Spring in Zillertal
For some, winter is over and spring begins in the Zillertal when the last ski lift (with the exception of the glacier lift of course) has closed. Spring starts when the owners close the hotels and a construction crane stands in front of many of them.
For us, spring begins when our meadow orchard blooms. Have you ever sat under a blossoming cherry tree, taken a deep breath, and enjoyed the sweet aroma? The cherry tree is one of those that gives strength and vital energy and has the best effect on people. Listen to the boisterous concert of the songbirds. Our spring has arrived when the early mating call of the black grouse echoes over the mountainsides that are still covered in snow. Let yourself be enchanted by the vast fields of crocuses in our alpine world. This is a time to gain strength and recharge your batteries.
Summer in Zillertal
For some, summer begins in the Zillertal when the construction cranes have disappeared from the hotels, when there is a building site every 200 meters on the roads, and when there is a folk festival around every corner. Of course, for us, summer begins in the Zillertal with the blooming of the alpine roses, which immerse all of the high valleys in a beautiful red shimmer. It is very important to tell you that you don’t need Disney Land for a successful summer vacation, even if there were one next door.
If you are able to walk and if you are successful in making full use of your senses, then you will find fulfillment that can hardly be found anywhere else in the world. Go about it properly: the winner is not the one that reaches the summit or the hut in the shortest amount of time but the one that pauses and takes it all in. Take a deep breath and take in the distinct aroma of the damp spruce forest, kneel down by the countless water sources in the prehistoric rock, take a taste of the watercress that grows there, and drink the water – this is what the mountain shares with you. Lick the mineral-rich rocks of the million year old waterfalls. Enjoy the feeling of being tired and sweaty; brave the wind, the heat, the cold: it’s wonderful to feel all of these things and know once again that you are truly alive. We are a part of nature.
Here you will find an interactive hiking map.
Summer holidays in the Zillertal
Action and pleasure holiday in one
Not without good reason does the Zillertal have a reputation as the world's most active valley.
Sports & Excursion Opportunities in Summer
- Hiking - over 200 km of marked hiking paths
- Cycling, mountain biking
- Hang- and paragliding - tandem flights for adults and children
- Canyoning, rafting, rock climbing
- Horseback riding and carriage rides
- 4 sand tennis courts, squash
- Mini golf and pit pat
Here is a little insight.
Always worth a visit
- Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens
- Strasserhäusl Museum in Laimach
- Farmhouse Museum
- Alpenzoo
- Krimml Waterfalls
- Alpine dairy
- Almabtrieb homecoming parades
- Kids' festivals
- Gold and silver mines
- Adventure pool
If you are interested, your host is available on Tuesdays to accompany you on hikes, and will be happy to show you the flora and fauna of Zillertal's alpine world. If you treat him to a beer he will share a story or two with you, and if you pay for several, you are also welcome to carry him home afterwards.
Autumn in Zillertal
Autumn begins in the Zillertal when everyone gets spruced up and the farmers start their tractors. They head up to the mountain pastures to bring the cows back down into the valley and thus celebrate the traditional cattle drive. In all honesty, the cattle drive was something special when we were children – whether it still is, I’ll leave that up to the spectator. I think that excessive commercialism can destroy the heart of the matter.
But I can guarantee that a hill country hike when the animals and people are gone, when peace and quiet have returned, and when the colorful trees cast long shadows is truly unforgettable. Of course, I have some insider tips: get a fishing day permit in the Wildgerlostal, sit down by the crystal-clear water, and catch the best trout that you have ever eaten. You can also listen to the bellow of the rutting stags all around. This is autumn.
Winter in Zillertal
You know winter is here in the Zillertal when many people suddenly have a stiff neck from wistfully looking up at the sky and pray aloud for it to finally snow. And if the prayers are not answered, they simply pray to the patron saint of the lifts to end the chamois hunting season so that winter can arrive. Then, the yearly wonder occurs – snow beings to fall throughout the valley on a starry night.
That’s actually how it is. Despite the irony between the lines, that’s what winter is like for us. No matter when you come in the winter, you can always ski. Where else in the world is this possible? You can find out how magnificent our winter can be away from the slopes from descriptions on this homepage.
Here you will find an interactive piste map.
Winter vacation in the Zillertal
The valley of unlimited possibilities
We would like to point out that just as there are two types of vacation in summer, you can also enjoy both here in winter.
