bregenzerwald

Transcription

bregenzerwald

bregenzerwald
b rege n z e rwald
wi nte r 2011/ 12
travel guide
Bregenzerwald Tourismus
Mon – Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat, bank holidays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun: closed
wi nter 2011/2012
Impulszentrum 1135 . 6863 Egg . Vorarlberg . Austria
T +43 (0)5512 2365 . F +43 (0)5512 3010
[email protected] . www.bregenzerwald.at
Ideas and Addresses.
Your guide through the
Bregenzerwald.
how to reach vorarlberg
Munich
216 km
Friedrichshafen
62 km
Memmingen
103 km
Lake
Constance
D
Altenrhein
41 km
Zurich
140 km
CH
Bregenzerwald
Klein
walsertal
BodenseeVorarlberg
Großes
Walsertal
FL
Arlberg
Innsbruck
200 km
Alpenregion Bludenz
A
Montafon
CH
Distances to Egg in the Bregenzerwald
Photographs:
Adolf Bereuter (Cover, p. 10/20/30/50/68/78/88)
Christoph Lingg (p. 70/72/74/76/86/91)
Editor:
Dietmar Walser www.walser-image.com (p. 12)
Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH,
Helmut Tiefenthaler (p. 56/57/58/59/66)
Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg
Ludwig Berchtold (p. 90)
Manfred Felder (p. 16)
Design by:
Monika Albrecht (p. 33)
broger grafik, Andelsbuch
Marc Van Landeghem (p. 71)
Peter Mathis (p. 84/100)
Printed by:
Roswitha Natter (p. 80/94)
Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau
Rudolf Berchtel (p. 60/61/62/63/64)
Markus Trettner (p. 83)
Text by:
Archiv Au-Schoppernau Tourismus (p. 6/65)
Kinz Kommunikation
Archiv Bregenzerwald Tourismus (p. 52)
Florian Aicher (p. 6–7, 76–77, 78–79, 80–81)
Archiv Damüls Tourismus (p. 2)
Kurt Bracharz (p. 88–89)
Archiv Warth-Schröcken Tourismus (p. 67)
Archiv Gemeinde Krumbach (p. 93)
Carthography:
Archiv Gemeinde Langenegg (p. 82)
Aries Werbegrafik-Design
Archiv Gemeinde Sulzberg (p. 38)
Text and planning of hiking routes: Dr. Rudolf Berchtel
Archiv Hotel Hirschen Schwarzenberg (p. 85)
© Land Vorarlberg für Geodaten
Archiv Hotel Krone Au (p. 96)
By car
from the north
• Stuttgart-Ulm-Lindau
• or München-Memmingen-Lindau
from the west via Swiss
motorways* via Zurich-St. GallenSt. Margrethen
from the south via the routes
• Brenner motorway-Innsbruck-
Arlberg pass-Lech-Warth**
• or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal- Bregenzerwald
• or Arlberg road tunnel*-FeldkirchDornbirn-Bregenzerwald
• Como-San Bernardino-ChurSt. Margrethen*-Bregenzerwald
from the east
• Innsbruck-Arlberg pass-LechWarth**
• or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal-Bregenzerwald
Archiv Hotel Lifestyle Resort Sonne Mellau (p. 98)
Data and prices subject to change. Typographical
Archiv Hotel Schwanen Bizau (p. 92)
errors cannot be excluded. Edition August 2011
Archiv Skischule Schwarzenberg (p. 51)
www.intersky.biz
*
toll road ** closed in winter
toll sticker required by law
A toll applies to the use of Austria’s
motorways and dual carriageways.
Types of toll sticker: “corridor” toll
(border of Germany to the Hohenems
exit, close to the Swiss border),
10-day, 2-month and yearly stickers.
Information: www.asfinag.at
By train
The closest railway stations
(distances to Egg):
• Bregenz (A): 26 km
• Dornbirn (A): 20 km
• St. Margrethen (CH): 32 km
• Lindau (D): 35 km
Timetable information: www.oebb.at
Onward travel by public buses:
www.vmobil.at
By aeroplane
• Zurich (CH): several direct train
connections to Bregenz
• Friedrichshafen (D)
• Memmingen (D)
• Munich (D)
• Innsbruck (A)
Transfers from the airports to the
Bregenzerwald:
www.mytransfer.at
contents
land & lives...................................... 2
The Bregenzerwald
2
For your orientation
4
Living space
6
Snow levels
8
ski & board....................................... 9
3-valley ski pass
10
Diedamskopf Au-Schoppernau 12
Damüls-Mellau-Faschina
16
Warth-Schröcken
20
Alberschwende
24
Bödele-Schwarzenberg
25
Egg-Schetteregg
26
Hochhäderich
Hittisau-Riefensberg
27
Niedere Andelsbuch-Bezau
28
Hochlitten Riefensberg
29
Ski! Project
30
ski & freedom................................ 31
Map of the area
32
Interesting information
33
Skiing tours
34
Variation skiing
36
xc skiing......................................... 37
Nordic Sport Park 38
Au-Schoppernau
39
Bezau-Bizau-Reuthe
40
Damüls
41
Hittisau
42
Mellau-Schnepfau
43
Riefensberg-Hochhäderich
44
Schwarzenberg 45
Sibratsgfäll
46
Sulzberg
47
Warth-Schröcken
48
family tips...................................... 49
Kids’ programme
50
Day trip tips
54
active winter................................. 55
Winter hiking
56
Snow-shoe hikes
68
Horse and carriage rides
70
Dog sleigh tours
71
Tobogganing
72
Paragliding
74
culture........................................... 75
Everyday culture 76
Architecture
78
Bregenzerwald Werkraum
80
Energy experience 82
Antony Gormley: »Horizon Field« 83
Cabaret & village culture
84
Music & literature salons in hotels85
Exhibitions & museums
86
dining out...................................... 87
KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald
88
berggut – good things from
the Bregenzerwald
90
Exceptional specialties
91
well-being ..................................... 95
Health hotels
96
Wellness hotels
97
Wellness days
98
Vorarlberg
How to reach us
100
101
1
2
the bregenzerwald
The Bregenzerwald is a winter region
for the sensitive. Lively and spirited
yet peaceful and tranquil at the
same time, sure of itself and firmly
rooted in a pleasantly perceptible
way. It is part of the identity of the
Bregenzerwald locals to offer good
quality and well thought-out ideas.
Life and living
30,000 people live in the Bregenzer
wald, in 22 villages in total. The
Bregenzerwald locals have always
made sure that their living space is
carefully designed. This applies to
themselves as well as to their guests.
The villages are strikingly attractive.
The exciting combination of old and
modern wooden architecture takes
you by surprise. The mountains have
been moderately developed. The
accommodation and food are of high
quality. In the well-tended inns and
restaurants, the chefs are masters
of pepping up regional specialities, making them into magnificent
creations. Most of the produce used
comes from local farms. Even during the winter months, the village
dairy farms along the KäseStrasse
Bregenzerwald demonstrate how
milk is made into cheese. Events and
tasting sessions are features on the
cheese culture agenda. Exhibitions
and concerts allow you an insight
into the cultural goings-on.
the bregenzerwald
3
land & lives
ski & board
culture
dining out
Read on to discover the special
qualities of the Bregenzerwald as
well as ideas for your sporty, enjoyable and cultural activities.
active winter
Practical: the distances between the
skiing areas are short. The 3-valley
ski pass links all skiing areas. It is
also valid on the ski buses.
The wellness hotels offer baths,
massages and all sorts of pampering
treatments, including for day visitors.
family tips
Ski tourers and those variation
skiers who like to leave their tracks
on the unprepared slopes also
benefit from the great deal of snow.
Conditions in the Bregenzerwald are
great for both groups of people. Ski
schools offer appropriate courses,
and package deals can be booked at
Bregenzerwald Tourismus.
Hiking and more
There are plenty activities for those
whose winter enjoyment is found
away from the piste. Winter hiking
paths guide you through picturesque
landscapes to lovely viewpoints.
Cross-country ski runs follow rivers,
penetrate woods and take you across
white plateaux. If you prefer, you can
hike through the wintery valleys on
snow shoes. There are toboggan runs
aplenty. There is a diverse, varied
range of programmes on offer for
families with children.
xc skiing
Skiing and boarding
Most visitors to the Bregenzerwald
during winter come for the great
skiing. Choose between skiing areas
more appropriate for the athletic
or for family fun. Top conditions
reign: thanks to the great location
on the northern edge of the Alps, the
Bregenzerwald enjoys above-average
snowfall.
ski & freedom
View from the Damüls skiing area to the mountains of southern Vorarlberg
well-being
4
Bregenzerwald Winterpanorama 2011_neu.pdf
1
for your orientation
14.06.2011
14:25:52
Ka
Widderstein
24
2533 m
A
l
l
g
ä
u
e
r
A
l
p
e
Lechtal
Innsbruck
Reutte
n
WARTH
1495 m
Hoher Ifen
2230 m
Diedamskopf
2090 m
Hochtannberg
1676 m
SCHR
12
SCHOPPERNAU
860 m
Hirschberg
1834 m
AU
800 m
Damüls
Winterstaude
1877 m
SIBRATSGFÄLL
929 m
Niedere
1711 m
Baumgarten
1620 m
Balderschwang (D)
So
1
Hochhäderich
1566 m
SCHETTEREGG
1066 m
HITTISAU
790 m
Kojen
1300 m
Hochlitten
971 m
GROSSDORF
662 m
LINGENAU
687 m
KRUMBACH
733 m
RIEFENSBERG
781 m
Aach (D)
ANDELSBUCH
613 m
EGG
564 m
Tannerberg
MÜSELBACH
585 m
Dress
LANGENEGG
695 m
DOREN
709 m
SULZBERG
1015 m
Oberstaufen (D)
Oberreute (D)
Buch
725 m
Hirschberg
Thal
598 m
1095 m
LANGEN
657 m
Pfänder
1062 m
F
73
Scheidegg
Hohenweiler
BR
Lindau
Friedrichshafen
München
Ulm
Stuttgart
(D)
Lochau
B
o
d
for your orientation
416 m
2403 m
Braunarlspitze
Mohnenfluh
Glatthorn
Zafernhorn
2134m
2107 m
2649 m
2544 m
Hochkünzelspitze
2397 m
Saloberkopf
Lech
Portlahorn
2010 m
Faschina
1486 m
Uga
1850 m
2095 m
2006 m
Ragazer
Blanken
DAMÜLS
1431 m
Mittagspitze
Hohe Wacht
2051 m
Au
Kanisfluh
2044 m
ski & board
Körbersee
RÖCKEN
260 m
land & lives
Zitterklapfen
arhorn
5
Hochblanken
2068 m
ski & freedom
Wildgunten
1705 m
Roßstelle
1391 m
SCHNEPFAU
734 m
Hoher Freschen
2004 m
BIZAU
681 m
onderdach
1208 m
xc skiing
MELLAU
688 m
REUTHE
650 m
Hochälpelekopf
BEZAU
650 m
H
Brüggelekopf
1182 m
1463 m
BERSBUCH
612 m
Staufen
BÖDELE
1139 m
SCHWARZENBERG
700 m
slerberg
Karren
976 m
DORNBIRN
475 m
Bildstein
760 m
Fluh
30 m
Kennelbach
SCHWARZACH
438 m
REGENZ
Bre
gen
zer
ac
he
s
e
e
St. Gallen
(CH)
ein
Rh
HÖCHST
dining out
n
Feldkirch
Basel (CH)
Zürich (CH)
St. Gallen (CH)
LAUTERACH
400 m
e
Dornbirn
Süd
culture
Pfändertunnel
Dornbirn
Nord
WOLFURT
412 m
active winter
ALBERSCHWENDE
721 m
family tips
1465 m
well-being
6
living space
Travelling the Bregenzerwald always
means having to overcome dizzy
heights to start with: from Bregenz
you take the Pfänder, from the Rhine
Valley the valley side which ascends
500 m, from the north you take the
Sulzbergstock, from the east the Riedberg or Hochtannberg pass, from the
south the Furkajoch or Faschinajoch.
spectrum which, right at the start of
tourism, had travellers extolling the
“charming landscape” as an “enclosed
park” whilst at the same time shuddering at the “Siberian exile” on the wild,
upper course of the Ache. A valley area
of contrasts, borders, crossings.
Crossings
Cross-border experiences also leave
Up and over is the way to go – the most their mark on the locals – they know
how to set themselves apart from outimpressive views are from the north
side. Yet the scarce rural areas have
and the west – and a space is revealed
which, in all its diversity, is completely never been sufficient to feed the population. The locals had to get movdifferent to all that surrounds it, with
ing, cross borders, leave behind their
the Bregenzerache uniting it all. Your
homes and families. This took on
route takes you through gorges and
many different forms: the nomadic
flat hollows – wide between the hills
existence of alpine animal husbandry
of the foothills of the Alps around
Alberschwende and Lingenau, narrow (home, mountain pasture, alp →
between the mountains of the foothills page 88), or in the form of seasonal
migrant work outbound commuting
of the Alps around Andelsbuch and
Bezau, squeezed in between the alpine or even emigration (to America in the
19th century in particular). Flexibility,
peaks of the Kanisfluh, Diedams
ideas and self-help were essential to
kopf, Zitterklapfen and Widderstein
stave off poverty.
around Schnepfau, Au, Schoppernau,
The area was only sparsely populated
Warth and Schröcken. This correlates
for a long time: only plot names give
with the division into the Vorderrise to assumptions about the border
wald, Mittelwald and Hinterwald
between Celtic and Rhaeto-Romanic
(front, central and rear regions of the
cultures. It was not until the High
Bregenzerwald) – a topographical
living space
7
land & lives
ski & board
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
This culture has succeeded in maintaining its vitality. Innovation and
flexibility based on the acquired
continue today in initiatives such as
the Werkraum (→ page 80) and have
turned the Bregenzerwald into a
model European region.
family tips
Hard cheese and lace
It was during this time that the region
developed in the form you see today.
