Frontier Magazine by Media Frontier

AUSANNE

GENEVA - L 12 / 2013 -

WINTER 20

- NEIGHBO

ISSUE 1

o t y d a e r are you t u o h t i w e liv borders?

T BORDER

E WITHOU

NCE | LIV URING FRA

INSIDE

how to make the most of the region from work to play and having the time of your life

GOING UNDERGROUND from leading-edge science to cutting-edge culture

HIT THE THE SLOPES SLOPES HIT

the best places to ski, board, eat and chill the best places to ski, board, eat and chill

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Published by Anglo Media Group SA Images Building, 1st floor 9, rue Veyrot, Geneva 1217, Switzerland T 022 989 53 10 Directors Peter Sibley & Mark Butcher Editor June White Creative Director Matt Martin Designed by Media Frontier www.mediafrontier.ch Advertising & Promotion Radio Frontier T +41 (0) 22 989 53 10 E - advertising@radiofrontier.ch Print Run 25,000 Distribution International Organisations, NGOs, Multinational companies, Hotels, Geneva Airport, Shopping Centres, International Schools, Tourist Offices FRONTIER MAGAZINE All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices listed are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change.

GET YOUR COPY! We hope that you enjoy Frontier Magazine, which is available at a number of locations across the region (see page 76 for a selection). Why not pick up an extra copy for friends & family? If you would like to have Frontier Magazine delivered to your organisation or business, please give us a call on : +41 (0) 22 989 53 10

warm welcome to the very first edition of Frontier Magazine.

proper thank you at our prestigious award ceremony.

We hope you like it and that you’re as happy as we are to have a local, English language magazine back in the region.

We also take a look at how this region works and continues to change. We’ve had chats with three influential Mayors – from Geneva, Lausanne and Divonne-les-Bains - and found out exactly what they think about this area and about us - the international community.

For many of us the best part of the year is upon us. Yes, it’s the winter season with bucket loads of opportunities to get out there and enjoy a few more lifestyle dreams. There’s more skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and sledging then you’ll ever have time for – not forgetting those memorable lunches and some après ski. In this edition you’ll discover the best ski resorts in the region – and the incredible sports and activities they offer. But we’ve also made sure you’re aware of all the other great events you can experience across the region. Radio Frontier’s resident wine expert takes time off to explore his favourite local wine bars on both sides of the border, and Daily Frontier presenter George Powell takes in the local nightlife. We have articles from as far away as Sudan, and as close by as Cern. We also call by the stadium of our local football club – Servette FC to talk to new owner Hugh Quennec.

How enterprising are you? This region is positively bristling with opportunities to start up new businesses (like ours). It’s also keen to welcome new European HQs. So we’ve contacted some recent arrivals to see what they think of their new location. And of course there’s some news about Frontier - from why we’re here to our innovative BADJ & Slipped Disc community programming, and some of the places we’ve been out & about. Finally, this is just the beginning for Frontier Magazine. It’s all yours - and we’d love to know what you’d like to see more of (or less of). The next issue will be out in April 2013 (and we’re busy planning it right now while you’re reading this….)

To mark this first issue, we proudly launch our Frontier Spirit awards. We’re looking for the people you think have contributed most to the international community over the past 12 months and will give the winners a big slap on the back and a Peter Sibley & Mark Butcher

Live better...

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LIVE WITHOUT BORDERS

HOTSPOTS

FRONTIER SPIRIT

THE BUSINESS CYCLE

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

HUGH QUENNEC - HOME SWEET HOME

CERN - GOING UNDERGROUND

EDDIE IZZARD - A MAJOR FORCE

ON TOP OF THE WORLD - SKI GUIDE

CHAMONIX VS VERBIER

ENTER THE DRAGON(BOAT)

ON THE GRAPEVINE

TICKING ALL THE BOXES - EDUCATION GUIDE

3 MAYORS; ONE REGION

BADJ & SLIPPED DISCS

FRONTIER NIGHTS

OUT & ABOUT

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PERSONAL FINANCE WITH GLOBALEYE

TRADING POST

SUMMARY

FRONTIER

LIVE WITHOU The Frontier idea is quite simple – the international community here is special and has its own dynamics. Some of us will be obliged to leave this great region after a few years; many of us are here for the long haul. Some will plan to move on then never quite get around to it; others will follow their careers and take off for the furthest corners of the world. In short – we live without borders.

information for the international community. Radio Frontier – the only commercial English radio station in Switzerland - is already proving to be a tremendous success and not just for our loyal and growing audiences.

At the heart of Frontier is the knowledge that the international community in the Geneva region demands a range of specialist media services designed around its specific needs.

Local businesses realise that the huge numbers of English speakers in the region are a powerful and influential market, yet can be notoriously difficult to reach. That’s why well over 100 companies already support Radio Frontier with advertising and sponsorship – and that’s why you’ll see some of their promotions in this issue of Frontier Magazine.

The beating heart of the operation is Radio Frontier – our on-line and cable 24 hour English radio station and web portal which provides local, daily news, entertainment and

These businesses would like you as their customers and you probably need to know how to find and use some of the best services in the region. So please support them - and if you have

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

From left - right : Alvaro Chocano de Rossi, Rachel Karmazyn, Graham Duckett, Sarah Over, Rachel Whiteside, George Powell, Peter Sibley, Mark Butcher, Fleur Wesling, Matt Martin, Sian Sibley, Kimmy Columbo, Kathy Trefalt, Evelyn Partridge.

UT BORDERS a chance - make sure you mention that you saw them in this magazine or heard about them on Radio Frontier.

are constantly recruiting new talent from the international community too.

But we haven’t limited the Frontier concept to a radio station and this magazine - we also have Media Frontier - Geneva’s creative digital agency. We’re working with a host of large and small organisations in the region – from UN agencies, leading NGOs, blue-chip multinationals and a range of smaller and start-up businesses. We design and redesign websites, build apps, create brochures, digital publications, produce creative video, run social media campaigns, manage webcasts and generally do all things creative.

Across everything we do the important thing is that we are all the same as you and we’re local., in fact we’re just down the road. We know the region intimately and understand both the charms and the challenges.

We’ve quickly built an excellent, dynamic team of broadcast and digital design natives and we’re expanding quickly. We

If you want to know more about Frontier, just give us a call and pop in for a coffee.

Frontier has been designed specifically for the international community in the Lake Geneva region. We’d like to say we’re here for you.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

s t o p s t o h

winter

ontier offices, fr e th in f of s ck so r ou ng ki when we’re not wor e area has to offer th t ha w y jo en d an t ou ad he we love to

PETER’s choice..

o cold to When it’s to slip up I bike or run La Vattay to y tl ie u q t p woods a in the dee ra Ju e th the top of my old and clip on y skis. tr n u o cross-c I sl as ow as As fast or of h is sw l o co fancy, the t cu maculate wax on im f o e is the prom snow and eeps in dinner k ta n u o m t o h a back. me coming

ra.com

www.monts-ju

FLEUr’s choice...

It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, all that matters is if you like cheese - Le Freti in Annecy is the best restaurant when it comes to cheese specialties - fondue, tartiﬂette and all things Savoyard. Sit on th e terrace in the summ er, or cosy up inside in th e winter. A nice bo ttle of wine, and it’s a pe rfect night out.

www.lefreti.com

MARk’s choice...

I like hangin g out at the beer aisle in Aligro. The best choice of beer in the region. I’m always standi ng there pondering w hether to ge ta case of Asahi Japanese beer, or perh aps Estrella if I fe el in a Spanish moo d- or maybe a Czec h Staropramen . They also ha ve Coors light a beer that’s difficult to ge t in the bars here - and it means I do n’t get as fat. In the en d, I normally get all of them and fill up m y very own dedicate d beer fridge at home. www

.aligro.ch

KATHY’s choice...

a winter’s There is nothing nicer on ful village uti day than visiting the bea sanne. Lau of th nor of Romainmôtier After a long walk in the forest with its gushing river and gorge, we always have tea and cake in the quaint tea room “Maison du Prieur” adjoining the ancient abbey and château. Nearby are the “Grottes de Vallorbe” caves with their amazing stalactites Second and stalagmites and the -Giroud) Pré de World War fort (Fort it! vis a rth both of which are wo

www.romainmotier-tourisme.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

MATT’s choice...

and more Cheese, cheese glass a d cheese...an When k! on pl of or 3 d winter arrives an e th on is the snow t n’ ca u yo , nd grou at the beat a raclette rant. au st re Florimont l de co e th up Half way e has ac pl e th e ill uc la Fa ntain a traditional mou ng ni un st chalet feel with ke La ss ro ac y) da views (on a clear c. an Bl t Geneva and Mon

t.com

www.refugeduflorimon

GRAHAM’s choice

The Saléve. Take the telepheriqu e from Etrembière and get a fabulous view of Geneva and the Jura mountains. Walk a little way so uth and you’ll get an equally amazing view of the Haute Savo ie and lake Annecy. If yo u’re adventurou s - and fit, yo can cycle u u p and paragl ide down! I think I’ll sta rt by cable car and cycl down! ing

...

www.telepheriq

uedusaleve.com

SIAN’S CHOICE...

know, As mothers with sons gs do e boys are a bit lik , ise erc ex ed - they ne ar cle d an d foo r ula reg of e On instructions. my favorite places to ‘exercise’ my lads is ‘Le Skate-Park HS36’ in Lausanne. Inside a huge hangar n of is an amazing warre er art qu ramps, half and ssive pipes, a bowl and a ma ing be of ge advanta foam pit. It has the p r months and its chea nte wi the for rs, oo ind ark tep they’re in ska at 6chf entry. While n at off to an art exhibitio slip lly ua heaven I us ne’s an us La of e on , ge ita the Fondation Herm . ms ge n hidde

GEORGE’s choice...

During the cold wi nter months I like to he ad to the Mr Pickwick pub quiz on Monda y nights. A few pints, some food, ten rounds of questio ns and I’m set. I’ve ne ver done very well on the quiz but it’s a good excuse to get out of the apartment and ge t my thinking/drinking hat on .

www.mrpickwick.ch

SARAH’s choice...

We‘re spoilt for choice for things to do in this area but one of our favourite spots is Marchairuz in the Jura. An early lunch at the Hotel Restaurant du Marchairuz (I can recommend the Rösti de l’alpage) ’s ow foll ed by an afternoon a w, in my vie sledging to work it off is, day. the nd spe to y perfect wa

www.hotel-marchairuz.ch

ALVARO’S CHOICE...

Every Monday yo u can find me with a long island iced tea in hand at Cactus Club. It’s Cactus Hour all night, so the dr inks are cheap. This is a very popular st udent hang out. If I‘m not there with my bu ddies, than you’ll sure ly find me down the st reet at Boky, Geneva’s finest (no-thrills) Chin ese restaurant that also serves Japanese cuisin e. They do it all! www.man

ana.ch

www.fievre.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

2013

The new annual Frontier Spirit Awards celebrate the people who consistently go above and beyond simply living and working in this great region and have contributed a little bit more to the international community. We want you to tell us about the local heroes, heroines and organisations that have shown true Frontier spirit in 2012. That means those who have inspired you, who have given their precious time to support others, who’ve consistently put others first and made a difference.

We want you to nominate the public-spirited people in your village, town, company, organisation, school or network of friends who’ve proved they care deeply about our local, international community. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in the Spring of 2013 and featured in the Summer issue of FRONTIER magazine. The jury, to be announced in January, includes high profile members of the international community. Here are this year’s categories. Now start thinking……

CATEGORIES Community Hero

Best Charity Fundraiser

For the person who has gone the extra mile to help others in your local community.

For the hardest working local fundraiser, or community group - not necessarily the most money raised.

Sporting Hero

Teacher of the Year

For the person whose contributed most to an amateur sport in the region.

For the most inspiring teacher in the FRONTIER region.

Junior Hero For young people (up to 16) who have made the most positive contribution to their school or community, or faced a severe challenge with courage.

Please send a short email to info@radiofrontier.ch, using Frontier Spirit Awards as the email subject, and tell us (in less than 50 words) who you would like to nominate and why. It’s that simple. All nominations will be treated in complete confidence. We may contact you for further information. Nominations can be made until 31 December 2012.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Business The

Cycle

Dynamic and diversified or moribund and expensive? The enterprise sector of the Geneva region suffers from mixed messages. Frontier Magazine spoke to three recently-arrived companies to discover why they chose this location and how their presence is kick-starting the local economy.

Labelled the most expensive place to live in Europe (ahead of Zurich in no. 2 position), surely Geneva can’t be the ideal location for a start-up company? Apparently it can. According to local economic experts the region is enjoying a boom in small enterprise development and represents one of the best business locations in the world. Bombastic claims? While other European countries can only dream of Switzerland’s 1% inflation and low levels of unemployment (less than 5% in canton Geneva), bringing ex-pat personnel here is eye-wateringly expensive. Local recruitment is also a challenge – with a restricted and costly labour pool. The Geneva region economy is service oriented. The important and established finance sector is focussed on private banking and the financing of international trade. In fact recent estimates put the value of its managed assets in the region at US$ 1 trillion. Why so successful? Because the Swiss economy is one of the world’s most stable. And its policy of long-term monetary security and banking secrecy has created a safe haven for investors. But is

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

the local economy too dependent on foreign investment? Is the label Made in Switzerland really worth the high premium it commands in the tertiary sector? In the face of these challenges how will the Geneva region retain its competitive edge? Dominique Schaller is Country Head Switzerland for Corbus, a supply chain, project management and IT services company that’s part of US-based Soin International. It’s the company’s second European office (after London), and M. Schaller is building a dynamic new team of experienced professionals to support existing Corbus clients and create new business. For a Swiss national – indeed originally from Geneva – the return to home territory is a welcome one. “It’s a beautiful city and it’s not difficult to convince top level professionals to come here. They know the quality of life will be good and even though costs are high it is still a very attractive location. Education, health care, transport – all these elements are known to be strong,” said M. Schaller at Corbus’ rue du

Marché office in downtown Geneva. Corbus is now closer to key clients in the region, according to M. Schaller and can maximise its flexible, tailor-made services in supply chain management, integrated IT, business analysis and procurement outsourcing. It adds value for companies by providing substantial savings; optimising project delivery and maximising tail-end spend. “There’s a stability in Geneva and Switzerland that you don’t see in other European locations - stability with EU links. Of course there are also taxation advantages, but I think those are actually secondary elements. Here we can set strong targets, recruit highly experienced people and grow our services quickly to meet client needs,” he continued. Of his current staff members M. Schaller estimates that half live in France with Frontalier status, while the remainder have chosen to reside in Geneva and canton Vaud. “We are currently creating our team that will include 20-30

“Geneva was a natural location as it’s a key city for international institutions, trade and healthcare professionals and advocacy platforms”

“Geneva was a natural location as it’s a key city for international institutions, trade and healthcare professionals and advocacy platforms. We are able to liaise with many partners, stakeholders, advocates, public health officials, and others - ranging from the World Health Organization to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufactures and Associations, also →

employees within a year; we plan to reach 100 in Geneva by the end of 2014,” he said. But it isn’t all good news in this location. There is a downside. “If there is a negative it must be the high level of salaries. However, I would say this is outweighed by the excellence that we can provide from committed and highly productive personnel. When a company is located in this region it has credibility. Swiss-made is still a great label of quality,” he added. Dr Patrizia Carlevaro is head of Otsuka S.A. which opened last year in Geneva, a new subsidiary of global healthcare group Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. This local office serves to develop and implement global health policies, pilot projects and advocacy initiatives, particularly in underserved nations, with an immediate focus on Otsuka’s global TB programme. Why was Geneva chosen ahead of another Swiss or European region?

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

based in Geneva. The city’s strategic location also places our office in close proximity to other Otsuka affiliates in Europe and beyond,” said Dr Carlevaro, who has lived and worked extensively in New York.

at least one Newell Rubbermaid product. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company recently opened in Geneva a new HQ for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Why Geneva?

