Helvet - Living the high life

Les 4 Vallées

Easy to reach by rail, especially from Geneva Airport, Les 4 Vallées ski area is truly in a league of its own. With its 410 kilometres of runs served by 80 ski lifts and stretching across the resorts of Verbier, Veysonnaz, Thyon, Nendaz, La Tzoumaz and Bruson, it is the largest in Switzerland and the third-biggest in Europe. One day is nowhere near enough to discover it in its entirety. In fact, it will take you all that time just to ski from one end to the other. Les 4 Vallées is also one of the highest ski domains in Switzerland, rising as high as 3,300m. In these days of global warming, it guarantees snow, with a battery of 510 snowmaking machines in reserve just in case. The season starts here in December, without fail – and sometimes even in November – with the traditional “opening session”, where skiers dressed up as Santa Claus or Père Fouettard (St Nicholas’ helper) can ski for CHF5. The season comes to a close in mid-April. The very best skiingLes 4 Vallées caters for every taste and level, from beginners, freeriders and freestylers to seasoned skiers and racers. The runs are impeccably prepared and patrolled. Lovers of steep slopes and complete tranquillity make a beeline for Bruson, for a long and wild descent through the trees to Châble. Freeriders are simply spoiled for choice, from the countless lines on the famous Mont Gelé, whose cable car was refurbished two years ago, to the Mont-Fort backside run, or one of the area’s seven ski itineraries. These runs, covered by non-packed snow, are patrolled and accessible to proficient skiers, even if they don’t have an avalanche transceiver (DVA) or any avalanche expertise. Verbier is also an Alpine mecca of heli-skiing and lies close to no fewer than four areas dedicated to it. A visual feastLes 4 Vallées affords unique views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. From the peak of Mont-Fort, at 3,300m, the eye is met by a land where the snow always lies, taking in summits as beautiful and as legendary as Les Combins, La Dent Blanche, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. A “photopoint” has been set up at the entrance to the cable car and allows skiers to activate the camera with their ski pass and then retrieve their photos from the website www.skiline.cc. Les 4 Vallées has another string to its bow: its cuisine. The Verbier-Bruson sector alone is home to some 23 high-altitude restaurants and bars. The Igloo du Mont-Fort is the highest of them all, but not the largest, and serves the highest fondue in the Alps. Verbier? It’s a place that only superlatives can describe. www.4vallees.ch