Rational, mercantile methods gained
importance in agriculture, desertedness became characteristic of the
Vorderwald to the Mittelwald, production of hard cheese grew (alpine
dairy → page 76) to such a sustainable extent that the first dairy farm
school in the Habsburg Empire was
established. The new rulers were the
cheese barons who amassed staggering wealth with the products of the
new form of agriculture, and textile
manufacturers who supplied material produced by the textiles home
industry (decoration and taste →
page 77) before the railway provided
factories in the Rhine valley with
workers after 1902. Such changes
were also accompanied by resistance – Franz Michael Felder, author
and spokesman of the revolt, is still
considered an exceptional character (Franz Michael Felder Museum →
page 86) in the valley today, and
which is why one’s own house and
home are tenaciously clung to. New
sources of income have to be continuously developed – the multitude of
manual skills is proof of this.
xc skiing
Middle Ages that Mehrerau Monastery in Bregenz encouraged the
population of the area upwards of
the Bregenzerache. From above, coming the opposite direction, you come
across a second wave of population
with the Walsers. The particle “Wald”
(forest, wood) found in many of the
names of places makes it clear how
undeveloped this settlement area was
for a long time. Naturally, the locals
gladly take advantage of this remoteness: interesting as a hunting ground
at best for the feudal rulers, extensive
autonomy was allowed to develop
which went down in literature as a
“peasants’ republic”. It ended with
the brief Bavarian occupation (1806 –
1814) as a result of the realignment of
Europe by Napoleon.
ski & freedom
Au and the Kanisfluh
8
snow levels
175.1
179.8
170.7
156.8
97.5
91.5
16.9
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
Amounts of new snow expressed in cm (snow measured in Schröcken – 1,263 m above sea level –
by the Central Institution for Meteorology and Geodynamics: www.zamg.ac.at)
What makes winter into winter?
Snow, of course! Thanks to its location on the northern edge of the
Alps, an above-average amount of
snow falls in the Bregenzerwald.
With precipitation amounting
to 2,000 mm per year (up to
3,000 mm at higher altitudes),
the Bregenzerwald is one of the
highest-precipitation regions in
Austria (average 900 mm).
For the latest snow reports, please
see: www.bregenzerwald.at/uk
Damüls, a village at an altitude of
1,400 m, even bears the title “the
world’s village most assured of
snow”. During his investigations in
2005, a journalist from Nuremberg
discovered that, thanks to their
exposed backwater position, the
villages along the northern Alps
break records in their annual
amounts of new snow. He then
compared the measurements with
those of recognised weather stations
from the past five years. The result?
Per winter, almost 10 m of new snow
falls in Damüls, which earned the
village the title “the permanently
inhabited village most assured of
snow in the world”.
In 2008 the British “Daily Mail”, in
turn, honoured Warth-Schröcken
with the title “Europe’s skiing area
most assured of snow”. The snow
readings from a whole century
formed the basis of this assessment.
The average amount of new snow in
Warth-Schröcken exceeds 11 metres
per winter.
9
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
xc skiing
active winter
The Bregenzerwald’s skiing areas have
pistes for all tastes and all levels, the most
up-to-date lifts, cosy mountain inns and
lovely lookout points. Put simply: a joy for
skiers and snowboarders!
family tips
ski & board
culture
dining out
well-being
10
3-valley ski pass
In the Warth-Schröcken skiing area
The 3-valley ski pass is valid for 29
skiing areas in the Bregenzerwald, in
the Große Walsertal, in the Lechtal,
in Balderschwang (in Allgäu) and on
the ski buses. You can choose from ski
passes for between 2.5 and 21 days,
special passes for between 2, 5 and
8 days and season passes.
These prices are valid for all those
who produce a Guest Card from any
town or village in the Bregenzerwald.
Anyone not possessing such a Guest
Card pays an additional € 4 per ski
pass.
Should the high and low seasons
overlap, a mixed price is calculated.
It is possible to extend a 3-valley pass
valid for at least 2.5 days by one day.
Group tariffs apply from 18 people.
Advance sales possible from 3 p.m.
on the day before from the cable cars
and from the information centre of
Bregenzerwald Tourismus in Egg. All
prices include smart card (except
season tickets), are in euro and
include VAT at 10%.
Season dates
low season
Start of the season by
23 December 2011
8 until 27 January 2012
4 until 23 March 2012
high season
24 December 2011 until
7 January 2012
28 January until 3 March 2012
24 March until the end of the
2012 season
Age limits
Senior ladies, born in 1952 and older
Senior men, born in 1947 and older
Youths, born in 1993 – 1995
Kids, born in 1996 – 2005
Snowman, born in 2006 or later
Ski buses included
Holders of the 3-valley ski pass can
use the public buses to reach their
chosen skiing area. In addition, ski
buses which can also be used free of
charge operate in numerous villages.
an
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8
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
10
Prices in €
* additional day immediately following the ski pass from 2.5 days
** valid for the entire season
dining out
information
3-Täler-Infocenter
Impulszentrum 1135
6863 Egg, Vorarlberg
T +43 (0)5512 2365-30
[email protected]
www.3taeler.at
culture
well-being
Facts and figures
Bregenzerwald skiing region
15 skiing areas
92 lifts, comprising
1 large cable car
4 cable cars
31 chair lifts
56 ski tows and practice lifts
272 km of prepared pistes,
comprising
98 km of blue pistes
137 km of red pistes
37 km of black pistes
active winter
19 49 55 68 81 94 104 115 125 135 145 154 161 168 175 182 187 193 198 202 206 40
93
134 family tips
34 87 97 119 143 165 184 202 220 237 255 271 284 296 308 320 330 339 349 356 362 71
163
236
xc skiing
37 94 105 129 154 178 198 218 238 256 275 292 306 320 332 345 356 366 377 384 391 76
176
255
ski & freedom
38 38 98 94 110 105 135 129 162 154 187 178 208 198 229 218 250 238 269 256 289 275 307 292 322 306 336 320 349 332 363 345 374 356 385 366 396 377 404 384 411 391 80
185
268
ski & board
VT* 2.5 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2 x 1 day**
5 x 1 day**
8 x 1 day**
11
land & lives
e
3-valley ski pass
12
diedamskopf au-schoppernau
Diedamskopf with the panoramic cable car and mountain restaurant
The skiing area of Au-Schoppernau
is located on the Diedamskopf, at an
altitude of 2,090 m above sea level.
From the mountain plateau, you
get a magnificent panorama as far
as Lake Constance and way across
the surrounding mountains. The
Diedamskopf is also well-known for
its colourful paragliding and hanggliding scene.
Night-time skiing at the
Grunholz lift in Au
The Grunholz lift is easy to reach in
Au. The ski tow opens up two lovely,
gently sloping pistes. This is one of
the few places in the Bregenzerwald
that you can ski and toboggan in the
evening under floodlight. Evening
opening times are every Wednesday
and Friday between 7 and 10 p.m. The
right-hand piste is open for skiers, the
left-hand piste for tobogganists. The
three-valley ski pass is valid on the lift.
Tip: The fit choose the 10 km-long
valley descent, with a difference
in altitude of 1,250 m!
Guest kindergarten in Didi’s kids’
adventure land
On the top floor of the mountain
station of the cable car, a kids’ adventure land 300 m² in size awaits with a
bouncy castle, crawl tunnel, balancing
boards, softball, climbing tower with
slide, a tractor station, painting and
handicrafts corner, and much more.
Kids are supervised and can spend the
whole day or a few hours playing here.
Didi’s kids’ adventure land is open
between 10 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. when
the cable car is operating, and is free
for all 3 to 8-year-old guest children
from Au-Schoppernau. C
hildren from
other villages pay € 1.50 per hour.
Lunch is also available upon request.
There is a parent/child area for children up to 3 years of age. Admission
is free.
Panoramic mountain
As the highest point in Bregenzerwald, Diedamskopf is well known
as a panoramic mountain. With the
breath-taking view it offers of over
300 peaks, Lake Constance and, on
good days even as far as Ulm Cathedral, Diedamskopf delights the young
and the old alike.
well-being
après ski
Schoppernau: Ski Inn
Au: Ur-Alp restaurant
dining out
Tip: a part of Antony Gormley’s
landscape installation can be seen
on Diedamskopf. → page 83
culture
day ticket (high season)
Adult: € 37
Child: € 21.50
active winter
ski rental
• Sport Gorbach, Au
T +43 (0)5515 4141-1
www.gorbach.at
• Sport Fuchs, Au
T +43 (0)5515 2315
www.sportfuchs.com
• Sport Matt, Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 4120
www.matt.at
family tips
ski school & children’s ski
school
Au-Schoppernau snow sports school
T +43 (0)5515 2133 or
+43 (0)664 1349318
www.au-schoppernau.at/
schneesportschule
xc skiing
information
Diedamskopf cable cars
Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 4110-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5515 4110-99
www.diedamskopf.at
www.facebook.at/diedamskopf
ski & freedom
pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 40 km
of which:
13 km are blue pistes
11 km are red pistes
7 km are black pistes
9 km of ski trails
ski & board
Diedamspark & Freeriding
Diedamspark is the biggest park in
the region. There is a “line” for all
freestyle fans – for beginners and
professionals alike. The Easy line
provides various boxes and rails,
the 3 Kicker Combo medium or pro
is perfect for lovers of dizzy heights.
Loungers and a pleasant sound in
the chill area invite you to hang
out. In addition to steep shoots and
gap jumps, Diedamskopf offers any
amount of first-class spots for powder kickers. The runs in the hollow
on the Krüzlelift are a classic. The terrain is fairly steep: and that is why it
is imperative to always obey the avalanche warning levels!
www.diedamspark.at
www.facebook.at/diedamskopf
lifts and cable cars
2 cable cars
2 chair lifts
4 ski tows
land & lives
Innovative and child-friendly:
the snow sports school
The Au-Schoppernau snow sports
school was awarded the innovation
prize by Vorarlberg Tourismus in
2006. Kids playfully take their first
steps on skis in “Didiland”. There are
three moving walkways, a carousel,
shuggy boats, a snow igloo, a tent
and a lot more. The ski courses for
older children include an adventure
and safety programme with a BBQ in
the tepee, snow-rafting on a skidoo,
abseiling and jumping on the bungee
trampoline. The snow sports school’s
safety camps inform children about
everything they need to know regarding “safety in snow sports”.
13
14
15
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
16
damüls-mellau-faschina
The Ragaz six-seater cable car in the Damüls-Mellau skiing association
Upon completion of the six-seater
cable car on Ragaz Blanken, the largest skiing area in Bregenzerwald has a
further attraction.
Damüls-Mellau skiing area with
109 km of pistes
Since the winter before last, the cable
car and a ski tunnel 120 m in length
have been connecting the skiing
areas of Mellau and Damüls. A stunning panorama and infinite skiing
areas await you around the centrally
located Mittagspitze. The new sixseater Ragaz cable car, with its seat
heating and bubble, comfortably
takes you up to the highest point of
the extensive skiing area, i.e. to an
altitude of 2,020 m.
The skiing area full of snow
and ideas – for everyone
The natural conditions which reign in
Damüls and Mellau mean that they
perfectly complement each other.
Sunny south slopes, top piste conditions right through to spring on the
north slopes – and snow in abundance! With around 10 m of new
snow per winter, Damüls has been
the proud bearer of the title “the
permanently inhabited village most
assured of snow in the world” since
2005. In the old, picturesque Walser
village of Damüls, most hotels and
guest houses are situated directly
next to the slopes. Skiers just have to
leave the front door to start enjoying
the skiing fun. A slope even passes
the village church, worth seeing for
its cultural history. The Damüls-Mellau skiing area is equipped with the
latest snow-making equipment to
ensure limitless fun on the pistes.
Burton Snowpark in Damüls
Supervision and park management
are the responsibility of Alton Skatehouse. A dedicated crew ensures
that everything is in good order. The
varied equipment includes diverse
rails, tables, boxes (including straight
rail, picnic table, skate box, curve
box, Funny Rainbow, All Mountain
Line, handrail on the staircase). There
is also a chill-out area.
www.snowparkdamuels.com
17
Here’s to the little heroes of the pistes
The ski schools in Damüls and Mellau are dedicated to the well-being of
their little guests. Ambitious kids’ ski
instructors and entertaining agendas
guarantee the best possible success
rates.
ski school & children’s ski school
• Damüls ski school
T +43 (0)5510 295
www.skischule-damuels.at
• Mellau ski and snowboard school
T +43 (0)5518 2222-24
www.skischule-mellau.at
land & lives
the ski schools’ offers include:
• supervision of toddlers, including
on Saturdays and Sundays
• children’s skiing courses including
lunchtime supervision
• snowmobile rides
• kids’ paradise in Damüls and in
Mellau
• adult skiing courses for all levels
of proficiency
ski rental
• Madlener Sport, Damüls
T +43 (0)5510 391
www.sport-madlener.at
• manis rent sport center, Damüls
T +43 (0)699 12109630
www.manis-center.at
• Sport Broger, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2240
www.sportbroger.at
• Sport Natter, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2262
www.sportnatter.com
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
Bergbahnen Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2222
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5518 2222-23
www.bergbahnenmellau.com
In 2010, the Damüls-Mellau
skiing area was acknowledged by
the ADAC ski guide as the “Top
Skiing Area 2010” in the category
“Upcomer of the Year”. With
this, the ADAC is honouring the
outstanding endeavours made
by the area to attract skiers and
winter tourists.
family tips
information
Damüls cable cars
T +43 (0)5510 600
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5510 600-14
www.seilbahnendamuels.at
après ski
Damüls:
s’Scharfe Eck, s’Damülser Après Ski,
Alpenkluft, Schwartenstadl, Kiosk Uga,
HeHo Hütte, Heikes Schirmbar
Mellau:
Kanis Stadl Sandro, Herwigs Kiosk,
s’Bärle, Bärenhöhle, Weinstadl,
Metzgerstüble
xc skiing
pistes
of which:
21 km of ski trails
Adult: € 42.50
Child: € 23.50
ski & freedom
2 cable cars
14 chair lifts
4 ski tows
4 practice lifts
1 rope tow
6 moving walkways
ski & board
18
Tip: afternoon of fun and sports
Discover the Mellau-Damüls skiing area in the company of ski and
snowboard instructors – by snow blades, sledski, Skifox skiing glider
and airboards.