What have been the most positive aspects to setting up in Geneva? “First and foremost, clear and transparent local regulations along with the full support of the Geneva Economic Development Office. There are also a number of other positives to opening an office in Geneva. The ease and accessibility of having so many international institutions, NGOs and health advocates centralized in one place makes fostering dialogue and communication easier to accomplish. As an international hub, it also allows us to take advantage of visits by many leading health and business experts,” continued Dr Carlevaro.

“Newell Rubbermaid decided to centralize its key decision makers for business functions in one location to create one strong and well integrated management team for the EMEA region. Our new Headquarters in Geneva consolidates several European offices and teams. All our Global Business Units are now represented in one central location leading to increased collaboration and faster decision making,” said Xavier Pelletier for corporate communications, Newell Rubbermaid.

The former head of the International Aid Programme with US pharma-giant Lilly, has also been impressed by the highlyqualified multi-lingual labour pool and the logistical advantages of a compact city with an extensive public transport network and international airport. But she is also realistic about the negatives. “These are issues that have been raised before in the community – such as difficulties in finding affordable office space and housing. Given our international focus and the fortunately low unemployment here, we may need to identify international talent and require work permits for them. The process for applying and obtaining these can be long and cumbersome,” she said. Dr Carlevaro also warns that the region’s reputation for security is under threat – and this must be addressed as soon as possible. “The security situation here has been widely publicized in the last few years. Without the ability to get a firm handle on this – from petty theft and illicit drugs to more serious crimes – other multinational companies may be more cautious to expand or relocate here, she added. Newell Rubbermaid Inc., is an S&P 500 company; a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with 2011 sales of approximately $5.9 billion and a strong portfolio of leading brands, including Rubbermaid®, Sharpie®, Graco®, Calphalon®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Levolor®, Paper Mate®, Dymo®, Waterman®, Parker®, Goody®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products® and Aprica®. The company is organized around three key segments: consumer, professional and baby & parenting – and is proud of its claim that more than 90 percent of US households have

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

“Geneva was an obvious choice for us. In addition to its long term economic and political stability, the city offers a great location at the heart of Europe and is an excellent hub to travel across Europe. Also, the quality of life here and the ability to find highly skilled and multi-lingual people was important in our choice to move to Geneva,” he continued. “Our own talented, multicultural and multi-lingual employee workforce in Geneva reflects the diversity of the local market: over 15 nationalities are present in our office!”

issue.

But it can’t all be plain sailing in an area that surprises even the savviest internationals with its exorbitant property rentals. However, it may be that the Swiss government needs to wake up to the idea that security – not cost of living - is becoming the

“Not surprisingly, the relative high cost of living combined with the strength of the Swiss Franc could limit the ability for some multinational companies to expand locally,” said M. Pelletier. “From a people standpoint, while the integration into the Geneva community is fairly easy, we’re noticing growing concerns around safety in the canton. Geneva remains relatively secure compared to other large cities, however the increase in petty crime is affecting Geneva’s reputation,” he added.

Images - left:Corbus head office right: Dr Carlevaro

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

By Harriet Martin

For global nomads infused with the frontier spirit, there’s no place like home - if you know where to find it.

“I always itch to cross the line, any kind of frontier, particularly when I am not meant to.”

t seems that people like us are always on planes. I am not claiming to belong to the jet set, (although I can proudly claim an eight-year membership of the Gex set, which is surely as good); no, I am talking about the constant flights we ex-pats take to the same place: home.

gang: they knew how to make tea. London is home because it is where I am from. Geneva is home because it is where I lived. Now I live in Khartoum. And each summer now we go with three kids in tow home to Geneva, home to the UK and then home to Khartoum.

During my twelve years in Geneva I was endlessly ping-ponging back to England on easyJet. So often, in fact that I actually started to know the crews. Even though the Swiss crew who ran the Gatwick route had the edge on politesse and punctuality, I had a soft spot for the UK-based Luton

The idea of home as a nebulous concept is simply anathema for most people. Home is normally about place, a place defined by a passport and a frontier. In much of Sudan, people talk about their village as their ultimate home, even though they may no longer live there. In Britain home for

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

many begins with bricks and mortar and the accompanying mortgage. The bricks and mortar need to be placed close to a station or a road system so you can get to the job, to earn the money to pay off the mortgage and is hopefully in the catchment area of a decent state school so you don’t have to sink your bonus (if you are lucky enough to have one) into your kids’ education. Like Sudan, the idea of home is very much rooted in place, defined by a frontier and possibly a passport - be it a front door in Fulham or a village in remote Darfur. But for those of us who trade locations on a regular basis, whose kids pass through many schools, and who are used to

changing continents, cuisine and customs with the ease some women change their hair colour, we know that frontiers are just lines in the sand and not the demarcation of some greater identity. Frontiers really belong to the small print of life, much of which I have always struggled to see: I have habitually failed to open bills until they become final demands; I struggle to remember national speed limits (as it happens I am currently banned from driving in Switzerland because of this, so just as well I will be in Khartoum); and I always itch to cross the line, any kind of frontier, particularly when I am not meant to. With borders so open now between France and Switzerland it is kind of hard to do this subversively in Geneva (unless you have done a particularly heavy IKEA run), but last Christmas we were in South Africa staying in the Kalahari desert in search of the Bostwana border, which actually turned out to be a rather neglected low-lying fence in the middle of seemingly nowhere. But seeing wasn’t enough, it was just too tempting. We couldn’t resist, and climbed over.

more than friends, they are the bedrock of my sanity. By the time I left Geneva, my book club had virtually abandoned books in favour of spa and meditation weekends in Chamonix. In my baby club, as we still call it thirteen years on - originally a prenatal class for our first borns - we are wedded to regular wine-soaked updates which I am now Skyped in on from Khartoum. But I have learnt that some friends are no longer friends, they are family. And life without them is unthinkable. In Cape Town my old friend Jane, scoops up my kids as if they are her own, holds in detail my family history – much of which I have forgotten and sends us packages of felt tips and colouring books and sunhats to London to get us through the holidays. In Geneva we go home to our dear friends Angela and Ed each summer. Before I arrive Angela has all our kids booked into football and circus camps. She even has their favourite food in the fridge.

This summer I returned to Khartoum, full of gratitude for them all, and a new found desire to become Pope. That way I could officially get them recognized as saints. But much though I like a challenge, I am not Catholic and being a woman, that may be one frontier I might rather struggle to cross. At least in this lifetime.

17 Journalist Harriet Martin lived in the Geneva area for 12 years. She is the author of a book on international peacemaking and has lectured on the subject. She now lives in Khartoum, Sudan, where she works as a journalist for Al Jazeera English among others.

As the sun set,our three children were jumping around in the sand proudly whooping that they were “illegal aliens” (I thought it good to teach them a bit of legal terminology although my youngest seemed to think she was playing an extra in ET),until the headlights of a border patrol vehicle appeared and we legged it back into South Africa. As that fence in the Kalahri illustrates, divisions between countries are artificial. My first taste of this (literally) was in my early twenties when I drove from Rotterdam to Iraq to find that from Germany onwards, despite the divisive histories, that entire swathe of Europe is united by some form of schnitzel and chips. But if you cross enough frontiers, anywhere in the world you’ll bump into a more significant truth: you find that cultural differences are just variations on our sameness. Our friends and their kids include mélanges of Peru, Scotland, Italy, Denmark, China, Turkey, Serbia, Djbouti, Sweden, India, England, Mozambique, Hungary, Switzerland, Croatia, United States, Portugal and Canada. For those of us who wallow in this fabulously mixed and mixing international community we know that our nationalities and passports do not define who we are. But if it’s not to be defined by my passport where then is home? Now that I have three locations to claim I realise that place has nothing to do with it. My home is rooted in my friends. My girlfriends in Geneva, hold a special status: they are FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

game on! The moral high ground can be a lonely place in the shady world of international football. But the new owner of Geneva’s Servette FC is convinced that team spirit and transparency will be key to a high-scoring Geneva soccer brand

Hugh Quennec is obviously a man who appreciates a clear goal. He is trying to pull Servette FC out of a terminal spiral of debt and mismanagement and is determined to build a formidable Geneva soccer brand that wraps seamlessly around players, fans, staff, stadium and city. A tall order? Hugh believes in the long-term challenge and he believes in Servette – win or lose. “I want to see Servette FC once again become the pride and joy of the city. Historically it was a big part of the local community. In fact it is the most titled team in Switzerland,” said Hugh, a softly spoken Swiss/Canadian who listens intently before offering a well-measured response. Those expecting a larger-than-life, flamboyant soccer club owner will be disappointed. Hugh takes a calm and considered route to problem-solving and there’s none of the selfimportance of UK soccer boardrooms. We are chatting at the Stade de Genève, and although time is short (he’s still catching up following a family trip to Canada), Hugh’s quiet commitment and passion shines through. But it’s a pragmatic passion. “The honeymoon’s over, now it’s time to increase awareness, to build loyalty and to connect with the local community. Our challenge is to take Servette FC forward, along with the GenèveServette hockey Club (that Hugh is a joint-owner of), to become a widely recognised and respected brand in the region. We want people to think of us when they talk about quality, about

FROnTIER magazInE ISSUE 01 2012/13

winning spirit, team leadership and professional management, “he continued. “And even though part of the plan is to win many more titles; that should not solely depend on results. We’ve had a tough start to the season but it’s not all about winning; it’s about the football experience and customer service, and it’s about stability and about feeling part of the club.” Indeed there was a golden glow last season. Having placated the creditors and paid a token Swiss franc for the club, Hugh found himself heading a winning streak. Servette paired success in the 2011 Swiss Super League with Europa League qualification. In fact the Stade de Genève attracted an extraordinary 22,000 crowd for the victory against Basle that clinched a qualification for the Europa League, and 26,000 fans went crazy the previous season when Servette won their Swiss Super League promotion match against AC Bellinzona. “Our competitive advantage is that we are rigorous in searching for value for money when hiring players. We have a CHF5 million sports budget, while some clubs have CHF50 million, so we must look very carefully at every transaction, take our time and be sure that there is special motivation from the player and that he fits our needs. We proved last season, and with Genève-Servette Hockey Club over the years, that →

photo: StĂŠphane Chollet

“I want to see Servette FC once again become the pride and joy of the city.

the size of the budget is not the only factor important to sporting success. Of course that means if we have injured players for example, we don’t have the depth to replace them with experienced players, but on the positive side it gives younger players a chance to prove themselves. We must maintain discipline and stick to our financial plan regardless of the sporting results,“ said Hugh. But couldn’t that ethos be taken for a get out? Soccer fans love a winning side and don’t necessarily appreciate the finer points of management. “Of course that sounds like an excuse and our challenge is to break the idea that supporters only come when their team is winning. Coming to a Servette match must be an event, it must be entertainment; a really pleasant way to spend time with the family or with friends, and to demonstrate pride and a connection with the city we live in. And it’s our job to create that experience,” he continued. Hugh doesn’t believe in hiding behind the VIP screens or socialising only with corporate partners. His manner is warm and low-key. He offers to meet me in the car park at the stadium and chats to security staff on our way in. Maybe it’s his Canadian sports background that keeps him grounded – there’s no place for arrogance on an ice hockey squad or football team. Hugh played both sports at college-level (“ice hockey in the winter and soccer in the summer – it was what we did in Montreal”), and puts a high value on team spirit and sportsmanship. There’s pride in his voice when he mentions that his three children all enjoy playing sport, and that junior development is a big part of the Servette plan.“I think that the experience of training hard, team work and dedication stays with you all your life. It’s important that children FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

enjoy sport and learn about taking part, and to deal with both winning and losing. It is also about the values of respect and fair play. These are skills that they will need in the future, and that we can transmit when we create an environment where they have fun and are put in situations where they feel successful. That’s why we are putting a huge emphasis on training and encouraging our players to work with local schools to inspire and challenge young students,” continued Hugh. Arriving in Geneva in 1994, Hugh’s professional background is as a Chartered Accountant and co-founder of a financial services company. He kicked off his sports club interests by becoming a coowner and chairman of Genève-Servette Hockey Club, in 2006. Although he does not openly discuss club finances it is no secret that he bailed out its debts. It was his success in turning around the GSHC experience (the rink is packed two or three times a week for fast, action-packed match events), that brought a consortium from the Geneva financial community to call for his help to save the team that is an important part of the history and identity of Geneva. Ten years of poor management and debt had taken its toll and the FC fans felt disconnected and let down – plus the

above - Children take to the pitch at Stade de Genève, home of FC Servette. photo: Stéphane Chollet far right - Hugh Quinnec right - Gevena Servette FC score!

bankruptcy hearing was only two days away. Hugh agreed – and was able to find solutions to resolve the CHF8.5 million hole in the finances. “There was very little pride in the club. The franchise had been abused. Sport is so important for the community; it creates identity and a sense of participation and connection. That’s why we hope to see the internationals getting more involved as it’s something they can take home with them one day. ‘Hey I used to live in Geneva and that was my team’ – those kinds of things are important to families when they move

Hugh’s final comments reflect this focus: “We want to develop an excellent junior academy; we want to promote sport in schools and connect with students, we want to participate in and help promote community events and encourage others to do the same, and we want to be significant contributors to charitable work. In other words we want to build a brand that is close to the community, and that will attract local and international partners to help grow our budget. With the support of the local community and our partners, with our value for money approach, and with our fighting spirit, we aim to win many more titles for Geneva with the football club, and the very first of many for the hockey club... “

It’s important that children enjoy sport and learn about taking part, and to deal with both winning and losing.

around a lot,” continued Hugh. “Thirty three per cent of the city population is non-Genèvois – so it’s obviously an element that should be developed,” said Hugh. A huge facet of the Servette – Quennec deal was management of the 30,000 capacity Stade de Genève. Built 10 years ago by the canton of Geneva the vast concrete edifice costs CHF1.5 million a year to run, and the authorities were keen to hand over the keys. A team of groundsmen keep the vivid green turf in perfect condition, while cleaners, ticket sellers and security personnel are mobilised on match days. “It’s a heavy rent for 18 home games a season! So obviously we need to make the stadium work hard, we need to make it sweat! We know we can hold concerts and DJ events here, plus exhibition matches but at the end of the day we also need to make it work hard as our home venue. The corporate and VIP entertainment areas should be attractive places to meet and to celebrate, we need to inspire people to enjoy their football club and their stadium,” he continued. Invoices, salaries, stadium rentals – is there a danger that the joy will go out of Hugh Quennec’s footballing vision? What appears to keep him on track is a powerful conviction in the philosophy of sport – in what Servette Football Club and Genève-Servette Hockey Club can offer to the community. It connects with the values of his charitable foundation Sport for Life – set up to support promising young athletes in the region and encourage children to take an interest in sport and exercise.

for season or match tickets visit...

Servette FC : www.servettefc.ch Geneva Servette Hockey Club : www.gshc.ch FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

GOING UNDERGROUND A new community initiative puts CERN at the heart of a Big Bang treasure trail ... and highlights the global/local world of high-energy physics

magine the scene. You’re pedalling from village to village, tracing the circular path of Europe’s largest underground collider. In your pocket there’s a Big Bang Passport, with an enticing physics treasure trail. Suddenly there’s a telescope to hand and it appears that you’re watching scientists and engineers at work inside a cavernous experiment hall. Sounds unlikely? From the people that brought you the World Wide Web and the Higgs Boson comes CERN – possibly the No 1 new local tourist attraction!

