Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast Episode 176 Transcript

Discover Gstaad: Authentic Swiss Villages, Local Traditions and Alpine Scenery

You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Gruezi, If you’ve been dreaming about Switzerland and you keep seeing the name Gstaad pop up – but you’re not quite sure whether it’s for you – today’s episode will really help. Gstaad often comes with a reputation. People hear the name and think exclusive, glamorous, luxurious. But there’s more to Gstaad than upscale boutiques and high-end hotels. Today I’m joined by Selina Riegert from Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, and we’re chatting about what first-time visitors need to know about this beautiful region. If you like the idea of postcard-worthy scenery, charming mountain villages, scenic train journeys, outdoor activities and Swiss traditions, this episode is for you.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Good morning, Selina. Thank you very much for coming onto the podcast. It’s great to have you here. Looking forward to hearing all about your wonderful destination. But before we get into that, would you like to introduce yourself, please?

Selina Riegert: Absolutely. Good morning, Carolyn. Very lovely to join you on this podcast episode. I’m super excited and looking forward to it. Yes, my name is Selina and I work for the Gstaad Saanenland Tourism. And yes, I am one of those lucky people who actually live where others go on holiday. I initially grew up in Basel, that’s in the north of Switzerland. But a couple of years ago, I fell in love with Gstaad whilst I was on holiday myself. So, and my job at Gstaad Saanenland Tourism is all about searching and telling stories of the region, the well-known ones, but especially the more quieter ones, you know, the more genuine ones that people often do not expect. And I guess that’s what I love most about my job.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, well that sounds fantastic. As you say, there’s a lot of stories that people have probably heard about the destination, so being able to reveal some of those lesser-known delights must be very satisfying. So for our listeners who perhaps aren’t familiar with Gstaad, where exactly is it and how would you describe it to them?

Selina Riegert: So Gstaad is located in the Bernese Oberland. That’s in the southwest of Switzerland, surrounded by mountains, meadows, and of course lots of fresh air. Very, very easily approachable by train. So for example, within three hours from Zurich and within two hours from Geneva. What’s most important to mention is the holiday region is much bigger than just the Gstaad village, which most of you guys probably…know of when you think about Gstaad, you only think about Gstaad, the village itself. But in total our region holds 10 villages. So besides Gstaad, nine other villages. Each village with its own character and very, very special. So together they make and build the holiday region of Gstaad. That’s what most people do not know and are very surprised when they come here and get to know that fact.

Carolyn Schönafinger: I’m sure they are. Now Gstaad itself  has a bit of a reputation for glamour.  A lot of people probably know it as a very glamorous ski resort. So for a first-time visitor who’s perhaps worried that it might be a little bit too you know, exclusive, let’s say, for them,  what do you think surprises them about when they actually arrive in the village?

Selina Riegert: Well, honestly, I can only speak out of my own experiences as well. So you can absolutely trust me 100%. It feels so down to earth and so normal when you walk through the promenade, when you walk through all those villages. It’s not at all what you are expecting or what people have in mind because most of people expect red carpets and velvet robes. And actually they see farmers with rubber boots and guests in hiking gear. And you will, yes, you will find luxury here. Absolutely. And that’s what we also kind of stand for. But you will also find cows crossing the road, blocking traffic. or producing traffic. So you immediately calm down and slow down. Also besides that, that’s our slogan, come up and slow down. So with the cows, a funny fun fact is also the whole region of Gstaad counts 11,000 cows. Just as much inhabitants do we have. So at least everybody has one cow. And yeah, if you walk along the promenade or as I said in the villages, you will see those beautiful wooden chalets with handcrafted beautiful signs. in it and beautiful motifs. So, Locals, they will not see you as a tourist or as a a a foreigner. They just greet you with a simple Grüetzi. and yeah, everybody goes its way. And I think that’s that’s the contrast which surprises people in the best way possible, to be honest. Yeah, so it’s a welcoming village or welcoming region for everyone, regardless of whether you’re coming there for the luxury high-end shopping or you want to come for hiking or skiing or just to see a really authentic Swiss village.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Absolutely, yeah, you’re totally right. Yeah, good. Okay, so I know that transport and accessibility are major considerations for most people when they’re planning their trip to Switzerland. So if someone is flying into Switzerland, you already mentioned that it’s just three hours from Zurich and it’s two hours from Geneva. But if they’re relying on trains to get to Gstaad and to get around the region, is public transport, you know, very accessible?