Meeting point: 1 p.m. at the office of Mellau ski school, valley station of
Mellau cable car
Date: 19 December 2011 – 15 April 2012 daily upon request
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Price per person: from € 38 per person, including fun sports equipment,
excluding ski pass, minimum number of participants is 3, otherwise
subject to a surcharge.
information & registration
Mellau ski and snowboard school
T +43 (0)5518 2222-24
19
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
dining out
well-being
Damüls ski school
T +43 (0)5510 295
www.skischule-damuels.at
culture
Tip: Bunny’s snowmobile rides for children
A very special experience for the kids. Sorry, but this is for kids only! Dash
through the snow on child-friendly snowmobiles.
Meeting point: 10.30 a.m. on the practice terrain of Damüls ski school
(close to Sunnegg valley station)
Date: every Wednesday between 3 December 2011 and 15 April 2012
Price per ride: € 1
20
warth-schröcken
View of Warth
The alpine Walser villages of Warth
and Schröcken with their skiing area
located at between 1,500 and 2,050 m
above sea level are assured of snow.
In November 2008, Daily Mail Ski &
Snowboard crowned the skiing area
Europe’s No. 1 spot for its amount of
snow. On average, over 11 metres of
new snow fall here per year. Thanks
to the many northern slopes, skiing is
possible well into the spring.
Bregenzerwald Tourismus and
Warth-Schröcken Tourismus
offer package deals for variation
skiers and ski tourers wishing to
undertake safe, guided tours. This
includes information about the
right equipment, training in risk
management and in the correct
conduct away from the secured
pistes and, naturally, extensive skiing training on the open terrain.
Skiing off piste
Warth-Schröcken is also famous for
its many off-piste skiing options.
Numerous skiing tours and variation
tours start in Warth-Schröcken, for
example. SAAC avalanche and safety
camps are offered to skiers and
snowboarders on certain dates.
www.saac.at
Salober Snow Park
Salober Snow Park with its numerous
obstacles, Easy Park for children and
beginners, Main Park and unique
Natural Park is located on the route
covered by the Sonnencruiser fourseater chair lift.
www.saloberpark.at
Racing fever
There are several options for groups
and individuals alike to test their
skiing speed. The Sonnencruiser has
a 650-metre long, permanently prepared giant slalom racetrack with
high-tech time-keeping. Next to the
Kuchl lift is the cordoned-off, secured
high-speed course for everyone.
active winter
culture
well-being
Tip: a part of Antony Gormley’s
landscape installation can be
seen in the Warth-Schröcken skiing area. The figures are installed
at an altitude of 2,039 m right
next to the mountain stations
of the Wartherhorn and Karhorn
cable cars and of the Saloberjet.
→ page 83
dining out
Ski lifts Schröcken Strolz GmbH
T +43 (0)5583 4259-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5583 2255
www.warth-schroecken.at
après ski
Schröcken:
Holzschopf, Café Bar Bistro Ritters,
S1-Salober
Warth:
Best Of – Pub, Sennkuchi, Steffisalp –
skiing hut and umbrella bar,
S’Finale – Wartherhof
family tips
information
Ski lifts Warth GmbH & Co
T +43 (0)5583 3601-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5583 3601-11
www.warth-schroecken.at
Adult: € 41
Child: € 22
xc skiing
pistes
Length of the slopes: 66 km,
of which:
10 km of ski trails
ski rental
• Sport Schneller, Schröcken
T +43 (0)5519 201
www.sportschneller.at
• Sport Jug, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 39827 or
T +43 (0)664 5559910
www.sport-jug.at
• Sport Knitel, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3612
www.sport-center-hotel-garni.at
ski & freedom
11 chair lifts
4 ski tows
• Snow sports school
Schröcken-Hochkrumbach
T +43 (0)5583 400-45
www.ski-schroecken.at
• Ski and snowboard school Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3443
www.skischule-warth.at
ski & board
Playtime in the snow
Kids have fun learning to ski in
Pauli’s kids’ world next to the
Kitzeliftle. They glide past fairytale
figures and take the magic carpet to
the top. A children’s skiing competition is held every Friday, f ollowed
by a presentation ceremony. The
fairyland next to the Salober v
alley
station, with ski jump, obstacle
course, practice lifts and magic carpet
are perfect for our youngest skiers.
21
land & lives
This is just the job for those wishing to attain their best speeds and
test their limits. The best time to
date is 94 km/h! Incidentally, ideal
racing tracks for training and racing
events are also to be found next to
the Wartherhorn and the Salober
lifts. Please contact the cable car
information office for details.
warth-schröcken
22
warth-schröcken
Tip: child care for toddlers
From the 2011-12 winter season, Warth ski school is offering child care for
children from 2 years of age in the new ski school building.
Place: Warth
Meeting point: Warth ski school
Date: 9 December 2011 until 15 April 2012
Length: half-days, full days, hourly
Price per person: available upon request
Warth ski and snowboard school
T +43 (0)5583 3443
www.skischule-warth.at
23
warth-schröcken
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
24
alberschwende
ALBERSCHWENDE
Ortszentrum, Bank, Arzt, Tourismusbüro
BRÜGGELEKOPF
Sessellift und Schlepplifte, Skischule
INTERSPORT SPETTEL
LANGLAUFLOIPE
BRÜGGELEKOPF TALSTATION
ALPENGASTHOF BRÜGGELE
IMBISSTUBE BERCHTOLDSHÖHE
TANNERBERGSTÜBLE
TANNERSTÜBLE
DRESSLERSTÜBLE
SESSELLIFT BRÜGGELEKOPF
SCHLEPPLIFT SOHMSBERG
ZIPFELLIFT
HÖHENLIFT
TANNERBERGLIFT
TANNERBERG-BABYLIFT
DRESSLERBERGLIFT
BÜHLERBERG-ABFAHRT
GREBAN-ABFAHRT
RUNDFAHRT
TANNERBERG
DRESSLERBERG
SOHMSBERG
RODELROUTE LORENA
RODELBAHN ZIPFELLIFT
1 chair lift
6 ski tows
pistes
Length of the slopes: 18 km
of which:
information
Ski lifts Alberschwende
T +43 (0)5579 4233
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5579 4323 or
T +43 (0)5579 4233
www.alberschwende.at
www.lift.alberschwende.net
Tip: This is the ideal skiing area
for beginners and families with
small children. Also interesting:
• Toboggan run at both the chair
lift and at the platter lift
• Night-time skiing on the
Tannerberg, Mon – Fri 7.30
to 10 p.m.
• 4 January 2012 at 1.30 p.m.:
children‘s meeting at the Zipfel
lift – fun and games in the snow
for the whole family
Skiing and snowboarding school
Alberschwende
T +43 (0)664 5835367
ski rental
Sport Spettel, Alberschwende
T +43 (0)5579 4241
www.spettel.at
Adult: € 25
Child: € 13.50
bödele-schwarzenberg
25
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
Adult: € 27.80
Child: € 15.30
dining out
well-being
Wind-sheltered skiing area for
families and amateur skiers, with
a view of Lake Constance.
culture
après ski
ski school & children’s ski school Wälderpub, Meierei
• Ski school Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)664 2214075
www.skischule-schwarzenberg.at
• Ski school Bödele
T +43 (0)5512 3679
www.skischule-boedele.at
active winter
information
Tourist office Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 3570
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5572 7321
www.boedele.info
family tips
pistes
of which:
ski rental
• Bergsport Fink, Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 2918
www.bergfink.at
• Skishop Bödele
Berghof Fetz
T +43 (0)5512 3679
www.skischule-boedele.at
• Skifit Bödele
Hochälpele ski lift, valley station
T +43 (0)5512 26807
www.skifit.at
xc skiing
1 chair lift
8 ski tows
1 connecting lift
26
egg-schetteregg
Abf
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
5
9
9
10
8
6
10
4
U
H
7
11
11
8
2
1
S Sk
Re
Be
U Bu
3
Fah
G
Skipisten:
= leicht
Kin
Üb
Üb
Ko
ob
Bro
Bro
Ses
Gü
Fuc
Litt
We
Fun
Par
h Be
h Be
be
= mittelschwer
1 chair lift
5 ski tows
= schwierig
Wanderwege:
pistes
of which:
5 km are red pistes
information
Egger lift company
T +43 (0)5512 4750
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5512 4750-13
www.schetteregg.at
kleiner Wanderweg
Startpunkt großer Wanderweg
schetti’s kids’ paradise
Magic carpets and a ski carousel in
the kids’ paradise can be used free of
charge by all visitors. Young guests
have enough to do in the breaks in
Schettiland with its igloo, climbing
hill and a tubing run.
school
Ski school Schetteregg
T +43 (0)5512 4750-20 or
T +43 (0)650 4266737
www.schi-schule.at
ski rental
Sport Waldner
T +43 (0)5512 4750-21
www.sportwaldner.at
Tip: Schetti’s car puzzle rally shortens the journey, and increases the
anticipation. At the start of the
journey to the skiing area, children
pick up a brochure which explains
the history of Schetti fox and which
contains puzzles. On their way to
the skiing area, the children find
the answers to the puzzles at the
stations along the route. A surprise
awaits them in Skiland.
Adult: € 28
Child: € 15
après ski
Jokler inn
hochhäderich hittisau-riefensberg
27
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
Adult: € 25.50
Child: € 18
après ski
Umbrella bar at the valley station
well-being
Tip: Almhotel right next to the
piste with new family apartments, swimming pool and wellness area. Ideal for families with
small children.
dining out
• Snow sports school Hochhäderich
Timm Stade
T +43 (0)5513 8254-171
www.skischule-stade.de
culture
• Ski and snowboard school HittisauSibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)664 2143723
www.ski-snowboard-schule.at
active winter
information
Alpenarena Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5513 8254-51
www.alpenarena.com
family tips
pistes
of which:
3 km are red pistes
ski rental
• Jakobs Skishop, Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61
www.alpenarena.com
• Sport Spettel, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6341
www.spettel.at
• Sport Gotthard, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2260
www.sport-gotthard.com
xc skiing
1 chair lift
4 ski tows
28
niedere andelsbuch-bezau
1 large cable car
2 chair lifts
4 ski tows
1 practice lift
pistes
of which:
9 km are red pistes
information
Andelsbuch cable cars
T +43 (0)5512 2540
Snow hotline: T + 43 (0)5512 2540
www.bergbahnen-andelsbuch.at
ski rental
• Sport Dorner, Andelsbuch
T +43 (0)5512 2482
www.schneeprofi.at
• Bergsport Leitner, Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 31441
www.alpinsports.com
Adult: € 27.80
Child: € 16.10
après ski
E-Werk, Mooser Stüble, s’piano in
Gasthof Löwen
Bezau cable car
T +43 (0)5514 2254
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5514 2254
www.seilbahn-bezau.at
school
Ski school Andelsbuch
T +43 (0)5512 2540
Information: Andelsbuch cable cars
Tip: NEW: Bezau cable car, an
aerial tramway with a stop at
Sonderdach. This enables the
transport of 360 people per
hour. Plus: new panorama restaurant, seats approx. 150, in
Baumgarten mountain station.
hochlitten riefensberg
29
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
active winter
information
Ski lifts Hochlitten
T +43 (0)5513 8312 -2
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5513 8239
www.skilifte-hochlitten.com
Adult: € 22.50
Child: € 15
family tips
pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 4.4 km
of which:
4.4 km are blue pistes
Ski and snowboard school
Hittisau-Sibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)664 2143723
www.ski-snowboard-schule.at
xc skiing
4 ski tows
culture
dining out
well-being
Tip: Located away from the
hustle and bustle of large skiing
areas. Small yet exquisite skiing
area, ideal for families with small
children.
30
ski!project – skiing courses & coaching
Check out www.skiprojekt.at/Methoden to see what this is all about!
Management: Michael Widmer-
Willam
He is a passionate skier, dance and
performance artist and, as a ski
instructor, enjoys trying out new skiing techniques and movements. In his
The ski! project offers innovative skicourses, his many years’ experience
ing courses and workshops held in
conjunction with the Au-Schoppernau in teaching skiing and his knowledge
about the body and movement are
snow sports school. In these skiing
combined with the lightness of dance.
workshops, you develop a dynamic,
Offers: intensive skiing courses for all
energy-saving skiing technique that
levels, deep snow courses, skiing tours,
is kind to you joints – according to
your own individual needs. By means freeride courses, courses for returnees
following extended absences, injuries
of simple, playful movements, complex sequences of movement needed or physical weaknesses.
Services:
for carving or skiing in deep snow
•6-lesson course
are learned and optimised. The very
special way of working and the struc- •constant video analysis
•individualised skiing model
ture of the workshops enable you to
•long-term, individual development
improve your skiing in a quick, susplanning
tainable manner.
•equipment consultancy
•cultural trips to the region (optional)
Please note:
The courses are held on specified
information & reservation
dates. Booking is required. You
ski!Projekt
can only start on the first day
T +43 (0)680 2356354
of the course. Detailed informawww.skiprojekt.at
tion is available on the website:
www.skiprojekt.at and in the programme brochure.
SWAYING AND FLOATING – on the
piste, through scattered powder snow
or after an injury – this is the model
for these skiing courses.
31
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
xc skiing
active winter
The conditions for off-piste skiing are perfect
since there is so much snow about. Skiing tours
and – the more leisurely version – variation
skiing are enjoying increasing popularity.
family tips
ski & freedom
culture
dining out
well-being
32
map of the area
5
4
9
3
8
14
13
7
1
2
10
11 12
6
Skiing tours for beginners
1: Brendler Lug (1,767 m)
2: Portlahorn (2,010 m)
3: Hirschberg (1,500 m)
4: Hochälpele Kopf (1,464 m)
5: Feuerstätterkopf (1,645 m)
Skiing tours for the advanced
6: Juppenspitze (2,412 m)
7: Üntschenspitze (2,135 m)
8: Kanisfluh (2,044 m)
9: Winterstaude (1,877 m)
10: Hochkünzelspitze (2,397 m)
Routes for variation skiing
11: Klemm via Salober
12: Bockbachtaltour
13: Around Hohen Ifen
14: Hochblanken
Recommended reading:
„Skitourenführer Bregenzerwald
inkl. Großes Walsertal und
Lechquellengebirge“ by A. Kempf/
R. Kempf published by Panico
Alpinverlag (in German only)
interesting information
33
land & lives
ski & board
emergency telephone numbers
(free of charge)
• 112 European emergency number
• 140 alpine emergencies, Austria
active winter
culture
dining out
Respect your boundaries
However, anyone out and about
enjoying the countryside needs to
keep in mind that it is also a very
sensitive habitat for plants and
animals which is worth protecting.
