©  (c) Melanie Uhkoetter / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
An older woman with short hair and an older man with grey hair dance together. She wears a typical costume in white and dark red and he a short-sleeved jacket over a white shirt. In the background you can see spectators and a little bit of a cow. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Yannick Romagnoli / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Suufsuntig Tanz

©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 unbekannt / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus
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Local festivals

On the alp and in the valley

In the holiday region Gstaad, farmers celebrate various traditional village and alpine festivals in summer and autumn. These are regarded as the epitome of authentic alpine life and offer guests a special experience to gain an insight into traditional alpine life.

«These are highlights that make the mountain summer experience in the destination unforgettable».

Three accordeon players walk in front of an alpine dairyman who leads the master cow by the hand. Behind them follow a man, a woman and a little boy in the traditional Saaner costume. Black short-sleeved jacket over a white shirt for the men. A black skirt, white shirt and a purple apron for the woman. The master cow is brown/white spotted and wears a flower wreath around her belly. She also has a small flower decoration on her head and a bell around her neck. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 unbekannt / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Suufsuntig cow

A man is bowling on the mountain. The skittle is made of wood and the lane is on the meadow. The skittles can be seen in the distance - they are also made of wood. There is a spectator in traditional dress. In addition, there are more people standing in the grass everywhere. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Kerstin Sonnekalb / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Suufsuntig_Kegeln.JPG

At an alpine hut on the hillside, many guests sit at tables or in the grass and enjoy the sunny weather and the view of the surrounding mountains with green forest and pastures. In the middle is a flagpole with a Swiss flag on it. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Yannick Romagnoli / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Suufsuntig with many guests

Four male singers stand in front of an open stable door and yodel together. The men are dressed in traditional costume: brown trousers, white long-sleeved shirt, over it a black velvet short-sleeved jacket. The edges of the sleeves and collar are red and white respectively. They wear a hat with it. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Yannick Romagnoli / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Suufsuntig yodel

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«Suufsunntig»

Every July and August, the farmers in the holiday region Gstaad celebrate their traditional alpine festival, the so-called «Suufsunntig». Traditionally, the first thing to be enjoyed is the «Schluck», a preliminary product of cheese, similar in consistency to yoghurt. From eleven o'clock, the festivities get underway with a festival restaurant, yodelling, alphorn playing and a mountain sermon. The crowning highlight in the afternoon is the election of the festively decorated champion cow.

Alps with Suufsunntig festivals

July: Vorderer Walig near Feutersoey, Haseloch near Saanenmöser, Wispile near Gstaad

August: Hornberg near Saanenmöser, Plani and Gspan near Schönried, Chüetungel and Blatti near Lauenen

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Alpine ascent and descent of the cattle (Züglete)

Farmers decide at short notice, based on the weather conditions, when to drive their cattle from the valley up to the Alpine pastures and back again. Experiencing this genuine element of Alpine life is the icing on the cake of any stay in Gstaad. The holiday region Gstaad has around 80 working high-Alpine farms – the highest alp is the Obere Trüttlisberg at 2'006 above sea level.

Every year at the beginning of September, the «Züglete» takes place in Gstaad. Here you can marvel at between six and eight farmers with their families and their animals (cows, calves, goats, etc.). Throughout the day, various attractions take place on the promenade in Gstaad. Pure authenticity!

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When cows conquer the Gstaad promenade
Cows with floral headdresses walking down from the alpine meadows to a village. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Nicolas Zürcher / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, Content Chalet

Cattle drive down from mountain pastures

In the foreground of the picture a woman with short hair is walking in the Saanen traditional costume. Dark red scarf and apron - with a black skirt and a white short-sleeved blouse. She carries a long wooden stick in her hand and smiles into the camera. Behind her you can see many cows decorated with flowers. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Nicolas Zürcher / Content Chalet

Alpabzug mit Frau

Farmer holds flower decorations for the cattle drive parade. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Nicolas Zürcher / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, Content Chalet

Flower decorations for the cattle drive parade

Two farmers with decorated cows walking along a road in a village. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Nicolas Zürcher / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, Content Chalet

The ’Züglete’

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Cows are led in a circle on a rope in a sawdust square. Spectators watch and judge the dressed-up cows. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Kerstin Sonnekalb / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Cow rise

There are 5 brown/white and black/white calves in a wooden enclosure. They are standing on straw and a woman is in the enclosure with the calves, stroking the smallest one. Outside there are two little boys laughing and watching. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Kerstin Sonnekalb / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Calves with children

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Cattle Auctions

Cattle auctions are traditional Alpine festivities at which farmers sell cattle to the highest bidder. These are opportunities for visitors staying in the area to experience this lively tradition at first hand.Visitors staying in the area can experience this lively tradition firsthand.

Beginning of August: Alp Gummberg, Grund near Gstaad

Second Saturday in August: Alp Hornberg, Saanenmöser

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Swiss wrestling festival on the Hornberg

Every year, the Saanenland Wrestling Club organises the Hornberg Wrestling Festival. In addition to the man-to-man battle, the focus is on a cosy get-together and talking shop. The smell of sawdust is always in the air. The highest wrestling festival in Switzerland takes place at the end of August. This small, fine event is a wonderful introduction for newcomers to wrestling festivals. This is because the Anschwinget doesn't start until 10 a.m. – at larger wrestling festivals, spectators are already eagerly waiting in their seats before 8 a.m.

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Two men in Edelweiss shirts and black or dark blue trousers face each other. Both are wearing the light brown swinger trousers. These are short trousers that are put on over the other trousers. Both wrestlers grab the belt of the other and now try to pull each other onto their backs. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 OK Alpkäsemarkt / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Wrestling Swiss Style

Four men fight together in the swiss wrestling style in two wrestling rings. One referee stands by each pair. They are both dressed in traditional costumes. The large grandstand is full and on top there are small VIP tents from which many spectators are also watching. It is hot and sunny. ©  CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Kerstin Sonnekalb / Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Oberland Wrestling Festival

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