Selina Riegert: Absolutely, it’s very very easy and very scenic as well. So, Gstaad is directly connected to the Swiss Rail network and lies on the famous Golden Pass line. So, whether you come from Montreux or Interlaken or from Zurich, from the airport, the journey itself already feels like a part of the holiday. So, you have the big windows, you have a good service in the train itself, you have the mountains. You have endless views. So I would describe it as it’s the journey, which is already, as I said, a part of the holiday. And it’s one of those train rides where you forget to check your phone because it’s so stunning. And yeah, within the region, everything is super well connected.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Excellent. Yes, I have to agree. did. Well, I’ve done that on the train, been on the train to Gstaad and past Gstaad a couple of times and the scenery is just absolutely amazing. You don’t even like you say, you don’t want to look at your phone or you don’t need to because you’re just so, so busy gazing out the window and wondering what amazing view is coming next.

Selina Riegert: Super, I’m happy you go along with my opinion.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, absolutely. So what about those other nine villages that you mentioned? Are they all on the train line or are they buses to get to some of them? How would people get around if they wanted to explore more of the region?

Selina Riegert: Yes, I already mentioned it in a very short sentence, but public transport works wonderfully here in the region. So trains and buses connect all villages in the region. And with the Gstaad Card you might have heard of it before, which every guest with at least one overnight stay receives, they can use the public transportation for free. So many, many places are also very easy to explore on foot or by bike, but you still have the opportunity to use the bus or the train. So you don’t really rely or it’s not really necessary to bring a car, which is, I think, quite refreshing.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, definitely makes it more of a holiday, I think, if you’re not worrying about driving and parking. and yeah. Absolutely. Okay, so let’s talk about the best time of year to visit. If our listeners are flexible with their travel dates, what time of year would you recommend for a first visit and why?

Selina Riegert: Yes, absolutely. I think that’s a very hard question because I decided to live here all year around because every season has its charm. And of course, winter is all about snow sports and cozy mountain huts and that classic pure alpine feeling. Spring is a little bit quieter, very authentic and perfect for nature lovers because everything starts to bloom and yeah, endless views of green meadows and beautiful flowers you’ve never seen before. So that’s what actually got me when I came here during summertime and even during wintertime. It’s a region to just calm down and all of a sudden you sit in a chair and you feel like, wow, I’m home. And yeah, as I said, summer brings hiking, it brings biking, it brings lots of festivals. You might have heard already of our top events. For example, we have a huge festival which is all about classical music, the Burg Gstaad Menuhin music festival,  or the country festival. It’s the second biggest country festival in Switzerland. And also a couple of sports events like the volleyball tournament and the tennis tournament, EFG Swiss Open, which are also held during summertime. So summer can get very busy. But you can also escape into those beautiful, as I mentioned, beautiful green meadows, go on a hike, go to the mountain lakes and you will find lots of peace there. And for autumn, I would say it’s golden. Really, really beautiful. It’s a calm season and yeah, nothing more to add. Incredibly beautiful.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, sounds like there’s definitely a reason to be there in every season.  But is/are there a couple of those seasons where perhaps people might  obviously there’s going to be fewer people like you said in spring and presumably autumn as well. Would they get better value? You know, if they’re looking for accommodation prices in those more off season months?