Please don’t take any short-cuts
through forest paths, since they
are often used by wild game as a
refuge. Moreover, the edges of skis
and snowboards can easily damage
the young forest. Observe the no-go
hunting areas and, if necessary,
choose a different tour destination.
It is with this in mind that we also
appeal to you to respect preservation and conservation areas and to
observe any restrictions.
family tips
vorarlberg avalanche
warning service
• www.vorarlberg.at/lawine
• T +43 (0)5522 1588
xc skiing
well-being
Safety tips for off-piste skiing
Please note that you are skiing at
your own risk! This brochure only
contains suggested routes.
• Off-piste skiing is fun when
you master the technique. The
Bregenzerwald ski schools offer
courses to this end.
• It is essential to carefully plan a
skiing tour. Base your planning on
maps, and make sure you listen to
the avalanche warning service and
the weather report.
• The correct equipment and clothing are essential safety factors.
• Anyone skiing off piste needs
avalanche equipment (avalanche
search equipment, probe, avalanche shovel, First Aid kit) and
also needs to know how to use such
equipment!
• Never set off too late. In winter, it
starts getting dark at 4.30 p.m.
• Never set off if it is snowing/foggy.
• The skiing and mountain guides
are familiar with the place and
terrain and ensure that you safely
reach your destination – and
back home.
ski & freedom
Annalperjoch ascent
34
skiing tours
The Bregenzerwald is famous for its
wide range of enjoyable skiing tours,
comprising the very gentle through
to the more arduous. Following an
ascent taking 2 to 5 hours on crosscountry skis and skins, swing down
the magnificent slopes off the prepared pistes and down into the v
alley.
You can rent the appropriate equipment such as skis and avalanche
search equipment from the local ski
rental shops.
At the following pages we present 10
recommended tours. We recommend
that you only embark on these tours
in the company of the ski schools’
mountain and skiing guides, or that
you reserve one of our package deals.
This way, you’ll safely reach the loveliest places, and receive valuable tips
on the way.
Package deals on offer
Take your pick from our selection of
package deals for ski tourers. Package
deals for beginners and advanced
ski tourers alike are presented on
www.bregenzerwald.at, which is also
the address for making reservations.
Skiing tour events:
Hahnenköpfle race
Date: presumably end of
February/start of March 2012
www.fcbizau.at
Diedams Extreme
Date: 9 April 2012
www.diedamsextrem.at
Skiing tours for beginners
1: brendler lug (1,767 m)
The gentle, classic skiing tour close
to Au, with north-facing slopes and
glades is most fun in the powder
snow/new snow.
Difference in altitude: 950 m
Starting point: car park of Au’s
village hall
2: portlahorn (2,010 m)
The straightforward panorama tour
across the Damüls skiing area is
extremely popular.
Starting point: Jägerstüble inn on
the road between Oberdamüls and
Furkajoch
3: hirschberg (1,500 m)
This tour takes you through
fantastic skiing terrain in an area
formerly home to pistes.
Starting point: valley station of the
Hirschberg cable car
4: hochälpelekopf (1,464 m)
This area is recommended particularly for beginners or those wishing
to enjoy a short afternoon tour.
Starting point: Gmeind, part of the
village of Schwarzenberg
5: feuerstätterkopf (1,645 m)
This lovely, popular tour takes you
across gentle ski slopes, without any
flat spots.
Starting point: from Sibratsgfäll,
Alpenrose inn
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
information
ski!Projekt
T +43 (0)680 2356354
www.skiprojekt.at
family tips
10: hochkünzelspitze (2,397 m)
The Hochkünzelspite offers the
experienced ski tourer magnificent
runs in an alpine setting.
Difference in altitude: 1,300 m
Starting point: Schröcken, Landsteg bus stop, approx. 2 km to Bad
Hopfreben
xc skiing
9: winterstaude (1,877 m)
It is close to Egg that the most-used
route is located: despite its steep
grassy slopes, it is used astoundingly
frequently.
Starting point: Egg-Schetteregg, lift
car park
ski & freedom
8: kanisfluh (2,044 m)
Dominating the entire Bregenzerwald, the mighty Kanisfluh – with
its steep north side sloping over
1,200 m – takes you by surprise with
an outstandingly lovely skiing tour on
its south side.
Starting point: from Au, in
the direction of Damüls, across the
Argenbach bridge (car park)
ski!project skiing tours
Skiing in the deep powder snow and
going on skiing tours are fascinating activities. However, problems
frequently come up from a lack of
regard for safe skiing, skiing which
doesn’t conserve one’s own energy
or simply a lack of self-confidence.
The ski!project offers a programme
for exactly these needs, ensuring that
your first swings out on the open terrain are free of fear and stress. The
course instructors ensure a relaxed
atmosphere within the group. You
have all the time in the world for
yourself, to admire the snowy mountain landscape, and determine your
own speed for ascents and descents.
Management: Michael Widmer-Willam is a ski instructor and dance and
performance artist. He combines his
many years’ experience in teaching
skiing and his knowledge about the
body and movement with the lightness of dance. Michael Priesner is a
state-certified skiing and mountain
guide, as well as instructor of the
Feldenkrais method.
Offers: Deep snow workshops for
beginners and advanced skiers, skiing tours combined with Feldenkrais units, skiing tours for returnees (following injuries or extended
absences). Cooperation partner is the
Au-Schoppernau snow sports school.
Please note: the courses are held on
specified dates. Booking is essential.
You can only start on the first day of
the course. Detailed information is
available on the website:
www.skiprojekt.at and in the
programme brochure.
ski & board
7: üntschenspitze (2,135 m)
This tour, which covers lovely slopes
to the south west and the north east,
is hidden away on Schoppernau’s
impressive very own mountain.
Starting point: Schoppernau, Bad
Hopfreben inn
35
land & lives
Skiing tours for the advanced
6: juppenspitze (2,412 m)
This skiing tour has perfectly inclined
and sunny slopes at higher altitudes.
Starting point: at Mohnenfluh hotel
in Schröcken
skiing tours
36
variation skiing
Variation skiing is the leisurely,
enjoyable form of skiing off piste.
Most ascents are taken by lift, and
then you ski off piste.
Here are four recommended routes.
For reasons of safety and orientation, we recommend that you only
embark on these tours in the company of the ski schools’ mountain
and skiing guides.
Hike & Ride
Hire a trained guide to experience
the best variants and to receive tips
on the correct way to perform outdoors. Under the professional guidance of the local ski schools in WarthSchröcken, you get the best views
of the back country of the Hochtannberg and Arlberg region. The Hike
& Ride offer is available for 4 or 7
days on specific dates, and includes
accommodation, the ski pass and the
course.
dates, information & booking
[email protected]
www.warth-schroecken.com
Tip: skiing safari
The combination of skiing tours
and variation skiing plus familiarisation with three different regions
(the Bregenzerwald, Arlberg, Kleinwalsertal) accompanied by guides
familiar with the area make this
offer a very special event.
information & booking
T +43 (0)5512 2365
[email protected]
Routes for variation skiers
11: klemm via salober
Place: Warth – Schröcken – Lech
Starting point: Salober Express
Ascent: Auenfeld-Sattel,
approx. 20 min.
Highest point: Mohnenfluhsattel
2,300 m
Destination: Schröcken –
Heimboden 1,270 m
Difference in altitude: approx.
1,630 m run
12: bockbachtaltour
Place: Warth – Steeg
Starting point: Wartherhorn cable
car
Ascent: Wartherhornsattel, approx.
30 min., Wöstersattel, approx. 45
min.
Highest point: Rüfikopf 2,340 m
Destination: Steeg 1,250 m
1,800 m run
13: around hohen ifen
Place: Schoppernau –
Kleinwalsertal
Starting point: Diedamskopf
Ascent: approx. 300 m
Highest point: 2,060 m
Destination: Schönenbach near
Bizau
2,000 m run
14: hochblanken
Place: Damüls – Mellau
Starting point: Uga lift, Hohes Licht
Ascent: approx. 30 min.
Highest point: 2,068 m
Destination: Mellau valley station
1,300 m run
37
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
family tips
active winter
Cross-country skiing is very popular as an
alternative to skiing or as a good way of
recharging your batteries in the fresh air.
Especially when the cross-country ski runs
are as well looked-after as they are in the
Bregenzerwald.
xc skiing
xc skiing
culture
dining out
well-being
38
nordic sport park
Nordic Sport Park in Sulzberg
The Nordic Sport Park in Sulzberg was
completed in autumn 2011. Around
20 km of cross-country ski runs for
classic and skating techniques await
you. There is something for everybody, from the gentle, scenic tour
through to the demanding training
cross-country ski run.
The Nordic Sport Park also includes
the Sulzberg village lift and a popular tobogganing run for sledging and
sliding – both of which are only about
200 m from the stadium. A kiosk
next to the lift rounds off the services
on offer. Via a connecting cross-country ski run, you arrive at the panorama cross-country ski run on the
ridge of Sulzberg, with a magnificent
view of the mountains of the Bregenzerwald, Allgäu and Switzerland. Wellgroomed pistes are available for winter hikers.
A 4-km circular route is illuminated
by floodlights. Cross-country skiing
by floodlight is possible every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. Should
the snow not be as plentiful as usual,
snow-making equipment is available,
ensuring your cross-country skiing!
How about trying something new?
Then come along and try out the biathlon facility! Book in advance to try
out this exciting “discipline” – supervised, of course.
information
T +43 (0)5516 2213
Selection of cross-country ski runs
• classic and skating: Clubloipe (1.8
km) and Moosloipe (3 km)
• classic: Oberköhlerloipe (3.3 km)
and Panoramaloipe (5.6 km)
• 4 km of cross-country ski runs are
illuminated by floodlights.
The direct connection to the West
Allgäu network of cross-country ski
runs provides the trained athlete with
over 100 km of cross-country ski runs
for all levels of proficiency.
information
Tourist office Sulzberg
T +43 (0)5516 2213 10
www.sulzberg.at
au-schoppernau
39
land & lives
ski & board
Tip: village cross-country ski run
length 13.6 km
xc skiing
cross-country ski runs
50 km of classic cross-country ski runs
9 km of skating runs
ski & freedom
Village cross-country ski run
altitude 850 m
classification easy to difficult
dining out
well-being
chances to stop off for a
drink/food
in Au-Schoppernau
culture
ski rental
• Sport Gorbach, Au
T +43 (0)5515 4141-2
• Sport Fuchs, Au
T +43 (0)5515 2315
T +43 (0)5515 4120
itinerary
This cross-country ski run takes
you through Au and Schoppernau
with various connection points
to other cross-country ski runs.
From Au-Argenzipfel, it takes
you through Äuele to Schoppernau and through a forest to the
mountain pasture settlement of
Armengemach. Via the Bregenzer
achsteg, you pass through
“paradise” and, across open fields,
to Äuele forest. Via Kreuzgasse,
you arrive at the underpass next
to the church bridge. After Reute
grazing meadow and Argenzipfel,
you arrive at Kanisfluhloipe.
active winter
cross-country skiing courses
Au-Schoppernau snow sports school
T +43 (0)5515 2133
difference in altitude 85 m
family tips
preparation
Mid-December until Easter
40
bezau-bizau-reuthe
Circuit
Tip: the circuit
length 12 km
altitude 650 m
preparation
Mid-December until early March
classification
easy to intermediate
ski rental
• Bergsport Leitner, Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 31441
• Sport Bertsch, Bizau
T +43 (0)5514 4127
itinerary
The circuit takes you through
all three villages, and can be
commenced and terminated at
any of the villages.
characteristic
Scenic, charming and varied
circuit.
drink/food
Inns in Bezau, Bizau and Reuthe
damüls
41
land & lives
ski & board
length 5 km
preparation
Early December until early April
classification
intermediate to difficult
Damüls snow sports school
T +43 (0)5510 295
ski rental
Sport Madlener, Damüls
T +43 (0)5510 391
drink/food
Zimba inn
dining out
dogs permitted
characteristic
Circuit with an impressive
mountain panorama.
culture
tip
The free local bus takes cross-
country skiers to the starts of the
cross-country ski runs.
itinerary
Zimba inn – circuit around the
Stofel high plateau – Zimba inn
active winter
altitude 1,500 – 1,650 m
family tips
Tip: Stofel alpine
cross-country ski run
xc skiing
ski & freedom
Stofel alpine cross-country ski run
well-being
42
hittisau
Border country cross-country ski run
Tip: border country
altitude 800 m
length approx. 70 km
preparation
December until early April
classification
fee for use of
Day ticket € 4.50, free for guests
of the village
Ski school Hittisau-Sibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)664 2143723
ski rental
• Sport Spettel, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6341
• Sport Gotthard, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2260
• Jakobs Skishop, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61
itinerary
Hittisau centre – Helmisau –
Dornbündt – Sippersegg –
Biberstein – border with
Germany– start of the Balderschwang ski-hiking network –
return by bus or along the
cross-country ski run stations
characteristic
An extensive cross-country skiing
tour which can be shortened
according to wishes.
drink/food
d’Sunna Sippersegg, inns in
Balderschwang and Hittisau
mellau-schnepfau
43
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
Cross-country ski run in Mellau, Hirschau, Schnepfau
Tip: cross-country ski run in
Mellau, Hirschau, Schnepfau
altitude 700 m
length 10 km
preparation
December until March
classification
easy
Ski school Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2222-24
family tips
itinerary
Car park of Mellau cable cars –
Enge – Hirschau – Schnepfau
centre (return the same route
or by bus)
active winter
characteristc
Lovely route at the foot of the
Kanisfluh through the Enge
mountain pasture.
