Elite Traveler Winter 2019

EXPLORE GSTAAD GUIDE TO GSTAAD

Crowns abound in Gstaad, a swanky Swiss mountain town located between Zurich and Geneva. You’ll see them atop fat, bell-bedecked cows who descend the mountains in autumn, their heads decorated with coronas of wildflowers. Led by local farmers, the adorned bovines parade down the cobbled streets in traditional celebrations that trumpet the change of seasons. But keep an eye out: During the rest of the year, you’re just as likely to notice a glittering tiara atop the head of a fellow visitor. Long a playground for royalty, Gstaad is two things at once: an idyllic Swiss Alpine village that stays true to its centuries-old ways and a ritzy gathering ground for the see-and-be-seen global elite. With 17th-century

chalets, old-world bakeries and cheese shops operated by the cheesemakers themselves sitting near ultra-luxe, five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and decadent nightclubs, Gstaad draws visitors as much for its quintessential Swissness as for its high-intensity social scene. Off the slopes and the party circuit, this bijou hideaway hosts polo matches, hot-air balloon and classical music festivals, and has year-round outdoor attractions.

by Becca Hensley

The charming Gstaad town center