MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS
Ever listened to live jazz at 2,000m above sea level? The Cosmo Jazz Festival in Chamonix makes for a mindblowing experience.
Stories
Way of life
MARATHON FARMER
“I always dreamt of having a farm in the mountains. I was lucky,” says Gérard Berrux of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
„MOUNTAINS ARE MY SUPERMODELS“
Mario Colonel is passionate about mountains – and one of the world’s best mountain photographers.
DELICATE GIANTS
The icy glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif have shaped the lives of the local people for many centuries. Environmental changes can have drastic effects on the delicate glacial ecosystem.
MONT BLANC, MON AMOUR
We meet two versions of Christian Mollier at Espace Tairraz, one of Chamonix' alpine museums:
THE NOT SO COMMON THREAD OF EMMA WIBAULT
“I want my designs to tell a story” – Interior designer Emma Wibault on ideas and finding inspiration in every day life.
DRIVING WITH THE QUEEN
If you would like to explore all the facets of Cortina d’Ampezzo, don’t miss out on venturing out on the mountain rounds around it – or even treat yourself to the Audi driving experience.
BRIGITTE BARDOT MEETS GENERATION 2.0
If there is one thing that is firmly weaved into the fabric of Cortina d’Ampezzo then it is the notion of la dolce vita – the sweet life as depicted in many movies.
A TRUE ORIGINAL, MADE IN CORTINA
Cortina is all about tradition and Italian hospitality. On a beautiful Tuesday morning, carpenter Massimo Lorenzi shows us how to properly celebrate these values.
BEAUTIES ON FOUR WHEELS
When one-of-a-kind vintage cars roll through Cortina d’Ampezzo for Coppa d’Oro, it’s not only the motorsport fans who start swooning.
THE EXQUISITE TASTE OF NON-CONVENTIONALITY
Fantasy and transgression are what guide Ms. Zalla’s inspiration for her intriguing window designs in her boutique in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
WITH THE PEAK IN HIS NAME
Tall, handsome, confident, quick-witted: Pietro Picco ticks all the stereotypical mountain guide boxes. But his story is special.
THE GUARDIAN OF THE FOREST
Maurizio Fonte had no choice: Nature chose him. Ever since, the forests of Courmayeur have been his workplace, its wildlife his clients. For their protection and preservation, no hour of work is too much for the gamekeeper.
„IT’S OUR TURN NOW!”
Marta and Beatrice Colombati are the new faces of the Hotel Svizzero: The siblings are the fourth generation to run the 4-star chalet complex with a view of the Mont Blanc mountains.
AN ARK IN THE ALPS
Halfway up on the way to the Mont Blanc summit is where alpinism, architecture and wildlife protection meet. And we meet Isabella Vanacore Falco, the guardian of an alpine ark above Courmayeur.
WITH THE HEAD IN THE MOUNTAINS
Everything in Alexander Campdellis life evolves around the mountains, his whole existence is built around them. With his family, he lives in the Monte Bianco hut at the foot of Mont Blanc.
FUN IS WHERE THE HEART IS
23-year old Simon Croux is one of Italy's best skiing freeriders. And yet, he only spends one day a week on skis. What about the other six? You will find him at the bar or in the kitchen of his family's chalet.
FIRST!
More than 20 years have passed since mountain and ski guide Edmond Joyeusaz climbed Shishapangma in the Himalayas – no oxygen, skis on his shoulder – and, after reaching the middle summit at 8,008 metres, skied down the mighty slopes.
GOATS ON THE HILL
Only a few of the 90 baby goats currently living at the Millery's farm have a name. One is called Loretta, but naming each and every one would be a nearly impossible feat; they are just too difficult to tell apart.
THE HISTORY OF OLD OBJECTS
There was this big old suitcase in the garage. Interior designer Caterina Caramello was a curious little girl, and opening this mysterious case felt like stepping into another world:
THE SECOND LIFE OF ALESSANDRA D.
Sometimes things happen and everything changes from one moment to the next. It could be something joyful and loud, like the birth of a child. Or it could be something quiet and sad, like the loss of a loved one.