Selina Riegert: Yes, of course. Yeah. Spring and autumn are perfect for that. Because as I mentioned, we have lots, lots, lots, lots of events during summertime and as well, winter is still our main business. We are a winter destination. People know us for skiing and the mountain hut experiences. So yes, it can get a little bit busier during summer and wintertime. So if you want to experience a more laid back and relaxed region, spring and autumn are perfect for that. You have fewer people, you have more space and often very attractive offers. I would also say or describe it as spring and autumn time are actually those seasons where you feel the rhythm of local life. If you understand what I mean.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, yeah, so you’re getting, guess, yeah, without so many others, well, so many tourists, you’re getting, you know, you’re really seeing how the local inhabitants live and go about their daily lives.

Selina Riegert: Exactly. For example, I can explain it real quick with one example.  We still have 350 farmers in the region and 80 out of those 350, they go up on the Alps during summertime and produce in a traditional way still the cheese we sell here in the region. So, Gstaad back in the days was a very, very poor region, you know,  but we still hold on to our traditions and that’s where we still have our farmers. And yeah, it’s actually living side by side with each other. So we have tourism and we have our local people and still our farming, you know. So everybody, everything goes hand in hand. And as I said, living side by side.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, that’s great. It’s really refreshing to know that some of those long held traditions are still, you know, so hung onto and practiced today. I think there’s, correct me if I’m wrong, is there a paper carving tradition as well? I know when I was in the region I visited Saanen and  I saw a lot of  the paper craft there.

Selina Riegert: Absolutely. So paper cutting has a very long tradition in our region. And we can also proudly say that the very, very first detected paper cut, produced here in Switzerland, has been found in our region. So, yes, this craft, this handcraft is still a thing. And we have quite a lot of artists here that still practice that tradition. And we also have the biggest paper cutting museum here in Château d’Oeux which is just about 10 minutes away from Gstaad, maybe 15.  So yeah, you can go and visit that museum and learn all about the history of that beautiful tradition.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Right. So plenty of activities. So what about accommodation? Because obviously that’s another concern that people have when they’re planning their trip. So is there a variety of accommodation styles available in the region?

Selina Riegert: Yeah, absolutely. Everything from, of course, luxury hotels and boutique chalets to cozy family-run hotels and guest houses, serviced apartments and holiday flats. Like you can have literally anything you can think of and for any budget. So you don’t have to have a big budget of four or five thousand Swiss francs. You can also travel with a lower budget, for example in hostels or in our two, three, four-star hotels. Because out of over 50 hotels, we have five five-star hotels. So everything else is between a two and a four-star hotel. So as you see, there is literally everything for every budget.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, okay, well that’s good to know. So would you say there are any benefits for someone staying in one of the neighbouring villages rather than staying in Gstaad or what differences might they expect between the two?

Selina Riegert: Yeah, so the villages around, they’re often a little bit quieter and give you a very local perspective because there are only a few people or local people that live in Gstaad itself. Most people live a little bit further away in the surrounding villages. So you are in the midst of the local people and living in their region and in their neighborhood. So, and thanks to the excellent transportation we have, the connections are very well and you are still super close to everything, which is I think also , yeah, it’s a profit for you. It’s a plus for you. And many guests, they tell us that they love that village feeling, not being in Gstaad itself and being a little bit off the beaten track, you know, to have that pure quietness and tranquility.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, and so what would be the distance or the travel time to the furtherest village away from Gstaad?

Selina Riegert: Yeah, so from Gstaad, the furthest I would say is Zweisimmen. So that’s like where the Saanenland and the holiday region starts. It opens up with Zweisimmen. From Zweisimmen you also have the Golden Pass Line or by car, of course, you travel all the way to Saanenmöser, to Schönried, to Saanen and then there is Gstaad. Gstaad and Saanen are one commune. So there is no Gstaad without Saanen and vice versa. Lots of people do not know that. And then you go a little bit further into the valleys from Turbach and Gsteig and Feutersoey and all on the other side. And Lauenen, of course, we shall not forget about Lauenen. And on the other side, there is also Ablentschen. So I would say from one point to the other, it’s approximately about 30 minutes.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Wow, so it’s not very far at all. It’s very, very close. Okay, yeah, that’s very handy. So let’s assume that our listeners have decided they definitely want to stay in the Gstaad region and they’ve got two or three full days to stay there. What are some of the activities that you recommend that they prioritize so that they really get the best experience without feeling too rushed?