Laurent Grabet 2019-12-17 17:14:00

Zermatt

The latest edition of the Gault&Millau restaurant guide counts 870 Swiss restaurants recognized for their exceptional know-how, 96 of which are new to this edition. This marks a new record for the country, in terms of the sheer number of restaurants that were tested and approved by the demanding critics who compile this global gastronomic reference guide. Created in the 1970s, this guide came to life in the wave of nouvelle cuisine brought about by Paul Bocuse, the Troisgros Brothers, and Michel Guérard among others. These 870 Swiss establishments have been recognized for the quality of their ingredients, the attention to detail given when preparing them, and the ingenuity of the chefs. Zermatt performed particularly well. No fewer than 17 restaurants were selected, earning a cumulative 242 points, the same amount as last year. That number is 29 times higher than the Swiss average, in terms of the number of Michelin-starred restaurants per inhabitant. Although the cumulative score is the same, there were a few small changes: one restaurant no longer qualified, but another took its place; another restaurant lost a point, while two others earned an extra point and qualified in the top ranks. The Masters’ KitchensAt the very highest level, two chefs from each restaurant share the major accolades: Master Chef Ivo Adam from After Seven, the Backstage Hotel’s restaurant (along with Head Chef Florian Neubauer), and Salvatore Elefante from the Mont Cervin Palace’s Ristorante Capri (along with Head Chef Giovanni Bavuso). Together, these two establishments won 17 points on their own and have two and one Michelin stars, respectively. After Seven has many surprises in store, both in terms of the kitchen’s creativity and in terms of the establishment’s décor: from behind a full facade of windows, the restaurant evokes the atmosphere of a New York-style loft that’s been improved upon by Zermatt artist Hans Julen. Here everything feels visually-baroque and quirky, down to the table service, which is highly thorough yet fresh (and never stilted). The menu is unique in of itself: dishes are chosen by the number of plates and the time one wishes to be seated at the table. Eating at After Seven truly transforms a simple meal into an unforgettable experience, including bread that’s baked directly at the table, and lollipops created by the patrons themselves. The restaurant is open from December 7, 2019 to April 12, 2020. At the Mont Cervin Palace, the Ristorante Capri —where Head Chef Giovanni Bavuso brings his cuisine from the award-winning restaurant Il Riccio on Capri here to the mountains for the winter— is also only open for the season, from December 18, 2019 until March 29, 2020. Here, the cooking has a view of the Alps but is 100% Mediterranean, with strong marine influences. Some highlights from the menu? The yellowtail tartar trilogy and the house-made tagliolini with lemon, burrata, raw gambas, and sea asparagus. This fine establishment offers a chance to truly enjoy the full spectrum of Mare Nostrum delights. Reaching New HeightsThis year, there were also two establishments that earned an additional point from Gault&Millau. This included Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni (16 points), located inside the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, which is open in both winter (December 7, 2019-April 13, 2020) and summer (July 4-September 13, 2020). Executive Chef Heinz Rufibach has made it his mission to highlight and serve the best local products from Switzerland, with a special focus on Valais. Past menu items have included an amuse-bouche lobster and hay shot, mountain venison, an abundance of valley root vegetables, and a surprising selection of sweet wines. The Omnia, the signature restaurant inside the hotel of the same name, also improved their score from last year for a total of 15 points. Executive Chef Hauke Pohl, trained in the French culinary tradition, has created a menu that’s as contemporary as the hotel’s décor, with a balanced blend of regional and cosmopolitan influences, and ultimately defined by seasonal ingredients. It is also worth noting that Gault&Millau gave 14 points to three of Zermatt’s most legendary Alpine chalet dining establishments: Zum See, Chez Vrony, and Findlerhof… three more reasons to wine and dine in Zermatt this winter season. www.gaultmillau.chwww.backstagehotel.chwww.zermatterhof.chwww.the-omnia.comwww.montcervinpalace.chwww.zermatt.ch

Claude Hervé-Bazin 2019-12-17 17:32:02

Heinz Julen

Bahnhofstrasse 7 b. If there was a Monopoly board of Zermatt, this address would no doubt be found in the dark blue sector, the most chic of them all. Right in the heart of the village, just off the main pedestrian street and next door to the luxurious Hotel Schweizerhoff, Heinz Julen’s newest storefront offers a full panorama of Julen’s creations. Here one can find his iconic cow skin armchairs and loungers, his light fixtures and his psychedelic chandeliers, along with his elegant wood and metal tables, all of which are built nearby in Zermatt’s old train station, which was saved from demolition and transformed into Julen’s art studio. Another section of the boutique is dedicated to the design universe of the famous, high-altitude restaurant Chez Vrony (located at 2,100 m near the Findeln hamlet), which was styled and decorated by Heinz and is run by his sister Vrony. Together, the siblings have created a space that represents their shared belief that the best of Zermatt should highlight its true origins, turning a cold shoulder to stuffed Saint Bernards and anything with a sticker that says Made in China. That aesthetic philosophy goes one step further in Julen’s new Bahnhofstrasse space, in an area of the boutique that’s dedicated to invited brands, local or international, who are featured for the authenticity of their craft or for their singular vision. Zermatt Selection runs parallel to la Kunsträume, Heinz Julen’s contemporary art gallery in Zermatt that plays host to five large exhibits each year at the gallery’s home base within the Backstage Hotel (open every day from 17:00-23:00, except for closure in May and November). Photography, painting, sculpture, installations, mixed media, and digital art are all welcomed over the course of the year. From the Bahnhofstrasse, a glass hallway (open from 08:00 until midnight) invites passersby to explore the gallery further by highlighting some of the most iconic works currently on display. The gallery is currently exhibiting German painter Dietmar Brixy’s (born 1961) large format gestural works, which incorporate powerful reliefs and dripping techniques that exemplify a modernization of the traditional elements of painting. The next exhibition will feature German photographer Stephan Verdino and a still-as-of-yet-unannounced internationally-renowned painter, who was commissioned for a special series of work revolving around Zermatt and winter sports. The boutique is open everyday from 09:30-19:30. www.heinzjulen.com

