Cookbooks are cultural artefacts in their own right. They capture the essence of an era or a community, reminding us how people lived, dined and enjoyed food together at that time

Cookbooks are cultural artefacts in their own right. They capture the essence of an era or a community, reminding us how people lived, dined and enjoyed food together at that time

In 1922, ten friends got together and established the Fishing Club Saanenland; 102 years later, it’s still going strong, with 75 active members plus passive members and patrons. But as GstaadLife learned, there’s more to the club than just fishing.

In 1922, ten friends got together and established the Fishing Club Saanenland; 102 years later, it’s still going strong, with 75 active members plus passive members and patrons. But as GstaadLife learned, there’s more to the club than just fishing.

Five years ago Arnaud Guichard took over the reins of the Fromagerie Fleurette in Rougemont. Arnaud spoke to GstaadLife about his passion for cheese.

Five years ago Arnaud Guichard took over the reins of the Fromagerie Fleurette in Rougemont. Arnaud spoke to GstaadLife about his passion for cheese.

The new year 2024 was greeted with the traditional New Year's fireworks display at The Alpina Gstaad hotel. It was marvelled at by numerous visitors who had come to the Gstaad promenade for the occasion.

The new year 2024 was greeted with the traditional New Year's fireworks display at The Alpina Gstaad hotel. It was marvelled at by numerous visitors who had come to the Gstaad promenade for the occasion.

A Journey Through War, while at Marie José College In loving memory of Princess India d’Afghanistan, who passed away on 13 October 2023. Nadja and her sister India’s arrival at Marie José College was a consequence of the war that commenced in Italy in 1940. At that time, the ...

A Journey Through War, while at Marie José College In loving memory of Princess India d’Afghanistan, who passed away on 13 October 2023. Nadja and her sister India’s arrival at Marie José College was a consequence of the war that commenced in Italy in 1940. At that time, the ...

As we commemorate the centenary of Robert Steffen’s passing in 2023, it’s time to shine a spotlight on a cultural hero whose legacy continues to shape the enchanting region of Gstaad. While we often reserve the title of “hero” for those who triumph in battles and wars, Steffen’s ...

As we commemorate the centenary of Robert Steffen’s passing in 2023, it’s time to shine a spotlight on a cultural hero whose legacy continues to shape the enchanting region of Gstaad. While we often reserve the title of “hero” for those who triumph in battles and wars, Steffen’s ...

Sunday the 16 October marked the finisage of the cow exhibition at the Museum in Saanen, and so it was time for the cows to go home. The exhibition was curated by Franziska Haldi and was exceptional in its diverse collection of handmade toy cows.

Sunday the 16 October marked the finisage of the cow exhibition at the Museum in Saanen, and so it was time for the cows to go home. The exhibition was curated by Franziska Haldi and was exceptional in its diverse collection of handmade toy cows.

It is commonly said that there are as many cows in Saanen as there are inhabitants. Currently, there are probably a few more as model cows from all over Switzerland are on display in the Museum der Landschaft in Saanen.

It is commonly said that there are as many cows in Saanen as there are inhabitants. Currently, there are probably a few more as model cows from all over Switzerland are on display in the Museum der Landschaft in Saanen.

“Typically Swiss” – a symbol of home, originality and authenticity – a fitting theme for the fine art of paper cutting. The theme was deliberately chosen for the 10th-anniversary of the Swiss decoupage exhibition.

“Typically Swiss” – a symbol of home, originality and authenticity – a fitting theme for the fine art of paper cutting. The theme was deliberately chosen for the 10th-anniversary of the Swiss decoupage exhibition.

Mario Frautschi from Turbach is a multi-talented craftsman with a passion for his art – carving wood by hand in the traditional manner to create magnificent sculptures. He also carves intricate designs in leather and has been known to sculpt igloos in the winter too.

Mario Frautschi from Turbach is a multi-talented craftsman with a passion for his art – carving wood by hand in the traditional manner to create magnificent sculptures. He also carves intricate designs in leather and has been known to sculpt igloos in the winter too.

Simon Hefti from Turbach is a multi-talented musician who composes, conducts and teaches yodelling courses throughout the Saanenland and beyond. GstaadLife met with Simon to talk music, tradition and inspiration.