culture
ski rental
• Sport Natter, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2262
• Sport Broger, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2240
dining out
drink/food
Inns in Mellau, Hirschau and
Schnepfau
xc skiing
well-being
44
riefensberg-hochhäderich
Hörmoos cross-country ski run
Tip: Hörmoos cross-country
ski run
altitude 1,300 m
length 8.3 km
preparation
December until mid-April
classification
difficult
fee for use of
Day ticket € 5, with the
regional Guest Card € 4
Ski and snowboard school
Hittisau-Sibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)664 2143723
ski rental
Jakobs Skishop, Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61
itinerary
Car park of the Hotel
Hochhäderich – Hörmoos lake –
car park of the Hotel Hochhäderich
characteristic
The course takes you through the
sunny high plateau on the Hochhäderich. Those experienced in
skating techniques can take a
detour to the Falkenhütte.
drink/food
Hörmoosalpe, Hochwies inn,
Hotel Hochhäderich
schwarzenberg
45
land & lives
ski & board
length 10 or 6 km
preparation
Early December until end of March
classification
ski rental
• Bergsport Fink
T +43 (0)5512 2918
• Skishop Bödele
Berghof Fetz
T +43 (0)5512 3679
• Skifit Bödele
Hochälpele valley station
T +43 (0)5512 26807
well-being
drink/food
Meiere, Berghof Fetz
dining out
characteristic
Scenic and varied circuit through
Natura 2000 and the nature
reserve.
culture
itinerary
Start and end at the valley station
of Oberlose lift: from there, you
go in a westerly direction through
the nature reserve of Fohramoos in several bends towards
Losenpass (old) and then along
Schwendeweg back to Oberlose
mountain station. You return
to Oberlose valley station via
Schwendeweg.
active winter
altitude 1,130 – 1,190 m
family tips
Tip: Fohramoos loipe
xc skiing
ski & freedom
Fohramoos loipe
46
sibratsgfäll
Cross-country ski run between Sibratsgfäll and Schönenbach
Tip: cross-country ski run between
Sibratsgfäll and Schönenbach
altitude 930 m
length 18 km
preparation
Mid-December until early April
classification
intermediate
fee for use of
Day ticket € 4.50, free for guests
of the village
Ski school Hittisau-Sibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)664 3054015
ski rental
Engelbert Dorner
T +43 (0)5513 2113
itinerary
Krähenberg ski lift – walk to the
base of the cross-country ski run
at the Bilgeri snack bar – along
the Subersach as far as Vorsäß
Schönenbach mountain pasture –
return the same route
characteristic
A route for cross-country skiing
enthusiasts, not too technically
demanding. Particularly scenic
route through the valley of the
Subersach.
drink/food
Bilgeri snack bar in Sibratsgfäll,
Sägerstüble in Schönenbach
sulzberg
47
land & lives
ski & board
length 6 km (classic and skating)
preparation
December until 15 March
classification
easy to difficult
Andrea and Oswald Feurle, Sulzberg
T +43 (0)664 7927744
itinerary
Leave Oberdorf – continue in the
direction of Hochsträß – circuit
(it is possible to turn off on to
the Westallgäu network of cross-
country ski runs)
tip
It is possible to cross over the border
to the Westallgäu network of crosscountry ski runs.
well-being
Austrian cross-country skiing
championships (school-age and
youths) in the Nordic Sport Park
between 2 and 5 February 2012
dining out
biathlon facility
Information available from:
T +43 (0)5516 2213-10
culture
night-time cross-country skiing
By floodlight every Mon to Fri between
6 and 8 p.m.
drink/food
Hochsträßstüble
active winter
altitude 1,015 m
family tips
Tip: panorama cross-country
ski run
xc skiing
ski & freedom
Panorama cross-country ski run
48
warth-schröcken
Around Kalbelesee
Tip: Around Kalbelesee
length 2.5 km
altitude
1,600 m
preparation
December until mid-April
fee for use of
Day ticket € 5 free for guests of
the village
• Ski school Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3443
• Ski school Schröcken
T +43 (0)5583 40045
ski rental
• Sport Schneller, Schröcken
T +43 (0)5519 201
• Sport Jug, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 39827
dogs permitted
classification
easy
itinerary
Salober car park – around Kalbelesee – Salober car park
characteristic
flat cross-country ski run, suitable
for beginners, in a sunny location
drink/food
S1, Salober self-service restaurant,
Pasta-Pasta at Saloberjet valley
station
49
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
family tips
How about a lap around the ice rink? Or a
lantern-lit ramble at dusk? Visits to the farm
and the programme in the Eskimo village offer
exciting insights into ways of life. Adventurers
take the Flying Fox cable slide across the valley.
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
50
kids’ programme
Fun in the ski school
The Bregenzerwald boasts the best
conditions for enjoyable family
holidays. Friendly hosts in the hotels,
guest houses, holiday apartments
and on the farms offering holidays
ensure the right setting for this.
In the ski schools, the youngest
guests playfully learn skiing. Those
who prefer their winter and snow
away from the slopes can take one
of the numerous toboggan runs (→
from page 72) or participate in the
varied programmes offered by many
villages.
If the weather proves an obstacle to
outdoor activities, there are many
indoor swimming pools to try out,
such as the swimming pool in the
Hotel Quellengarten in Lingenau,
the swimming pools in Bregenz and
Dornbirn, and the Aquaria family
adventure pool in Oberstaufen in the
neighbouring Allgäu (→ page 54).
Tobogganing with children
Almost all towns and villages have
one or several toboggan runs, many
of which are illuminated in the
evening. This includes many runs
which children can ride alone, or on
their parents’ toboggan. Toboggans
are available for rent in many towns
and villages. The starting points of
several toboggan runs can be easily
reached by lift (→ page 72).
Well-supervised in the ski schools
The Bregenzerwald’s ski schools are
well-known for their child-friendly
programmes. You can find further
information on selected offers in
the chapter Ski and Board (→ from
page 9). For example, about the
Schwarzenberg ski school and learning to ski with the magic wand
(→ page 51), the Au-Schoppernau
snow sports school with its adventure
programme (→ page 12) as well as
Damüls ski school, which offers snowmobile rides for children (→ page
17). Warth ski and snowboard school
offers child care for children from 2
years of age (→ page 22).
kids’ programme
51
land & lives
ski & board
culture
dining out
well-being
Bezau – visit to the petting zoo
During a visit to the petting zoo at
Kanisfluh adventure inn, kids can
not only stroke the animals – they
can also help at feeding time.
Place: Bezau
Meeting point: fountain on the village square (next to Hotel Gams)
Date: every Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Price per person: free of charge
organisation & registration
Tourist office Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2295
www.bezau.at/tourismus
active winter
Au-Schoppernau natural
ice-skating area
Depending on the weather, the area is
prepared between December and February/March. Ice skates can be hired
right next to the ice-skating area. Ice-
skating is free of charge for guests
from Au-Schoppernau.
information & opening times
Tourist office Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2495
family tips
My friend, the horse
In small groups (of four children or
more), children playfully learn how
to deal with horses.
Place: Schwarzenberg
Meeting point: Stangenach 150
(direction: Egg)
Date: available any time on request
Duration: 1 hour
Price per person: € 11
Yvonne Berchtold
T +43 (0)664 4388422
www.farm-berchtold.at
xc skiing
Learning to ski with the magic wand
By means of a method developed by
the school itself, the ski school guarantees all children from 3 1/2 years of
age can take the practice lifts themselves after four individual lessons.
If the objective is not achieved, the ski
instruction continues free of charge
until it does!
Price: € 52 per hour
information
Ski school Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)664 2214075
www.skischule-schwarzenberg.at
ski & freedom
Skiing with the magic wand
52
kids’ programme
Lanterns light up the path
Egg-Großdorf – Lantern-lit ramble
Particularly well suited for families:
a romantic ramble into the silence of
the night. The light of the lanterns, of
the moon and the stars, make the outing into a special experience. Guide
Marianne relates stories on the way.
Place: Egg-Großdorf
Meeting point: Falken inn
Date: 20 December until the end of
March: every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Register by 4 p.m. on Monday
Length: approx. 1 hour
Tourist office Egg
T +43 (0)5512 2426
www.egg.at/tourismus
Mellau – Lantern-lit ramble
Winter hiking guide Hans leads participants through the fairytale-like,
snow-covered winter landscape at
dusk. Hurricane lamps and torches
light up the way.
Place: Mellau
Meeting point: Tourist office Mellau
Date: 22 December 2011 until
15 March 2012: every Thursday at
7.30 p.m.
Length: approx. 1.5 hours
Tourist office Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2203
www.mellau.at
Bizau – feeding the animals
Gmeiner organic farm
Pygmy goats, Cameroon sheep, Franziska the donkey, Vita the horse, cows
and calves, chickens, a family of rabbits – they all want to be fed and petted!
Children can help out at the evening
feed and get to know the organic farm.
Place: Bizau
Meeting point: village square
Date: 28 December 2011, 2 January,
20 February, 27 February, 5 March 2012
at 5 p.m.
Price per person: Free of charge
No reservations required
information
Tourist office Bizau
T +43 (0)5514 2129
www.bizau.at
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
Schröcken – Flying Fox Park Safari
6 Flying Fox or zip slides surrounded
by Mother Nature: rope course at a
height of 20 – 90 metres over wild
gorges: breath-taking views (suitable
for children from the age of 6)
Place: Schröcken
Meeting point: to be arranged
Date: Sunday and Friday from 5 p.m.
(from 6 people); further dates available on request
Length: approx. 2 hours
Fam. Staggl
T +43 (0)664 7575500
www.abenteuerpark.net
www.alpinschule-schroecken.at
xc skiing
Warth – Flying Fox slide
On the Flying Fox slide, participants
swoosh from Vorarlberg to Tyrol
and back! With 4 slides and the over
500-m long cable slide and a height
of 70 m, a spectacular experience
awaits you.
Place: Warth
Meeting point: Tourist office Warth
Date: every Wednesday during the
winter season from 4 p.m. Special
dates available on request.
Price per person: € 12 for adults,
€ 8 for children
Alpinschule Widderstein
T +43 (0)660 2149207
www.alpinschulewidderstein.com
ski & freedom
Au-Schoppernau –
feltwork course for children
With the aid of water and soap,
mousy-grey sheep’s wool is made into
jolly little mice. Please ensure that
small children are accompanied.
Place: Au-Schoppernau
Meeting point: Marianna
Moosbrugger Au, Rehmer Halde 152
Date: 13 December until 10 April 2012,
every Wednesday at 4.30 p.m.
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Price per person: € 8, incl. material
Registration: by Tuesday, 5 p.m., limited number of participants
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
www.au-schoppernau.at
ski & board
Schröcken – Pauli’s snow adventure
A varied programme including building an igloo, sledging with the huskies, building slides, and much more.
Place: Schröcken
Meeting point: Salober valley station
of the cable car at the fairyland
Date: every Wednesday during the
kids’ snow weeks (10 – 17 December
2011, 14 – 21 January, 10 – 24 March
2012) at 3.30 p.m.
Price per person: free for guest
children from Warth and Schröcken
Snow sports school
Schröcken-Hochkrumbach
T +43 (0)5583 40045
www.schneesport-schule.com
53
land & lives
Au-Schoppernau – farm experience
Life on the farm has a magical appeal
to children. They are allowed to stroke
the animals and watch the farmer
feed, care for and milk the animals.
Place: Au-Schoppernau
Meeting point: Tourist office Au
Date: 13 December until 10 April 2012:
every Tuesday at 5.30 p.m.
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
kids’ programme
54
day trip tips
There is plenty for families to do
should the weather not play ball:
Museums and exhibitions
inatura – nature show in Dornbirn
Touch, crawl in, try out, play and
experiment.
information
T +43 (0)5572 23235-0
www.inatura.at
Schattenburg in Feldkirch
The medieval castle depicts life
during the age of chivalry.
information
T +43 (0)5522 71982
www.schattenburg.at
Toy Museum in Wolfurt
The loveliest toys from Granny
and Grandpa’s time are lovingly
presented here.
information
T +43 (0)650 5000681
www.spielzeugmuseum-wolfurt.at
Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen
(Germany)
The history and technology of
aeronautics.
information
T +49 (0)7541 3801-0
www.zeppelin-museum.de
Indoor swimming pools
Swimming pool in Hotel Quellengarten
in Lingenau
25 m pool, kids’ pool
information
T +43 (0)5513 6461-0
www.hotelquellengarten.com
Dornbirn municipal pool
Family pool with toddler and parent
area, tunnel slide, diving platform
information
T +43 (0)5572 22687
www.dasstadtbad.at
Bregenz swimming pool
25 m pool, kids’ pool with slide
information
T +43 (0)5574 44242-0
www.stadtwerke-bregenz.at
Aquaria adventure pool in Oberstaufen
(Germany)
Family swimming pool with water
slides, diving platforms and much
more
information
T +49 (0)8386 9313-0
www.aquaria.de
Climbing hall
K1 climbing hall, Dornbirn
2,000 m² of climbing area indoors,
400 m² of boulder area, 600 m²
outside area, climbing courses, taster
courses
information
T +43 (0)5572 394810
www.k1-dornbirn.at
55
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
family tips
There are various ways to explore the winter
landscapes. Hiking and tobogganing, for example. Or guided snow shoe tours. By horse and
carriage or by husky-pulled sleighs. Or even
paragliding or ice climbing.
xc skiing
active winter
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
56
winter hiking
View of the Niedere, close to Andelsbuch
There are plenty activities for those
whose winter enjoyment is found
away from the piste. Winter hiking
paths guide you through picturesque
landscapes and to lovely viewpoints.
Tips for winter hikers
We have compiled several tips for
your hikes through the snow: make
sure that you have the right equipment with you, such as adequate,
waterproof footwear (e.g. climbing
boots) and warm outerwear. Further
useful items include: headgear,
gloves, snow goggles or sunglasses,
sun screen. “Shoe chains” prevent
slipping on ice and snow: they are
available from shoe shops and sport
shops. Sticks are also helpful.
notes on safety
• Stick to the signposted hiking
paths (pink signposts).