Daniel Bauchervez 2019-12-17 17:26:24

Chalet Hotel Schönegg

One doesn’t simply see a small piece of the mountainous landscape from the Schönegg’s immense terrace: one takes in a full 180° panoramic view of the Matter Valley, high above all of Zermatt’s other rooftops, tucked into the valley below, and directly within eyesight of the kingly Matterhorn itself. The Schönegg is a true wooden mountain chalet. In summer, petunias decorate the balconies. In winter, snow coats the chalet’s delicately sloped roof and trickles off to form hanging stalactites. The front doors open to an Alpine universe in every sense of the word: beautiful hardwood floors and furniture, delicately carved wood embellishments in the restaurant, the recently renovated panelling in the Charme rooms, and the contemporary touches in the Style Cervin rooms. To top it off, three fourths of the hotel’s 48 rooms have a view of the Matterhorn. The Hotel Schönegg boasts a view of the village from its sun-soaked terrace, enhanced by the hypnotic pull of the Matterhorn. This prestigious establishment was recently inaugurated into the highly exclusive Relais & Châteaux inner circle, an esteemed recognition that places the Schönegg in a league of its own, as the only Zermatt hotel within the group. One doesn’t simply see a small piece of the mountainous landscape from the Schönegg’s immense terrace: one takes in a full 180° panoramic view of the Matter Valley, high above all of Zermatt’s other rooftops, tucked into the valley below, and directly within eyesight of the kingly Matterhorn itself. The Schönegg is a true wooden mountain chalet. In summer, petunias decorate the balconies. In winter, snow coats the chalet’s delicately sloped roof and trickles off to form hanging stalactites. The front doors open to an Alpine universe in every sense of the word: beautiful hardwood floors and furniture, delicately carved wood embellishments in the restaurant, the recently renovated panelling in the Charme rooms, and the contemporary touches in the Style Cervin rooms. To top it off, three fourths of the hotel’s 48 rooms have a view of the Matterhorn. A Family of WinemakersThe terrace, beautifully named Infinity, becomes a stage for live music in April for Zermatt’s Unplugged Festival, assuming one arrives early enough to snag a seat. When it’s time for après-ski, the piano comes to life as the sounds of jazz or classical music ring through the air and drift towards the Matterhorn. The ambiance is relaxed, as patrons nibble on snack platters with a glass of wine in hand. But not just any wine… When it comes to wines, no one in Zermatt knows them better than the Schönegg. Sebastian et Anna Métry, the hotel’s lovely owners, brought a family of winemakers and a family of hotel owners together in union, and one could almost say grape juice is in their blood. For at least five generations, the Métry family has been growing grapes in Varone, on the other side of Valais. Enter the pinot noir and fendant, produced in limited quantities that just barely meet the needs of the hotel’s bar and restaurant, aptly named Uncorked. There’s no doubt that wine is the true guest of honour here. The Schönegg’s wine cellar counts almost 400 labels, nearly a hundred of which are from Valais, tasted and selected by the Maitre de Maison himself, along with an impressive selection of wines from Bordeaux. Powering the ovens for almost two decades, Chef Reinhold Wrobel brings local products to life through the Menu du Marché (5 courses), which changes daily. As a lover of Asian cuisine, Mr. Wrobel doesn’t hesitate to titillate the palette of diners with a touch of curry, a hint of miso, or a dash of sesame. The ambiance features comfortable wooden tables and benches, lit by chandeliers made of bottles, topped with a magnificent view of the Matterhorn. All these elements combined are what made this establishment a natural fit for Relais & Châteaux, and ensures the venue lives up to the group’s token slogan: Creating Delicious Journeys. www.schonegg.ch

