Things to do in Pontresina

St. Moritz isn’t just for skiers and spa-lovers – it’s also a runner’s paradise. Whether it’s a gentle jog at sunrise or something with a bit more altitude, here are five gorgeous summer routes, all starting from or easily reachable from Badrutt’s Palace and open in the warmer months.

For almost 50 years, the artist Setsuko Klossowska de Rola has lived and worked in a centuries-old, listed house in Rossinière, the largest chalet in Switzerland. If its beautiful wooden walls could speak, the stories they would tell would certainly be remarkable.

The Gstaad Saanenland region is rich in natural beauty and architecture, the diversity and sophistication of which are virtually unparalleled. Chalets from the 17th and 18th centuries accompany explorers at every turn, one such gem being the Gander House in Gsteig-Feutersoey near Gstaad.

Pack light but bring your sense of curiosity. We are heading to Gstaad, where alpine charm and glamour converge. Between turreted fairytale palaces and intimate chalet hideaways, this is not just a destination for a quick stop, but a place to take a breath and slow down. Discover a place where tradition is not staged but lived. This is elegant immersion in Swiss luxury at its best – intimate and breathtaking. Lingering over long breakfasts, drifting from exceptional dinners to soaking in the mountain air; in Gstaad, grandeur feels personal, and time stretches gently with every moment carrying a touch of magic.

Dog heaven on earth: At the super-­luxurious Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, not only are Labradors treated like kings, they are also kings in themselves. Some pets have stayed at the hotel forever – in its own dog cemetery.

Faster, higher, stronger: visiting the Lausanne Palace, over whose entrances hangs a flag with the Olympic rings, with a muscular Labrador. The hotel is a dream destination for all dogs, from the sporty to the pleasure-oriented. Fortunately, chocolate, cheese and wine doping for the master is legal here.

A giant mythological creature, fish in beeswax and fluffy dog beds: at The Alpina Gstaad luxury hotel, animals play more than just an insignificant supporting role. Nevertheless, they also need to be able to behave appropriately, as author Titus Arnu found out during his stay as a guest in Gstaad with his Labrador Oskar.