A weekend of wellness in Gstaad, with spas, snow and mountain walks
On Saturdays there is heliskiing on the Walig, while shopping is in the art galleries or at the Chocolate Shop. On Sundays there is relaxation with Barbara Sturm, the entrepreneur specialising in molecular cosmetics.
Gstaad, in the south-eastern region of the Swiss Alps, is truly unique. Here, where I have chosen to live when I am not travelling, a discreet luxury reigns, never ostentatious or frenetic. The peaks surround you, conveying a sense of peace, and the village, which I find charming, traditional and very welcoming, is full of life. One feels close to nature, but at the same time part of an extraordinary community that values well-being, culture and authenticity, important values for me.
It is a place to live all year round: it offers everything from bathing in the lakes to skiing, from hiking to art and mushroom picking. My house is like a refuge: a traditional Swiss chalet, made of natural wood and furnished with warm fabrics, in the mountains just outside the village. We knew, from the first moment we entered, that it would be forever and, little by little, we moved our lives here. The weekend, like every morning, starts with a breakfast of birchermüesli: it is easy to prepare and the oatmeal is rich in nutrients that reduce oxidative stress in the gut, lower cholesterol levels and improve cognitive function. Immediately afterwards, I devote myself to the inevitable beauty routine with my skincare. I am thus ready to start the day. In the winter season, I go skiing at Egli with my daughters, Pepper and Charly, aged 10 and 26 - in the summer it is ideal for hiking, as are the hidden lakes in the mountains where I like to take a balancing dip - and then we stop for lunch at the Club de Luge, membership only, right at the top of the mountain, accessed by a private gondola designed by Porsche. I also love skiing at Glacier 3000-Les Diablerets and heli-skiing on the Walig, when it is covered by fresh snow: in Gstaad, also known for a particular winter sport, the eis-stock, reminiscent of curling, there are 200 kilometres of slopes reaching up to 3,000 metres. In the afternoon, it is fun to go shopping at Trois Pommes, which offers interesting fashion items, and at Moncler for ski suits and high-tech jackets. Or visit an art gallery, such as Gagosian, which has opened its third space in Switzerland, on the main street, Promenade 79: the magic of Gstaad has fascinated artists and collectors for decades - the third edition of MAZE Art Gstaad, which attracts galleries and enthusiasts, will be held from 19 to 22 February 2026, not surprisingly - as will the Maddox Gallery, which specialises in contemporary art. A classic is a stop at the Gstaad Chocolate Shop for sweets, my favourite being the rice cake, followed by a cocktail at the Lobby Bar in the Gstaad Palace hotel, while the younger ones plan an evening at Club Green Go, a legendary disco also in the Palace.
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On Saturday evenings we often have guests for dinner: I love cooking, sharing meals with family is a daily ritual and I like to extend it to friends. If we choose to dine at a restaurant, we make a reservation at La Fromagerie at the Gstaad Palace, in a former bunker where a Swiss bank stored gold bars during World War II: it has a rustic atmosphere and offers many types of fondue, including champagne and truffle fondue and my favourite, the Chinese Pui-Kwan, with thin slices of meat, chicken and prawns. The Pinte restaurant, inside the Hotel Olden, serves good Italian cuisine in an Alpine chalet ambience. But we also often go to Rössli in Feutersoey, La Bagatelle in Le Grand Chalet, perfect for those who love good food, like me.
On Sundays, if I am not skiing, I go out early for a hike or a walk in the forest, the fresh air and movement are anti-inflammatory. I usually meet friends for lunch: when the sun is shining, we go to Restaurant Sonnenhof, which has the most beautiful terrace with a view of the mountains around Saanenland, but sometimes I stay at home and prepare a simple meal together with my daughter Charly. In the afternoons I devote myself to reading and reflecting, or I do Pilates, play tennis, go swimming or take a break in one of Gstaad's spas, such as the one at the hotel Le Grand Bellevue, which offers my own wellness rituals and treatments such as red light therapy, steam baths and an ice fountain. The Alpina Gstaad also has an excellent spa, by Six Senses, with a holistic approach to anti-aging and longevity. Sunday evening is quiet, we play backgammon in the chalet and go to bed early. But first I read a few pages of my favourite books. On the bedside table at the moment is Freedom From The Known, by Indian philosopher J. Krishnamurti: it helps me reconnect with myself, regain balance and reflect on the hours spent, with gratitude.
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