Stories from the Swiss Alps
| Dorfgespräch Grindelwald | “Das Dorfgespräch” (“The Village Meeting”) is more than just a podcast series, it’s a platform that lets listeners in on the hidden stories and fascinating personalities of our Alpine village. Every month, presenter Fabio Zahnd (the lowlander) and Bruno Hauswirth (the Director of Grindelwald Tourism) invite a special guest from the areas of sport, music, politics or society in general. They delve into the guests’ stories, discuss current challenges and discover the different perspectives of the people of Grindelwald. Sie tauchen ein in die Erzählungen der Gäste, diskutieren aktuelle Herausforderungen und entdecken die verschiedenen Blickwinkel der Menschen aus Grindelwald. |
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| From Grindelwald, for Grindelwald | Every episode is a like village meeting – full of dialogue, debate and humour. It’s more than just conversation – it’s all about conviviality and the joy of getting together. Our goal is to bring the culture, old stories and current events in Grindelwald to life and make them accessible to visitors and listeners. |
| Meeting people where they are | The best way to tell a story is to tell it where it happened. That’s where our mobile podcast studio comes in. We set up our equipment right where people are – whether that’s in a hotel, on an Alpine pasture or on a gondola cableway. We’re right there in the midst of living, breathing, working Grindelwald. |
| Why make a podcast? | The aim of the podcast series is to promote dialogue between the local population and Grindelwald Tourism and to make important topics accessible to the public. Locals and those with second homes in Grindelwald get to tell their stories of the village and listeners get to know interesting people and gain a deeper insight into the work that goes on in Grindelwald as a tourist destination and the issues involved. |
Marcel "Hombi" Homberger
In the latest episode of "Dorfgespräch Grindelwald", Marcel "Hombi" Homberger gives an insight into the upcoming ski season. He is head of the Swiss Ski School Kleine Scheidegg. He also trains the Swissdemo team and has over 24 years of experience in skiing - a passion that began in his childhood on the Grindelwald hills behind his parents' house. His career has taken him from the local slopes to the junior professional level in alpine skiing and ski cross, as well as several years as an alpine skiing coach in New Zealand. Managing a ski school at over 2000 meters brings with it special challenges, from organizing operations to training new ski instructors. Topics such as climate change and its impact on the future of winter sports are central aspects of his work, as conditions are increasingly changing. Unlike many in the industry, Hombi works for winter sports all year round. The episode provides a rare glimpse behind the scenes of ski school operations and shows what Hombi and all ski fans can look forward to in the new season - including his favorite slope. Listen now:
Peter Egger
In this autumn episode of the "Dorfgespräch", we talk to Peter Egger. He has been a passionate hunter for 30 years and is also known for his diverse activities in Grindelwald. We dive into the world of hunting in Grindelwald, discuss the changes that have taken place in recent decades, the wildlife population and the opportunities and challenges of hunting. Peter Egger explains how society's perception of hunting has changed and why it is often viewed critically today. It gets particularly exciting when he shares his opinion on controversial topics such as the lynx and the wolf. His clear views make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in nature and hunting in the region. Listen to it now:
Maja Fankhauser
In the latest episode of the “Dorfgespräch Grindelwald” podcast, Maja Fankhauser, principal in Grindelwald, talks about the special challenges of everyday school life in a touristy mountain village. She explains how the mix of local and international students shapes school life and how the school focuses on innovation and progress. Topics such as digitalization, teacher shortages and the future of children are also highlighted. The episode offers a fascinating insight into the tension between tradition and innovation. Listen now:
Nick Rubi
In the eleventh episode of our video podcast ‘Dorfgespräch’, we talk to Nick Rubi, President of Grindelwald Tourism. Nick gives us a fascinating insight into his career, which has made him both the head of BEKB in Grindelwald and a passionate tourism professional. In both roles, he is characterised by his close collaboration with people. He has been in charge of Grindelwald Tourism for a year now and shares exciting stories from his past. He talks about his experiences as a DJ, his passion for rock music and how he created mixtapes for friends. When asked what he would do with a million, Nick answers: buy a bigger Harley. And in the full 48 minutes, we find out why it is a challenge to do justice to all stakeholders. Listen to it now:
Carole Hauser
In the tenth episode of our video podcast series "Dorfgespräch Grindelwald", we accompany Carole Hauser on the exciting generational change in the hotels of Grindelwald. Together with her brother, she takes over the management of the Hotel Belvedere in the fourth generation. Despite her time in London, Carole has always known that her true home is the family hotel in Grindelwald. Carole is currently responsible for various renovation projects on site. We immerse ourselves in the everyday life of a young hotel owner. She tells us about the exciting challenges and funny incidents she experiences on the construction site as one of the few women in this industry. Family dynamics influence management, with each generation bringing its own perspective to the table. But it is this diversity that serves as the key to the future. And last but not least: Carole is also a musician. Listen now:
Christine Häsler