Claude Hervé-Bazin 2019-12-23 07:00:57

Verbier the capital

As the sun slips behind the Val de Bagnes, the evening chill quickly takes its grip on Verbier. With shoulders tense and tight, passers-by quicken their step as they make their way down the street. In the superchalets, meanwhile, the happy occupants are relaxing in the warmth of their very own private spas. As for everyone else, the time has come to make a beeline for the resort’s most select oases of wellness. AWAY Spa & Fitness, W VerbierWith its graceful curves, the W’s beautiful swimming pool stretches from indoors to out, comprising hot and cold areas separated by huge glass screens. Covering an area of 800m2, the adjoining AWAY Spa comprises a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, relaxation area and treatment rooms (La Prairie and Phyto5). On the menu are detox massages, holistic treatments and bespoke treatments making use of Swiss plant oils and pure oxygen, among other things. There is also a fitness room, yoga and pilates room, nail studio, hair salon, and yoga sessions for skiers. Feeling hungry? Then munch on seasonal fresh fruit from one of the bowls or pick something from the health menu. www.wverbier.com Spa Cinq Mondes at La Cordée des AlpesCould this be the most beautiful of them all? One of the resort’s flagship hotels, La Cordée des Alpes (a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World community) is home to a simply stunning spa, combining a stripped-back contemporary feel with the timelessness of beautifully shaped wood. The centrepiece is a 15m indoor swimming pool heated to 30°C and stretching between an extended fireplace and a long window looking out to the Mont Blanc massif. Also featuring a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, three individual treatment rooms (Cinq Mondes) and a fitness centre, the spa is open to non-residents booking at least one treatment. It can also be reserved for private functions. www.hotelcordee.com Experimental Spa by Biologique RechercheSituated in the centre of the resort, the ultra-trendy Experimental Chalet – the latest offering by a group running bars and hotels in Paris, London and Ibiza – is a hotel, restaurant, cocktail bar, club and spa rolled into one. The spa uses products made by luxury French bespoke skin care brand Biologique Recherche and containing only fragrance-free natural and biotechnical active ingredients. Guests receive a personal assessment before each treatment. The spa is home to three treatment rooms, a hammam, jacuzzi and 50m² solarium. The treatments on offer include facials and a range of massages: essential oils, sport, hot stones, scalp and feet. fr.experimentalchalet.com The L.Raphael Temple of BeautyA pioneer in skin care and anti-ageing treatments, the L.Raphael brand operates out of Geneva, Cannes, New York and Beverly Hills. It has also opened an ultra-luxury “Temple of Beauty” at La Truffe Blanche in Verbier, a 280m2 chalet-spa that can be booked for private use. As well as nine treatment rooms, it also has a truly stunning 15m swimming pool that takes its design cues from Art Deco and Baroque, not tomention a hammam, Finnish sauna, gym, home cinema, hair salon, nightclub, and a vodka bar. It even serves sushi. www.l-raphael.com Spa Nuxe at Le Chalet d’AdrienHere at Verbier’s sole Relais & Châteaux establishment and only five-star hotel, the long 16m swimming pool (heated to a temperature of 29°C) attracts all the attention. When its huge glass doors are opened, the Alps are revealed in all their glory and offer a majestic backdrop to the terrace in the summer months. The spa also boasts a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, fitness room and private treatment rooms. A wide selection of treatments are on offer, all using Nuxe products: body and facial treatments with flowers, plants,honey and crème fraiche; a range of massages (relaxation, detox, Californian, energy, and deep tissue); and a treatment that goes by the name of modelage vers les cimes. Lasting an hour and 20 minutes, it makes use of heated cushions, Edelweiss essence mist, and magnetite stones. www.chalet-adrien.com MassagesThere is more to life than spas. You could just as easily have a massage at a beauty salon or at home. There are a good 20 or so companies and individuals who offer such a service in Verbier. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your chalet, hotel room or apartment, you can book services with 1936 Massage (specialising in relaxing and sport massages), or Chilali Massage (Swedish, sport, deep tissue and hotstones massages, reiki and shiatsu, yoga and stretching). Their masseurs bring all the necessary material with them. The two companies also offer pilates sessions and facials. Wholeycow Yoga Massage Fitness offer another option, taking a positive, global, physical and mental approach founded on personal development. Its services include Thai massages and reflexology, massages for pregnant women, aromatherapy, and après (or avant)-ski fitness sessions designed to help you raise your game on the pistes. www.massage1936.comwww.chilalimassage.comwww.wholeycow.ch