Although CERN is unlikely to be the next Euro Disney, the organisation’s dynamic communication group has set itself an access challenge. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is its flagship facility and draws scientists from around the world. But how to raise the profile of CERN in the local community? How to make it more attractive to local tourists and families? How to build on its educational out-reach to schools and colleges? In other words, how to encourage people to enjoy their friendly neighbourhood particle physics institute? “CERN has always maintained a good relationship with the local Swiss and French communes. However, after carrying out a survey in 2008 it became clear that many people living in the immediate vicinity did not really understand what was happening at CERN,” said Corinne Pralavorio, who leads CERN’s community initiative programme. The survey also highlighted the need for increased networking with local communities, greater transparency through more regular information and visits, plus more emphasis on knowledge and technology sharing via education projects at all levels. And the key to CERN’s new access strategy? Inspiration. “We started to think of ways that people could discover more about CERN and enjoy having this world famous institution on their doorstep. We want to make CERN a feature of living in this area – to make it inspiring and special,” she continued. When communities collide... Employing some 2,500 staff, plus at least 1,000 visiting fellows, associates and students, CERN is a key player in the local economy. In 2012 it had a budget of almost CHF 1166 million and in 2011 some 70, 000 visitors enjoyed guided tours, 900 students at all levels were given opportunities on temporary placements and 3,000 Phd students worked on LHC experiments. With the 27km LHC running underneath the French and Swiss countryside and the two main sites at Prevessin and Meyrin, CERN has forged close links with local mayors on both sides of the border. However, although the guided tours remain popular many local people find the landscape of giant experiment halls and window-less hangers off-putting and strange. “Unfortunately some of our buildings are not the most attractive! What we are trying to do now is help people feel proud of CERN and its achievements. After all, CERN is almost 60 years old, so it is part of our heritage! With the Big Bang Passport for example, the idea is to involve local families and visitors,

to help them understand the experiments and what happens inside those buildings,” said Corinne.

“We want to make CERN a feature of living in this area – to make it inspiring and special,” After collecting a passport from CERN’s main reception or local town and village halls*, families will be encouraged to set off on the treasure trail, collecting answers to sciencebased questions as they tour ten LHC sites - two in Switzerland and eight in the Pays de Gex. Special information platforms feature sassy cartoon physicists revealing bitesized CERN facts while smart telescopes offer short videos of what goes on inside

the experiment halls. Answered all the questions? Submit your completed passport for a prize*. While CERN’s re-branding as a tourist attraction may be innovative, its pedagogical tradition is well-established. As well as an internship programme, CERN runs classes and workshops for children and students at every level of their studies. There is also an important programme for high-school physics teachers welcoming each year 1,000 mainly European teachers. Recently CERN joined with the University of Geneva and local education departments on both sides of the border to design and run a science training programme for teachers; interactive sessions for primary school children and research master classes for secondary students. In the Footsteps of a Researcher is an annual project for nine to 12 year olds enjoyed by more than 30 school groups. This year pupils were fascinated by mystery object boxes from CERN, the contents of which could only be discovered

through experiments. And in order to design these experiments the children interviewed physicists about their scientific methods. At the end of the project the youngsters were invited to CERN to present their findings in the grand auditorium – in the same way as leading scientists unveil their results. “The project was carried out according to correct scientific processes. The only way the children could discover the content of their boxes was through developing experiments; exactly the kind of process that scientists lead. They were absolutely fascinated – and the CERN physicists loved their role in inspiring the children,” continued Corrine. European Researchers’ Night is also an annual highlight, with 200 pupils and teachers invited into the CERN control rooms, where monitor screens map valuable data being disseminated across The Grid, a huge international computer network. CERN is at the heart of these 140 computer centres and it’s a major step forward in global information storage and data processing. “The Grid is another example of problem solving by CERN. Our technological achievements have had spin-offs for computing and for medicine. For example in medical imaging, technology from particle physics detectors has created some important advances. These areas should be highlighted to visitors as they are such positive aspects,” added Corrine. Perhaps it’s unsurprising then that excited visitors filing through CERN’s interactive Universe of Particles exhibition housed in the iconic wooden Globe of Science & Innovation stop and linger in front of one very special exhibit. The original CERN computer used to create the world’s first-ever web page! “Discover how technologies used at CERN can change our everyday lives ...” says the message at the door of the Globe. Could you have a better introduction? Universe of Particles at the Globe of Science & Innovation is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. www.cern.ch/expoglobe. Check out guided tours of CERN at www. cern.ch/outreach The Big Bang Passport itinerary will be inaugurated in June 2013. *Also available online at www.cern.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Eddie Izzard A M AJOR FOR CE Force Majeure is the new world tour by UK cult stand-up comedian/actor Eddie Izzard, the man who singlehandedly made transvestite/glam a mainstream look. Reflecting his penchant to speak French at the drop of a châpeau, the Force Majeure carnival of surprises arrives in Geneva in April 2013. Ne pas manques. Does Eddie claim to speak French perfectly? No, he says he’s fluent - but the rest is down to interpretation... Force Majeure: French, superior force, chance occurrence, unavoidable accident. Accident or not, in 2011 Eddie sold out Madison Square Garden in New York before spending three months in residency at the Théâtre de Dix Heures in Paris. This was where he honed his French, performing the show STRIPPED: Tout en Français!

country, ” quote from Eddie Izzard on Twitter August 2012. Winging from Cardiff to Kathmandu, from Moscow to Mumbai and ticking off 25 countries throughout Europe, USA, Africa, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Nepal and the Far East, Force Majeur arrives in Switzerland in April. The Geneva Arena dates are April 25th and 26th, and on the 27th Eddie’s in Zurich at the Hallenstadion. What’s the background of Eddie Izzard’s unique comedy persona? Part transvestite, part theatrical luvvie, part acerbic commentator – Eddie remains something of an enigma. Here he tells his own story – in extracts from his memoir.

“When I was 14, I said, �I�m going to cycle from Wales to Sussex. I want to lose weight.”

Stripped – In French! Avec son univers élégant, sexy et absurde il passe de l’origine du langage à Wikipédia, du banjo aux hélicoptères, de Mr Dupont ou Durand à l’existence ou l’absence de Dieu, de la création du monde à la … banane.

My dad gave me some money and a little chef map ...

Last year Eddie Izzard made history, becoming the first stand-up to play a solo show at Los Angeles’ legendary Hollywood Bowl. His film career has also been Hollywood all the way, after appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Valkyrie in 2009 he joined Owen Wilson in the all-star voice overs for Cars 2. Since then its been a circuit of TV roles and chat shows. Never one to rest on his laurels Eddie, 50, kicks off his new two year tour in early 2013. “I’m a British European, I think like an American and I was born in an Arabic

“I was born in February 1962 in Aden, South Yemen. Dad was a fifties hippy with very short hair. He wrote essays on communism and stuff when he was sixteen. He joined BP as a filing clerk, not really knowing what he wanted to do. One of the first things he did in Aden was redesign the whole filing system so no-one knew where anything was except him, which I thought was a good move. Eddie returned to the UK with his family, settling first in Northern Ireland , then in South Wales.

“When I was 14, I said, ‘I’m going to cycle from Wales to Sussex. I want to lose weight.’ But my dad gave me some money and a Little Chef map, which was the worst map to give me. I cycled from Little Chef to Little Chef, eating maple syrup and ice-cream and orange fruities at petrol stations,” he continued. At primary school Eddie had an eye for business. “I would sell crayons in the school yard - You need crayons? What if you get stranded on a desert island?’ How are you going to write a message? Crayons.” And that early flair for enterprise has stuck. “I’m actually quite fascinated in a very sad way by retail. I wanted to run a shop. You used to be able to get a little shop with those Hornby train sets, and in the window things like Kellogg’s cornflakes and tins of soup and stuff. You could look through the door and there was stuff happening inside...I wanted to sit in that shop. I like supermarkets. I just like hanging around the aisles ...It’s a bit like Spinal Tap - ‘Shoe shop? I could run one of those.’ But life in Wales also had its dark side. “At school we would sometimes go to this church on a Sunday, and when you’re six it seemed like going miles, even though it’s just down the road. And there was this village playground with a door with a grating in it, which had scary steps going down to a well, where the devil lived ...” Force Majeure – expect the unexpected and you won’t be disappointed. Catch Eddie live at the Geneva Arena - 25th & 26th April 2013. Get your tickets online @ www.ticketcorner.ch For more information : www.internationalcomedyclub.ch

FROnTIER magazInE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Whether you’re a red-hot skier or chilled out snow boarder, a serious player or more of a cafe-terrace expert, Frontier Magazine knows THE places to hit the slopes. Ski, Board, Eat, Chill... Picture the scene. Fresh powder sparkling on the mountain and the gleam of delicate snow crystals on the piste ahead. It’s the perfect day to improve your technique. Or get up to speed with new skills. Remember it’s never too late to learn – or to climb out of your comfort zone. Can’t face the slopes? Try a cross-country ski circuit through a tranquil wooded park, or a snow-shoe trek along a spectacular ridge. A dog-sled ride will stimulate the family or you can opt to mingle with the VIPs at an exclusive polo match on ice. Feel the need for pampering? Choose an indulgent winter spa break and call it sports therapy.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Families are a major priority at local ski stations, with tempting discounts on ski passes and lessons for children, plus toboggan runs and super-safe play parks. And when lunchtime rolls around, relax on a sunny terrace and select your cheese-laden delight. Tartiflette? Fondue? Who cares about calories when you’re in the mountains? In fact who cares about anything? There’s nothing like a touch of altitude to bust a little stress. Discover more inside....

ESI ski instructor off piste in Flaine - photograph : Tristan Shu

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

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CHAMPÉRY-CROSETS - PORTES DU SOLEIL T : +41 (0) 24 479 02 00 // WWW.TELECHAMPERY.CH TÉLÉCHAMPÉRY-CROSETS PORTES DU SOLEIL SA, RTE DE LA FIN 15, 1874 CHAMPÉRY With 12 inter-linked resorts and outstanding pistes that criss-cross the Franco-Swiss Alpine border, the Portes du Soleil region is known by skiers and boarders alike as a natural powder reserve. Does it live up to its name? With an extended season and heavy snowfall the resorts certainly offer great winter sports laced with charm – and none more so than Champéry and Les Crosets. The world’s largest ski domain is on our doorstep! In five minutes, the Champéry-Planachaux cablecar and the GrandParadis chairlift connect with the Portes du Soleil’s incredible

WINTER GUIDE

650km of groomed runs and 197 lifts. Cross country skiers enjoy a picturesque 7km Champéry circuit, while freestylers flock to neighbouring Le Crosets for snowpark tricks. Looking for a family destination? The resorts are ideally nestled between Geneva and the Mont Blanc. Early Booking: Enjoy a 10% discount when you book a 5 day+ Portes du Soleil pass before 9.12.2012

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Ski – VIP Guiding If you’re looking to improve your technique or quite simply discover the fabulous ski area of «Les Portes du Soleil», our guides will be happy to help you uncover the best pistes and fantastic restaurants of the Alps. We will transform your ski day into an unforgettable experience.

+41 24 477 77 17 I www.m3s.ch FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

VERBIER SKI ACADEMY - THE EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS SKI ACADEMY T : +41 (0) 27 771 14 14 // WWW.VERBIERSKIACADEMY.COM to ensure consistency and progression. We feel that this gives the students a chance to build a relationship with their coach.

The Verbier Ski Academy is aimed at young skiers looking to move up a gear from the typical ski school programme. Our instructors have the experience and knowledge to use different tools to guide and assist each individual to improve and develop their skiing. We guarantee that members will be taught by the same instructor throughout the season

VSA offers: Training by highly experienced, top certified

instructors // Unique technical development programmes // Small groups instructed by the same coach throughout the season //Tactical off-piste tuition // Discovery days // Mountain awareness sessions // Fun on the hill video analysis sessions // Flexible membership options ranging from 2 – 5 weeks

VERBIER SPORT PLUS T : +41 (0)27 775 25 11 // WWW.VERBIERBOOKING.COM Ever wondered what it’s like to see forever? The breathtaking view from the 3,300m Mont Fort is as close as it gets! World famous for its fabulous après-ski, chalet-chic and VIPs, it’s easy to forget that Verbier remains a muchloved family resort with fantastic winter sports – perfect for a day trip from Geneva. Ready to ski? The Four Valleys region – Verbier, Nendaz, Thyon & Veysonnaz - opens on 15 December 2012! And Verbier’s Lac des Vaux blue run opens on 10 November – weather permitting.

Whether you’re looking for a high-altitude challenge with friends or a pretty forest trail, Verbier will please. The Four Valleys offers 412 km of groomed pistes, and when you need a break the sunny terraces of Verbier’s La Croix de Coeur or Chalet Carlsberg never disappoint! Looking for luge action? The 10km descent from the Savoleyres summit provides memorable thrills. Book online now for 12.5% ski pass discounts until 30 September 2012! Or 10% discount before 31 October.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

“We believe that our unique approach to developing young skiers provides the foundation that gives children the versatility to ski all over the mountain with confidence”

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LES ELFES INTERNATIONAL – SUMMER & WINTER CAMPS T : +41 (0) 27 775 35 90 // WWW.LESELFES.COM VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

WINTER GUIDE

For more than 25 years the experienced and dynamic teams at Les Elfes International have been hosting children and young adults at exciting winter and summer camps in the Swiss Alps. In Verbier, during winter the 8 to 18 year olds at Les Elfes will enjoy skiing or snowboarding, learning or improving languages, cultural excursions, playing sports and making new friends. All fun activities are fully supervised and well supported by specially trained staff members. Les Elfes even has its own ski instructors. Schools and individual

youngsters are welcome to join for ski trips and short breaks. (See website for details). At its popular summer camps Les Elfes offers an extensive programme of multisports and activities – as well as French, English, Spanish or German language courses. Arts and crafts are also on the agenda, plus fascinating educational trips. The camps are held at picturesque, safe mountain locations in Verbier and Tzoumaz. All accommodation is in high quality chalets.

MOUNTAIN BEDS – THE VERBIER EXPERTS T : +44 (0)1502 471 960 // WWW.MOUNTAINBEDS.COM Ever wondered how to find an exclusive private chalet in Verbier for the weekend – without blowing the budget? Or a beautiful ski apartment in Chamonix that has heaps more style than the usual rental options? Talk to the experts at Mountain Beds and you’re home and dry because they have extensive contacts in all the major ski resorts across Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. Mountain Beds have been Verbier experts since 1992, providing a personalized independent ski accommodation

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

service with hundreds of quality chalets, hotels and apartments. Now the portfolio has developed – with the same commitment to your requirements. Skiers and snow lovers deserve the best, according to Mountain Beds. Impossible to find? Not if you have their insider knowledge. And exclusive does not mean overpriced – Mountain Beds knows the best places for couples, families or large groups of friends. Contact Mountain Beds to discuss your next ski weekend or winter break. You’ll be surprised how quickly their solution becomes your favourite!

LA BRAYE – CHÂTEAU D’OEX T : +41 (0) 26 924 67 94 // WWW.TELECHATEAUDOEX.CH Loups piste. With a free ski pass for under 9s and this supersafe area for little ones to learn skiing or snowboarding, la Braye has families firmly in mind. There’s even a great lunch and ski lift deal with the child-friendly la Braye restaurant. Serious skier? Five lifts and 30kms of pistes make for a great day out. Prefer sledging? Try the exciting 4 km luge run that whips you all the way down from the summit!

SWISS SKI & SNOWBOARD SCHOOL CHÂTEAU D’OEX T : + 41 (0) 26 924 68 48 // WWW.ESS-CHAX.CH Located in the heart of the village, the Ecole Suisse de Ski & Snowboard in Château d’Oex will turn your visit into a fantastic learning experience – whether you choose to ski downhill or cross-country, snowboard, Freestyle, sled or snow shoe. The 50-strong team of experienced, qualified teachers includes a host of English-speakers, plus specialists in racing, Snowpark thrills and fun techniques to share with children. They are also keen to welcome you to the incredible Pays d’Enhaut countryside. From half day group lessons to

private tuition, the ESS is careful to ensure that you progress at your own pace. And with their great mix of pleasure and technique you will be amazed at your development from beginner to intermediate and from there to advanced! Not sure about downhill? Try ski touring or a guided trek on snow shoes - there’s 65km of trails to choose from. See website for offers and booking.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

Step out of the real world and into the winter wonderland of la Braye, at the heart of the classic Swiss resort of Châteaud’Oex. A favourite with local families for generations, the charms of this pretty village are complemented by up-todate technology – so you’re on the piste in minutes. With free parking close to the la Braye cable car; you’ll be on top of the world and ready to enjoy downhill skiing, the freestyle challenges of the Highland Snowpark or the special Petits

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ESF AVORIAZ 1800 T : + 33 (0) 450 74 05 65 // WWW.ESF-AVORIAZ.COM

WINTER GUIDE

Discover skiing or snowboarding this winter – or build your confidence to the next level – with the experts at Avoriaz 1800 ESF. In just a few hours their team of experienced English-speaking ski and boarding instructors will be guiding you through the magnificent Portes du Soleil, alone or in a small group carefully matched to your level. Maybe this season you’ll learn cross-country skiing in a tranquil environment? Or convert basic snowboard skills into Freestyle Freeride talents. Whether you chose private

or group lessons the ESF team Avoriaz 1800 will develop your technique quickly and safely. Children also make fast progress - Minis (6 – 9) or Top Kids (9 – 12). Little ones are kept busy by ESF Snow Buddies at the snow garden (ages 4 – 6), where fun and games increase confidence on the snow. With all this family entertainment on hand it’s no wonder that the ESF Avoraiz 1800 is a popular choice. Select from half or full-day classes.

