The wooden mountain restaurant in focus on the local mountain Eggli in summer weather.
Our pioneers
We are proud of the pioneering work and initiatives of private individuals and companies in the holiday region Gstaad. Many projects were already implemented years ago, when sustainability was not yet on everyone's lips. Other companies stand out today with their commitment to combating climate change and are part of the Swisstainable programme (sustainability strategy for Switzerland) in Switzerland. It doesn't matter whether it's accommodation, restaurants, transport companies, sports shops or events.See for yourself:
Swisstainable businesses
The Swiss Tourism Federation’s Swisstainable classification serves as a guide for visitors, helping them to identify tourism offerings that systematically address environmental, social and economic sustainability issues. This programme views sustainable travel not as a sacrifice, but as a more conscious and enjoyable travel experience. Guests are encouraged to make use of regional offerings wherever possible during their stay and to actively engage with the local culture.
In the holiday region Gstaad, numerous businesses already meet the requirements of Swisstainable Level III – Leading, thereby demonstrating advanced structures and measures in sustainability management. Since April 2026, Gstaad Saanenland Tourism as an organisation, as well as the Gstaad destination as a whole, have also been classified at Level III – Leading. We are thus committed, together with our partners, to strategically advancing the sustainable development of the region and to continuously reviewing it.
Swisstainable Destination Gstaad in spring
Gondola Videmanette summer
Cable Car Eggli in Winter
Swisstainable Level III - Leading (transport)
Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG
Sustainability is firmly embedded in the thinking and actions of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad. It encompasses environmental, economic and social responsibility throughout the entire value chain. As a provider of nature and mountain experiences, an intact environment is their most important resource. They aim to expand their summer offering in a targeted manner in order to reduce their seasonal dependence on winter operations.
To this end, they are actively committed to protecting natural resources, reducing emissions and consistently investing in long-term development – for the region, for the people and for future generations.
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
The Gstaad Palace has achieved the demanding Gold certification from Travellife. This external audit confirms the systematic, pioneering commitment of the Palace family over many years and decades in ecological, social and economic terms. This international travel standard is very prestigious and is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The certification must be renewed every two years. Holistic action in the interests of local nature and the environment, people and biodiversity has always been anchored in the Gstaad Palace's DNA, although the topic is particularly challenging to communicate and live up to in the luxury hotel industry.
Enjoy Gstaad in winter.
Hotel The Alpina Gstaad
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
The Alpina Gstaad
The five-star superior hotel in Gstaad is certified with the golden «EarthCheck». The international certification is only achieved with a holistic sustainability management. This includes over 100 ongoing measures and controls in all key areas such as energy efficiency, water resources, ecosystem, air quality, waste management, social and cultural issues, and communication. In addition to this standard, local awareness and exchange is very close to The Alpina Gstaad's heart. The supply chain is one of the points that can have extreme negative impacts and where mostly only the surface is scratched. That's why local, reusable, responsible and natural products are promoted, all products are analyzed and even in the kitchen the «Zero Waste» philosophy is used to encourage rethinking. Attention is also given to the hotel's own bees, which can be visited by hotel guests in the summer.
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
Mountain hotel Zur Sau in Abländschen
The small but fine mountain hotel Zur Sau is located in the village of Abländschen and can be reached from Saanen via the Grieschbach valley. There is now also a connection by post bus in the summertime. The foundation «Prospectus Mons» acts as leaseholder and makes sure that the mountain hotel creates perspectives for the local population and works against emigration. They offer as many fresh products from the region as possible and design their menu seasonally. To achieve this, they use almost 100% products from Abländschen that the valley inhabitants raise or sow themselves: Duroc pigs, guinea fowl, potatoes, rye and spelt, but also their own raw milk herb mountain cheese. Through the cooperation with the Hotel Bernerhof in Gstaad, the sales of the products also increase and the added value (e.g. increased milk price for the farmers in the valley) remains in the region. A worthwhile excursion!
Mountain hotel "zur Sau" Abländschen
The youth hostel in Saanen.