RETHINKING THE MOUNTAIN
The many facets of Super G are hard to put into words. They are much easier to grasp when experienced first-hand. Super G is a place for people who love the mountains and the snow.
PETER AND THE WOOD
From an early age, Peter Trojer has loved working with his hands. And ever since, he has also loved wood. So, Peter turned his passion into his profession and, later on, into art.
A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB
The Grivel family and their family business of the same name have been closely tied to mountaineering for more than 200 years.
CRANS-MONTANA’S CULINARY ICEBERG
Two award-winning chefs have settled in Crans-Montana, the place with five lakes, more than 2,300 hours of sunshine per year and over 30 peaks of 3,000 metres or more.
TRANSFORMING GREY INTO ART
Street art on the mountain: At the Vision Art Festival, artists make graffiti works on concrete blocks. They blend in with nature, play with light.
EIN ANDAUERNDES AUF UND AB
Der Ski Rando Parc bietet auf mehr als 40 Kilometern rundum Crans-Montana alles was das Skitourenherz begehrt. Für alle, vom blutigen Anfängern bis zur ambitionierten Sportlerin, sind passende Routen vorhanden.
KEIN SPASS, ES WIRD ERNST
Mit Mitte 20 ist Robin Briguet schon über zehn Jahre in seinem Sport erfolgreich. Freestyle macht ihm zwar verdammt viel Spaß, als Funsport will er es aber nicht verstanden wissen.
THE DILIGENCE OF A GREENKEEPER
He is the one who takes care of the lawns, paths and water surfaces at the world-famous Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. Roland Dumoulin is a greenkeeper, and his love for his work is tangible.
THE HEALING POWER OF THE MOUNTAINS
Crans-Montana has been a popular health resort for a long time. It all began 125 years ago, with the commitment of a doctor who brought his patients here for recovery. He was also instrumental in making Crans-Montana a tourist destination.
THE UNUSUAL STORY OF THE HOTEL AT OVER 2,000 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL
The Chetzeron was a cable car station before Sami Lamaa turned it into a restaurant and hotel.
CROSSING THE ALPS INTO A NEW LIFE
Instead of advising companies in multi-million Euro deals, Rudolf Wötzel now serves traditional Swiss dishes up in the mountains. Turns out, that’s even more fun.
THE APRÈS-SKI PIONEERS OF DAVOS
Whirlpools and palm trees at 2560 metres above sea level next to people in ski wear dancing on tables: The Jatzhütte mountain restaurant has been known for its legendary parties since 1988.
“ACTUALLY, I AM A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD THINKER”
Pius App is considered to be a lateral thinker with unorthodox ideas, although he does not really like that label. His ideas for Schatzalp high above Davos, however, generate quite some buzz.
PASSION AND HARD WORK
Three young men set out to put their modern touch to one of Klosters’ most iconic hotels.
A SUMMER BACK THEN
If anyone really knows about the Walser people and their historic background, it is Barbara Gujan, director oft he “Nutli Hüschi“ museum of local history in Klosters.
HAPPINESS IS A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD
Sabine Friesinger's guests feel right at home in her lovely garden, where it is easy to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Add a warm slice of her homemade rustic bread and enjoy a piece of paradise!
THE REAL HERO ON CENTRE COURT
He spent half of his life on the tennis court – without ever having played. But all the stars really respect and appreciate his work: Meet Fritz Mitteregger, groundskeeper at the Kitzbühel Tennis Club for 33 years.
THE VERY APPEALING CURVES OF NATURE
Actor Michael Walde Berger on his famous grandfather, painter Alfons Walde, and their native Kitzbühel.
THE LIFE OF A LEGEND
Even at the age of 81, former alpine ski racer Mathias Leitner is still an excellent skier.
DETERMINATION IS GREAT – BUT NOT AT ALL COSTS
David Kreiner is a double world champion in Nordic combined. He met us for a critical conversation on (professional) sports and life in general.
THE REINVENTION OF KITZBÜHEL'S MOUNTAIN CUISINE
Why visitors to Kitzbühel should book a table before hitting the slopes…
GOLF TWINS
Grace and Christina have been playing golf for as long as they can remember. Today the talented twins are looking forward to a bright future in professional golf.
„IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT IT IS“
Does a famous skier find it boring to plan houses? And to what extent is a documentary about extreme sport real or scripted? We got the answers from Axel Naglich.
OSWALD OF KITZBÜHEL
Oswald Hochfilzer is 36 years old. He owns an alp, breeds cattle, raises two sons with his wife, used to be a professional athlete and is soon going to run a hydroelectric plant. A restless soul, one might think. But is he really?
THE SCENT OF LEATHER AND LODEN
Kaspar Frauenschuh never listened to what his customers said. That might have been his fashion label’s secret to success.
THINKING, AWAY FROM IT ALL
Being surrounded by mountains fosters a special way of thinking. The Medicinicum in Lech Zürs puts this to a good use.
YOU HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING IN TO GET SOMETHING OUT
The name Strolz stands for the pioneering spirit of a whole region – and for a success story based on intuition and the courage to take risks.
IT'S WHAT YOU DON'T SEE THAT HAS THE BIGGEST VALUE
Gratefulness is the main driving force for Gerhard Lucian, a jack-of-all-trades in Lech Zürs.
YOU CAN ONLY LIVE WHAT YOU TRULY ARE
Strengthening a community’s spirit by baking bread? Baker Clemens Walch in Lech Zürs knows how.
NAMASTE, LECH!
A traditional ski resort in the Alps and Eastern spirituality – can the two go together? "Most definitely," says Anna Reschreiter who left behind a career in business consulting to teach yoga in Lech.
„THIS IS NOT AEROBATIC FLYING“
If you think helicopter pilots are adrenaline junkies, you should talk to Captain Stefan Ganahl in Lech Zürs.
THE ASCENT TO DEEP BREATHING
Letting go, climbing up and taking a deep breath have become the luxuries of our time. When was the last time you paid attention to your breathing? The last time you noticed how the air fills and then leaves your lungs?
GOLFING LIKE A KING
Finally, golf is being played in the Zugertal valley near Lech. It only took 40 years of planning and 24 different layouts.
A 2HP FAMILY BUSINESS
Coachman Josef Stöckler and his daughter Anna make for a “good team” in its most original sense.
PLENTY OF FISH IN THE POND
In Lech Zürs, trout and chars will tell you, if something around them is fishy.
NO BIG-SCREEN ROMANCE
At first, Wolfgang and Julia Huber’s story sounds like a corny love story from the big screen. Add some details, however, and you’ll see it’s not. Here is why the community of Lech is very lucky to have them anyway.
A FAMILY MAKES FOR A GOOD TEAM
11-year-old Moritz from St. Anton loves climbing. And there is something in it for everyone in his family.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
How the mountains elevate one’s palate and mind we find out in St. Anton am Arlberg.
ART BY COINCIDENCE
arlberg1800: An art gallery and concert hall in the middle of the Alps. Hotelier Florian Werner started his art project without a real plan.
STRENGTH FROM STILLNESS
Summer after summer, Franz Hiesel looks after 40 bulls on Tyrol’s only mountain pasture for male cows only.
EMBODIED ENERGY
There is a lot of energy in and around the Darmstädter Hütte mountain hut. Positive and clean energy.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE IS NO ONE-MAN SHOW
The members of St. Anton's mountain rescue team are ready to help at a moment's notice – and they are all volunteers!
HIGH-FLYING IN THE ALPS
With a landing strip of only 600 meters, the altiport in Megève requires a pilot to hone in on their target.
DEALER OF CHEESE HAPPINESS
When Catherine Gaiddon left her career plans to take on her grandfather’s dairy store in Megève, she learned how cheese and courage go together.
IN THE PILGRIMS’ FOOTSTEPS
There is not much early pilgrims and modern day tourists seem to have in common. In the French town of Megève, however, the former paved the way for the latter, and Edouard Apertet, a former skiing instructor, knows everything about it.
WE WERE CLASSIC TOURISTS
Freestyle twins Sandy and Andy Collet do what they love, film it and make money.
MORE STORIES