For all action-seekers and party animals
Whoever has been skiing or snowboarding on vacation in the Zillertal knows that no further explanation is needed. What is offered here can hardly be found anywhere else in the world. Simply get dressed, and it doesn’t matter how, because it’s always Carnival here in winter. Take your sports equipment – whatever you want to put on your feet – buy your ticket for the Zillertal, and get going! That’s all you need to know, because everything else will fall right into your lap: state-of-the-art lifts, endless slopes, fun parks, rustic huts, and après ski until the early morning hours. At almost every valley station, you will find ski schools and equipment rentals. In order to really enjoy everything to the fullest, you should spend your skiing vacations here for the next 10 years.
Rather than going into more details since you are going to experience it for yourself anyway, it is more important that we point out the following:
Winter sports are magnificent but not danger-free. We recommend accident insurance for you and your family. This will save you a lot of hassle and ensures fast, free transport to the best medical centers in the country. Always ski with a helmet and don’t forget that outside of the marked slopes is raw, unadulterated nature. Nature can be beautiful, but it can also show its teeth and the “white death” really exists.
When it comes to winter sports, there is one quote that sums it all up: “the valley of unlimited possibilities”.
The new Möslbahn
The guests of our houses have the opportunity to take the ski bus directly and easily to the slopes.
Vacation for those who prefer to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature
When you observe the lively activity of the countless winter vacationers, it’s hard to imagine that you can be completely alone in nature in only a few minutes. A peaceful winter landscape in the middle of this fascinating alpine world is a gourmet menu for the soul. No matter whether you are out and about with a sled, snowshoes, or touring skis:
What matters is the journey not the destination – only those who are in harmony with nature can truly enjoy this. During this season, it is especially important to be considerate of the plants and animals. Even one disturbance of winter habitats can mean death, for example for chamois. No one wants this and especially those who love nature. When you do explore, stay on the trails, and you can enjoy experiences that you have otherwise only seen in movies. Head out into the side valleys of the Zillertal, but be sure to check the weather and avalanche conditions first. Take time to rest and with a little luck, maybe a golden eagle will accompany you along your way but be sure to keep a protective eye on your small dog. You will see hundred meter high ice falls and see and hear avalanches, but don’t forget that you are a part of this world now, so if you don’t have any experience, you should get a guide. Pace yourself so that you have reserves for unforeseen circumstances. Since the most recent wolf sighting was only a few kilometers away as far as the crow flies in the Stubaital, it’s not out of the question that such unexpected events might occur. We don’t have any experience with wolves, but we are otherwise available to provide information and advice so long as we are enjoying wine, beer, or schnapps while we chat.
There are a ton of bad weather programs from shopping to spa visits. Of course, you can always take a break and relax in our apartments, turn off all electronic entertainment devices, and play a board game with your children – we believe this creates a sense of closeness with each other. And if you are here with just your partner and don’t know how to spend a bad weather day in our apartments, then you have a problem. Simply ask us for suggestions or you can bring a pack of cards :).
Snowshoe hike to the Melchboden (elev. 2000)
A tour for almost all snow and weather conditions, for snowshoes, and also for touring skis.
From here, you can take the ski bus or drive your own car on the Zillertaler Höhenstraße to Hotel Roswitha or to the turnoff at the Brindlingalm. Here, the ski or snowshoe tracks are almost always visible. At first, the path leads somewhat steeply over snow-covered mountain pastures and a high forest to the Brindlingalm snack station. You can stop for a bite to eat here when you descend or when you return. After the mountain pastures, there is a long but relatively flat ascent above the tree line towards the Melchboden. After ca. 500 vertical meters, you will reach the hut, which is open only in summer. If you still have energy left and if the snow conditions allow, you can head to the summit, the Arbiskopf. The descent (return) is relatively flat and enjoyable. Up to the Melchbodenhütte, the tour is possible without risk in almost any snow and weather conditions and is a sunny, scenic jewel.
Vacation with a dog
The title alone is probably wrong. It should probably read “My vacation with a human”. This reminds us of a sketch by a comedian who said: “Imagine you come to earth as an alien and the first thing you see is a human with a dog, two totally different creatures. Then you see that one creature “poops” on the ground and the other creature carries the “poop” in a bag behind it. Which of the two individuals would you identify as the boss?
We, and all those who have ever had a dog, know that life really does depend a lot on the animal, and that's a very good thing.
