspects:
Quality increase in the western sector of Gstaad Mountain Rides
From the winter of 2010/11, the western sector of the Gstaad Mountain Rides ski area will offer a huge increase in quality thanks to the new Rougemont-La Videmanette 8-seat cable car with optimised mountain and valley stations. The Chalberhöni-Vorderes Eggli chairlift is also new. It transports visitors to the highest point on the Vorder Eggli, thus providing better access to the slopes up there. Thanks to the connection to the valley station, the covered chairs can also be used on the Chalberhöni – Les Gouilles route.
New ski cross slope on the Rinderberg
From the winter of 2010/11, Gstaad Mountain Rides will be offering a new attraction on the Rinderberg in Zweisimmen. The new ski cross slope should be available from the last week of December – provided the snow conditions are suitable. The target audience is average to very good skiers, young people and children. The ski cross slope complements the existing fun-oriented offering of Gstaad Mountain Rides: four snow parks and the permanent race course.
100th anniversary of the GH Park Reopening after reconstruction
To mark its 100th anniversary, the Grand Hotel Park is giving itself a new lease of life. Following the 9-month renovation of the entire hotel complex, it will be reopened on 17 December 2010. The new contemporary design combines the luxurious style of Gstaad’s chalets with modern elegance. At the grand reopening, the hotel will be offering an opening special valid from 17 December to 22 December 2010 as well as in the months of January and March, from Sundays to Thursdays.
A unique double dose of romance on ice
Gstaad is the only branch of the Igloo Village Hotels that will be offering two new romantic igloo suites from the winter of 2010/11. As the new location has proven itself and is easily accessible by cable car, the igloos will be constructed on the Saanerslochgrat (Saanenmöser) once again this season. There is another new special feature in the igloo village of Gstaad: the jacuzzi and sauna are for the first time open to all guests. The offer is rounded off with attractive packages.
Extensive reconstruction of the Ermitage Golf in Schönried
Work on the new and the main building for 2011 started in September 2010. The existing building will not be affected until December 2010. All hotel facilities can totally be used. There will be a weather-related break in construction from 17 December 2010 to 21 March 2011. However, the hotel will be closed from 21 March 2011 to 21 December 2011 due to the construction volume. Guests will experience a 'new’ Ermitage-Golf just in time for Christmas 2011.
Note for the editorial teams
The following person will be happy to answer any questions you may have:
Kerstin Sonnekalb
Public Relations Manager
Gstaad Saanenland Tourism
Promenade 41
CH-3780 Gstaad (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 33 748 81 20
Fax +41 33 748 81 83
k.sonnekalb@gstaad.ch
www.gstaad.ch
Winter topics 2010/11
Winter Topics 10-11 (195 KB) (Current situation: September 9, 2010)
In addition to the tourist offers and leisure activities available in Gstaad in the winter of 2010/11, there is also a number of exceptional events and topics on the agenda. The key messages are: winter sports can be pursued in Gstaad from the end of October until the beginning of May. The extensive and varied ski area is popular with bons-vivants and families. Children aged 9 and under can travel for free on all mountain lifts. Gstaad Saanenland Tourism warmly invites journalists to report on the holiday destination. Here is a summary of the most important aspects:
Quality increase in the western sector of Gstaad Mountain Rides
From the winter of 2010/11, the western sector of the Gstaad Mountain Rides ski area will offer a huge increase in quality thanks to the new Rougemont-La Videmanette 8-seat cable car with optimised mountain and valley stations. The Chalberhöni-Vorderes Eggli chairlift is also new. It transports visitors to the highest point on the Vorder Eggli, thus providing better access to the slopes up there. Thanks to the connection to the valley station, the covered chairs can also be used on the Chalberhöni – Les Gouilles route.
New ski cross slope on the Rinderberg
From the winter of 2010/11, Gstaad Mountain Rides will be offering a new attraction on the Rinderberg in Zweisimmen. The new ski cross slope should be available from the last week of December – provided the snow conditions are suitable. The target audience is average to very good skiers, young people and children. The ski cross slope complements the existing fun-oriented offering of Gstaad Mountain Rides: four snow parks and the permanent race course.
100th anniversary of the GH Park Reopening after reconstruction
To mark its 100th anniversary, the Grand Hotel Park is giving itself a new lease of life. Following the 9-month renovation of the entire hotel complex, it will be reopened on 17 December 2010. The new contemporary design combines the luxurious style of Gstaad’s chalets with modern elegance. At the grand reopening, the hotel will be offering an opening special valid from 17 December to 22 December 2010 as well as in the months of January and March, from Sundays to Thursdays.
A unique double dose of romance on ice
Gstaad is the only branch of the Igloo Village Hotels that will be offering two new romantic igloo suites from the winter of 2010/11. As the new location has proven itself and is easily accessible by cable car, the igloos will be constructed on the Saanerslochgrat (Saanenmöser) once again this season. There is another new special feature in the igloo village of Gstaad: the jacuzzi and sauna are for the first time open to all guests. The offer is rounded off with attractive packages.
Extensive reconstruction of the Ermitage Golf in Schönried
Work on the new and the main building for 2011 started in September 2010. The existing building will not be affected until December 2010. All hotel facilities can totally be used. There will be a weather-related break in construction from 17 December 2010 to 21 March 2011. However, the hotel will be closed from 21 March 2011 to 21 December 2011 due to the construction volume. Guests will experience a 'new’ Ermitage-Golf just in time for Christmas 2011.
Note for the editorial teams
The following person will be happy to answer any questions you may have:
Kerstin Sonnekalb
Public Relations Manager
Gstaad Saanenland Tourism
Promenade 41
CH-3780 Gstaad (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 33 748 81 20
Fax +41 33 748 81 83
k.sonnekalb@gstaad.ch
www.gstaad.ch