• Taking short steps and maintaining an even pace going uphill save
your strength, and go easy on the
joints going downhill.
• Slightly bending your upper body
forwards when going downhill
reduces the danger of slipping.
• Take plenty of drinks with you: it is
also important to drink even if you
are not thirsty.
• Ask your hosts about the weather
forecast. Fog and bad weather can
set in surprisingly quickly. Turn
back in good time rather than risking getting into danger. As a winter
hiker (or a summer hiker), you hike
at your own risk.
signposts
Winter hiking paths throughout
the whole of the Bregenzerwald
are clearly signposted in an easily
visible pink.
“Vorarlberg Winterwanderungen”
by Helmut Tiefenthaler,
published by Tyrolia Verlag
(in German only)
winter hiking
57
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ski & board
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
Difference in altitude: up: 190 m/
down: 190 m
Total hiking time: 2.5 hours
family tips
enjoy the fascinating view across the
Rhine valley through to the Swiss
mountains.
starting point
Sulzberg-Schönenbühl, Hotel Linde
bus stop
culture on the route
As the “village on the mountain”,
the location of Sulzberg in Vorarlberg
gives it a very special quality of
its own. The parish church in the
Empire style is exceptional. It was
built in 1828/29 by Alois Negrelli, the
designer of the Suez Canal.
characteristic
Scenic mountain path on mainly
flattened hiking paths
chances to stop off for
a drink/food
Hotel Linde (Schönenbühl), Sulzberg
Ochsen inn, Alpenblick inn, Adler
inn and Krone inn in the center of
the village
xc skiing
Negrelli’s church and endless views –
Sulzberg mountain path
From Vitalhotel Linde, Schönenbühl
(820 m), a cleared agricultural path,
or, if snow is plentiful, a hiking piste
directly from Hotel Linde, leads to
the mountain farms in Unterköhler:
from there, you take a flattened hiking path to the Oberköhler plot of
land at 985 m, then you follow a forest path to the approach road on the
sunny side to Sulzberg, which you
then follow on past the parish church
to Sulzberg village square (1,013 m).
Once you arrive at the village square,
enjoy the endless views across the
Bregenzerwald. On the way back,
ski & freedom
Through the open landscape close to Sulzberg
58
winter hiking
Out and about on the Hochhäderich
Across the upland moor –
the Hochhäderich circuit
The route follows almost completely
flattened hiking trails through the
mountain valley basin between the
Nagelfluh ridges of Hochhäderich
and Kojen-Fluh. It takes you from
the Hochhäderich car park (1,227 m)
across the Austrian-German border,
and takes you up to the plateau of the
Hörmoos alp (1,270 m). From there,
you go downwards for a while to the
Hochwies alp (1,230 m), then to the
Glutgschwanden alp (1,200 m) and
finally back to the starting point via
the Moos alp (1,224 m).
starting point
Hochhäderich car park
The cross-border circuit connects
the Bregenzerwald with Oberallgäu,
i.e. Vorarlberg with Bavaria. Between
the approach road and the Moos alp,
the blanket of snow conceals the
Kojenmoos, an upland moor which
has been widely preserved and which
is protected. The Riefensberg locals
used to cut peat here, and convey
it into the valley via a material
ropeway.
characteristic
Lovely mountain path in the alp area
of the Vorderwald
a drink/food
Hotel Hochhäderich, Hörmoos alp,
Hochwies alp, Glutgschwanden alp,
Moos alp
down: 70 m
winter hiking
59
land & lives
ski & board
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
down: 110 m
Total hiking time: approx. 2 hours
family tips
starting point
Village hall in Hittisau
With over 100 alps – making it
the village with the most alps
in Austria! – Hittisau has a long
tradition in the art of alpine dairy
farming, and was one of the first
centres for full-fat cheese making
in Vorarlberg. The route takes you
right past the Alpine Dairy Farming Museum in Hittisau. Also worth
a visit are the Women’s Museum
in Hittisau and the objects on the
“Wood + Culture” trail (please contact the tourist information office in
Hittisau for more details and guided
tours).
characteristic
A gentle walk with lovely views
a drink/food
Hittisau
xc skiing
A circuit with a view –
around the village of Hittisau
From the centre of the village
(790 m), you follow a flattened
hiking path along the cross-country
ski run until you reach the Brand
plot of land. Cross the road, where
a path takes you up to Bütscheln
(860 m). Via scenic hillside locations,
you follow a flattened winter hiking
path to the part of the village called
Korlen. From here, take in the lovely
views of Hittisau as you return to the
starting point.
ski & freedom
Around the village of Hittisau
60
winter hiking
Tannen close to Alberschwende
From the peak to the valley –
Brüggele-Alberschwende
Take the chair lift up to the Brüggelekopf. From Brüggelekopf mountain
station (1,160 m), a partially paved,
partially well-trodden winter path
takes you down to Kaltenbrunnen
(906 m). Here, the path turns northwards into a forest and then winds
its way across sunny slopes through
the Tannen and Lanzen plots of
land back to Alberschwende (722 m).
starting point
Alberschwende, valley station of the
Brüggelekopf chair lift
The Lorena pass is an old crossing
into the Bregenzerwald. Between
the Middle Ages and the mid19th century, this was the most
popular connection with the Rhine
Valley. The scenic sunny slope of
Kaltenbrunnen was used as a mountain pasture back in the Middle Ages,
and has been permanently inhabited
by several families since the 18th
century if not earlier.
characteristic
Scenic valley hike
a drink/food
Brüggele mountain inn, Alpenrose
inn (Kaltenbrunnen), Alberschwende
Opening times of Brüggelekopf
chair lift: T +43 (0)5579 4323 or 4233
Difference in altitude: down: 420 m
winter hiking
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land & lives
ski & board
family tips
active winter
culture
starting point
Bödele, bus stop
It was on the Bödele, close to Losen
pass, an ancient crossing into the
Rhine Valley, that Otto Hämmerle, an
industrialist from Dornbirn, erected
a countryside summer resort. After
the Arlberg, the Bödele is the second
birthplace of Vorarlberg skiing (in
1903/1904 a ski jump was built, and
the first ski race was held. In 1907,
the first ski lift in the world was built
here).
characteristic
Hike into the valley on wide-tracked
winter paths
a drink/food
Bödele, Lustenau hut, Bregenz hut,
Schwarzenberg
xc skiing
Panorama hike –
Bödele-Schwarzenberg
From the bus stop on the Bödele
(1,140 m), take a short walk along
the road to Schwarzenberg where
you pick up the winter hiking path.
Cross the pistes of the Hochälpele
lift, hike through alpine forests to
the Hochälpele alp (1,250 m, extensive views across the Bregenzerwald)
and continue to Lustenau hut
(1,250 m, chance to take a detour to
the Bregenz hut). From Lustenau hut,
take a scenic path across the Klausberg mountain pasture down into
Schwarzenberg (695 m).
ski & freedom
Hochälpele close to Schwarzenberg
dining out
well-being
down: 570 m
Total hiking time: 3 hours
62
winter hiking
Alp landscape, Schetteregg
Where cattle graze in the summer –
Schetteregg circuit
The entire route follows flattened
hiking trails. It takes you from
Schetteregg (1,066 m) to the alpine
pasture area of Eggatsberg and
Hammeratsberg, with the lovely
Bregenzerwald mountain pasture
huts. You soon arrive at the
Untere Falz alp, where you get lovely
views of the southern mountains
of Bullerschkopf and Winterstaude
(1,877 m). The route now takes you up
to the Obere Falz alp and continues
into the Ochsenhof alp area. Your
return trip is rewarded with lovely
views of Schetteregg and the foreland
of the Bregenzerwald.
starting point
Schetteregg car park
Eggatsberg and Hammeratsberg are
two cooperative mountain pastures.
They are collective property, whereas
the huts are private property. The
cattle are brought here for several
weeks each spring and autumn, the
milk is processed into butter and
cheese in the collective’s own dairy.
During the summer, the pastures are
mowed. The Falz alps are extensive
dairy alps.
characteristic
Varied circuit through the peaceful
mountain pasture and alp area
a drink/food
Schetteregg, “Leo’s hut”
down: 180 m
winter hiking
63
land & lives
ski & board
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
down: 200 m
Total hiking time:
from Krähenberg car park 3.5 hours,
from the centre of Sibratsgfäll
4.5 hours
family tips
starting point
Car park at Krähenberg ski lift
Schönenbach is one of the loveliest,
largest mountain pasture settlements
in the whole of the Bregenzerwald.
It was mentioned for the first time
in 1491, comprises over 25 huts
and one chapel. Cattle graze on the
mountain pasture before and after
the alp period. During the summer,
the pastures are mowed. In the spring
and autumn, the milk is processed
into butter and cheese in a collective
alpine dairy.
characteristic
Wild and romantic trail through the
Subersach gorge
a drink/food
Sibratsgfäll, Bilgeri’s in Krähenberg,
Sägerstüble in Schönenbach
xc skiing
To the loveliest mountain pasture –
Sibratsgfäll-Schönenbach
If you take the bus, you must first
take the road or follow the flattened
winter hiking path down to the
car park in Krähenberg (approx.
30 minutes). From the Krähenberg
car park, the road descends steeply
to Bilgeri’s snack bar in Krähenberg.
The flattened winter path starts
here (keep on the cross-country
ski run). Crossing a narrow gorge
with impressive views down to the
Subersach is a lovely experience.
The valley soon reveals itself, and
the beautifully located mountain
pasture settlement of Schönenbach
(1,025 m) is in front of you.
ski & freedom
Mountain pasture settlement, Schönenbach
64
winter hiking
Below Damüls’ Mittagspitze and Hochblanken
Out and about in the wild and
romantic valley – Ulfern alp (Mellau)
Following ascent with the Mellau cable car, the circuit takes you
away from the hustle and bustle of
the slopes and up to the Ulfern alp
area at an altitude of 1,400 m and
which has a wild and romantic valley
head beneath Damüls’ Mittagspitze
(2,095 m) and Hochblanken. The
shady, steep north faces are covered
with a thick layer of ice and icicles,
offering an impressive spectacle of
nature. The hiking path itself is well
prepared, and there are only a little
difference in altitude to overcome.
starting point
Mellau cable car mountain station
characteristic
2.5-km long high-altitude circuit in
a remote mountain valley. Due to
the position of the sun, it is recommended going on the hike from
mid-February.
a drink/food
Mountain station (Roßstelle alp inn,
Simma restaurant)
Operating times of Mellau cable cars
T +43 (0)5518 2222-0
3 December 2011 – 8 April 2012
down: 50 m
Total hiking time: approx. 1.5 hours
winter hiking
65
land & lives
ski & board
culture
dining out
well-being
down: 420 m
active winter
Please contact the tourist information
office in Au-Schoppernau for the
opening times of the Bergkristall hut
and the conditions for sledging.
T +43 (0)5515 2288
family tips
starting point
Au, village hall
The Boden mountain pasture, at
an altitude of 1,200 m, is a rural
settlement with a chapel. The land is
collective property, whereas the huts
are private property. This is where
the farmers come with their cattle
for several weeks before and after
the summer. The Boden mountain
pasture is one of the largest alpine
dairy pastures in the Bregenzerwald.
characteristic
Rewarding hike in a tranquil, remote
mountain valley
a drink/food
Au, Bergkristall hut
xc skiing
Walk up, toboggan down –
Bergkristall hut in Au
From Au (800 m), a perfectly
prepared path takes you along the
northern edge of the Lug, mainly
through a forest, up into the
Dürrenbachtal to the idyllically
located Boden mountain pasture.
This is also the location of the Bergkristall hut located at an altitude of
over 1,200 m. This tranquil, beautiful mountain valley is surrounded
by the impressive, steeply rising rock
massifs of the Zitterklapfenstock
(2,403 m). You descend the same way.
When the conditions are right, it is a
good idea to take along a sledge for
the descent into the valley.
ski & freedom
Hut in the mountain pasture settlement of Boden, close to Au
66
winter hiking
Oberdamüls
On ancient Walser trails –
the Damüls alpine circuit
From Damüls (1,425 m), you follow
the path towards Oberdamüls and
continue on the fully prepared valley
path next to the cross-country ski
run as far as the Unterdamüls alp
(1,486 m). From there, a steep ascent
to the Jägerstüble (1,614 m) awaits.
From here, a mountain path takes
you up to an altitude of approx.
1,700 m (views as far as the Rätikon),
past the Oberdamüls alp (1,667 m)
and to Oberdamüls. From Hotel
Alpenstern, you walk along the road
back to where you started.
starting point
Tourist office Damüls
Damüls is one of the first
documented Walser settlements in
Vorarlberg (enfeoffment with Uga
alp in 1313, and with “Tamülls” alp in
1326). There is documentary evidence
of its own parish church dating back
to 1382. The late Gothic church (1484)
has a remarkable interior such as
frescoes from around 1490.
characteristic
A marvellous mountain circuit at
an altitude of over 1,400 m with a
unique view of the mountains
a drink/food
Damüls, Jägerstüble, Oberdamüls
down: 290 m
Total hiking time: 3 hours
winter hiking
67
land & lives
ski & board
family tips
starting point
Hochtannberg pass, bus stop
characteristic
Gentle ramble at altitudes above
1,600 m on prepared hiking paths
a drink/food
Valley station of the Saloberkopf
cable car, Hotel Körbersee
xc skiing
active winter
To the hotel at the lake –
Hochtannberg pass-Körbersee
From the Hochtannberg pass
(1,676 m), you follow the hiking path
close to the road (take the red path
for the circuit!), pass the Körber
cross and take a considerable hike
up to the Witelesattel (1,750 m) and
then down to the Hotel Körbersee
(1,665 m). If the snow conditions are
good, it is worth following this up
by taking another walk around the
frozen Körbersee. If you take the
right piste on the way back too, you
will enjoy a circuit via various paths.
ski & freedom
Körbersee panorama
culture
dining out
well-being
down: 90 m
68
snow-shoe hikes
Snow-shoe hiking on the Bödele
In many towns and villages, hiking
and mountain guides take guests on
snow-shoe tours.