Youth Hostel Saanen
The Yuth Hostel in summer
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
Jugendherberge Gstaad Saanenland
Swiss Youth Hostels are committed to sustainability and therefore take social and ethical concerns into account as a whole, as well as the sensible use of resources. All hostels adhere to common guidelines in the food and beverage sector (e.g. Swiss meat only, seasonal fruit and vegetables, etc.), in construction and building standards (Minergie, ‘better quality rather than cheaper’, etc.) and in heating and electricity (100 per cent hydroelectric power, solar panels, etc.). Staff receive regular further training in their respective areas of work.
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
Hotel Alpenland Lauenen
The 3-star superior chalet hotel, known as a small, charming ‘hideaway’ in Lauenen, is the newest member of Swisstainable Leading Hotels in the Gstaad holiday region. Sustainability has always been a matter close to the heart at the Hotel Alpenland and is central to its ethos – given that the hotel is situated right next to the Rohr-Lauenensee nature reserve. Careful use of resources is a top priority, and the seasonal and regional cuisine helps to reduce the distance products have to be transported. Guests are introduced to the uniqueness of nature through Swarovski binoculars and a telescope, as well as numerous hiking and exploration tips – sustainability in action!
The wooden chalet house, Hotel Alpenland in the middle of green meadows.
Hotel Bernerhof Gstaad
Swisstainable Level III - Leading
Hotel Bernerhof Gstaad
The four-star hotel in the heart of Gstaad incorporates the Ibex Fairstay" approach. The focus is on careful use of resources, waste management and the environmental compatibility of purchases and facilities. In addition, the hotel buys directly from regional farms and thus reduces the distance products are transported. Beside buying regional products, with particular attention paid to fair livestock farming, the hotel also harvests its own potatoes in Abländschen (Saanen municipality). The potatoes are planted in early spring, and later in the season you will find them featured on the hotel's menu.
«Mission Menuhin»
Menuhin Festival Gstaad
With ‘Mission Menuhin’, Menuhin Festival Gstaad is launching a broad-based initiative for comprehensive sustainability. Step by step, the organisers and their teams are implementing measures. The aim is also to sensitise the public to the need to conserve resources. In collaboration with SBB, they are offering all visitors travelling by public transport a 20% discount on train tickets. Since summer 2023, young artists have received a tree certificate instead of flowers for their performances. In spring 2024, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad team planted 70 trees together with the local forester. All information on accessibility is noted on the OK:GO portal.For their commitment, they received the second-highest rating (Level II – ‘engaged’) from Swisstainable.
Fidelio – Menuhin Festival Gstaad
Gstaad Festival Orchestra
Get your bathrobe ready
Freshly ironed tablecloths
Ironing on the machine
Laundry Gstaad from the outside
Laundry washing machines
Sustainable Textile Care
The Laundry Gstaad
The Laundry Gstaad was established by local hoteliers and was the first cooperative laundry in Switzerland. The goal is and remains that all the hotel laundry is washed locally. The technology used by Laundry Gstaad is unique. The energy and total water consumption could be continually decreased over the last few years, thus protecting valuable resources. This effort was awarded the Watt d’Or in 2014 and the WRP Star in 2017 (award within the laundry industry) for the exemplary concept.
The first «climate-neutral» company
Frautschi Sport Shop Schönried
The first and so far only retail store in the holiday region Gstaad to be awarded the «climate-neutral company» label by Fokus Zukunft. The sports shop in Schönried can cover a large part of its electricity needs with the in-house solar power system on the roof. To this end, it is important for the company to work more and more - if the market allows it - with brands that produce in Europe and thus stand for shorter transport routes, lower emissions and fair remuneration.
The large rental range is the beacon in terms of sustainability and underlines Frautschi's great commitment. In addition to renting snow sports equipment in winter and mountain bikes and e-bikes in summer, Frautschi has also been renting winter sports clothing for many years. Of course, correct waste separation and avoidance of unnecessary packaging material are also part of this.
Frautschi Sports generates most of its required electricity itself
Simmental Arena from above
Simmental Arena
Simmental Arena, Zweisimmen
The flagship project in the construction sector is the Simmental Arena in Zweisimmen, completed in 2018. It was completed in 2018. The photovoltaic system on the entire southern roof surface generates electricity for up to 45 households (180'000 kWh per year). This multipurpose building was made of 2'000 cubic meters of certified Swiss wood for that very reason. Zweisimmen is thus transforming itself from a sunny village to a solar energy village on the Rinderberg. The Simmental Arena was awarded the PlusEnergieBau solar prize in 2018.