London, May 2026: As travellers increasingly seek meaningful, experience-led escapes, the Alps are emerging as a destination for deeper cultural connection. In Switzerland’s storybook village of Gstaad, Le Grand Bellevue introduces a new collection of immersive summer packages and programming, inviting guests to experience Alpine life through local craftmanship, culture, and exploration, while connecting authentically with the region’s natural beauty and traditions.
Alpine Craft Experiences: A deeper connection to Swiss heritage
New for summer 2026, the Alpine Craft Experiences package offers an intimate introduction to traditional craftsmanship. In collaboration with a local artisan, guests are guided through the forging of a traditional Swiss pocketknife, an enduring national symbol of precision and heritage, creating a bespoke keepsake rooted in centuries-old techniques.
The journey continues with a visit to a local farm, where the art of Alpine cheesemaking unfolds, from morning milking rituals to the careful ageing process. A privately guided yodelling workshop offers a rare insight into one of Switzerland’s most iconic folk traditions. Led by seasoned local instructors in traditional Trachten dress, the experience combines musical instruction with an authentic understanding of the heritage and discipline behind the art form.
Back at the hotel, restoration awaits at Le Grand Spa, where the new Chocolate Wrap treatment and distinctive Hay Sauna, infused with dried meadows sourced from the nearby village of Turbach, offer deep relaxation after a day in the mountains. Alpine Craft Experiences reflects a growing desire to travel with purpose, offering a deeper connection to Gstaad and the wider Bernese Oberland, both within the hotel and across the surrounding landscape.
Extreme sport, ready? Adventure at Altitude
For those seeking a more adrenaline-fuelled adventure, the new Extreme Sports package delivers an exhilarating mountain experience. The journey begins with a guided e-bike ascent to the summit of a nearby Saanenland mountain, revealing sweeping panoramic views across the valley, before culminating with an exhilarating downhill descent.
The experience continues with a wild swim in one of the region’s pristine mountain lakes, a liberating encounter with Gstaad’s natural landscape that speaks to a growing appetite for immersive, elemental travel. A secondary ascent offers a moment of stillness balancing the day’s energy with quiet reflection.
Recovery follows back at the hotel, where a 50-minute Swiss Back Release Treatment at Le Grand Spa, eases tired muscles. The day concludes at Le Grand Bellevue’s private cinema, where adventures give way to an evening of effortless relaxation with loved ones.
Gstaad beckons beyond the hotel
Beyond the packages, Le Grand Bellevue extends the spirit of Alpine exploration into everyday moments. Guests are invited to weave through Gstaad’s storied streets and mountain lanes at their own pace behind the wheel of a Microlino, a charming, compact, electric car that has become something of a village icon.
For those drawn to the drama of the high peaks, heli-hiking offers a rare perspective on the surrounding landscape. Lifted above the treeline and wildflower plateaus, guests can discover terrain few reach on foot, before descending through winding trails.
When a slower pace calls, horse-drawn carriage rides provide a more romantic way to discover the mountains, with a glass of champagne in hand, guests are reminded that in Gstaad, even the journey is an occasion.
To recuperate, guests can also experience the Le Grand Spa’s new partnership with MyBlend, a high-performance skincare brand combining advanced biotechnology, personalised formulations and innovative beauty technology.
Key moments through the summer
Throughout the summer season, Gstaad comes alive with a vibrant cultural calendar. The EFG Swiss Open Gstaad (11–19 July) brings world-class tennis to one of the sport’s most picturesque settings, while the 70th Menuhin Festival & Academy (16 July–5 September), founded by prolific British-Swiss conductor Yehudi Menuhin, marks a milestone anniversary for one of Europe’s most distinguished classical music gatherings.
In August, Gstaad reaches new heights with the Glacier 3000 Run (8 August), which challenges participants across a dramatic high-altitude course, while the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad (20–23 August) draws an international crowd for an elegant sporting showcase. The season concludes with the beloved Gstaad Züglete (5 September), when bell-wearing, flower-crowned cattle descend from alpine pastures in a celebration of the end of summer and local heritage, accompanied by music, food markets, and traditional fare.