Au-Schoppernau – Diedamskopf tour
The cable car takes you to the mountain station and you walk in snow
shoes uphill and downhill until you
reach the Neuhornbachjoch. The
adventurous can rush down to the
Neuhornbachhaus lying on the “Airboard”. Back in the valley, participants
race down the longest natural toboggan run in the Bregenzerwald (5.5 km).
Place: Au-Schoppernau Diedamskopf
Meeting point: Au-Schoppernau
snow sports school, next to the valley
station of the cable car
Date: 21 Dezember 2011 until 4 April
2012: every Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.
Length: approx. 6 hours incl. breaks
Price per person: from € 60
depending on the number of participants (incl. cable car ticket, snow
shoes and toboggan).
Minimum amount of participants:
4 people
Snow sports school Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2133
Egg-Schetteregg –
mountain pasture landscape
The guided hike commences in Schetteregg, which lies in a tranquil side valley. The hike takes you to two mountain
pasture settlements. Farmers and their
cattle spend the spring and the autumn
in the simple wooden huts. The milk is
processed into butter and cheese in a
collective alpine dairy. Along the way,
you are rewarded over and over with
lovely views of the Bregenzerwald.
Place: Egg-Schetteregg
Meeting point: sport rental shop
Waldner Schetteregg
Date: 23 December 2011 until the end
of March: every Friday at 11.30 a.m.
Register by Thursday at 4 p.m.
Price per person: € 10 (including snow
shoe rental)
Tourist office Egg
T +43 (0)5512 2426
www.egg.at/tourismus
Bizau – Schönenbach mountain pasture
Discover the appeal of snow-shoe
hiking with Konrad Feurstein. Share
special insights and views with him.
Place: Bizau
snow-shoe hikes
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
“Schneeschuhwandern in
Vorarlberg” by C. Butscher/
U. Längle/M. Jochum/
P. Hickersperger This book outlines the 38 loveliest tours to take
in Vorarlberg, and is published by
Kompass Verlag (in German only)
ski & freedom
Bezau – Baumgarten high-altitude hike
The Bezau cable car takes you comfortably to the mountain station:
from there, the snow shoe tour with
Pius takes you to Baumgarten.
Place: Bezau
Meeting point: Valley station of
Bezau cable car
Date: every Friday at 1 p.m.
Price per person: € 10 including the
use of snow shoes, excluding return
trip by Bezau cable car
Tourist office Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2295
www.bezau.at/tourismus
Schröcken – evening hike, the quiet way
This tour takes you off the beaten
track, through unspoilt nature on the
Hochtannberg.
Place: Schröcken
Meeting point: 5 p.m. tourist office
Schröcken
Date: every Tuesday
Minimum number of participants: 4
people
Alpinschule Schröcken, Josef Staggl
T +43 (0)664 7575500
www.alpinschule-schroecken.at
ski & board
Hittisau – to Burgl hut
This very picturesque and moderate
full-day tour takes you up to Burgl
hut (1,428 m).
Place: Hittisau/Balderschwang
Meeting point: car park at Schelpen
lifts in Balderschwang
Date: Friday, 10 a.m. (December to
April, depending on the snow)
Length: 4 – 5 hours
Price per person: € 36 including
snow shoes, sticks
Minimum number of participants:
4; can be reserved individually for
groups of 5 or more
Alfons Silgener, T +43 (0)664 1335206
www.schneeschuhtour.at
Mellau – romance and relaxation
The easy snow-shoe hike takes you
from the mountain station of Mellau
cable car to Kanis alp (1,463 m), which
is located in an idyllic mountain valley.
Place: Mellau
Meeting point: office of Mellau ski
school
Date: 19 December 2011 until 8 April
2012; daily, upon request
Price per person: € 33, including
equipment, excluding return trip.
Minimum number of participants: 3
people
Mellau ski and snowboard school
T +43 (0)5518 2222-24
land & lives
Meeting point: village square
Date: 26 December 2011 until
26 March 2012: every Monday at
1.30 p.m.
Price per person: free
Konrad Feurstein
T +43 (0)664 6324537
www.bizau.at
69
70
horse and carriage rides
Out and about in Au-Schoppernau, with a view of the Kanisfluh
Tucked up warm in a blanket and
pulled by powerful horses: aboard
a horse and carriage, this is the
particularly elegant way to glide
through the winter landscape.
This is a delight offered by several
Bregenzerwald coachmen.
Hittisau
Michael Schelling,
T +43 (0)664 3037239
Andelsbuch
Metzler Elmar, T +43 (0)5512 4128
Lingenau
Wendelin Stöckler,
T +43 (0)664 8690126
Langenegg
Riding and driving association,
T +43 (0)664 3746501
Au-Schoppernau
Mathias Erath, T +43 (0)5515 2298
Franz-Josef Dünser, T +43 (0)5515 2295
Rusch Jakob, T +43 (0)5515 2532
Jakob Lingg, T +43 (0)5515 2928
Mellau
Raimund Dietrich, T +43 (0)5518 2164
Gotthard Simma, T +43 (0)664 1155766
Josef Berbig, T +43 (0)5518 2336
Bezau
Christoph Moosbrugger,
T +43 (0)5514 2901
Riefensberg
Steinhauser family,
T +43 (0)5513 8303 or +43 (0)664 4122915
Bizau
Josef Moosmann, T +43 (0)5514 2515
Schwarzenberg
Josef Schneider, T +43 (0)5512 4382
Damüls
Alfons Bischof, T +43 (0)664 3382257
Sibratsgfäll
Martin Bereuter, T +43 (0)5513 2643
Franz-Peter Vögel, T +43 (0)664 3780733
Egg-Schetteregg
Fam. Schneider, T +43 (0)664 3744794
Sulzberg
Friesenhof Blank,
T +43 (0)664 4411380
dog sleigh tours
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land & lives
ski & board
Husky & Co, Marc Van Landeghem
T +43 (0)664 2407422
T +43 (0)5519 30332
www.bauern-stube.at
family tips
Husky trail
The meeting point is the Hochtann
berg pass, where participants are
given a training session. Then you
proceed to Hotel Körbersee or Hotel
Jägeralpe across snowy hills. This
tour, with its many uphill and downhill parts, is a great adventure for the
dogs and the budding mushers.
Meeting point: Salober car park
No. of participants: 1 or 2 people
Dogs: 2 – 3 dogs per person
Prerequisite: sporting ability and a
great love of dogs
Price: € 180 for 2 people
xc skiing
Travel through the wintry landscape on a husky-drawn sleigh – an
adventure for the dog and budding
musher alike.
ski & freedom
Dog sleigh tours in Warth-Schröcken
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
Information: Due to the great
demand, only guests holding a
valid Guest Card from WarthSchröcken and Au-Schoppernau
can participate.
72
tobogganing
Tobogganing - enjoyment for everybody
It is not only children that take great
pleasure in visiting the natural
toboggan runs that Bregenzerwald has
to offer! Merry groups steering their
toboggans into the valley are particularly abundant in the evening.
Alberschwende
** Brüggelekopf
(accessible by chair lift)
Length: 4 km
Toboggan rental:
Brüggelekopf chair lift
T +43 (0)5579 4323
www.lift.alberschwende.net
Au-Schoppernau
* Snow-tubing run at
Alpen-Hotel Post in Au
with moving walkway
Snow tubing rental:
Tourist office Au
T +43 (0)5515 2288
* Toboggan lift Grunholz, Au
Length: 650 m
On special toboggans which can
be rented at the valley station, you
take the ski tow up the mountain.
Tobogganing in the evening: Wednesday and Friday, 7 to 10 p.m. Toboggan
rental at the Grunholz lift.
* Schrannenbach, Schoppernau
Length: 300 m
* Lebernau pasture, Au
Length: 500 m
* Lisse, Au
Length: 750 m
** Hinterargenzipfel, Au
Length: 870 m
** Godlachen, Au
Length: 2.2 km
*** Neuhornbach, Schoppernau
Length: 5.5 km
Toboggan rental:
• Sport Fuchs, Au, T +43 (0)5515 2315
www.sportfuchs.com
• Sport Gorbach, Au,
T +43 (0)5515 4141-1
www.gorbach.at
T +43 (0)5515 4120
www.matt.at
Damüls
*** Uga (ascent by the Uga Express)
Illuminated toboggan run, Wednesday
and Friday 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. Ascents
are not covered by the 3-valley pass.
Length: 3.5 km
Toboggan rental:
Sport Madlener, T +43 (0)5510 391
www.sport-madlener.at
tobogganing
culture
dining out
well-being
Key:
* gentle, for children
** medium, for families
*** strenuous, for adults
active winter
Riefensberg
*** Steinernes Tor
Length: 1,000 m
Toboggan rental:
Alois Berkmann, T +43(0)5513 8238
family tips
Sulzberg
* village lift
Length: 150 m
*** Sulzberg-Stein
Length: 950 m
xc skiing
Hittisau
* Tannen
Length: 500 m
Toboggan rental:
Intersport Spettel, T +43 (0)5513 6341
Warth-Schröcken
** „von der Höhi“
Illuminated toboggan run daily until
10 p.m. 2x a week toboggan party,
ascent by tractor, hot mulled wine and
alcohol-free punch for the kids. Toboggans are provided. Start: 8 p.m. Larger
groups are requested to book.
Length: 700 m
Toboggan rental
Sport-Knitel
+43 (0)5583 3612
** Schröcken tobogganing party
A tobogganing party is held twice a
week on the illuminated toboggan
run. The guests are pulled up to the
start: at the finishing line, hot mulled
wine and children’s punch await.
Length: approx. 1.2 km
Toboggan rental: right next to the
toboggan run
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Bizau
* Escha
Length: 1.2 km
Toboggan rental:
Sport Bertsch, T +43 (0)5514 4127
Mellau
* Dosegg
Illuminated toboggan run,
3x per week
Length: 2 km, illuminated over 800 m
Toboggan rental:
Sport Natter
T +43 (0)5518 2262
www.sportnatter.com
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Bezau
* Gschwend
Illuminated toboggan run daily
until 11 p.m.
Length: 1.7 km
Toboggan rental:
Pius Feurstein, T +43 (0)664 1344358
** Baumgarten-Sonderdach
(ascent by cable car)
Length: 3 km
Toboggan rental:
Bezau cable car
T +43 (0)5514 2254
Sibratsgfäll
** Krähenberg
toboggan run, illuminated daily
7 until 10 p.m.
Length: 800 m
Toboggan rental:
Hubert Nussbaumer
T +43 (0)664 5251866
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Schwarzenberg
** Angelika-Höhe I
Length: 400 m
* Angelika-Höhe II
Length: 100 m
Toboggan rental:
Bergsport Fink, Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 2918
www.bergfink.at
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74
paragliding
View from the Diedamskopf towards Damüls
The Bregenzerwald flying area
(Niedere close to Bezau-Andelsbuch
and Diedamskopf close to Au-
Schoppernau) is well-known for its
laminar upwind and its pleasant
thermal conditions.
The special thing about it is that an
increasing number of flight/training areas can be offered within 10
km with each (wind) direction. The
proximity and the easy accessibility of both flying areas ensure that
training is both flexible and fast. On
the Diedamskopf, you can take off
towards the southerly, south-easterly
and easterly directions across alpine,
steep terrain.
From the approx. 10° in the pull-up
area, the take-off area continually
passes into a steep slope. Two take-off
ramps are available for hang-gliders.
Also on offer: tandem flights.
information & lessons
Bregenzerwald flying school
Jodok Moosbrugger
T +43 (0)5514 3177
www.gleitschirmschule.at
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family tips
The reflective Advent season in Schwarzenberg,
concerts, exhibitions and music salons in the
hotels: the calendar of events promises an exciting mix of styles, even in the winter.
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culture
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76
everyday culture
The cheese-makers cast a critical eye
Anyone who allows himself the
pleasure of watching cheese being
made here – such as in Schoppernau
alpine dairy – can understand how
close the ties are between rural
activities and everyday culture.
Alpine dairy
The introduction of hard cheese
making in the middle of the 18th
century not only opened up new
sources of income, it also changed
the farmers. Initial failures are
evidence of how much sweat and
tears went into complying with the
hygiene standards, into working
out the complex production stages
and the precise time standards. The
alpine dairyman (hard cheese and
lace → page 7) became a highly-
reputable skilled worker with extensive expertise whose circumstances
demanded him to be what we these
days call somewhat interdisciplinary. For Franz Michael Felder, the
poet from Schoppernau, he is “a
jack-of-all-trades: shoe mender,
vet, launderer, carpenter, tailor,
philosopher and much more”. A
century earlier, the valley community had already proven that its
people knew how to help themselves
in the face of adversity: in the form
of the Au Guild, a new branch of
industry was created from nothing:
architecture and the building trade.
What: from nothing? Even though
the background to this movement
is unknown, one thing is for sure:
it was born from necessity, and
the resulting talent shown by the
farmers of helping themselves.
And the architects’ contribution?
Artistic talent (→ page 78) practiced
for centuries.
Farmers’ palace and parlour
However, none of the large buildings
actually stand in the Bregenzerwald
itself: they are constructed “outside”:
“inside” keeps house, tries to
increase affluence and displays it
with a reserved pride. When, in
the early 19th century, agriculture
started to prosper – especially in
the Vorder- and Mittelwald – new
farmhouses were built which were
soon known as farmers’ palaces and
which, according to the relevant
literature, were amongst the most
magnificent in the whole of the
alpine region. The log cabin was
As a rule, these skills are practiced at
home, with the individual members
committed to the family. One is
surrounded by one’s own craftsmanship. This is also true of the clothing. The local costume stands out
amongst all those from the alpine
region: ornate, strict, proud – the
“Juppe” is the first thing you notice.
A four metre-long black piece of
cloth is folded into numerous pleats,
smoothed in several stages – this is
the skirt. It is decorated only with one
bright blue band. Then there are the
half a dozen different pieces of headgear. The artistically embroidered
blouse, which is a good indicator of
social standing, is not the end of the
magic. Inspired by fashion worn by
18th century courtiers in Spain, the
costume still demands poise of the
wearer today.
