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Gstaad General Overview

This is not a resort that needs a tremendous amount of introduction. Heck, there are more celebrities here per square meter than there are on most other pieces of property around the globe, and, as a result, this area gets more than its fair share of international attention. The holding of the Swiss Open tennis tournament in summer helps too, and the large numbers of rich and not so famous also ensure that the place gets mentioned often enough in the right circles.

But what about normal dudes like you and me dear reader? Do we think automatically of Gstaad when we are plotting our next ski getaway? “Probably not”, has to be the obvious answer. And, “why not”, has to be the obvious question. It certainly is not because Gstaad is lacking in decent skiable terrain. It has plenty. And what with the Glacier at Diablerets, just a few kilometres away, the snow is pretty much a sure thing too.

Could it be that Gstaad has not taken the right approach to its marketing? This surely would leave ordinary skiers with the feeling that if they were not well heeled and well known they would be less than well accepted. That is not true, by the way, but perhaps the impression was there. But Gstaad is changing its image. Great new snowboarding facilities have been added, much to the delight of that incredibly fast-growing market.

New lifts on the Oldenhorn will be in operation the year round, and a new cable car will serve skiers on the Wasserngrat. A six-day ski pass will also allow you to ski at Adelboden/Lenk, and the Alpes Vaudoises. Now with all this going on, I would like to point out that there is some interesting skiing in Gstaad.

For the accomplished recreational skier and below, Gstaad has a lot to offer. Firstly it is joined with Chateau­d'Oex, Rougemont and Sannen on what used to be known as the White Highlands ski region, but is now known as the Gstaad Super Ski Region. Secondly, on its own, Gstaad offers good skiing on slopes both in and near the town center. Thirdly, if all else fails, Gstaad is only a half hour's ride away from Les Diablerets, the glacier ski area in the town bearing the same name. The skiing in the village is, as we have stated not of the terrifying variety, but we don't know many skiers who want to be terrified anyway.

About five different non -connecting areas make up the contingent, which features mostly wide open skiing designed to let you beat the mountain rather than letting the mountain beat you. Sixty-nine ski lifts serve 250km of slopes, and the one ski pass covers slopes skiable to 3,000m. This lift pass will get you all of the skiing either in or out of town, with kids under 6 skiing free if they are with parents. This does not, by the way, include Les Diablerets. It does however include the other resorts in the "Super Ski Region" as well as the train that takes you there. The latter by the way is a treat in itself and makes a nice day out as a bonus to the skiing.

The resort can be expensive, as glittery hotels catering to the "big bucks brigade" are all over the place. Gstaad has class to spare. However for those of us who are a bit more budget conscious, there is still good value around. Nightlife is good, but not wild, and there are some great places to eat, drink and enjoy the country and the sport. To get to Gstaad by car, use the three B's, Basel, Bern and Bulle. Zurich, Basel and Geneva are good airports.