Dotted with snow-capped mountains, charming weathered-wood chalets and an unsurprising smattering of fir trees, Gstaad is the epitome of alpine chic.
14 December, 2021
Gstaad oozes glamour and style and is as picture-book-pretty as anywhere on earth.
Elizabeth Hurley
Nestled between Geneva and Zürich, the white powder landscape of Gstaad is famed for its luxurious lifestyle. With 14th-century churches and traditional chocolate shops neighbouring private ski clubs and designer outlets, this is Switzerland's answer to elegance. Gstaad's hypnotic setting has attracted some of the world's most famous faces, from Madonna and Grace Kelly to Julie Andrews and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Home to 124 miles of dramatic scenery, every angle here oozes postcard-worthy perfection. Crisp winter days should be spent skiing, snowboarding or sledging, whilst serene summer stays should look like hiking, polo and golf. Visit from 22-30 January to experience the visual splendour of its annual hot air balloon festival.
Gstaad is a destination populated with just as many people as wildlife, so expect to brush shoulders with large families of alpine cows and swarms of Saanen goats. The best part? The village's thriving cultural community pays homage to its rich heritage, meaning a hefty chunk of its snazzy boutiques and snug boltholes are family-owned - check out Gstaad Palace, Pinte Bar and Hotel Olden.
Gstaad Glam by Geoffrey Moore is published by Assouline and is available to purchase at assouline.com
