Postponed is not canceledAutumn time is mountain pasture time!
If you have school-age children, then of course my tips are only of limited use. But even then, there are fall break, Christmas break, semester break, Easter break, long weekends. Maybe something will work out for you and yours in between. Of course, I don't want to hide the fact that there are advantages and disadvantages to "special" alpine hut dates. On the one hand, there are the huts themselves, especially their location, but on the other hand there are also your wishes and preferences. Just take a look.
Let's start with the fall vacations. Of course, you won't be wearing swimming trunks on the mountain pasture. But if you've ever seen a golden autumnal alpine meadow with the burning larch trees above, the cranberries almost growing into your mouth as you blink into the warming sun high above the mist of the valleys, then you'll become a convinced autumn vacationer. Naturally, you may be surprised by a snowfall or two in late fall, and you can and must be prepared for this. An autumnal alpine hut is unbeatable when it comes to the desire for peace and quiet. Provided, however, that you like it: no bells ringing, no other hikers, no open alpine inn nearby, in other words absolute peace and quiet - and with everything from the food to the hiking tips, genuine self-catering is the order of the day.
A different kind of winter vacationHiking in a glittering winter wonderland
Even if in some years the snow doesn't really want to come in winter or you don't want to go skiing anyway, there are plenty of alpine huts where you can spend a special winter vacation. In every winter-proof alpine hut, there are wonderful opportunities to snuggle up warm and cozy, not to mention the sauna, which is also available in many places. That alone is an experience in itself. What's more, you can go on wonderful hikes from almost every mountain hut. Of course, these paths require suitable footwear. Fine boots and ski boots are not suitable. Walking with "snowshoes", now known as TUBBS, is a very special kind of fun. They are already waiting for you in many mountain huts and you can learn to walk on them very quickly. A small sledge is also often available, and a hill for the big fun can usually be found. Very important: Before you book a "ski-less" mountain hut, find out exactly what you can do there and what is available in the hut.
Total skiing - from the hut door to the piste
Ski huts are not a dime a dozen, but there are many, many of them. From a direct location on the piste in large and small ski areas to a shuttle to the ski area opposite your mountain, everything is available. It just depends on what you want or need. Think carefully about your requirements and needs, from the location of the hut to its size, accessibility and the number of people who should not only sleep in the hut, but also live comfortably there. The equipment of the hut also plays a major role. Ski huts are very popular. To avoid the above-mentioned swimming trunks problem, I can (unfortunately) only recommend this,
to book as early as possible. Because we're still on the subject of swimming trunks: If you want to drive from the 1800 m high alpine pasture to the thermal baths in the valley every day, you're in the wrong place. Honestly, I saw the very large car stuck in the deep snow on one of these trips, a giant tractor had to be deployed. It was moderately exciting for everyone involved.
Christmas is a very special time for winter huts. I think there is hardly a more atmospheric way to celebrate Christmas. In many cases, you can get your Christmas tree from the hut landlord's forest or have it brought to you, decorate it yourself or have the "Christkind" (Christ Child) do it up for you - anything is possible. Unfortunately, this is not possible in all huts, as many are not accessible in winter. But just ask.
Alpine pasture time for versatile alpine hut vacationersSun skiing at its finest
One time in the Alps that I find particularly interesting is the early spring period, around Easter. In many ski resorts, the conditions for winter sports are still quite reasonable, usually in the "sunny skiing" category, because there are no more icy periods. But perhaps the first flowers, such as snow roses or soldanellas, are already blooming around your alpine hut a little lower down. A magical contrast that you could try out. And the Easter egg hunt, either in the snow or among the flowers, is the icing on the cake.
All these special times at alpine huts require good preparation, both on your part and on the part of the hut owners. Please make sure you find out exactly how to use your chosen hut beforehand. Firstly, your hosts want you to have a great time according to your wishes and secondly, even more than in summer, every hut is different - every hut is a diva, so to speak. For example, there are huts that can only be reached by lift or skidoo in winter, but not on foot or by vehicle. And as a guest, you have to be aware of this and accept it, because you want to enjoy your alpine hut vacation at special times.
The golden tipInto the New Year on the mountain pasture!
Today it is dedicated to the so-called New Year's huts. Everyone has dreamed of spending New Year's Eve in a mountain hut! That's why they are so popular and unfortunately there aren't that many of them. I don't want to advise you to book a few years in advance, because in the meantime your circle of friends might have scattered to the four winds. But I would advise you not to give up in your search for your New Year's Eve hut and to remain persistent and flexible. Experience has shown that a suitable mountain hut can be found at the last minute, in November or even later. Why is that? Because the interested friends of the previous early booker may have evaporated, who knows for sure? In any case, it's your chance to enjoy New Year's Eve.
Notburga Samrock
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