AVORIAZ T : +33 (0) 450 74 28 02 // WWW.AVORIAZ.FR Close to Geneva and offering guaranteed snow throughout the winter, Avoriaz is located in the middle of Europe’s largest ski area with 650 km of high altitude slopes in France and Switzerland: the Portes du Soleil. This renowned domain offers a multitude of ski runs, from family friendly to advanced, suiting every skier. Avoriaz is also known for its Snowcross, providing safe conditions for freeride, its boardercross trail, superpipe and snowparks. Check out The Stash, a giant forest zone offering endless

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riding amid approx.100 wood and snow features. South-facing Avoriaz enjoys all day sunshine - and for the last decade - nine metres of snow per season. With its cedarclad chalets and residences there’s a cosy atmosphere and the resort is car free. Travel around on skis or by horse drawn sleigh! This year Avoriaz steps up to become a “well-being” destination. Check out the new spa, tropical water paradise “Aquariaz”, new 4 & 5 star residences and new cable car.

LES GETS MORZINE T : +33 (0) 450 75 80 99 // WWW.LESGETSMORZINE.COM Family skiing expensive? Not with Les Gets Morzine’s special rates. Season passes: -40% before 10.12.2012 // Enjoy a 15% price discount on day and 5h-passes (Les Gets Morzine) when you recharge online // Saturday passes: €24 (normally €33), Weekend pass: €42 (normally €60) available all season // SOFT MOBILITY 3+1=3. Wed & Sun: carpool (four people) for 25% off your 5h- or 1-day Les Gets Morzine passes. Drive-In sales/info at ticket offices.

ESF LES GETS WWW.ESF-LESGETS.COM You can ski! That’s the positive vibe from the dynamic team at ESF Les Gets. Proud to be one of the closest ski schools to Geneva, the English-speaking professionals at Les Gets make the most of the easy access that’s irresistible at Les Gets. With attractive special deals for adults & children you’ll be on track for a fantastic season! Enjoy Saturday group lessons from 12 January - 16 February (afternoons) and you’re guaranteed the same instructor each week – a factor to boost skills. He or she understands

your personal goals; to break out of a snowplough or tackle a slalom! Youngsters (3+) will love Children of the Valley – a fun new Saturday initiative, with the same specialist ESF coach each week. Club ESF Les Gets is a great motivational choice for young skiers and boarders, meeting weekends for coaching & events, plus school holiday courses. And it will boost their French! Private lessons for adults & children available all season. See website for details and other great offers.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

Blessed with sunshine and great snow on even the gentlest slopes, the Les Gets Morzine ski area is less than an hour’s drive from Geneva – what could be more family friendly than that? Forget long journeys; grab skis, snowboards or sleds and head for Les Gets Morzine for a relaxing Famille Plus day out. This label of quality means fun for children, with dedicated snow areas and special events. Check out the free Mappys space or the fascinating Indian tracks. (Check website for kids’ snow & ski details.)

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ESF - MORZINE T : + 33 (0) 450 79 13 13 // WWW.ESF-MORZINE.COM

WINTER GUIDE

Share a passion for the mountains with the ESF experts of Morzine; a warm and welcoming village where learning to ski is second nature. With experienced English-speaking instructors guiding you down gentle tree-lined slopes, your confidence will build; and with no more than nine adults in a group* you’ll soon relax and discover new talents - or take existing skills to the next level. Choose from downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark or snowshoeing; with individual or group courses tailor-made for you. For advanced skiers it’s vital to learn the correct

techniques safely, enjoying Morzine’s challenging off-piste and high mountain runs. Children also love to learn. Under 6s are grouped by age, while older children ski or board at the level that’s right for them. Ready to get started? Book on-line for great deals and explore the picturesque Portes du Soleil from Morzine - just an hour from Geneva. * Max. nine adults outside school holidays.

VALLÉE DU TRIENT WWW.VALLEEDUTRIENT-VALLORCINE.COM Naturally spectacular is how local skiers describe the cross-border villages of the tranquil Vallée du Trient & Vallorcine region – where a day out with family or friends is an unforgettable experience. Linking Martigny in the lower Valais with the French border town of le Châtelard and then on to the famous slopes of Chamonix and the Mont Blanc, the Vallée du Trient is an untouched paradise of grottos, dinosaur tracks and one of the Alps’ most beautiful glaciers. If you’re a skier or boarder then discover the all-

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

new TéléMarécottes chairlift this winter and the completely redesigned panoramic restaurant. Enjoy countless snowshoe and ski touring trails also, in the majestic scenery of the Trient glacier or Emosson area. Or why not relax for the weekend with an exclusive train & ski offer at unbeatable prices? Reaching the Balme and Marécottes areas could not be easier with the Mont Blanc Express – enjoy stunning views all the way!

LES CARROZ - GRAND MASSIF T : + 33 (0) 450 90 00 04 // WWW.LESCARROZ.COM With an eight-seater cable car connecting to the Grand Massif in six minutes, experienced skiers relish the excitement of this vast area. Families have a great time too with a super-safe novice piste and three free lifts. Ready for a break? Relax in the sunshine at a piste-side café. Forfait Happy Days – Only €75, three days Massif or Flaine* *Three days, not necessarily consecutive, to include two weekend days. Third day flexible 7/7.

ESI GRAND MASSIF WWW.ESI-GRANDMASSIF.COM THE INTERNATIONAL SKI SCHOOL OF FLAINE T: +33 (0) 450 90 84 41 - ESI LES CARROZ T: +33 (0) 450 90 36 03 Learn to ski with the International Ski School of Flaine & Les Carroz and you’ll never look back ...Whether beginner or experienced skier keen to try freestyle or off-piste, the English-speaking instructors of ESI Grand Massif ensure a thrilling sense of achievement. Children enjoy a safe and exciting experience too – lead by teachers with excellent language skills. Easy to locate in Flaine (opp. the auditorium in Flaine Forêt) and in Les Carroz (opp. medical centre), the ESI guarantees tuition in English and tailor-made private lessons for

adults, teenagers and children. Alternatively join a group – (max. nine people) – and enjoy a relaxed approach to fast learning. Amid the incredible Grand Massif landscape you’ll develop new skills, with no pressure to compete. Why not try snowboarding or telemark? Or make it a family event? Children respond quickly to personal tuition or small groups – and take home an ESI medal! For little ones? There’s fun at a secure kindergarten (3+). See English-language section of website.

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WINTER GUIDE

Easy-access to fantastic skiing is the key to Les Carroz – just 40 minutes from Geneva and 10 minutes from the motorway! Our closest gateway to the impressive Grand Massif domain, the resort offers free parking for 1,200 cars and a fast link to 265km of pistes renowned for some of Europe’s best snow cover. Enjoy an amazing Mont Blanc panorama with skiing at all levels, from tree-lined trails to untouched powder to challenge the experts. And at the end of the day? Ski back to the village (and the car) – guaranteed all season.

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LE GRAND-BORNAND T : +33 (0) 450 02 78 10 // WWW.SKI-LEGRANDBORNAND.COM

Grand Bornand is an all-round family resort with 90 km of downhill pistes, 45 km of tranquil cross-country skiing &

snow-shoe trails, and one of the top 10 snow parks in France (boarder-cross/half-pipe, jumps). Choosing a day trip? Buy your Schuss Liberty pass on-line and step straight into the cable car! 10% discount up to 7 days, and 20% for 8+. Simple, safe and fast – buy/recharge on-line any time. Season Promotions (before 03/12/2012): Adult: €372 (instead of €513.50) Student (- 25) & Child (-15): €272.00 (instead of €371.50) Bambini (- 8): €208.50 (instead of €235.00)

Photo: G Lansard/Aravis

Photo: D.Machet/Aravis

WINTER GUIDE

A traditional resort with a big heart; that’s the secret of the authentic Alpine village of Grand Bornand. And with fastaccess ski passes – at special early-season prices – you’ll be on the piste in record time. Grand Bornand, which is less than one hour from Geneva, also boasts high-tech where it counts - at the ski lifts – and is linked to the 220 km Aravis domain.

ALPES CHALETS T : +33 (0) 450 53 01 86 // WWW.ALPES-CHALETS74.COM 90 RTE DU GRAND MASSIF, SAMOËNS, 74 FRANCE Imagine spending weekends in the mountains with incredible views from your balcony of the dramatic and unspoilt natural environment? Imagine a high-quality traditional chalet or apartment built by local craftsmen using the finest new wood or carefully reclaimed original planks and floorboards? Combine the practicalities of the new with the charm of the classic Alpine retreat with Alpes Chalets at Samoëns. With two new projects currently available – at Praz sur Arly and in the village of Samoëns - it’s easy to see why Alpes

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Chalets is a leader in smart mountain developments. The ski-in-ski-out apartments at Chalet Erine des Alpes in Praz sur Arly, near Megeve, are spacious, flooded with light – and close to the ski lifts. Using vintage timber and exposed stonework the developer has recreated an authentic Alpine chalet ambiance. At Chalet Himalia in the centre of Samoëns there’s also classic Alpine styling, with a high standard of finish. See website for details, availability and upcoming projects.

SWISS SKI & SNOWBOARD SCHOOL - ANZÈRE T : + 41 (0) 27 398 27 44 // WWW. ESSANZERE.CH - INFO@ESSANZERE.CH the beautiful Valais region, only 90 minutes from Lausanne. SPECIAL OFFER! Book a week of private lessons and there’s a fantastic 15% discount for Frontier Magazine readers (on presentation of this article). This winter look out for extra special events to celebrate the 50th birthday of the ski school: Heli-skiing, “Raclette Party Night”, ski races… Come and enjoy Anzère and its incredible view of the Alps!

THYON T : +41 (0) 27 281 27 27 // WWW.THYON.CH THYON-REGION TOURISM Thyon is a special resort that once discovered you’ll come back to time and again. One facet of this quiet village is charm and ambiance – the other is access to the dynamic and challenging Four Valleys region. So when Thyon says enjoyment for everyone that really is the case! Children love playing with Snowli in the snow garden while teenagers seek thrills at Switzerland’s premier snowpark. Fancy a break from skiing? Thyon offers husky dog sleds, picturesque snow shoe trails, ice skating in the village and

spectacular paragliding. There’s also a well-respected ski school to help improve your level in skiing or snowboarding. The Four Valleys is the largest ski area in Switzerland. With 412 km of pistes and 92 lifts, it links Thyon with neighbours Veysonnaz, Nendaz, La Tzoumaz and Verbier. Thyon is easy to reach by road or rail via Sion. With fantastic scenery and a range of pistes it’s clear why Thyon is a popular choice. *See website for special offers/early season discounts.

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WINTER GUIDE

Fifty years ago this winter the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School of Anzère offered its first ski and snowboard lessons. And since 1963 that accounts for many happy clients! Friendly and experienced English-speaking instructors will help all the family perfect their techniques and encourage confidence on the snow. Children from four years old (three years for private lessons) enjoy the snow kids village, taking their first fun steps on the snow under full supervision. The marvellous ski resort of Anzère is located in the centre of

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ESF MEGÈVE T : +33 (0) 450 21 00 97 // WWW.MEGEVE-SKI.COM MAISON DE LA MONTAGNE, 176 RUE DE LA POSTE, MEGÈVE

WINTER GUIDE

Catch some seriously big air with the new freestyle jump training by the Ecole du Ski Français Megève. With two members of the French national squad on the freestyle coaching team, the ESF Megève instructors will boost your tricks and jumps with their new air-bag zone. Safe and fullsupervised, the 10m x 15m air bag is located at the exclusive Rochebrune freestyle park. Freestyle skiers or boarders can enjoy a two hour lesson or join a course with the Freestyle School. But it’s not all rolls and flips with the ESF Megève. Beginner

or advanced skier, book a private lesson and a qualified English-speaking instructor will improve your technique while gliding through some of the resort’s most beautiful and undiscovered areas. Prefer a sociable small group? Choose half day courses taught in English; for adults and for children. Little ones aged 3 – 5 years will love their Piou Piou classes!

LES PORTES DU MONT-BLANC - COMBLOUX, MEGÈVE LE JAILLET, LA GIETTAZ & CORDON WWW.LESPORTESDUMONTBLANC.FR Looking for the gateway to a relaxed family day out? Or a high-energy session amid super-impressive terrain? Les Portes du Mont-Blanc has the answer – and it’s only an hour from Geneva. These villages may be charming and authentic, but they know how to please even the most experienced skiers... Join Les Portes du Mont-Blanc quickly and easily at Combloux, Megève or La Giettaz (all with free parking) and enjoy 100km of pistes, two snowparks & two boarder-cross. Wooden chalets, sunny picnic areas, (plus two indoors), cosy restaurants and ample greens/blues complete the family

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

picture. For an exceptional 360° Mont Blanc and Aravis panorama check out Torraz sommet or access the 445km Evasion Mont-Blanc for spectacular altitude skiing. OFFERS Before 15 Nov - 25% off Season & Seven-day Liberté passes (non-consecutive days) // 22 Dec – Celebrate opening: Ski pass €15 // 12 Jan 2013 – Free for women skiers.// 26/27 Jan 2013 – Free Ice Weekend: Try new skis or enter a slalom Ice Weekend Ski Pass - €42.40.

RED SKI ORGANISATION - MEGÈVE WWW.RSO-MEGEVE.COM Building a package around your chosen experience is their expertise; their joy is to share a passion for the mountains. Rest assured it will be memorable! Seminars, corporate entertaining or private occasions all get that Megève VIP treatment, with exclusive hotel and restaurant choices arranged on your behalf. Choose English-speaking ESF hosts and look forward to the perfect challenge. And remember with the RSO you’re always in safe hands.

ESF FLAINE T : +33 (0) 450 90 81 00 // WWW. ESF -FLAINE.FR Learning to ski with the Ecole du Ski Français Flaine will put you on top of the world. With 74 experienced instructors – fluent English-speakers on request – the team will coach you through the beginner phase and on through intermediate. Keen to progress further? There’s one-to-one training or small groups for off-piste, moguls and powder for advanced skiers and snowboarders plus racing and freestyle. Located at Flaine-Forum and Flaine Foret, (1600m), the ESF Flaine will take you on a voyage of discovery around this

extensive resort, which links seamlessly to the huge Grand Massif domain. Not sure that downhill’s for you? Try snow shoes, cross-country or guided hikes. For children there’s the famous ESF Flaine Club Piou-Piou, plus the Rabbit-Club, offering all-day childcare (including lunch option). At the summit of the Grand Massif, and with all the benefits of a car-free resort, Flaine has imposing views and remarkable snows levels all season. Book online now and look forward to a season of super skills.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

Give your next team building or social event a touch of mountain class with a complete tailor-made experience from the prestigious Red Ski Organisation of Megève. With every detail of your programme taken care of, whether it’s a high altitude challenge or a cosy chalet lunch, you’re free to enjoy the top-class services of your hosts – all professionals with the resort’s famous Ecole du Ski Français. Taking its name from the iconic red jackets of this famous team, the RSO offers all-inclusive programmes of events or competitions.