Daniel Bauchervez 2020-01-13 07:00:27

Chalet La Marmottière

Located a stone’s throw from the golf course and Le Hameau de Verbier, between the nearest skiable slopes and the centre of the resort, La Marmottière sits behind a screen formed by birch trees and spruces, right beside an irrigation channel. What was once a mere chalet is now a superchalet, one of those prestigious buildings that has taken Verbier to the very peak of Alpine luxury. The main chalet (900m2), reworked by the Valais firm AMD Interior Designer, has no equal when it comes to allowing the light in. With its huge sliding bay windows embracing the scenery, it even goes as far as to create a new aesthetic for mountain architecture. These windows usher the sunlight into the large cathedral-like lounge on the first floor, which is surrounded by the most panoramic of terraces. They perform the same function on the ground floor, where a shimmering swimming pool that stretches for 17 whole metres, right along the building’s façade, reflects the distant peaks. Up on the top floor, the two master bedrooms vie with each other in their very own beauty contest. They too boast large windows opening out on to Les Combins and a large private balcony. The sense of scale is the same, as is the sense of fulfilment. One looks out on to the landscape opposite, its king-size bed an island floating off towards the horizon. The other sits to one side, as if out of shyness. Each has its own lounge, complete with a big screen and warmed by a glass-encased fireplace, and ensuite bathrooms: a shower and sleek wood in one; a bathtub and anthracite marble in the other. The first floor is home to a number of other rooms, where guests can retire in the comforting warmth of aged wood after using all the little toys the house has to offer: an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, gym, and a bar created by Italian craftspeople on the theme of luxury cars and featuring a pool table. There is also a games room, poker room, cellar, which itself offers panoramic views, and a bowling alley, hewn out of the rock. Meanwhile, the second chalet (600m2) has a 3D cinema, conference room, massage room and ski room. La Marmottière will take some beating! https://hautemontagne.com/chal...

Claude Hervé-Bazin 2019-12-17 17:49:31

Ski 2.0

It is not by chance that Zermatt has been named the “Best Ski Resort” in the world by Snow-Online, placing above its Alpine counterparts for the third time following a detailed survey of some 50,000 skiers. In Zermatt, one can feel that things are different from the offset. Here one reaches the slopes by train as cars are forbidden in the station, an important detail in our increasingly ecologically-conscious world. Despite the lack of automobiles, it is incredible easy to access the slopes: four different transportation options are available from the village centre (train, funicular, gondola, or cable car), connecting skiers directly to different areas of this incredible mountain kingdom. Touch the SkyIn Zermatt, skiers evolve in unison with the high mountain terrain. The local ski area is the highest in Europe and it’s at least partially accessible 365 days a year, which draws many national teams to its slopes for preparation before the season opens. The Matterhorn ski area stretches from Rothorn (3,103 m) to Schwarzsee (2,583 m), via Gornergrat (3,089 m) and the Matterhorn ski paradise (3,883 m), which is also known as Klein Matterhorn and which has a newly-inaugurated T3 cable car system available as of last year. Despite what one may think, the highest point of the ski area is not located at the first arrival station, but is actually near the Italian border at the top of the modest Gobba di Rollin ski lift (3,899 m). From there, the descent into Zermatt covers an astounding 2,279 m drop in altitude, a delight for experienced skiers (and a fear-inducing adventure for the less experienced). As an added bonus, there’s sunshine at these high altitudes at least 300 days a year on average. The Matterhorn DifferenceThe skiable area, which includes 360 km of slopes, is unique for yet another geographical reason: it stretches over two different countries. From the Aosta Valley in Italy, one can easily reach Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche via the Testa Grigia (3,480 m) plateau, or by taking the Theodul Pass (3,301 m). Zermatt’s 84 ski lifts are ultra-modern, and there are about 20 transalpine others that are almost at the same level. Just one difference sets them apart: the Swiss side can easily claim to have the best views of the Matterhorn. That view makes all the difference for skiers, not to mention that 38 of the 82 alpine summits over 4,000 m complete the panorama. There they are, no matter which direction you look, perfectly draped in white. Ski Station 2.0Those who rely on internet connection will be delighted to learn that Zermatt has free Wi-Fi on all of its slopes. A perfect setup for anyone looking to live stream their ski experience on social media. The station has made great efforts to ensure it can offer a solid 2.0 experience for all of its guests. These efforts include easy-to-access electronic resources for ski pass holders, who can look up real time weather updates, slope conditions, and lift opening times using the dedicated mobile app. And for anyone who loves statistics (we’re looking at you, sports lovers), the Skiline application tracks a variety of personal data like covered distance and altitude. www.zermatt.chwww.matterhornparadise.ch

Laurent Grabet 2019-12-17 17:52:38

Longines
Timekeeper du White Turf à St-Moritz

Nichée à 1'800 m d’altitude, la jolie ville montagnarde de Saint-Moritz, première station à s’être vue installée l’électricité en 1864, attire aussi bien les voyageurs et les sportifs que la belle bourgeoisie internationale, et ce en toute saison. Son climat atypique qui offre 322 jours ensoleillés par année lui vaut sa réputation. Mais pas uniquement. Ici, galeries d’art ultra sélect, hôtels prestigieux, restaurants gastronomiques et événements mondains accompagnés d’un gratin de stars séduisent la communauté. #helvet s’est donc rendu dans cette bourgade de luxe où il fait bon vivre pour assister au White Turf, « gazon blanc » en français, aux côtés de Longines, partenaire de l’événement. Ce concours hippique, crée en 1907, et ses courses sur le lac gelé font partie de l’histoire de la vallée de l’Engadine. Depuis plus de cent ans, chaque année au mois de février, un hippodrome géant prend forme sur le lac, avec les tribunes et un grand village de stands pour accueillir pas loin de 35'000 personnes au total au White Turf. Et ce dimanche, lors du point d’orgue de la 80ème édition du Longines Grosser Preis von St-Moritz, dix pur-sang ont pris le départ pour dérober le Grand Prix au bout de deux kilomètres de glace enneigée et emporter le pactole qui s’élevait à CHF 111’111.-, le tout sous les yeux des 13'000 spectateurs du jour. Berrahri, pur-sang irlandais de huit ans a su dépasser ses limites et celles de ses concurrents, raflant la première place avec un timing de 2’13’’, entre les mains du jockey Kieren Fox. Beauté complexeLuigi Sala, Member of the Board du White Turf, l’explique : organiser un événement sportif sur un lac gelé est complexe. Tout d’abord, les conditions climatiques changeantes peuvent impacter les courses, le lac gelé devant être en mesure de pouvoir supporter entre 2000 et 2500 tonnes (installations, chevaux, public), avec une épaisseur de glace de minimum 30 à 35 cm. Grâce à des drones et des détecteurs de chaleur, il est possible de vérifier la solidité de la glace, et de disposer des obstacles là où elle serait susceptible d’être molle, et donc dangereuse pour les chevaux et leur jockey. De plus, il faut pouvoir protéger les chevaux lors de la course en elle-même : la réverbération de la lumière ou encore les morceaux de neige gelée projetés dans les yeux peuvent être violents. Pour le jockey, pas de différence entre le gazon et la neige. « Une course est une course », déclare Raphael Lingg, jockey arrivé à la 5ème place de la course Longines Grosser Preis von St-Moritz, avec Filou, pur-sang suisse. Par contre, les chevaux le ressentent différemment. « Certains chevaux adorent courir sur la neige, et y sont très performants, alors que sur le gazon les résultats sont moins bons. Et pour d’autres, c’est totalement le contraire, la neige et la luminosité ne leur convient pas », nous apprend Luigi Sala. Alors il faut bien choisir son cheval avant de parier dessus, connaître son parcours, son palmarès ainsi que ses compétences « tout terrain ». Une Record très à chevalGarde-temps officiel de l’événement White Turf à St-Moritz, la Record de Longines saisit en son cadran l’essence-même du sport chic et de la compétition raffinée. Tel un cheval au galop, les aiguilles des secondes courent le long du chemin de fer, passant par les index en chiffres romains ainsi qu’un guichet à 3 heure qui indique la date. Accompagnée de celles des heures et minutes, ensemble, les trois aiguilles bleuies se contrastent élégamment sur le cadran en nacre blanche, inséré dans un boîtier en acier inoxydable, serti ou non selon les goûts. En son cœur bat un étalon certifié COSC, mouvement mécanique à remontage automatique qui offre une réserve de marche de 64 heures, grâce à une fréquence de 25'200 alternances par heure. Le label « CHRONOMETER » accompagne le logo de Longines sur le cadran, affirmant l’excellence horlogère de la maison de Saint-Imier. Quatre tailles de boîtier sont disponibles, à allier avec divers cadrans existants, le tout à apposer sur un bracelet en acier inoxydable ou en cuir d’alligator, noir ou brun, pour une touche plus rétro. Nouveau cheval de bataille de la marque depuis 2017, la Record a de quoi devenir emblématique, et intemporelle. www.longines.ch

Isabelle Guignet 2019-02-18 08:56:08

Steiger & Cie

In the early 2000s, when high-end luxury real estate development in the Swiss Alps was well underway and the popularity of contemporary alpine style on the rise, an ambitious young man saw an opportunity. Florian Steiger, a former CEO in the music industry, built a rock-solid team directed by Oliver Herweg in Zermatt and Nicolas Koch in Verbier, and Steiger & Cie was born. More than a typical agency, Steiger & Cie has always had ambitious goals: from the beginning, they sought to build an interconnected ecosystem that met every single one of their clients’ needs, both during and after a real estate purchase, using a vast network of reputed, highly-skilled professionals. Beyond BrokerageToday the company has offices in Zermatt, Verbier, and Crans-Montana. When it comes to property brokerage, Steiger & Cie’s close and exclusive partnership with Cardis | Sotheby’s International Realty ensures this core part of their business resonates on a global level and is up to the highest international standards. In posh ski resorts where the luxury market is key, Steiger & Cie manage all kinds of real estate assets, from small apartments sold for less than one million francs, to rare chalets that can go for 25 million or more. Finding and presenting real estate assets is one thing; knowing how to truly highlight their real value is another. Steiger & Cie take great pride in their stunning (but never misleading) photography of featured chalets and apartments, and avoid using extensive retouching or deceptive wide-angle views in their images. The company stands by their belief that ensuring authenticity and establishing trust from the offset is the best (and only) way to build a business relationship. Both clients and partner notaries use the same key words to describe Steiger & Cie: honest, reactive, and highly professional. But establishing trust is just the beginning: in order to close a deal, one needs an extremely thorough understanding of every element involved in the decision making. Being able to find the right asset for the right client, means taking both a client’s nationality and budget into account, as the canton of Valais has imposed strict regulations on real estate purchases by foreigners, something Steiger & Cie are well-versed in. The company also has strong ties to the canton’s largest architectural office. Can we expand the building? Will the undeveloped neighbouring parcel stay that way? Have redevelopments already been planned? Steiger & Cie will look for and provide the required information. How can a foreigner obtain a residency permit? How can I finance my purchase? How can I benefit from a tax package? Once again, you can count on Steiger & Cie. Yet another of the company’s strong selling points: to answer all the questions that might arise, even the uncomfortable ones. But it’s not all about selling points. Unlike many other agencies, Steiger & Cie is not here to simply push a sale and benefit from a short-term commission. The company looks further into the future with every decision they make to ensure they maintain their excellent reputation among current and future buyers. They will even go as far as to setup short-term rentals for clients interested in certain properties, so they can see firsthand if the property is a fit before making their purchase. And once the deal has been closed, Steiger & Cie is still available to coordinate workers and artisans for any needed renovations. Their vast network, which also includes relationships with local authorities, shifts the company identity beyond the realm of simple real estate brokerage and makes them a valuable community partner. In short, they are an engaged and committed companion, able to handle complex cases from start to finish, without mishaps and without wasting any time. A blessing to buy in ZermattWhy buy property here? “Because we love Zermatt, its atmosphere, its slopes, its year-round lively character, and, of course, for its view of the Matterhorn,” says almost every buyer. Some have dreamed of owning property in Zermatt all their lives, but once they’ve made the leap, they still need to find the right object to fit their needs. The market is incredibly limited. There are rarely more than 5-10 chalets for sale at any given time among the 50 or so real estate options available. Compromise is almost always part of the deal. Additionally, the process for foreign non-residents is not always straightforward: one can either invest in a hotel property or go through the process of obtaining legal Swiss residency, which sometimes means selling all other properties owned abroad. This policy was designed to ensure Zermatt’s future as a true living village, keeping property owners engaged in the local community and avoiding too many empty homes and “closed shutters,” as the village continues to evolve. www.steigercie.ch