Selina Riegert: Yeah, absolutely. So I would recommend a very good mix of sporty activities to be super laid back and also enjoying wellness. So I would recommend for sure one or two mountain experiences, maybe skiing, skiing in the region, but you also have the opportunity to ski on the Glacier 3000, which is the only glacier in the Bernese Oberland. Amazing views and very snow secure as well. Or you go on a panoramic hike here in the region, we have more than 300 kilometers of wonderful hiking trails for every level and about 149 kilometers of winter hiking trails, depending on which season you like to come. So, yeah, hiking and biking, of course. So there’s plenty to do with sports activities. For those who are seeking a little bit more quietness I would for sure recommend taking some time in the Gstaad village and in maybe one or two of the neighboring villages to explore them. Of course, there’s scenic train rides, for example, with the Belle Epoque from the 1960s. You might have heard of that. It’s a beautifully restored train. So yeah, that is a must see for me. And of course, we are in Switzerland, we are in Gstaad, we have very good cheese. Of course you will, you have to have some cheese. It’s all about cheese here in the region. So there is an offer which is called Fondueland. You can grab an all prepared fondue backpack from one of our local dairies and start hiking to one out of eight XXL, I hope you can imagine it or you have a picture in front of you, one of our out of eight XXL wooden fondue caquelons. So these are big fondue pots which are placed all over the region. And you can just grab that backpack, start hiking or biking to one of those fondue caquelons. And in your backpack, you will find everything for an outdoor fondue experience. And the best part is once you are done, you don’t have to clean it. Just wrap it up again and bring it back to the dairy and they take care of it.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, and the wooden caquelon, is that how you pronounce it? Caquelon It’s like  a big seating area that you can sit in, isn’t it, that resembles a fondue pot.

Selina Riegert: Yes, exactly. You can imagine it like it’s a really, everybody knows a fondue coquelon where you have your fondue inside of it. It’s like a huge, huge, huge fondue coquelon, wooden one. They’re also handcrafted here locally in the region. And you can sit up to eight people have some have space in that fondue coquelon. Yeah. And you just sit there with a beautiful view and set up your fondue and you start enjoying it, of course. Yeah, you have your outdoor fondue experience.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, sounds absolutely perfect.

Selina Riegert: When we were already talking about cheese, of course, there is also another cheese experience.  It’s called the Cheese Grotto. That is a very special grotto where we store more than 3000 reels of cheese. I guess, I hope you can imagine how big that cellar must be. Which is very, very impressive. And we have a, it’s been does belong to the dairy of Gstaad that cheese grotto and you can book as  a guide online or tour online and yeah that guide will tell you all about the tradition and the cheese making and what it actually means to our region. We call it the alpine gold and our cheese and, it’s it’s very very important for us  and of course followed by a cheese tasting.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yes, of course. You could not visit and not taste the cheese.

Selina Riegert: Exactly, yeah. I can add one more thing maybe, which is for me very, very necessary if there are first time visitors. You shall not forget about unwinding, either at your hotel spa or at one of the day spas, treating your soul and mind. But I also mean you should definitely take time for just sitting down somewhere and enjoy the view and do absolutely nothing. Because I feel sometimes in our world currently, is, there we have a lock. We are always in a rush. And as I said, come up and slow down. It’s not just our slogan. We live it. So that is most important to us. Time for more. Just sit and do nothing and see the view and enjoy it to the fullest, to the max.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, that’s a very good motto to live by for sure. Right, so for the visitors who perhaps haven’t got very long to spend and maybe they’re travelling on the Golden Pass Express and they  decide to stop off in Gstaad just for a few hours before they join another one of the trains, what shouldn’t they miss in those few hours that they have to spare?

Selina Riegert: Yeah. So I guess if the guests hop off of the train in Gstaad itself, of course you have to take a stroll along the promenade. Or you also walk up with your more like a nature lover and an adventure seeker, you walk up or take the gondola to the hills above the village. That’s where I am right now. I am on the house mountain of Gstaad, which is called the Eggli, where you have a beautiful viewpoint and cozy mountain huts for a lovely mountain hut experience and enjoy a coffee or a local dish such as fondue or rösti hash brown  and simply soak up the atmosphere. So I would say you don’t need much time to feel what Gstaad is about. Just try local dishes and local products and be sure to get up to a hill or a mountain with a gondola. You will already feel the atmosphere.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yes, yeah, I think just strolling through, as you say, strolling along the promenade, seeing all those beautiful wooden chalets and then getting somewhere up a bit high with a view, you really get  the whole atmosphere and really feel like you’re immersed in the beautiful surrounding nature. So what’s one thing that you think is typically Gstaad that you always recommend that first time visitors experience?

Selina Riegert: Well, I wouldn’t say that it’s something to do, like an event or a specific activity. I would rather say what people will experience is the mix or realize is the mix of tradition, how it’s very much we’re all about tradition, but also very open for the new. So, for example, we have the old wooden chalets next to international guests and international schools, farmers and very modern artists and luxury and simplicity living side by side. So it comes very naturally without a fuss and that’s what I guess people will see and experience once they start to explore in Gstaad.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, it’s a destination for everyone. 

Selina Riegert: Families, couples, single traveller for everyone.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, you’ve probably already sort of convinced us all there, but If someone was choosing between Gstaad and another Swiss alpine destination, why should they choose Gstaad? What sets it apart?

Selina Riegert: Because Gstaad doesn’t try too hard. Gstaad is confident in what it is. It’s authentic, it’s diverse, it’s welcoming, it’s quietly special. We have good culinary.  It’s not a resort you consume, it’s a place you experience. And as I said, give yourself time for more. Walk with open eyes and you will find something special and unique in every corner. I think there’s nothing more to add.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yeah, well, yeah, that I think that definitely sums it up. So well done. Great job. So do you have any final thoughts or tips for our listeners who are considering including Gstaad in their Swiss vacation plans?

Selina Riegert: Yes. Come with an open mind and without any cliches. I mean, of course, we all know in people’s mind when they think about Gstaad, it’s like somewhere in the back, it says, luxury, I cannot afford it. But this is not true. And I hope I gave you a little bit more information and facts that it is affordable for everyone. So throw away the cliches and go and explore and search for it and come and see it and take your time to explore beyond the main streets and talk to people and the Gstaad reveals itself very slowly. But I am convinced that that is part of the magic.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay well that’s great advice. Thank you so much Selina. So where can our listeners get more information about Gstaad Saanenland?

Selina Riegert: Exactly. So of course on our website gstaad.ch and on our social media channels and directly of course at one of our tourist offices. So if you have any questions we are always happy to help and plan a stay that really fits.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, well that’s great and I’ll include those links in the show notes for this episode so anyone listening can click through and check out the website and the social media and get all the information they need and I’m sure there’ll be lots of beautiful pictures on there too that will just make them you know desperate to be there as soon as possible so thank you so much for sharing all that with us today.

Selina Riegert: Thank you to you, Carolyn, for having me. It was a huge pleasure talking to you and I hope some of your listeners will come and see for themselves that Gstaad is a hidden gem in Switzerland. Thank you so much.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Thank you. Thank you so much for joining me today – I hope you’ve found this episode this helpful. If you’re planning your first trip to Switzerland and Gstaad is now on your radar, be sure to visit the show notes for the links to the Gstaad Saanen Tourism website and social media pages. You’ll also find a link to get a copy of my free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide.  Those show notes are at holidaystoswitzerland.com/podcast I’ll be back again next week with more Swiss travel tips and inspiration.  Until then, tschuss.

You can see the full show notes and listen to this episode > here.