"Furthaarige" - here to stay

Patrick Bauer was born in Basel, with roots in the Bernese Oberland his grandfather comes from Lenk. That’s why he has known the holiday region Gstaad since childhood. Or as he puts it himself, it was “a two-stage process.” First came the family holidays, later his studies and there, meeting his former wife from Zweisimmen. The original plan was to stay for just one winter. By now, it has turned into almost half a lifetime.

Patrick has been living in the region since 2002 and is closely connected to it through his work. Today, he works at Gstaad Saanenland Tourism as Head of Destination Development & Sustainability.

What keeps him here? “This region means a great deal to me, it has become my first home.” What he values most is the combination of quality of life, nature, and people: “grounded, open-minded, and warm-hearted.” And nature begins right outside his front door: “Here, I can step straight from my doorstep into nature.” He has many favourite places, too many to choose just one. “I love experiencing the region through the changing seasons.”

And in the end, he sums up what makes life here so unique in the simplest way possible: “The people and the landscape precisely in that combination.”

Katrin grew up in Konolfingen overlooking the Emmental, and from an early age had a strong connection to the holiday region Gstaad. Her grandfather founded the Skiclub Münsingen, whose clubhouse is located between Saanenmöser and Schönried. Holidays in the region were therefore part of her life from childhood on. Later, it became something more. She completed her commercial apprenticeship at the tourism office in Schönried and stayed. “You could say I simply never left.” And that was back in 1988. Professionally, Katrin is deeply rooted in the region. Today, she works for Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, although her path there was anything but straightforward: ski instructor, fitness instructor, ski school director, lifeguard, working at the John F. Kennedy International School, with the ski club, the women’s association and much more, as she says with a laugh. “A true all-rounder with a heart for the region.” What the region means to her is clear: “For me, this is unquestionably home.” And that feeling reveals itself especially in one simple moment: “Whenever I drive over Saanenmöser and look down into the valley, it always gives me a good feeling.” What makes life here unique for her? The strong sense of community: “People really look out for one another.” And when she thinks about the future, she is quite certain: “I would probably move abroad before I would ever live outside the holiday region Gstaad.”

Katrin Haldi grew up in Wimmis and spent her youth in the Thun region. What brought her to the Gstaad holiday region was as is so often the case life itself. Or, as she simply puts it: “I came here for love.” Since 2006, the region has been her home. Professionally, she works in tourism, but her involvement goes far beyond that: in sports clubs, children’s activities, and wherever community life happens in the region. What does the region mean to her? “It’s my home.” What she especially values is the landscape and the endless opportunities to stay active. “Here, I have everything right on my doorstep.” Her personal favourite place is very close to home: Schönried and above all the Rellerli. “I especially love being there in the morning, either on foot or by bike.” For her, it is a place that offers both peace and energy at the same time. What makes life here unique becomes even clearer when she speaks about her family: “For my children, it’s a huge privilege to grow up here.” The landscape, the sporting opportunities especially in winter and at the same time a vibrant sense of community. “Even though the region is somewhat secluded, it has an incredible amount to offer.” Especially in summer, when countless events bring even more life to the region. Or, put simply: it is a place where tranquillity and vibrancy coexist effortlessly.

Frieder Class originally comes from Bad Urach, a small spa town on the edge of the Swabian Jura. After finishing school, he moved to Stuttgart to study Media Management. Later, various professional roles took him through Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Geneva before he eventually arrived in the Saanenland. Like for many others, the pandemic period marked the beginning of a new chapter for him. “That phase encouraged me to reorient myself and take new paths.” For more than three years now, he has been living and working in Gstaad. At Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, he leads the Gstaad Tourism Office within the Destination Center as well as the Ticketing department. “It’s wonderful to be so closely connected to the region through my work.” The region has long since become his new home. What he especially values is the combination of nature, tranquillity, and vibrancy.

He enjoys spending his free time outdoors, hiking, skiing, or visiting places such as the Arnensee and the Meielsgrund. “The peace and the views there are something truly special to me.” At the same time, he is inspired by the diversity of the region: cultural events, sporting highlights, and the unique atmosphere that shifts between high season and quieter moments.

“The holiday region Gstaad combines international openness with a strong regional identity.” What makes the region unique for him is precisely this interplay: tradition and modernity, international guests and genuine down-to-earthness. “This dynamic throughout the entire year is what makes Gstaad such a wonderful place to live for me.” Or, put differently: a place where quality of life, work, and personal passion naturally come together.

Marius Mosimann originally comes from the Bucheggberg region in the canton of Solothurn. What first brought him to the holiday region Gstaad was snowboarding or more precisely, the dream of working in the mountains as a snowboard instructor. What started as one winter season turned into much, much more. Marius has been living in the region since 2004: first for around ten years in Gstaad, and today in Zweisimmen. Long ago, the region became a place that feels like “coming home” to him. Professionally, Marius wears many hats: as site manager of the Iglu Village, as a carpenter, and as a member of the municipal council in Zweisimmen.

Three roles that could hardly be more different — and somehow fit the region perfectly. One place that is especially meaningful to him is the Saanersloch. Especially, as he says, “when the lifts have stopped running and there’s nobody else around.” In those moments, the view across the holiday region Gstaad is simply unmatched. What makes life here special for him is the blend of everything: “The landscape, the changing seasons, the different languages, and the endless possibilities.”