Claude Hervé-Bazin 2020-01-15 07:00:50

The vast whiteness

The urge to head off for a spot of ski-touring is understandably hard to resist when the snow is lying, all sunlit, untouched and powdery, and the avalanche report is on the positive side. And in Verbier, there are plenty of routes to choose from. One of the most frequented rises up to La Rosablanche, a 3,335m peak situated in the heart of the fascinating and timeless world of high-altitude mountains. Though Bagnes-born mountain guide Claude-Alain Gailland knows the area like the back of his hand, he never tires of it: “La Rosablanche is the linchpin, the key to many 360-degree Alpine adventures,” he explained. Those with the greatest reserves of stamina can get there straight from the resort, a journey of around 10km and with an elevation gain of 1,600m. An easier option involves setting off from Les Ruinettes (a climb of 500m less). However, the loveliest and least physically taxing route of all – one that leads you right into nature’s arms – is to take the ski lifts to the Col des Gentianes (2,950m) or Mont-Fort (3,330m). The first option, accessible to intermediate skiers, takes in two successive climbs, while the second, for more proficient skiers, features a single climb and offers a warm-up by way of the legendary descent of Backside Mont-Fort. “These routes partly intersect with those of the Haute Route and the Patrouille des Glaciers,” explains Gailland. They also pass close to Bec des Rosses, a breathtaking arena of rocks and snow, where the gladiators of Xtreme freeride battle against each other at the end of each season. It is a delightful little taster for the epic off-piste adventure that awaits and which explodes into life on reaching the glacier of the Grand Désert. Here, the imperious majesty of the landscapes simply overpowers the nevertheless intense sentiment exuded by carving out your own sketchy tracks, which man in all his vanity believes will last forever. The final 50-metre section is completed on foot. The best is yet to come: the descent. Once again there are various options to choose from. The gentlest of them leads to Nendaz via the Cleuson dam. The route leading to the Val des Dix through the Glacier de Mourti invites more reflection than the rest. A bus then takes you back to Verbier, passing through a large part of the superb 4 Vallées ski area along the way. The third option, through the Vallon de Fionnay, is the most technically challenging of all and offers the wildest scenery. Enthusiasts will note that heliskiing is also on offer in La Rosablanche. Whatever choice you make, though, the services of a guide are an absolute necessity. www.nolimitsexperience.ch

Laurent Grabet 2019-12-30 07:00:06