Instructions for alpine huts: Eating and drinking keeps

Carrying proverbial owls to Athens

When I heard about this spectacular campaign, I spontaneously shouted out loud: "What nonsense!" Because drinking water is available in abundance and, above all, in the best quality at every mountain hut. If that didn't exist, our ancestors wouldn't have built a mountain hut for people and animals, because they knew exactly what they were doing. Water has always been vital! And our clever contemporaries would never have built a new hut there. What's more, in times like these, all alpine hut landlords are obliged to have the water comprehensively tested by the authorities once a year for safety reasons. I'll tell you why the helicopter had to be called out at the end of this story.

The alpine water comes from the well in front of or next to the alpine hut, whereby the pipe is almost always fed by a spring. The well trough can be used as at least the world's best fridge, because the water is always plenty cold. But more on that later. I have also experienced guests refusing to drink water from the spring next to the hut, but enjoying the water from the tap in the hut. Only, it was the same water... If you are thinking of drinking a fine drop from other regions: bring your own! However, you can also choose those mountain huts that have a wine bar to taste and try fine wines! There's nothing wrong with high-proof drinks either, especially because you don't really need alcohol to have fun on the mountain pasture, do you?

Cook everything yourself, go out to eat, have food delivered?

As you probably know, most of the alpine huts available for rent are self-catering huts. This means that you (have to) cater for yourself in your alpine hut. However, there are of course also alpine inns where you stay in a room like in a hotel and book half board or bed and breakfast, for example. However, you have to decide what you want at the latest when you book - to work and look after yourself or to be pampered. I'm sure you can imagine that there's something to be said for both. I would therefore advise you to ask the hut landlord, or even better the farmer, in advance what the conditions are. It could also be that the alpine hut you have in mind is in a secluded location, but within walking distance of a managed alpine hut where there is a good selection of traditional dishes. That would be worth an alpine walk every evening. But it could also be that you finally want to take some time to cook on the mountain pasture, try out new creations, experience the adventure of your own culinary art, what do you know?

Planning and stocks are essentialCreate shopping lists

If you have decided to be self-sufficient when it comes to food at your alpine hut, then there is no other option but to take the right food with you to the alpine pasture to prepare your meals. This means that nothing works without a plan! Take some time to think about what and how you want to cook. The quantity of your supplies will naturally depend on the number of people. Another tip: If you're traveling with friends or two families, it might be a good idea to agree in advance who will take what with them and what they want to cook, as two kilos of salt won't really do anyone any good in the end.

But one thing is certain. Shopping from the mountain pasture every day is definitely not an option! Firstly, because it's usually quite a long way to the nearest supermarket, 10 to 15 km down the mountain road and then back up again is not uncommon, think of the fuel prices! And secondly, you would lose many hours of your valuable alpine time driving back and forth. That would be a shame. So it's better to invest a little planning time beforehand so that you can then enjoy cooking and eating in peace and quiet in the mountain hut. Especially on long winter evenings after skiing. One more thing: you don't need to cart your supplies 500 km away. There are supermarkets in all the valley villages with a large selection, BI..., SP... and so on, you know.

Let me come back to the important issue of keeping food cool. As I said, almost all mountain huts have refrigerators, electric or gas-powered. If you can use the world's best fridge mentioned above, almost everything can be stored in lockable containers. It is ideal for drinks. But please make sure that a vixen doesn't steal your milk carton at night. Yes, seriously, I've experienced this myself and even seen the thief. It's relatively easy to keep food cool in winter, a storage compartment in the cool vestibule is usually enough.

The golden tip

This comes at the end. Almost all farmers have products from their farm for sale. Eggs, milk, meat, bacon, butter, bread, etc. Most farms have an even larger selection of food to offer. Take what you need from the farm with you when you arrive. And as a rule, every farmer visits his cattle on the mountain pasture several times a week anyway and will be happy to bring you what you need. Just ask in advance, it will certainly work out. Blessed be the cell phone, you can even call from above! And now, inappropriate to the golden tip, the solution to the helicopter mission: it was the manager of an Austrian mineral water bottler who had mineral water flown to the mountain hut for his loved ones (and probably also for advertising purposes?). Well, you don't have to. You should just look forward to the moment when you can serve your loved ones the best alpine hut food thanks to your good planning.