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SNOWELL.COM - BOOK YOUR INCREDIBLE DISCOUNT SKI RENTAL ONLINE! WWW.SNOWELL.COM

WINTER GUIDE

With 600 partners in the Alps and growing – an exclusive SNOWELL money saving offer this season is one you can’t afford to miss. Frontier Magazine readers enjoy extra rental advantages on top quality ski equipment when they book online with SNOWELL - just enter the special discount code frontier in the field “Discount/promotion code”. SNOWELL’s keen prices are at least 23% lower than equipment hire costs on the spot in France - and at least 13% lower than in Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and Andorra.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

KIDS UP TO 10 YEARS FOR FREE: Smart and super-safe ski equipment for one child up to 10 years FREE, with either one or two adults booking on-line (depending on rental shop). PLUS all bookings for children include a free safety helmet for entire rental period. Go to www.snowell.com for the bargain of the winter and remember frontier – it’ll turn a good ski deal into a great one! Above discounts not accumulative with other SNOWELL offers.

The ultimate place for musicians

Over 2000 m2 of the best musical instruments close to you ! Z.I. Riond Riond-Bosson 10 / 1110 Morges / 021 811 28 28 / www.boullard.com

www.iil.ch

Avenue Eugène-Lance 24 1212 Grand-Lancy Case postale 1810 CH-1211 Genève 26

Institut International de Lancy Travailler et réussir ensemble

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

chamonix verbier vs

THE ‘SKI GLOVES’ ARE OFF IN THIS HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE Both resorts boast die-hard fans, but which one would win in a straight fight for the title of top local VIP ski station? Frontier Magazine investigates...

To the max. in Chamonix Thanks to an incredible location at the foot of the wild and ever-so-slightly terrifying Mont Blanc, Chamonix has an exciting, edgy side to it. The views are staggering, adrenalin junkies love the Vallée Blanche and the après-ski is a blast. But the Chamonix Valley is also a family favourite – with easy-access areas La Tour and Les Houches perfect for beginners and intermediates. Alternatively grab your passport and ski to Courmayeur on the other side of the tunnel de Mont Blanc – breakfast in France and lunch in Italy! Chamonix’s Vallée Blanche will be your highlight of the season, if you can handle the icy ridge from the breathtaking Aiguille de Midi cable car (Europe’s highest at 3,800+), to the top of the piste. Guides rope up their groups and it’s easy to see why. The run itself is a fairly straight-forward – but it’s a 21kms long high mountain experience and should be treated with respect. www.chamonix-guides.com. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

TALE OF THE TAPE

the verbier vibe Celebrity haunt, winter home from home for the UK royals and Alpine party central, so what’s not to like? Yet Verbier divides. It’s definitely a love it or hate it type of place. It’s expensive, it’s smart and it’s seriously image conscious. Plus it attracts après-ski party people who don’t even consider getting up before noon. Why is that such a shame? Because Verbier has an amazing winter sports scene and they are missing it! Nestled in a sunny bowl, laced with low-impact chalet architecture, the resort offers over 400km of pictureperfect trails, stretching across the Four Valleys domain. And while serious skiers and boarders enjoy extensive off piste and bumps, plus the stunning 1,300m run down the Mont Fort glacier, there are plenty of opportunities for beginners (including dedicated nursery slopes), plus allday childcare/ski guiding for all age groups (high quality but not cheap).

Paragliding and speed-riding (you’re on skis, with a parachute - don’t ask ...), are also big with the surf crowd in Chamonix. Contact www.absolute-chamonix.com However, while the historic town centre is a peaceful car-free zone, Chamonix is a major transport hub and that feeling never quite goes away. It’s also a big boys’ weekend resort – so don’t expect a quiet night in. Serious mountain-lovers also enjoy their retail therapy – and they’re in danger of turning their favourite resort into a ski-themed shopping mall. www.chamonix.com for offers and ski passes.

Eat

Chill

MCB is a microbrewery with six beers on tap and a genuine pub ambiance – rte de Bouchet. www.mbchx. com. But if you want to party then Le Garage is a great pit-stop. Dancing to dawn with the in-crowd every night. T +33 672 43 92 83 Monkey Bar in rue Edmond Desailloud serves pub grub from 4-11pm, hosts happy-hours and live music from 5pm daily; DJs until 2am.

Stay

For a memorable weekend check in to perfectly located Grand Hôtel des Alpes, where a free aprèsski buffet hits the spot. This 30-room boutique hotel is too good to leave so don’t expect to be on the slopes early. www. grandhoteldesalpes. com. Need to keep to budget? The Hotel de la Couronne in Argentière is a popular lo-luxe choice with shared bathrooms. www.hotecouronne.com

Ski dining doesn’t have to mean fondue. Try Chez Dany, (+41 27 771 2524) in the hamlet of Clambin, or current star of the show, Le Sonalon - run by local celebrity chef Claude-Alain Besse. (www.lesonalon-verbier.ch. +41 27 565 3530 ) On the piste it has to be the Cabane Mont Fort, an ancient chalet run by the Swiss Alpine Club on the run from Col des Gentianes to La Chaux. Traditional dishes at surprisingly realistic prices. www.cabanemontfort.ch. Or Namaste, just below la Croix de Coeur. www.namaste-verbier.ch L’Alpage (+41 27 771 61 23) is a good bet also.

Chill

Got the stamina for late-night partying? Verbier’s glamorous Coco Club is the place to be seen. Powerful cocktails - created by Madonna’s favourite London mixologist – and a cool international DJ to serve up the sounds, the Coco Club is a decadent venue for a decadent crowd. London entrepreneur Harvey Sinclair has created a unique resort club, and its famous CHF 10,000 Coco Chalet cocktail. Don’t worry; it’s not just a drink. It includes Coco Club life membership. Entry by reservation only. www.cococlub.ch More low-key is cool Le Rouge, a chalet/brasserie with stunning terrace views and a resident DJ. www.lerouge-verbier.com Looking for a boarder hang out? The Offshore, in rue de Médran attracts dudes like moths to the bright pink VW Beetle parked inside, and the breakfasts are legendary...

Stay

Push the boat out for a weekend at The Lodge, Richard Branson’s luxury chalet. It sleeps 18 adults and six children, includes chef, staff of ten, private ice-skating, spa/pool complex and as much champagne as you can drink. The Lodge will cost you almost CHF 50,000 for a weekend. But Richard isn’t being greedy. It’s only the third most expensive chalet in Verbier ... and it did cost more than CHF7m to refurb. www. thelodge.virgin.com Top indulgent hotel options include Chalet d’Adrien – billed as a five-star Alpine experience, www.chalet-adrien. com - or King’s Parc for classic designer suites with balconies www.kingsverbier.com

AND THE judges’ decision... Two great challengers - two great places to ski! top left - Resaurant Caleche middle left - Monkey Bar bottom left - Hôtel des Alpes top right - le Sonalon Restaurant middle right - Coco Club bottom right - The Virgin Lodge FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WINTER GUIDE

Lunch at upmarket Le Bistrot in Ave de l’Aiguille is a bargain – considering this place has a Michelin star. Dinner is a much pricier affair. T +33 450 53 57 64). Also in the town centre is raclette-heaven La Caleche, which is something of a curiosity shop, decked with antiques and stuffed animals. www.restaurantcaleche.com. On the slopes don’t miss the rustic Refuge du Col de Balme.

Eat

Enter the

dragon(bo

As a new recruit to esca (the English speaking cancer association), I had heard about the PADDLEf Festival as being its BIG annual event, but never understood what all the fuss was about...

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

oat)

forCANCER Dragonboat

o having volunteered to assist, I found myself driving over the Col du Marchairuz on a cold, windy, cloudy Autumn morning, wondering why on earth I was doing this ... Surely nobody in their right mind was going to turn up in near-freezing temperatures to compete in fancy boat races on a lake at an altitude of over 1,000 metres beaten and buffeted by blustery winds? And would anyone want to watch people indulging in such advanced forms of masochism?

“can have wonderful, fulfilling lives”. This was best demonstrated by the fact that one of the dragon boat teams was the ESCA Breast Strokers comprising women who are breast cancer patients and survivors, and who also entertained us with some spectacular dancing.

My first surprise was to discover that the huge car park at L’Abbaye on the Lac de Joux was already overflowing. Thousands of people were already there. And my second surprise was to see that they were enjoying themselves in spite of the weather. It was a big family event; children and adults alike all having fun, and there were plenty of activities, in addition to dragonboat racing, to keep everyone entertained. Yet another surprise was to see that this relaxed funloving atmosphere had infected the crews of the dragonboats competing in the festival, who were clearly enjoying the experience of being together and of battling it out in the races. Many of these teams were representing prestigious corporations, and were competing with each other not only in the boat races but also in raising additional funds for esca over and above the registration fees already paid.

Well, what about the corporate supporters and teams? “This is the biggest and best international get-together in the region”, said Mark Butcher of Radio Frontier. “We are proud to be involved”. All the corporate teams I contacted - even hard-headed Swiss bankers like Credit Suisse – said that they were glad to support such a worthy cause, that participation in a dragonboat team helped to develop a corporate spirit, and - most important of all – that they had all enjoyed the experience.

So I agreed to write this article largely because I thought this was an opportunity to investigate the reasons for the collective madness that appeared to have overcome everyone present. The ESCA people whom I interviewed insisted that it was not only a huge fund-raising success—which it really is (I won’t give any figures because I will get it all wrong)—but also a success in social and human terms. The Festival, they said, was great fun, but more important was the message it gave: people touched by cancer need support, and (in the words of Patsy Allen, one of the founders and overall coordinator of the PADDLEforCANCER Dragonboat Festival)

When I interviewed a few spectators typical comments were: “Wonderful fun!”, “We come every year”, “Very impressive and professionally organized”. All very up-beat, nobody had anything negative to say, except for the weather (“but last year it was worse – it simply poured with rain, but still great fun”).

See you next year? The inescapable conclusion is therefore that the PADDLEforCANCER Dragonboat Festival is recognized by all concerned to be a great success. Why is this? The definitive answer came from Catherine Blanc, president of esca: “Because it brings people together for a common purpose, and it touches their hearts.”

The English speaking cancer association (esca) is a group of volunteers which strives to have a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer by providing emotional support, practical help and information in English.

www.cancersupport.ch www.paddleforcancer.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

promotion BODYPASS WWW.BODYPASS.CH

Body Pass is your VIP passport to the region’s finest spas and beauty salons – with a fabulous 50% first-visit discount to every partner institute. Enjoy a sugared roses massage followed by shower-mist therapy. Or indulge in a fragrant body scrub? With a Body Pass exclusive membership you’ll discover tempting treatments at the most prestigious addresses.

Geneva, neighbouring France, Jura, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Valais. Top names include the luxurious Grand Hotel Kempinski Spa, Geneva, the magnificent Puressens Spa at the Trois Couronnes Hotel, Vevey and Le Mirador Kempinski Spa, Montreux. Seeking mountain tranquillity? Then relax at the gorgeous Chalet Royalp, Villars, (Leading Small Hotels of the World).

The Body Pass mission? Luxury, calm and wellness: with exceptional partners in

Body Pass is completely independent and selects only leading beauty, sports &

wellness partners based solely on quality, harmony and professionalism. They do not pay to join - ensuring the Body Pass criteria of excellence. Hair care, laser treatments, eyelash extensions, manicures & pedicures – a whole universe to enjoy with 50% off your first visit! What better way to discover Body Pass?

MANANA T : +41 (0) 22 732 21 31 WWW.MANANA.CH RESTAURANT MAÑANA & CACTUS CLUB, RUE CHAPONNIÈRE 3, GENEVA 1201 The vibrant combination of Mañana Mexican Restaurant and Cactus Club has been a favourite in Geneva for 20 years – and it’s not hard to see why. Live music, DJs, margaritas and an authentic Mexican menu of taquitos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas will kick off a great evening with friends. Lunches are good value too, with delicious salads or

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

a Mexican-themed plat du jour. Enjoy a Mañana loyalty card and your 11th lunch is free! As well as that famous Mexican ambiance, Cactus Club is renowned for cocktails and shots. There’s late opening to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 1am Sunday to Thursday. Don’t miss the special early-evening Cactus

Time offers either - from 6pm until 9pm Tuesday to Saturday (plus Sunday & Monday evenings) – when prices on many drinks come tumbling down.... Music is key to the Cactus Club vibe, with weekend DJs, mid-week funk nights and student sounds. Diners also look forward to a typical Mexican serenade, thanks to resident musician Mariachi.

promotion BOULLARD MUSIQUE T : +41 (0)21 811 28 28 WWW.BOULLARD.COM RIOND-BOSSON 10, 1110 MORGES

Boullard Musique in Morges is the ultimate space for musicians – and the region’s leading specialist music store since 1979. With 2000m2 dedicated to instruments and an enthusiastic staff of 25, this famous Morges establishment will meet all your musical requirements with an unrivalled standard of service. Easy to reach (only 200m from the

Morges west motorway exit), Boullard Musique is the largest music store in Swiss Romande and neighbouring France, and is unique for its huge range of instruments. From a school child learning a first recorder or acoustic guitar to professional musicians needing the finest quality, Boullard Musique has 12 departments on two floors, offering

an amazing stock of premier brands. And to help guide you through your choices? A dedicated and specialist musical team. Ample parking: efficient after sales, repairs, tuning and transport. Open Tues to Fri 9am – 6pm Sat 9am – 5pm. Closed Mon. See website for details of Boullard Music School.

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY

T : +41 (0)22 959 80 00 WWW.WEBSTER.CH 1293 BELLEVUE, GENEVA Founded in 1915 in St Louis, Missouri, Webster University opened its first international campus in Geneva in 1978. Since then, it has grown to become a leader in education in English in western Switzerland. Today that reputation for excellence extends throughout the university’s global network. In the first year, at Bachelor level, Webster University provides students

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

with a general education, typical of the American liberal arts system - the signature Global Citizenship Program balances fundamental learning with applicable skills. It also prepares students to succeed in the courses around their specialization. In addition to its undergraduate curriculum, Webster University offers a range of Masters programs that are designed to

allow working professionals to attend classes in the evening on campus. See website for full course listings. Webster University prides itself on a renowned level of community integration, highlighted by free public conferences – launched 15 years ago that host guests from companies, NGOs and the media.

INSTITUT INTERNATIONAL DE LANCY T : +41 (0)22 794 26 20 Â WWW.IIL.CH With a proud tradition of educational excellence, and the latest ICTs in education, the Institut International de Lancy offers challenging and inspiring programmes in English and French, from pre-school to the International and French Baccalaureate. The English Section follows the National Curriculum of England & Wales, leading to Checkpoint and IGCSE examinations, and the IB Diploma (IB World School).

Second Language French is tailored to suit each student, leading to DELF exams. The French Section proposes the French Education Nationale programme leading to the Brevet des CollĂ¨ges and French Baccalaureate (S, ES, L). English is taught from the age of three and students enter Cambridge, Trinity and IELTS exams. IIL also offers a Bilingual programme. IIL students enjoy a wide variety of extra-curricular

activities, language courses, modern sports facilities, and after school study and supervision. Exclusive: iPad One to One programme. First iPad Orchestra in Switzerland. Pioneering this exciting initiative, IIL incorporates digital tablets into the daily schedule - creating an accessible and studious individualized learning environment.

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T : + 41 (0) 22 817 46 00 WWW.ALTITUDE-GENEVA.CH ROUTE DE L’AEROPORT 13, CP 736, CH-1215, GENEVE 15, SWITZERLAND

Enjoy the highlife at Altitude - a unique new Geneva restaurant and lounge where entertaining and events are taken to a stylish new level. Gazing from floorto-ceiling windows at the runway and a 180 degree panorama of the Jura mountains, it’s hard to keep your feet on the ground …. An exclusive concept in meeting and dining, Altitude offers a contemporary up-market ambiance and

a gourmet menu designed by Michelinstarred chefs Gilles Dupont &Thomas Byrne, with Altitude chef Fabien Legon, combining their skills and passion for flavours. Enjoy truﬄe-roasted scallops, laced with a fine potato foam; or warm escalope of Foie Gras with ecorces de citron marmalade, complemented by delicious wines. Altitude’s dynamic Geneva airport location creates an

ideal venue to host friends or clients with seven state-of-the-art conference rooms tailored to your needs. Private receptions & intimate dinners, fullysupported business seminars, lunch meetings; available 7/7, day or evening. Relaxing or networking, the Altitude experience is a glimpse of the stratosphere! Open daily 7.00 to 23.00.

ST. NOBLE - Just IT solutions VISION.STNOBLE.COM The English-speaking experts at St Noble work with international organisations, NGOs as well as small and mediumsized private companies to develop and manage dynamic IT systems, based on bringing together new and existing tools and IT platforms. The result? Efficient workflows and automated, up-to-date solutions, allowing you to focus on what’s truly important. The following are key business values for St Noble:

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Cloud Solutions: Creating better performance reliability while relieving the client from responsibility for maintaining the system. St Noble provides cost-efficient approaches to scalability and central system-access via Microsoft Office 365 or Google Apps Premier Edition for Business. SharePoint and Customised Intranets: Internal communications platforms become more streamlined and St Noble

enables your company to organise welldirected communications for greater transparency. IT Forensic Investigations: St Noble helps you pre-empt and protect your business from false accusations while promoting best business practices. IT Governance: Maintaining an overview of IT control & management, reorientating the IT adaptation of your growing organisation.

promotion BRITISH SCHOOL OF GENEVA T : +41 (0) 22 795 7510 WWW.ASC-IH.CH WWW.BRITISHSCHOOLGENEVA.CH

The highly-respected British School of Geneva offers students and parents several unique and important advantages: Small class sizes (maximum 16 pupils per class in years 1 to 11 and a maximum of 10 pupils in years 12 and 13), Value for money – fees for 2012 are CHF17,900 per annum, A small-school environment in beautiful, purpose-built premises, a single,

coherent curriculum from years 1 to 13, taught in English. The British School of Geneva does not impose bilingual programmes on students some of whom may only be in the region for a few years, although French is a key part of the curriculum. The school and its programme are ideally suited for students who may

return to the UK during their education, offering the more flexible A-Level system and not IB. Students make a free choice of subjects, with no restrictions on subject combinations. Although IB is well represented in Switzerland, A-levels are still more widely recognized worldwide for university applications and acceptance.

TUTORSPLUS

T : +41 (0)22 731 8148 WWW.TUTORSPLUS.COM 72, RUE DE LAUSANNE, 1202 GENÈVE TutorsPlus has highly qualified and experienced tutors offering support to Primary and Secondary school students, in both English and French (IB Diploma, including TOK & Extended Essay, the MYP and PYP programmes, IGCSEs, A Levels, Common Entrance, Swiss Maturité, French Baccalaureate, plus SAT, AP, GMAT, SSAT, PSAT, ISSE). A tutor from TutorsPlus will help your

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

child achieve their best, by motivating and enabling them to fulfill their potential. By creating a bespoke learning plan for each individual student, a TutorsPlus tutor will partner with schools and families to help with homework support, exam preparation, study skills, intensive revision courses or with support in transitioning between different

educational systems. TutorsPlus also have experts in dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learning challenges and provide experienced special needs assessment and tuition. See website for TutorsPlus education consultancy; professional guidance on the right choices for families arriving in Switzerland.

Your British Supermarkets in France and Switzerland. Come and shop, in a friendly English-speaking atmosphere for all your favourite foods from home, both fresh & frozen and non-food items.

Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Market & Tea Room - St. Genis 147 Rue du Mont Rond Zone de l'Allondon St. Genis-Pouilly, 01630 France

Homemade scones, soups and pies served daily and fish and chips on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12noon to 2.30pm. Full English breakfast is served from Wednesday till Saturday from 10am to 11.30am.

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Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Market Gland Av. de Mont Blanc 33, 1196, Gland, Switzerland

Jims in Gland is open from Monday to Saturday and has late night shopping on Thursday evenings. Tel: 0041 (0) 223641858

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10am to 7pm 10am to 5pm 11am to 1pm Closed

8.30am to 6pm 8.30am to 8pm 10am to 6pm Closed

Seasonal fare. Christmas

You will find crackers, puddings, cakes, mince pies, as well as all the ingredients to make your own! Turkeys will be available as from Thanksgiving till Christmas. Details on how to order your turkey can be found on the website.

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Eggs of all sizes will be on the shelves!

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on the grapevine by Simon Hardy

great wine bars to sample in the Lake Geneva region For those who like wine and want to discover more in the vast world of wine, where better to start than with a good wine bar? It’s an opportunity to try wines by the glass – new regions, old favourites, unfamiliar grape varieties, mature classics – and get great advice and recommendations. The people behind the bar invariably have a passion for wine that they are happy to share! Most wine bars constantly change their lists to keep customers interested. Apart from the staple reds, whites and rosés there’s usually a selection of sparkling, dessert and fortified wines - like Port. Whenever you find a wine you’d like to enjoy more, you can generally buy a bottle to take home or drink at the bar. In fact, many wine bars double up as retail outlets with a more interesting selection (and more accommodating opening hours, especially in the evening). Others organise regular themed tastings by region or grape variety. To add to the experience they often invite the winemakers themselves to present their wines. Frontier Magazine uncorks nine wine bars worth a visit on both sides of the border.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Qu’importe – Geneva Rue Ancienne 1, 1227 Carouge GE Tel : +41 22 342 1525 | www.quimporte.ch

ChaChaCha – Chamonix 134

Avenue

Ravanel

Rouge,

74400

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc | +33 4 5093 4774 Every day incl. public holidays 10h30-13h & 16h-21h (22h on Friday)

With products displayed on backlit shelves all around, the layout resembles a retail store as much as it does a wine bar. Here the focus is on both wines and spirits. The core of the wine selection is built around Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley alongside a good choice of Savoie and Loire Valley wines, with prices to suit every budget. The rest of the world (old and new) is broadly represented in a special corner. At the large bar in the middle you can choose from a range of 10 open wines that changes daily. Every single night the bar organises a guided tasting of six wines for a small fee. There is also a busy schedule of tastings every month when winemakers come to present their own wines. Views of the MontBlanc massif from their sunny terrace.

Mon 17h-23h | Tue-Thu 11h-01h Fri-Sat 11h-02h

A warm and inviting spot, with a long zinc bar, spacious terrace and lively atmosphere. Open for seven years already, this larger-than-average wine bar has clearly established a great reputation amongst the young professional crowd. The choice of drinks is evenly split between wines and cocktails / spirits. Around 25 wines are available by the glass while the fullbottle list offers a reasonable range from Suisse Romande, the main regions of France (including some ‘vins natures’) and a few Italian, Spanish and New World wines. The food menu proposes a wide variety of tasty bruschetta.

Midi 20 – Lausanne Rue du Midi 20, 1003 Lausanne +41 21 312 7141 | www.midi20.ch Mon 17h-22h / Tue-Sat 11h45-22h

An intimate and, by all accounts, femalefriendly space with a contemporary décor and welcoming team, led by Pierre. A dozen or so open wines are available in 5cl and 10cl measures and the full range of 120 wines is displayed in a striking wall of bottles. Swiss wines make up half the selection, while the remainder covers mainly France, Italy and Spain - with a few bottles of interest from the rest of Europe (including a Russian wine from the Black Sea region produced by Swiss growers!) and the New World. Lunches and light food items.

Cav&Art – Verbier Route de Verbier Station 100, 1936 Verbier | +41 21 566 7103 | www.vin-verbier.com Every day 10h30-13h & 16h-21h (closed exceptionally in Sept & Oct 2012)

A warm welcome from Bernard awaits everyone who enters this friendly wine bar with its chalet ambiance. He is ready to chat about wine, music, travel, life and more. You can leave the world behind in the safety of the cosy corner bar or watch it go by at the window seats. Open wines change frequently according to the mood and the bottle selection features the Valais as well as France, Spain, Italy and some nuggets from the New World. Make sure not to miss the best Parma ham on this side of the Alps. A fine selection of Champagnes is available to enjoy with the smoked salmon and caviar.

Yatus – Morges Grand-Rue 18, 1110 Morges +41 21 803 2636 | www.yatus.ch Tue 16h-22h / Wed-Fri 11h-14h & 16h-22h / Sat 10h-22h

Of the three Yatus wine bars in the region (also Lausanne & Vevey), this was the first to open seven years ago and functions as both wine shop and wine bar. Inside the narrow interior you can sit at the long bar, at small tables overlooking the street or larger ones in the rear, while the terrace faces the pedestrian zone outside. There are two-dozen open wines available by the glass or bottle and cover mainly Switzerland with a few from France and Italy. These are changed each month and include a ‘Grand Vin du Mois’, which is a chance to try something a little more special, as well as some interesting sweet wines. About 120 wines are available by the bottle to take out. Yatus runs a free membership scheme offering various benefits such as discounts and exclusive tastings.

L’Antidote – Gex 1 rue du Commerce, 01170 Gex | +33 4 5099 8437 / www-antidote-gex.fr Tue-Sat 18h-01h

This modern and inviting bar is fast becoming the destination wine bar in the region. A dozen open wines take you to both familiar and unfamiliar corners of the France. A broad selection of Bordeaux and Burgundy, which includes some very rare Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (in case you are ready to loosen your wallet), is joined by almost all the other major regions of the country. For every wine Nicolas has written a short description to help you choose and, given the chance, he is happy to guide you through the list. While there is no terrace for sitting outside, there is a separate room available for private events as well as space you can rent to store your wine collection in perfect conditions.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Charly’s Pub – St-Genis-Pouilly Place de la Fontaine, 01630 St-Genis-Pouilly +33 4 5042 1929 | Every day 08h30-01h

The sign on the door of this social hub gives no clue that a small oasis of wine awaits you in the back. Charly’s Wine Corner is the proud creation of the wine-loving twins who run the pub. The list of wines is unashamedly French but for each wine there is a story to tell. There is a well-priced range from the Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon as well as Burgundy (white) and Bordeaux (red) and some nice examples from Alsace, Savoie and the Jura. The extended opening hours are a particular plus. Given the distinct lack of wine bars in the vicinity this bar deserves more attention.

M Le Vin – Megève 45 Rue Saint-François, 74120 Megève | +33 4 5034 4149 / www.m-le-vin.fr | Mon-Sun 10h-22h (from 15/9 to 15/11 Thurs-Sun only)

Brothers Vincent and Samuel prefer to call their small bar a ‘wine lounge’ and have given it a suitably chic, salonstyle appearance. They also have a spacious terrace (heated in winter) out front, facing their up-scale wine shop. The twenty open wines are changed

at least once a week and follow the seasons, as does the food on offer. Savoie is well represented on the wine list, which features the top wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. In addition you find wines from Italy and Spain, Argentina and New Zealand and an intriguing selection from Lebanon, Morocco and Israel. In winter you can treat yourself to the finest caviar, oysters and salmon.

Le 20 sur Vins – Annecy Passage Golliardi, 74000 Annecy | +33 4 5023 5015 Tues-Sat 12h-14h & 19h-22h (from 1/7 to 31/8 evenings only)

This four year-old restaurant has recently created space for its wine bar, which features the innovative ‘enomatic’ system of serving wines by the glass. The open bottles of wine are preserved and served in a controlled environment for the perfect drink experience every time. You pour your own glass from a selection of around 50 wines in a choice of three measures. The

smallest 2cl size not only encourages you to discover more, but also makes the price per serving very accessible. The smart card you receive on arrival keeps a tally each time you use the system. The wines are arranged according to style such as ‘Les Blancs Fraîcheurs’ or ‘Les Rouges de Garde’ and, apart from France, cover Italy, Spain, Austria, Greece and South Africa. You can even try ‘Vins d’Exception’ such as 1er Cru Classé Bordeaux from vintages that go back twenty years and more. Tasty tapas menu.

fitting Wines

radio Frontier Wine Club

We provide a range of personalised wine services to help you discover and enjoy quality wines from all countries and learn more about the world of wine.

Join Radio Frontier’s Wine Club to receive exclusive boxed selections of six great wines of the world – delivered free to your door, four times per year, at unbeatable prices.

Our services are ideally suited to both international and local clients based in Switzerland and are tailor-made to your tastes, needs and budget.

Every one of our wines will surprise and delight your taste buds and is hand-picked by our resident wine expert and ‘On the Grapevine’ presenter - Simon Hardy. Each box arrives with tasting notes, drinking windows and food-pairing suggestions.

Contact us at www.fittingwines.com to receive your free ‘Personal Taste Profile’™, exclusive to Fitting Wines, for a fascinating insight into the wines that fit your tastes and match the foods you most enjoy. Simon Hardy, founder of Fitting Wines, holds the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Wines & Spirits in London. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Go to www.radiofrontier.ch to find out more about the latest selection and place your order.

TICKING ALL THE BOXES by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman & Denise Nickerson

New English-language Education Guide helps families make the right choices Choosing the path of your child’s education as an Anglophone or ex-pat is never straightforward. Younger children may thrive at the local school, appear oblivious to the language differences and enjoy having French-speaking classmates just along the street. However, relocating teenagers is a completely different ball-game. Everything about life for 12-16 year olds is complicated. Making friends, fitting in, after-school activities …it’s hard enough to get it right at home but in another country? A high school education crisis is one of the biggest factors in de-stabilizing international families. Private? Public? Bi-lingual? Switzerland? France? Supported by your employer? Going it alone? Need help? Switzerland prides itself on its pedagogical tradition – and both the public and private schools all keep the tradition to varying extents. Chalet boarding schools in the mountains where students spend half a year skiing do exist. Other private international schools feature robust campuses more akin to a UK comprehensive or US high schools. Is a Swiss public education an opportunity or a challenge? How can you make the right

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

choice for your child? Remember that seven-year-old who was happy at the village school in France? Should he or she move on to Collège or Lycée? What is the cycle d’orientation? If you don’t need guidance then you are one of the lucky ones – and it’s probably best not to rest on your laurels.

excellent language courses to bring students up to speed with their French, German, or Italian or that run bilingual or trilingual immersion programmes, “said Denise. “We also believe that exploration of the global perspectives

Knowing how important it is for parents to feel comfortable with the choice of school for their child, the popular English-language guidebook, Know-it-all passport® has launched Education Guide Switzerland. This detailed guide to the country’s educational opportunities focuses on programmes in English and has been produced by series editor Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman and education specialist Denise Nickerson. Their decision to create a complete guide came from recurring questions about education voiced by anxious parents. Lisa and Denise are excited about this first edition of Education Guide Switzerland and believe that it is the start of a new tradition of sharing valuable information about world-class pre-schools, schools, and universities all over the country with Swiss and international families and a global network of educators. “The catalogue-style of Education Guide Switzerland allows easy access to fast facts on the outer margin of each page. It is especially interesting to be able to see the tuition fees per year at the same time as how many students, faculty members, or nationalities are represented. Maybe you recognize celebrities who have been educated in Switzerland through mentions of famous alumni or the fun facts that schools can boast about. We love that there is an opportunity for each school to show their logo, photos, or the flavour of their school at the bottom of each page, should they wish to do so,” said Lisa, who designed the Guide. Local Choices - Global Perspectives Although the Guide highlights English-language education opportunities the authors are anxious to point out that they are not encouraging ex-pat families to opt out of local schooling. “The choice to highlight English-language academic opportunities was not to provide an alternative English-only lifestyle here; we believe that encounters with these places of learning will encourage multilingualism. Most of the listings in Education Guide Switzerland describe schools and universities that run

present in all of these schools will encourage more language learning - leading the Anglophones here to connect and communicate in languages other than English,” she continued. With an extensive background in university education, Denise found it useful to integrate this aspect into Education Guide Switzerland, with the aim of helping professionals who interrupt their careers in order to follow partners. They too seek new educational challenges and the Education Guide Switzerland showcases the university choices in Switzerland, again highlighting programmes available in English. “Switzerland is a diverse country with four national languages, none of them English. However, there is a community of international educators in Switzerland working in Englishspeaking and multilingual schools and universities and we hope that the guide will also serve as a connecting point for educators locally and around the world. Growth and innovation in the Swiss economy translates to growth and innovation in schools—both public and private. More and more universities abroad (notably in the US and the UK) are creating partnerships and programmes here in Switzerland that are tailor-made for the unique international population within Swiss borders,” said Denise. Each page describes a pre-school, school, university, or academic programme available in English. The authors invited the institutions to collaborate in contributing factual content— as well as including personal quotes from the individual educational communities. New schools are featured and existing schools and universities have indicated planned programmes in English. The authors have also listed schools that are close to Swiss borders in France, Germany, and Liechtenstein. For the full distribution list of where you can get your copy, visit - www.knowitall.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

mayors; one region

As Geneva joins forces with areas of Vaud and neighbouring France to create a cross-border region that’s home to almost one million people, Frontier Magazine interviewed three VIP local mayors. Will Grand Geneve throw open the frontiers to new economic opportunities for all or will it ﬂounder in a sea of border line red-tape and conﬂicting interests?