Simon Hefti from Turbach is a multi-talented musician who composes, conducts and teaches yodelling courses throughout the Saanenland and beyond. GstaadLife met with Simon to talk music, tradition and inspiration.

The cattle breeding associations of Saanenmöser, Saanen and Gruben, together with the Saanenland cattle breeders association, were pleased to invite the public to the 17th Topschau after a two-year break. Once again it was a show that impressively demonstrated that the milked cattle in the mountain ...

The cattle breeding associations of Saanenmöser, Saanen and Gruben, together with the Saanenland cattle breeders association, were pleased to invite the public to the 17th Topschau after a two-year break. Once again it was a show that impressively demonstrated that the milked cattle in the mountain ...

The Alp farming season is approaching. For some families, this means moving to the Alpine pastures for about 80 days, starting in June. Looking after the cows, working in the stables, making cheese. A challenge for families with school-age children. How do they manage the balancing act between compulsory ...

The Alp farming season is approaching. For some families, this means moving to the Alpine pastures for about 80 days, starting in June. Looking after the cows, working in the stables, making cheese. A challenge for families with school-age children. How do they manage the balancing act between compulsory ...

The 125 most beautiful cows were on display at the 32nd annual Bernese Elite Show on May 11th. The competition consisted of 14 categories of the three races—Simmental, Swiss Fleckvieh, and Red Holstein/Holstein.

The 125 most beautiful cows were on display at the 32nd annual Bernese Elite Show on May 11th. The competition consisted of 14 categories of the three races—Simmental, Swiss Fleckvieh, and Red Holstein/Holstein.

Samichlous visited the Saanenland on 6 December, bringing all children a fine chlousäckli, a little bag of treats. Samichlous arrived with Schmutzli on a donkey, and stayed in the group of eager children who had gathered, letting them fawn over him. 

Samichlous visited the Saanenland on 6 December, bringing all children a fine chlousäckli, a little bag of treats. Samichlous arrived with Schmutzli on a donkey, and stayed in the group of eager children who had gathered, letting them fawn over him. 

The large wooden caquelon that spent the summer as a regional ambassador in the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt is now back home. On the 7 November it was inaugurated into the cheese grotto in Gstaad, the newest of the grotto's three caquelons. 

The large wooden caquelon that spent the summer as a regional ambassador in the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt is now back home. On the 7 November it was inaugurated into the cheese grotto in Gstaad, the newest of the grotto's three caquelons. 

Farmers in the Saanenland are busily preparing for this year’s “Cow Show Week”, set to take place the last week of October and feature a bevy of bovine fun.

Farmers in the Saanenland are busily preparing for this year’s “Cow Show Week”, set to take place the last week of October and feature a bevy of bovine fun.

Gery Ryter (Alp Mittenbach, Saanen) took 2nd place in the category of Hobelkäse at the 17th Alpkäse premiere at Olma, the popular Swiss agriculture and food fair held yearly in St. Gallen. The award is a strong confirmation for Ryter's hard work during the summer on the alp.

Gery Ryter (Alp Mittenbach, Saanen) took 2nd place in the category of Hobelkäse at the 17th Alpkäse premiere at Olma, the popular Swiss agriculture and food fair held yearly in St. Gallen. The award is a strong confirmation for Ryter's hard work during the summer on the alp.

This year’s Bernese Alpkäsemeisterschaft—the 19th annual Bernese Alpine Cheese Championship —in Grindelwald brought top honours for local dairy farmers. A number of cheese producers from the Saanenland were present with their products last weekend, all vying for a cheese awar ...

This year’s Bernese Alpkäsemeisterschaft—the 19th annual Bernese Alpine Cheese Championship —in Grindelwald brought top honours for local dairy farmers. A number of cheese producers from the Saanenland were present with their products last weekend, all vying for a cheese awar ...

It’s nearly that time of year again. Farmers will begin descending from the alp, where they have spent the summer. They will lead their Simmental cows, adorned with flowers and with cowbells ringing, along the streets of Gstaad. One might even catch a glimpse of a ...

It’s nearly that time of year again. Farmers will begin descending from the alp, where they have spent the summer. They will lead their Simmental cows, adorned with flowers and with cowbells ringing, along the streets of Gstaad. One might even catch a glimpse of a ...