In the ninth episode of our Grindelwald Tourism video podcast series, we explore a new field: politics. We meet Christine Häsler, a member of the cantonal government who heads the Canton of Bern's Department of Education and Culture. She gives us an insight into her journey from the traditional surroundings of Grindelwald (and Wilderswil) into politics and to the top of the executive. She also reveals why she likes to do handicrafts in her spare time and why she is taking up a "Schwirren". Over the course of 45 minutes, we learn how Christine has reconciled her impressive career and family life, where her political interest began in the 1990s and what makes the combination of social and environmental issues special to her. She also shares with us her favourite spot in Grindelwald, from where she particularly enjoys the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Listen in now:
Urs Kessler
Ready for a summit meeting of a special kind? In the eighth episode of our "Dorfgespräch" video podcast, we scale new heights with Urs Kessler, the visionary director of Jungfrau Railways. He takes us behind the scenes of one of the most spectacular transport companies in the world. For 37 years, Urs has shaped and helped shape travel around the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. He shares with us his unrivalled experiences, the challenges and triumphs and also what it means to make natural wonders accessible without diminishing their magic. We learn how Urs had to become more patient during the construction of the V-Cableway and why working groups and large Power Point presentations are anathema to him. In the next 45 minutes, we find out why Urs Kessler still considers a handshake to be the most valuable agreement. Listen in now:
Suzanne Grossniklaus
In the seventh episode of the Grindelwald Tourism video podcast, we meet Suzanne Grossniklaus, the charismatic manager of the Hotel Aspen in Grindelwald. Originally from Vevey in French-speaking Switzerland, she has found her way to alpine Grindelwald. Between the bustling hotel business and looking after guests, Suzanne finds time to introduce us to her world. She shares her unique perspective on living and working in Grindelwald, characterized by the combination of two different cultures. Her working day often starts early in the morning and ends late at night. Suzanne talks about the most enjoyable moments with guests from all over the world and why some of them even leave their own coffee machine and rice stove in the basement of the Hotel Aspen. In the full 42 minutes of the podcast, we learn more about the importance of the hotel industry for tourism in Grindelwald and Suzanne's visions for the Hotel Aspen. Listen in now:
Fritz Brawand
In the sixth episode of Grindelwald Tourism’s video podcast series, we visit Fritz Brawand in the Kleine Scheidegg mountain restaurant. Fritz has worked for Jungfrau Railways for almost 40 years – over 20 of those as Head of Winter Sports and Technology on the Kleine Scheidegg. We hear all about how Fritz’s favourite place to work is in the mountains: in the ski area in winter and in summer, as the Manager of the Mittellegihütte on the Eiger and a mountain guide. He tells us why Grindelwald will always be home and the only place he’d ever want to live. In this 50-minute episode, we explore the current challenges of slope preparation and why Fritz would rather not hire Director of Tourism Bruno Hauswirth as a snow groomer driver. Listen now:
Marianne Egger
In the fifth episode of Grindelwald Tourism’s video podcast series, we visit organic farmer Marianne Egger on Alp Wärgistal, one of Grindelwald’s seven Alps. We consider ourselves very lucky that Marianne is able to spare an hour for us between harvesting hay, delivering milk and rounding up the cows. She works at least 12 hours a day, starting at 5.00 am, and she usually doesn’t finish until 8.00 pm. She tells us how she lives more comfortably on the Alp today than she used to, with electricity and a warm living room – and why despite this, life still is not quite as comfortable as in the village. In this 50-minute episode, we find out why agriculture is so important for tourism and what Marianne would like to do in her life. Listen now:
Georg Schlunegger
In the fourth episode of Grindelwald Tourism’s video podcast series, we meet songwriter and music producer Georg Schlunegger. He tells us why he doesn’t like skiing even though he was born and brought up in Grindelwald and what the term “home” means to him. He reminisces on the first concerts he played with the band “Crossfade” in the mountain village and how he came to live in Zurich with his family. His compositions regularly achieve gold status and in the charts they knock global stars off the top spot. In this 50-minute episode, we find out what Georg learned from Director of Tourism Bruno Hauswirth in his youth. Listen now:
Ralph Näf
In the third episode of Grindelwald Tourism’s video podcast series, we meet Ralph Näf. He is a mountain guide, mountain rescuer, President of the organising committee and co-founder of the Eiger Ultra Trail. We find out why the Zürich-born former Credit Suisse banker came to Grindelwald and why he wouldn’t go back to living in the city in a hurry. We also delve into why trail running has become such an on-trend sport and what the Eiger Ultra Trail by UMTB means for the village and for tourism here. Hear the whole story now:
Dres Kaufmann
In the second episode of Grindelwald Tourism’s new video podcast series, we visit hotelier Dres Kaufmann at his hotel, Hotel Spinne. He tells us why doing business in Grindelwald is easier today than it was in the past, but also how the skilled labour shortage is causing difficulties for businesses. He is an “energy pioneer” who was coming up with sustainable ideas (Fernwärme Grindelwald [Grindelwald district heating]) long before climate change was such a hot topic. In this 40-minute episode, we find out why Dres once had to throw a guest and his suitcase out of the hotel and whether he ever goes on luxury holidays. Listen now:
"Salvi" Ponzio
The first VIP guest in this new video podcast series is the owner of the Hotel & Restaurant Steinbock: Salvatore Ponzio – better known as “Salvi”. He tells us the story of how he came to Grindelwald from southern Italy and has never wanted to leave the mountain village since.
Today, he is a successful entrepreneur and knows why tourism in Grindelwald would not work without foreign workers. Also, “Salvi” tells us that he skis, but only in jeans. Listen now:
