Bernese Oberland

144
BERNESE OBERLAND GSTAAD
Cyclists and mountain bikers are in their
element with 500km of marked trails in the
region. The tourist offi ce website has details
on bike rental, hotels and routes. For special
packages, see www.velovetobike.ch (in
German) and for GPS downloads www.gps
-tracks.com. Bikes can be transported for
free on seven lifts including Wispile and
Eggli. Advance bookings are required for the
following activities.
H2O Experience WATER SPORTS
(%079 438 74 51; www.h2oexperience.ch)
Arranges rafting (Sfr98), canyoning (Sfr90
to Sfr180) and hydrospeeding (Sfr110) on the
Saane and Simme Rivers.
Swiss Adventures ADVENTURE SPORTS
(%033 748 41 64; www.swissadventures.ch; Alpinzentrum)
Organises guided climbs (Sfr99) and
via ferrate (Sfr125), rafting (Sfr99), canyoning
(Sfr125) and, in winter, igloo building
(Sfr98) and snowshoe trekking (Sfr98).
Paragliding School Gstaad PARAGLIDING
(%079 22 44 270; www.paragstaad.com) Reputable
outfi t off ering tandem fl ights (from
Sfr190) at Wispile, Videmanette and Glacier
3000.
Llama & Co HIKING
(%078 718 90 43; www.lama-und-co.ch; Schindelweg
2, Zweisimmen) A sure-fi re hit with the
kids are these guided llama and goat hikes,
from two-hour walks (Sfr35) to full-day treks
(Sfr75).
z Festivals & Events
Suisse Open SPORT
(www.allianzsuisseopengstaad.com) Gstaad hosts
this famous tennis tournament in late July.
Menuhin Festival MUSIC
(www.menuhinfestivalgstaad.ch) Top-drawer classic
music festival with 50 concerts over seven
weeks from July to September.
Freeride Days SPORT
(www.freeridedays.ch, in German) Freeride events
for powder freaks, with ski and snowboard
testing and partying at Glacier 3000 in April.
4 Sleeping
The following rates are for winter high
season; expect discounts of 30% to 50% in
summer. The tourist offi ce has a list of selfcatering
chalets. Many places close from
mid-October to mid-December and from
April to mid-June.
Hotel Alphorn HOTEL $$
(%033 748 45 45; www.gstaad-alphorn.ch;
Gsteigstrasse; s/d Sfr137/252; pW) A traditional
Swiss chalet with a 21st-century twist, the
Alphorn has smart rooms with plenty of
warm pine, chunky beds and balconies with
country views. Downstairs there’s a cosy restaurant
(mains Sfr27 to Sfr38), a sauna and
a whirlpool big enough for two.
Hotel Christiania GUESTHOUSE $$
(%033 744 51 21; www.christiania.ch; Untergstaad
26; s/d Sfr205/355; W) This super-centrally
located, family-run chalet stands out for its
bright, well-kept rooms and fi ve-star welcome.
The Egyptian owner cooks delicious
Middle Eastern fare from mezze to couscous
in the restaurant (mains Sfr16 to Sfr28).
Gstaad Palace LUXURY HOTEL $$$
(%033 748 50 00; www.palace.ch; Palacestrasse
28; s Sfr470-620, d Sfr720-1020; pais)
Opulent, exclusive and – in case you happen
to be wondering – accessible by helicopter,
this hilltop fairy-tale palace has attracted celebrity
royalty like Michael Jackson, Robbie
Williams and Liza Minnelli. Lavish quarters,
a luxurious spa, several gourmet restaurants
and an Olympic pool justify the price tag.
Retro disco Green Go is also up here.
Iglu-Dorf IGLOO $$
(%041 612 27 28; www.iglu-dorf.com; per person
Sfr149-189; late Dec-Easter) Fondue and mulled
wine pave the way to subzero slumber land
at this ‘igloo village’, aff ording magical views
to 3000m peaks. Night-time snowshoeing
is part of the fun. Up the price for a little
Eskimo-style romance in an igloo complete
with its own whirlpool.
SYHA Hostel HOSTEL $
(%033 744 13 43; www.youthhostel.ch/saanen; dm
Sfr38.80-48.80; W) Situated in Saanen, just
four minutes away by train, this is a peaceful
chalet hostel with bright, clean dorms, a
games room and kiosk.
5 Eating & Drinking
If Gstaad’s ritzy restaurants aren’t for you,
head for the mountain chalet restaurants at
the summit stations of the cable cars.
oMichel’s Stallbeizli SWISS $
(%033 744 43 37; www.stallbeizli.ch; Gsteigstrasse
38; mains Sfr20-29; h9.30am-6pm mid-Dec–Mar;
c) Dining doesn’t get more back-to-nature
than at this converted barn. In winter, you
can feast away on fondue, drink Alpine