“T

he border should not be a barrier or a line beyond which certain privileges are ruled unjustified. All investments which will help improve the natural exchanges in this region are welcome”, Mayor of Lausanne Daniel Brelaz told FM recently. Alongside M. Brelaz we spoke to M. Remy Pagani, Mayor of Geneva and M. Etienne Blanc, Mayor of Divonne les Bains and member of the French National Assembly. What is the vision for Grand Genève? How will life in the border zone change for the international community? What are the priorities for sustainable development of housing and transport? “I believe a common approach to spatial planning should be a priority, based on the principles of densification of cities for housing and activities and their development along the main axes that are well-served by public transport, ” said M. Brelaz in Lausanne. “Although the city of Lausanne remains outside Grand Genève, parts of Vaud are at the heart of the project. In fact Nyon

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

could play a central role. Grand Geneve is expected to cost the Swiss government CHF1 billion in development schemes, and boosting the public transport infrastructure will be a key element,” he continued.

may be realized with new neighbourhoods of high environmental value like those that Lausanne projects north of the city.”

FM: What is the vision for a sustainable Grand Genève?

“It would be absurd for us to refer exclusively to outside projects, particularly in France, to compensate for our inability to meet demand with an adequate supply of housing. This would go against the principles of sustainable urban development and the interests of our city centres in need of dynamism, population and economic growth, “he said.

“I think this must be considered a wider Lake Geneva region, and the priorities are for transport, with emphasis given to improving rail links between Lausanne and Geneva, which also implies the improvement of these two railway junctions. The investment must be made in each of the two cities, including the metro and trams in the Lausanne area.” Mr Brelaz continued: “There are of course challenges for sustainable development in a fast-growing region that is already densely populated. We must densify existing urban areas, rehabilitate and use “cool”, ex- industrial areas - rather than continuing to disperse habitat surfaces ever wider. Finally, we must ensure that the blend of housing and activities prevents an explosion in commuting. This

FM: Will the housing crises in Lausanne and Geneva dominate the agenda?

FM: The free movement of people within the Schengen zone means more frontalier workers and more job-seekers. How will Grand Genève reconcile these issues? “Cross-border workers, who are becoming more and more qualified, compensate for a lack of local manpower. They contribute to the economic success of our region, and nothing justifies the stigma that some like to assign to them. This is a short-sighted approach, “added M Brelaz.

Good fences make good neighbours. But Grand Genève will bring down those fences and unit almost one million people in a zone marked by a Franco-Swiss boundary and a border with the EU. Some 70,000 people cross from France daily to work in Switzerland. The EU accords helped develop the Geneva economy – even the Euro-sceptics admit that much – but can this growth be sustained? The city estimates that by 2030 it will have created 100,000 additional jobs. The big question is, of course, where will these new employees live? All three mayors were in agreement that Grand Genève must facilitate this growth. With trans-border projects like the CEVA train link between Annemasse and Geneva already in the pipeline they anticipate further joint-infrastructure projects. Will Grand Genève be an opportunity for economic expansion or simply a bonanza for French property developers? Will there be an impact on the international community? Should we expect support for business and enterprise or an extra layer of bureaucracy?

FM: What do you think should be the immediate priorities for Grand Geneve? Mayor of Geneva M. Remy Pagani: “I would like to begin by underlining the importance that the city of Geneva gives to this development project, which is a vision to re-orientate the growth of our region and above all, to establish a new and positive balance so that lifestyles here are preserved, or indeed improved. I believe Grand Genève will be dynamic, efficient and unified - and that this unity will translate into a new equilibrium in the construction of accommodation on both sides of the border, and a new equilibrium in the growth of employment in both France and Switzerland.” FM: The concept of the rail link between Annemasse and Geneva CEVA is already hailed as a success. What similar initiatives would you hope to see in the context of crossborder investment? The objective of Geneva is to contain private motorized traffic to limit its impact on climate and health. This is

why we promote walking, cycling and accompanying programmes of action on determinants of transport, such as, notably, the new infrastructure enabling CEVA to set up an RER border network that will be extended in the future well beyond Geneva and Annemasse. Geneva also supports cross-border P&R car parks and development of the tram and public transport network, “continued M. Pagani, 58, who was previously Mayor of Geneva in 2009. FM: Will Grand Genève develop the French countryside in a bid to solve the housing crises in Geneva and Lausanne? “This should obviously not be the case. The balance between housing and jobs is a priority for the agglomeration project, and the city of Geneva, and it includes a determination to preserve the countryside - even if the prevailing accommodation rate today is 0.7 per job,” he continued. “The principle of a dwelling for a job has been accepted for the projects at Praille→ FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

- Acacias – Vernets, and the city will work with the means at its disposal to develop on its own territory the proportion of new housing required to meet new areas of activity, “ said M Pagani.

“In Geneva, we must find an acceptable level of housing. At cantonal level, 2,500 flats need to be placed on the market each year to support the increased population and meet the housing crisis. I am proud that Geneva city is fulfilling its part of the contract: in 2011, approximately 1,018 homes were built in the town, and more than 360 in the immediate vicinity. This corresponds to roughly one third of new construction while the area of the city covers only 6.4% of the territory. One objective of the municipal plan adopted by the State Council in 2009 provides for the production of 3,600 new dwellings in Geneva in 2020, about 360 per year. I am pleased with where we stand on this,” he continued. FM: Will closer ties with France increase the likelihood of full Swiss EU membership? “The current situation of the EU, including its economic difficulties and some of its policies, has contributed to a growing sense of mistrust from the Swiss that now appears to preclude full EU membership. However, this should not prevent us from promoting a rapprochement with the EU, either bilaterally or with a more comprehensive agreement. It will involve concessions on our part, unavoidable in the framework of negotiation, but the prospective gains are unquestionably superior. It would be wrong to play the isolation card,” added M. Pagani French mayor Etienne Blanc is a seasoned politician serving his 4th term in Divonne. He is an MP for l’Ain and chairman of the Commune des Communes, representing the towns and villages of the Pays de Gex. FM: How would you describe the unusual dynamics of Grand Genève? “We are now living in a cross-border area that accounts for nearly one million inhabitants. The growth of our territory is among the most dynamic in Europe, and its development is really exceptional. According to the World Economic Forum, Switzerland is the most competitive country in the world and Geneva combines the assets of a huge metropolis - an international airport; headquarters of numerous international organisations and NGOs; the European offices of multinational companies, industry, universities and research councils - with the quality of life that is enjoyed between lake and mountains. Indeed, Nyon is an “economic tiger”, according to a recent Credit Suisse survey!”

the agreements between the EU and Switzerland and it is said that the free circulation of people accounts for more than one third of Geneva’s GDP. However, France has suffered more from the international crises. Employment is mostly turned towards trade, tourism, services – this is what we call the ‘residential economy’. Our challenge is to get the best from the territories on both sides of the border. Indeed, France must develop its assets in terms of innovation and R & D, “continued M.Blanc. FM: What does the ex-patriot community bring to Grand Genève? “It’s an incredible opportunity. We live side by side with 130 nationalities in Divonne. This represents a great richness for the culture of our territory. In the 18th century Voltaire described the Pays de Gex as ‘a garden open on the world’. Nothing has changed!” “Are there any problems arising from this internationalism? I don’t see any – only perhaps the rapidity of our development, the speeding up of the urban phenomenon which pushes us to step up efforts to provide the services needed – housing, education etc.,” said M. Blanc. FM: What are the major challenges you see when running a border town? Should the Pays de Gex beware of becoming a housing suburb of Grand Genève? “Of course a large metropolis has classic challenges - such as developing public transport, preserving the environment/ agriculture and developing housing. Here these challenges are even more important because of the border. The access to health services is a good example. It is impossible for 30,000 Pays de Gex inhabitants to be treated in Geneva or Vaud hospitals. This must change and for several years now we have been building up cross-border public policies which are adapted to the stakes of our region,” he continued. “I think the increase in people wanting to live in this region is a positive development but it deserves to be better controlled. It needs careful management of space and a development of cross-border public transport. “We have many assets in this area of France. We have an exceptional living environment, we are close to an international airport, the international organisations etc. Thus we must take the best from this situation, particularly on the economic level,” added M Blanc.

“Today, more than one person in four working in the canton of Geneva lives in France. This movement has speeded up since Images - left: Daniel Brélaz right: Remy Pagani bottom: Etienne Blanc FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Take a couple of people with a passion for music. Let them choose all their own music tracks. Show them how a digital radio studio works. Then let them free for two hours on the airwaves. We’ve welcomed over 100 BADJs and Slipped Discs into the studio this year. We thank them all. (especially the one’s we’ve lost the photos of…) If you want to BADJ (16-21) or (if you’re a little older) Slip a Disc just contact Alvaro@radiofrontier.ch. He’ll tell you how it works (and schedule you before you know it.) That’s what we call community music programming!

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

FRONTIER NIGHTS

THERE’S MORE TO PARTYING IN SWITZERLAND THAN CHEESE AND WINE - GEORGE POWELL TAKES People often say that the most dynamic nightlife in Switzerland is in Zurich, with its big clubs, street parade and Swiss German attitude that it’s ok to have fun. Geneva and particularly Lausanne however aren’t that far behind. One thing is for sure, you can’t expect to wander through Geneva and find a banging party on every street corner, and if you do, you’d probably need to be wearing shinny shoes and have a couple of hundred francs to spend before you’re let in. Lausanne is a bit different as the city has a younger, more studenty vibe and loads more clubs, which means its nightlife tends to be pretty spot on. One thing is for sure, if you head out for a night in Geneva or Lausanne, don’t expect a night out in London or Berlin, FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

but there is no doubt that an alternative, electronic music scene is thriving in both.

Geneva

If expensive, pretentious clubs are your thing then Geneva is ideal, as the city is full of them, with the same music, overpriced drinks and smug grins. Thankfully however, there are a few places that put sound and good vibes ahead of big spending and bling. The Usine: The Usine is the undisputed heavyweight champ of Geneva’s alternative nightlife scene. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of the few places to see good DJs and bands in the city. The upstairs is called Le Zoo and has recently been decked out with a brand new sound system and fire escape. The Zoo caters for the house and techno

crowd as well as hosting the odd drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep nights. The downstairs is the KAB, which is slightly grimier and where you’ll see any half decent bands passing through the city. www.usine.ch Weetamix: Weetamix is a little off the beaten track as it’s out in the industrial part of Vernier but worth the detour for the array of international techno DJs that play at the club. Weetamix is definitely a place that puts music ahead of glam, although it does have one of the biggest disco balls in the region, guaranteed to make your head spin by the end of the night. www.weetamix.com Silencio: Silencio is in the very heart of Geneva in Paquis. The club plays good music and is one of the few places that holds big nights during the week. Not the

D Club Lausanne

Electrosanne photo : Davide Gostoli

Plonk ‘Switzerland’ into

S A LOOK AT THE REGION’S ELECTRONIC MUSIC SCENE biggest or cheapest of clubs, but it’s a place with a good resident DJ (Reas) that’s doing some interesting things, like their barge party out on Lake Geneva over the summer. www.silencio.ch

Lausanne

The advantage of going out in Lausanne is that all the city’s clubs are based around the same area, the Quartier du Flon. The place is jam packed full of students and the big nights are undoubtedly more varied and more frequent. There’s an urban myth that after Ibiza, Lausanne has the most clubs per capita in the world. D Club: D Club is all about electro, house and techno but does host the odd hip hop night as well as more “all style” evenings. Big names from the scene,

both international and local play here week in week out and the place often sells out. It’s half way between a club and a music venue with the option of getting a table and bottles or of spending your evening on the dance floor. www.dclub.ch La Ruche : La Ruche is the place to listen to techno, tech house and minimal in Lausanne. Drinks and entry are cheap and the intimate setting creates a unique vibe well worth checking out. www.la-ruche.ch The Loft: is a really fun little club that specialises in bass music, whether its drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep or pounding techno. People have fun at The Loft and even the bouncers have smiles on their faces.

www.residentadvisor.net

and see who’s playing where and when.

“

The lake Geneva region has a healthy underground music scene with a constant influx of major international acts and a number of talented local ones. Festivals like Electrosanne (Lausanne) and Electron (Geneva) are both internationally acclaimed by leading magazines and websites such as Resident Advisor and showcase the best, current international talent across many genres. The scene is healthy and there is plenty going if you are prepared to try new places and meet new people. Barry John Daly, booking agent and artist manager at Fantastic Friends. (www.fantasticfriends.ch)

“

Silencio - Geneva photo : Jean Luc Adrianasolo

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

See you on the dancefloor Geneva has loads of English and Irish pubs that are popular with the international crowd but there are some other cool bars worth checking out as well. Café Bizzare caters for a fairly young crowd (25-35), playing good hip-hop music, serving nice cocktails and shots by the meter, (try the pint of whiskey sour) Don’t be put off by the graffitied exterior, it’s a chill place with nice English speaking bar staff. (www. cafebozzare.ch 5 rue du Templebehind the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.)

For ridiculously tasty cocktails made by old school, waist coat wearing barmen, who take great pride in their trade, head over to the Atelier Cocktail Club in EauxVives. It tends to fill up so get there early. (Check them out on Facebook. 11 Rue Henri blanvalet) If you’re in the Jonction part of town then check out Ethno Bar. It’s a popular place with students and young professionals right on the water’s edge. Ethno does nice salads and table service. Expect Manu Ciao or Fela Kuti on the sound system. (www.ethnobar. ch Rue des Deux Ponts).

“There’s an urban myth that after Ibiza, Lausanne has the most clubs per capita in the world”

Top right le Zoo in Geneva photo: Samuel Huron Top left “I’m Not A JukeBox” Silencio in Geneva Photo : Jean Luc Adrianasolo Middle left l’Usine in Geneva photo: GDC Bottom left Café Bizzare in Geneva photo: GDC Bottom right Julio Bashmore at Electosanne 2012 photo: Michael Weber

LISTEN tO ‘frontier nights’ on the daily frontier every friday at 12:20. www.radiofrontier.ch

shows, sic car s la c – n ed… he regio e’ve been invit t s s o r ents ac rever w ly, whe door ev t k u n o a r g f pportin hion shows – year su is h t es, fas e oat rac ic tim b t s n ow. a o t g n a a t us kn s, dr daf n le a t io h s t c e ju u , ’v We ses, a c event kermes ur publi o y h school it join in w ke us to li ld u o If you w

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free t-shirt friday! Spot a Radio Frontier car in the region and you could win a free T-shirt every Friday.

