Glamorous alpine destination Gstaad, Switzerland, encourages travellers to “Come up – slow down”

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The Gstaad tourism slogan ‘Come Up – Slow Down’ is setting new standards for one of Switzerland’s most glamorous alpine destinations, encapsulating the essence of its appeal in one sentence. Set against the Alps, Gstaad is all about embracing visitors in peace and quiet, and in doing so, serves as a deliberate counterpoint to the general societal trend of achieving more in less time. Located in the Canton of Bern, Gstaad is a paradise for people who believe that enjoyment and wellbeing is more important than ticking off as many new attractions as possible, or as Julie Andrews said, the destination is the “last paradise in a crazy world”. The region is synonymous with a stylish and cultured attitude to life, whether guests seek relaxation away from the hectic pace of modern life with a touch of exclusivity, or holiday experiences in a landscape full of history and stories. Whether attracted by wellbeing, sport, cuisine or culture, young and old alike will find what they are looking for according to Gstaad’s philosophy: come up – slow down! Diversity in winter Gstaad has a diverse range of winter offerings, including 220 kilometres of slopes and the only glacier ski area in the Bernese Oberland, sunny terraces of cosy mountain restaurants and slopeside bars. Skiing and snowboarding specialists can test themselves in a range of snow parks or in the extensive freeride and ski touring area. The village is also the gateway to one of the top cross-country ski areas in the Alps and is considered a tobogganing and winter biking paradise. Popular summer destination Approximately half of all visitors travel to Gstaad in the warmer months. With 300 kilometres of walking tracks, accessible by up to nine mountain railways, countless bike touring and climbing opportunities as well as an idyllic 18-hole golf course, visitors have a world of leisure pursuits at their doorstep. A leading provider of wellness Gstaad has been awarded the ‘Wellness Destination’ quality seal by the Swiss Tourist Association, one of the leading providers in the area of beauty and wellness. Seven leading hotels spoil their guests with holistic spa offerings, while 10 other businesses offer their own wellness infrastructure and Alpine applications, such as barefoot walks, hay baths and whey baths. Alpine ‘capital’ of major events With just 12,000 residents, Gstaad has an offering of cultural and sporting events which would be disproportionate even for urban regions. Every year, guests can choose from more than 1000 different events. Some of these events have a top international format, such as the Menuhin Festival, the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open ATP tennis tournament, the WTA Ladies Championship, the Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series tournament, the Snow Bike Festival or the Hublot Polo Gold Cup – to name but a few.

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