Whenever you spot a Frontier car just email us at studio@radiofrontier.ch with ‘Frontier T-shirt’ as the subject & tell us when and where you spotted the car. Mark will announce the winner on the Butcher’s Breakfast every Friday.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

A FEW DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

WHAT’S ON

GENEVA GISELE

02.10.2012 - 07.10.2012 price : 26-139 CHF www.geneveopera.com

INTERNATIONAL FILM AND ANIMATION FESTIVAL

06.10.12 - 14.10.12 www.cinematou.ch SWAN LAKE

11.10.2012 - 14.10.2012 price : 26-139 CHF www.geneveopera.com

COURSE DE L’ESCALADE

DAS RHEINGOLD

www.escalade.ch

INTERNATIONAL CONCOURS HIPPIQUE

VERSOIX CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

TOSCA

www.chi-geneve.ch

www.versoix.ch/fdc.php

www.opera-lausanne.ch

06.12.12 - 09.12.12 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: ALLEGRIA

19.12.2012- 23.12.2012 price : 50-150 CHF www.cirquedusoleil.com

16.03.2013 - 17.03.2013

“Vitro” Stained Glass Festival

www.salondeschocolatiers.com

MARCHETON

AS YOU LIKE IT

www.marchethon.ch

www.geneveopera.com

LAUSANNE MARATHON

28.10.12

www.lausanne-marathon.com HARLEM GOSPEL SINGERS

21.12.12 price : 38 CHF

Le Sacre Du Printemps

16.02.2013 - 24.02.2013 www.geneveopera.com GOD OF CARNAGE

March 2013 price : 40CHF www.geds.ch

IVAN THE TERRIBLE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LEGENDS

23/11/12

www.rrp.ch INTERNATIONAL SUPERCROSS

30.11.12 - 01.12.12 59 -99 CHF

www.supercross-geneve.com

17.03.13 price : 25/160 CHF

NYON

26.10.12

November 2012 price : 40CHF www.geds.ch 07.11.2012 - 21.11.2012 price : 24-289 CHF

www.opera-lausanne.ch

www.vitromusee.ch

LAUSANNE

27.10.2012 - 28.10.2012

01.03.13 price : 20/80 CHF

20.04.2013 - 21.04.2013

SALON DES CHOCOLATIERS

SAMSON & DALILA

THE KING’S SINGERS

09.03.2013 - 24.03.2013 price : 24-289 CHF www.geneveopera.com

06.12.2012 price : 20 - 40 CHF

March 2013 price : 40CHF www.gaos.ch

SALON DE L’AUTOMOBILE

07.03.2013 - 17.03.2013 price : 9 -16 CHF www.salon-auto.ch

FÊTE DE NOËL

28.11.2012 - 24.12.2012 www.noel-lausanne.ch

LE VIOLON DE CUPIDON

02.01.13 price : 20/60 CHF

www.opera-lausanne.ch VIVA LA MAMMA

08.02.13 price : 20/85 CHF

www.opera-lausanne.ch

VOLLEY-BALL TOURNAMENT

06.10.12 price : Free

www.fitfungymhomme.ch FÊTE DE LA VIGNE

06.10.12 price : Free

www.fetedelavigne.ch TRADITIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - CHÉSEREX

03.11.12

www.jazz-chezerex.com LE CIRQUE DES MIRAGES

24.11.12

www.nyon-tourisme.ch ANTIQUE MARKET

25.11.2012, 30.12.2012 www.nyon-tourisme.ch

GEX MARKET

Every Saturday

www.pays-de-gex.org

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

BUT LISTEN IN EVERY WEEK FOR WHAT’S ON

PETER AND THE WOLF

04.11.12

www.saint-genis-pouilly.fr ACIS AND GALATEA

08.02.13

www.saint-genis-pouilly.fr BAROQUE CHRISTMAS

UN CASSE NOISETTE

19.01.13 price : 10-20 €

www.esplanadedulac.fr

EVIAN-LESBAINS TATTOO PASSION CONVENTION

SEA, SAX AND FUN

19.10.2012 - 21.10.2012

www.esplanadedulac.fr

LES DOIGTS DE FÉE DU LÉMAN

21.02.13 price : 15-25 €

www.eviantattoo.com

14.12.12

TCHAÏKOVSKY CONCERT

05.11.2012 - 25.11.2012

DIVONNE

www.esplanadedulac.fr

SALON DES CRÉATEURS

www.saint-genis-pouilly.fr

14.03.13 price : 15-20 €

www.ville-evian.fr

24.11.2012 - 25.11.2012 www.ville-evian.fr

RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS

18.12.12 price : 36-48€

PETIT-LANCY

SIMBAD THE SAILOR GAOS

23.11.2012 - 02.12.2012 www.gaos.ch FAUST

10.11.12 price : 12/15/17 €

www.esplanadedulac.fr CADEAU!

MONTREUX

ANNECY

FERNEY ORGAN FESTIVAL

05.10.2012 - 14.10.2012 price : Free/8/18 € www.orguedeferney.free.fr

ROLLE VOXSET (A CAPELLA)

31.01.2013 - 01.02.2013 price : 15/25/30 CHF www.theatre-rolle.ch

VERBIER INTERNATIONAL VALAIS RALLY

25.10.12 price : 40CHF

en.rockthepistes.com

LES GETS EBOUELLE CONTEST

21.03.2013 - 23.03.2013 price : €31.50 www.ebouelle-contest.com

MORGINS

MONTREUX ART GALLERY

07.11.2012 - 11.11.2012 price : 5/10 CHF www.mag-swiss.com

ROCK THE PISTES FESTIVAL

www.esplanadedulac.fr

MONTREUX CHRISTMAS

www.morgins.ch

REQUIEM

www.montreuxnoel.ch

MORGINS FESTIVAL

14.11.12 price : Free

17.11.12 price : 17/20/22 €

www.esplanadedulac.fr INTOLERRANCE

23.11.2012 - 24.11.2012 price : 8-17 € www.esplanadedulac.fr CALL ME MARIA

07.12.12 price : 15-25 €

www.esplanadedulac.fr

20.03.2013 - 24.03.2013

23.11.2012 - 24.12.2012

12/8/12

TREASURES OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

30.11.12 price : 20-60 CHF

MINIATURE SHOW

01.12.2012 - 02.12.2012

DANCE: “L’UNIVERS… L’AFRIQUE”

09.10.2012 - 10.10.2012 price : 8-18.5 €

www.mtxms.ch

www.annecy.fr

MONTREUX COMEDY FESTIVAL

ANTIQUE MARKET

www.montreuxcomedy.ch

www.annecy.fr

06.12.2012 - 10.12.2012

Final Saturday of each month

CRANSMONTANA MOMENTUM SKI FESTIVAL

14.03.2013 - 17.03.2013 www.momentumskifestival. com World Super G Championships

23.02.2013 - 24.02.2013

www.skicm-cransmontana.ch FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

WHAT’S ON

ST.GENIS

financial q&a In these economically uncertain times, it’s important to make sure that you have the right investments – whether to build a portfolio or to prepare for retirement. Here are examples of the questions we are asked most frequently at Global Eye. There are never any

brought to you by...

definitive general answers - it’s vital you seek professional advice before you make any major investment decisions. We at Global Eye will be happy to help.

I haven’t really thought about retiring until now. I’m 35 and earn 15’000 CHF per month. I have been with my company for eight years and always thought that their pension scheme would cover my retirement. However I recently looked at my pension statement and it looks like the maximum amount I will receive is 60% of my final salary. Can this be correct? – Catherine

Catherine, you are certainly not alone in asking this question. I meet clients every day who think that they can rely solely on their state or company pension schemes; unfortunately this is not always the case anymore. As we are seeing around the world pension schemes are being squeezed and squeezed; some are now even starting to prevent new participants entering their schemes. If you are currently in a scheme then the maximum amount that you can realistically expect to take home at the end of your service will be in the region of 60% (there are some exceptions to this rule). Financial analysts used to say we needed approximately 70% of our final salary to live a comfortable life in retirement, these days people live longer, are more active in later life and some analysts are saying that we require 80% or even 90% of our final salary.

Q: a:

The percentage and amount we need in retirement is very much a personal decision and one that will vary from person to person, there is no definite answer, and your figure can only be successfully reached after sitting down with a professional and working out what you will require in later years. One thing I can tell you for certain is that I am yet to sit down with anybody who has told me that they will have too much money in retirement! Seek professional advice and plan to create a pot of money for retirement, you can then invest this ‘pot’ into a low risk portfolio at the age of retirement and take a annual return from this for life, therefore creating your own personal pension plan.

I am keen to start investing however I am not sure if now is the right time as the markets are so volatile. Do you think I should wait a few years until the markets settle or is there a way I can invest now? – Ivan Ivan, it depends really upon how you wish to invest. If you are investing a lump sum of capital then you may prefer to invest that capital in a product that offers 100% capital protection, or you may wish to look at alternative investments that have no correlation to the stock market. However, there is a very interesting style of investing called Dollar Cost Averaging that can actually make volatile market conditions work for you when investing on a regular basis. I’ll briefly explain the principle to you. When the markets are depressed the unit value drops and therefore if you are investing on a

regular basis you have the ability to buy more units at that time at a lower cost. When the price rises again, you will have a larger number of units to benefit from the upturn. Like many great concepts, its beauty is in its simplicity. There are numerous regular savings vehicles available; settle on a comfortable budget, seek independent professional advice and make the unstable market conditions work for you through unit cost averaging.

Aaron Pacitti is Senior Vice President of Globaleye Europe, a leader in financial services.

www.globaleye.com FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

A comprehensive catalog of all English-language schools and academic programs KNOW-IT-ALL PASSPORT速 INTRODUCES THE 1ST EDITION OF AN

Education Guide Switzerland NS TIO ULA TS UN CO AND REG DIS NEW RULES ME NEW R HO YOU VEL RK TRA D WO AND FOO RE SU LEI CATION EDU ILY G FAM PIN TION SHOPORMA MAPS INF LUDES RKS INC MA OK BO L INDEX ERS FUL CHAPT 50

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in Geneva and a traditional bakery serving delicious bread from a wood oven. La Praille also offers great family leisure: a 26-lane bowling alley, solarium, fitness club (with heated pool), and children’s nursery. La Praille is open 7/7 (until 9pm Thursdays). Ample parking/public transport.

SIGNY CENTRE T : +41 (0) 22 363 67 00 WWW.SIGNYCENTRE.CH 300M FROM THE A1 AUTOROUTE, EXIT NYON Easy parking, great shopping and a relaxing experience – Signy Centre is all about convenience! With 50 topname stores (including a giant Coop supermarket for wonderful fresh foods), you can shop for fashions then relax with a coffee or lunch while the children play at the supervised nursery. Or why not enjoy a workout

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GENEVA WELCOME CENTER - CAGI T : +41 (0) 22 546 14 00 WWW.CAGI.CH 106, ROUTE DE FERNEY, 1208 GENEVA Since 1996, the Geneva Welcome Center (CAGI) has been contributing to strengthening and developing Geneva and Switzerland’s attractiveness and influence as an essential focus point of international cooperation. The CAGI offers practical assistance to Geneva’s international newcomers in

order to facilitate their installation and integration in the Geneva lake region The Information, Event and Newcomer Welcome Network will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Do not hesitate to visit us and regularly consult our website: www.cagi.ch

VITAM SHOPPING CENTRE T: +33 (0) 450 84 65 65 WWW.VITAM.FR 500, ROUTE DES ENVIGNES, 74160 SAINT-JULIEN-EN-GENEVOIS Located at the heart of the Vitam Centre for leisure and well-being, the Vitam Shopping Centre is the perfect place to browse and buy; to seek out original gifts or to treat yourself! More than 20 individual stores offer fashion, decoration, well-being, beauty and sport – representing more than

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

90 famous brands. And what will really set the shine on your retail therapy? A spectacular setting, restaurants and a hotel! Five minutes from Bardonnex. Free parking. TPG Bus D Bel Air – Vitam (Wed, Sat, Sun).

OUTLET AUBONNE T : +41 (0) 58 853 75 20 WWW.OUTLET-AUBONNE.CH PRÉ NEUF, 1170 AUBONNE (NEXT TO IKEA, JUST OFF THE A1). There’s free parking and easy access with public transport, (Allaman station only 3 mins walk!) Open Mon-Wed 10 am – 7pm, ThursFri 10am – 9pm, Sat 9 am to 6 pm. See website for latest news.

CENTRE COMMERCIAL ST-ANTOINE - VEVEY T : +41 (0) 21 925 76 89 WWW.ST-ANTOINE.CH AV GENERAL-GUISAN 15, VEVEY Easy to access and easy to enjoy – that’s the St Antoine Centre at Vevey. With covered parking for more than 350 cars, and both trains and buses directly in front, St Antoine is all about convenience. Thirty big names and boutiques are present – offering hair

care, beauty, fashion, home-styling, electrical, flowers and travel – as well as places to enjoy a coffee or lunch. Children love the garderie and who can resist the fresh foods and quality labels at Manor supermarket? See website for location and hours.

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OUTLET AUBONNE - A strong concept in one of the biggest commercial locations between Geneva and Lausanne. For top brands in fashion and sports, such as Lacoste, Desigual, Diesel, Levi’s, Mango, Navyboot, Boggi, Lee Wrangler, Ecko Unltd, Nike, Adidas, Puma and more – with up to 70% off all year round in more than 50 stores.

BRITISH SCHOOL OF GENEVA

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10, rue des alpes 1201 Genève

Rue Jacques-Grosselin 13 1227 Carouge

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t: +41 (0) 22 716 56 3 www.amr-geneve.ch

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BELL SCHOOL

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CHATEAU DE CHILLON

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Avenue de Chillon 21 1820 Veytaux

Musée National Suisse Château de Prangins 1197 Prangins

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t: +41 (0)22 994 88 90 www.museenationale.ch

CITY WHEELS

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16-20, rue de Lausanne 1201 Genève

World Trade Center I, Route de l’ Aeroport 10, Case postale 171, Geneve 1215

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t: +41 (0) 22 510 3456 www.citywheels.ch

t: +41 (0) 22 799 43 96 www.devere-group.com

t: +41 (0) 21 311 0053 www.dsconsulting.ch

t: +41 (0) 79 628 60 46 www.expat-renovations.com

FITTING WINES

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t: +41 (0) 22 994 01 11

t: +41 (0) 76 288 0922

www.garageberger.ch

www.personaltrainergeneva.com

the trading post

16 Voie Creuse 1202 Geneva

10, rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 1205 Genève

t: +41 (0) 22 749 1600 www.bell-school.ch

www.citywheels.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

TÉLÉ CHAMPÉRY-CROSETS

ESF MEGÈVE

RSO RED SKI ORGANIZATION

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176 Rue de la Poste MEGEVE - 74120

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LES PORTES DU MONT-BLANC

LES GETS

ESF MORZINE

TÉLÉ CHATEAU D’OEX

Sem du Jaillet 207 Route des Brons, Combloux 74920

SAGETS - Domaine skiable et de loisirs, Maison des Gets, BP28 Les Gets, 74260

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t: +41 (0) 26 924 67 94 www.telechateaudoex.ch

VERBIER SKI ACADEMY

VERBIER SPORT PLUS

VALLÉE DU TRIENT TOURISME

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Rue de Medran 7 Verbier 1936

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Place Jean Vuarnet AVORIAZ 74110

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t: +41 (0) 27 775 25 25 www.verbierbooking.ch

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ESI GRAND-MASSIF

LES CARROZ

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247 route des Moulins LES CARROZ 74300

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Ecole suisse de ski et de snowboard, Office du Tourisme La Place, Château-d’Oex, CH-1660

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t: +33 (0) 4 50 90 00 04 www.lescarroz.com

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FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

the trading post

t: +41 (0) 24 479 02 00 www.telechampery.ch

Télé-Thyon SA / Imalp Thyon SA Administration Batterie Thyon 2000 Nr° 4044 Thyon - CH - 1988 t: +41 (0) 27 281 27 27 www.thyon.ch

ECOLE DU SKI FRANCAIS DES GETS

the trading post

MORZINE AVORIAZ

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GLOBALEYE SARL

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MANANA AND CACTUS CLUB

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www.bodypass.ch

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t: +41 (0) 22 731 81 48 www.tutorsplus.com

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Route de Collex 15 CH-1293 Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland t: +41 (0) 22 959 8000 www.webster.ch

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KLEENMAT.COM Route de Champ-Colin 2C 1260 Nyon

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GOLF DE LA VIEILLE-BÂTIE: COLLEX BOSSY

HARSCH TRANSPORT

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t: +41 (0) 22 901 0415 www.satelservice.com

L’INDOOR

LE RICHEMOND

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Jardin Brunswick Rue Adhémar-Fabri 8-10 1201 Geneva

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Route de la Gare 1165 Allaman

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Just IT Solutions

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FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

the trading post

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the trading post

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CHRONOLOGICA

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FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Globaleye International Wealth Solutions

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