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culture
dining out
The magic becomes even more
physical when it comes to cooking
and eating. Whatever is produced
by the soil and the garden is cultivated: the cheese from the largest
silage-free dairy region, for example, is unique. And you can taste the
meaning of refinement when you
compare local cheese “knöpfle” with
cheese “spätzle” from other regions.
It is hardly surprising then that the
Bregenzerwald has, by far, the most
“chef’s hats” (culinary distinction)
of all regions far and wide. Or that
here, where one in three is employed
as a craftsman, this refined everyday
culture is a fixed source of income.
(KäseStrasse → page 88).
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Decoration and Taste
And then there were the covers and
textiles: textile processing – first of
all weaving, followed from around
1760 by embroidery and lace-making
for manufacturers from St. Gallen –
soon proved so lucrative that farming was sometimes neglected: a
repeated upturn was experienced
from 1865 following the introduction
of the “Parisian machine”. This can
still be felt today: there is something
missing in a Bregenzerwald parlour
without the white, finely crocheted
net curtains.
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shingled, windows and doors were
finely decorated in line with the
Biedermeier period: more than anything else, however, people treated
themselves to a panelled parlour,
nice and bright thanks to large
windows, cosy thanks to the tiled
stove and special pieces of furniture.
The sofa was one such piece: around
the middle of the century, manufacture of this piece exploded, only
to dwindle in a few decades: usually manufactured in the evening at
home by “laymen”, today they are
popular collector’s items (Werkraum
→ page 80). The stoves, too, were
special: the artistic tiles came mainly
from local potters whose trade flourished during this century.
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78
architecture
Modernism and tradition
If a ranking of the most significant
architectural regions in the world
were to be drawn up today, Vorarlberg
would, without a doubt, be in the top
ten. However, this doesn’t just mean
the significance
of the individual constructions, but
also their number and density.
This phenomenon is comparatively
new. Whilst it is true that V
orarlberg’s
baroque master builders are a fixed
feature in specialist literature, whenever the Vorarlberg school of architecture or architects are mentioned,
they mean the generation born since
1950 which has been influencing the
architecture here for about the past
30 years. Without counting the handful of pioneers that preceded them,
this amounts to over 60 people: considering the 370,000 inhabitants,
this is an amazing number. Such
a ratio is only possible in a region
where architecture is appreciated,
where one in four houses is designed
by architects.
From construction artists to architects
However, this is the result, rather
than the explanation, of a development. “Construction artists” is what
the players called themselves at the
start since, in the face of a vehement
conflict with the “establishment”
of the building industry and chamber, the title “architect” was refused.
According to one of the pioneers,
public appearances, the joining of
forces and dialogue were important right from the start. The ideal
founded in terms of social policy –
social, affordable, sustainable,
regional – promoted the solidarity
of a generation that was searching
for new life forms and other ways of
cultural expression, that was resisting the sell-out of their land, and that
found expression in building. The
new type of architecture started off
in residential buildings – by way of
examining already existing buildings or as a new structure, often for
residential groups – and grew into a
clear sign of the cultural restoration
which soon extended to the economic
elite and the public sector. However,
as important as this environment
was, there are always people who take
architecture
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Tip: Buildings worth visiting
museums
Angelika Kauffmann Museum,
Schwarzenberg; Juppenwerkstatt,
Riefensberg; Women’s Museum,
Hittisau; Franz Michel Felder
Museum, Schoppernau.
inns and hotels
Gasthof Adler, Schwarzenberg;
Hotel Krone, Hittisau; Hotel
Gams and Hotel Post, Bezau;
Hotel Schwanen, Bizau; Hotel
Sonne and Metzgerstüble, Mellau.
schools & kindergarten
Bizau; Doren; Egg; Warth.
commercial buildings
Molke Metzler, Egg;
Wood workshop Faißt, Hittisau;
Cheese cellar, Lingenau.
municipal buildings
Village halls in Sulzberg,
Langenegg, Andelsbuch, Bizau.
churches
Alpe Niedere chapel, Andelsbuch
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Worth a visit
It is hard to list remarkable buildings,
since many of them are private residential buildings which are not accessible. However, a walk through Hittisau
or Schwarzenberg for example, can satisfy your curiosity. The village of Bizau
is particularly suitable for such a walk:
it boasts residential buildings from all
epochs, estates, buildings for industrial, educational and local authority
purposes, as well as inns: the ensemble
was awarded the ArGeAlp prize.
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Landscape and wooden buildings
Located somewhat off the beaten
track, the Bregenzerwald was part of
this development, although in a way
of its own. In contrast to the densely
populated, industrial and commercial
Rhine Valley with its mainly suburban structure, landscape, nature and
rural craftsmanship culture is of great
importance in the B
regenzerwald.
Outside of the Bregenzerwald, groups
of houses and farms dominate,
whereas inside the Bregenzerwald
it is the single-ridge house ( farmers’ palace and parlour → page 76),
outside of the Bregenzerwald it
is households which commission
the building, whereas inside the
Bregenzerwald it is the young craftsmen. The Bregenzerwälder have a
greater affinity for craftsmanship
in general (Werkraum → page 80):
for example, it is in the carpentry
trade that the Kaufmann family of
architects has its roots. While, following the initial years, the formal
experiment is in demand outside,
the tendency towards stringency and
sobriety increases inside. Rural pragmatism and the discipline of construction with timber, which is now
state-of-the-art, appears to be more
effective here. Recently, examining
the old buildings is also gaining in
importance. Above all, however, the
new buildings fit in with the surrounding landscape with regard to
material, size and proportion. Is it
this attitude that shies at the eccentric and that searches for the typical
rather than the unique which guarantees this way of building a wide basis?
In any case, good carpentry firms now
build residential buildings which architects in other places wouldn’t be capable of building: it is these houses which
graze casually in the field like the cattle
which are as typical of the region as the
farmhouses and the churches.
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responsibility, and Eberle, Gnaiger,
Dietrich, Kaufmann and Ritsch have
long since become international stars
with chairs at renowned universities.
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werkraum bregenzerwald
Werkraum Depot in Schwarzenberg
A festival week with an exhibition
of artistic innovations, architectural
delights, culinary offers, international
guests – for the past decade, life in
the Bregenzerwald has been richer
by a major attraction. Every three
years, the Werkraum invites people
to “Handwerk+Form”. All this arises
voluntarily: a provisional building
is provided free of charge, the efforts
put in by the countless team members
clearly increase, to culminate in the
presentation of prizes (the actual
reason behind the whole thing) at a
major party lasting a week and featuring an exhibition. Each year the event
attracts more and more visitors from
near and far.
Game and competition
This is how the Werkraum displays its
mission: as part of a community, by
means of teamwork, it accomplishes
that which far extends beyond the
strengths of its individual members.
And it encourages competition, challenges entrants to perform their very
best. Objects created in the members’
workshops according to their own
design or in conjunction with external designers are judged. The close
relationship with the architects (→
page 78) is allowed to develop. Furniture, clothing, components – they
must have a practical use, be proof
of the highest level of craftsmanship
and exemplary design.
Construction of the Werkraum building in Andelsbuch
The first cut of the spade for the Werkraum building is planned for
summer 2011: the Werkraum building has been planned by famous
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and is being built along with craftsmen
from Bregenzerwald. Completion is expected in winter 2012/13. The
building will offer everything needed by craftsmen in Bregenzerwald:
opportunities to hold exhibitions and to display information, space for
administration and training, lectures and events as well as spaces for
social interaction. www.werkraum.at
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Werkraum depot
The Werkraum depot is the
communal exhibition platform
for furniture and objects from
the Bregenzerwald. On an area
covering 300 m², the Werkraum
members exhibit Bregenzerwald
furniture and objects with a
practical, daily use.
opening times
Thu 5 – 7.30 p.m.
information & booking of
guided tours
Werkraum office
T +43 (0)5512 26386
www.werkraum.at
– are cultivated to their most exquisite form, small batches in the field
of furniture construction open up
new markets, the pre-production of
construction elements in the field
of hotel construction, for example, is making progress. The latest
manufacturing technologies such as
CAM and CNC have been introduced,
the finish of coatings is expanded,
for example: craftsmanship meets
omnipresent engineering. Hence, it
comes as no surprise that you can
find kitchens from Hittisau in Athens, that the furnishings of a hall of
residence in Massachusetts come
from Schwarzenberg or that, in 2008,
a living unit from Reuthe was visible
on the roof of the MoMa in New York.
Public relations work, advertising,
marketing – the Werkraum provides
all those advantages which industry has over trade. Yet without a
huge budget: instead, it has capital
typical to craftsmen – brains and
ability, a network, links. And so an
interested public in Vienna, Munich
and Paris have seen exhibitions put
on by the Werkraum, for example.
The Werkraum is also a regular subject in the specialist press, and has
been described as the “landscape of
knowledge”.
The Werkraum has always been
involved at a local level, such as in
training, in schools, in specific construction projects, in dealing with
historical building stock. It is a contribution towards the structural
change of the region, and an example of social competence. Despite its
international reputation, over 75% of
all objects are still sold to clients in
Vorarlberg, most of whom even live
in the valley. These trades make an
important contribution towards the
prosperity of the valley community.
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Qualities of craftsmanship
Work on the spot, reaction to special
cases, direct commissioning, closeness to customers and flexibility are
quality standards of this craftsmanship, specialised skills and a creative
instinct are needed, acquired in a
highly developed culture of craftsmanship and naturally handed down
to the next generation. This store
of knowledge and skills is maintained and continually extended:
raw materials – such as the silver fir
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Since its establishment in 1999, the
competition has been the core of the
registered society. Almost 100 firms
are members, mainly involved in
wood processing, such as joiners and
carpenters, but there is also a handful of locksmiths, stonemasons, bricklayers, fitters, electricians, painters,
upholsterers, textile processors and
cobblers through to the exotic such
as coppers and wood carvers. Most
of the firms have up to around five
employees, some of them are oneman workshops, and only a few have
double-digit employees.
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82
energy experience
Kindergarten in Langenegg
The energy region of “Vorderwald”
is one of 66 energy model regions in
Austria.
Buildings, renewable energy, the
countryside
The buildings are divided into three
categories: buildings and energy,
The eight municipalities which make renewable energy, the countryside.
In the field of buildings and energy,
up the Vorderwald (Doren, Hittisau,
the new hofhus in Lingenau, the new
Krumbach, Langenegg, Lingenau,
housing estate in Krumbach and the
Riefensberg, Sibratsgfäll, Sulzberg)
primary school in Doren are presented,
have joined up in order to design a
for instance. Biomass boiler plants
joint, future-compliant climate and
energy policy. An essential objective of and energy produced by means of
the model region is energy autonomy. hydroelectricity, such as by the hydroOne measure for achieving this objec- electric plant in Langenegg, stand for
the renewable energy experience. The
tive is to raise people’s awareness of
buildings described in the field of landenergy, making it visible and real to
people. Many buildings, including the scape and energy are great day trip
destinations for the whole family. The
biomass boiler plant, and the water
energy portals in Langenegg, the water
hiking path already serve to do so in
hiking path and Lecknertal in Hittisau,
the energy model region.
the natural mud bath in Sibratsgfäll
are all presented, for example.
Business card of the energy region of
Vorderwald
The newly created excursion guide
Tip: The new excursion guide
presents over 20 buildings, includfor the energy region of Vordering pictures, texts and contact data.
wald contains over 20 tips. AvailGuided tours are available for each of
able from the eight communities
the buildings. Special programmes
which make up the energy region
including modules which can be indiof Vorderwald, at Bregenzerwald
vidually arranged are available for
Tourismus and in the Energy
specialist groups or schools.
Institute of Vorarlberg.
antony gormley: »horizon field«
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information
Kunsthaus Bregenz
www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at
www.antonygormley.com
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His works are concerned mainly
with man and his complex relationships with society, architecture and
nature. The focus of his work is on
the human figure which he, starting from his own body, presents
as individual figures and as part of
large ensembles in new sculptural
constellations.
family tips
“Horizon Field” comprises one
hundred life-size casts of a human
body made from solid cast iron distributed over an area of 150 square
kilometres such that they form a
horizontal line at 2,039 m above
sea level. It is the greatest artistic
and scenic intervention in Austria
to date. In the form of the “Horizon
Field” project in the Bregenzerwald
and in the Arlberg area in the municipalities of Mellau, Schoppernau,
Schröcken, Warth, Mittelberg, Lech,
Klösterle and Dalaas, this is the first
time such an art project has been
realised in the mountains – and at
such a high altitude to boot.
The specific positioning of the figures has no metaphoric or thematic
relevance. The positioning is the
result of the artist’s experience that
this altitude is readily accessible yet
remote from everyday life. The outstanding artist Antony Gormley is
one of the most important contemporary sculptors in Great Britain.
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Along with British artist Antony
Gormley, Kunsthaus Bregenz is realising the unique landscape project
“Horizon Field” in Vorarlberg, which
can be viewed until April 2012.
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Antony Gormley – Horizon Field © Antony Gormley and Kunsthaus Bregenz
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84
cabaret & village culture
Listed village square in Schwarzenberg
The cultural calendar also has plenty
to offer during the winter: Advent in
Schwarzenberg is particularly atmospheric. Music and cabaret are staged.
Schwarzenberger Advent
24 November – 18 December 2011
The atmospheric “Schwarzenberg
Advent” has advanced to become
a fixed date in the diaries of many
guests and locals alike. 2011 also
offers lots of interesting things to
experience, to hear and to discover.
One of the highlights is the Christmas market (25 and 26 November 2011, from 3 to 8 p.m.): various
concerts, readings and exhibitions
around the village square.
information
Tourist office Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 3570
www.schwarzenberg.at
Bahnhof Andelsbuch cultural society
Culture is a regular visitor to the
“bahnhof”, the converted imperial
and royal station in Andelsbuch from
the abandoned Wälderbahn. It hosts
over 40 events every year. Exhibitions, lectures and discussions, fairy
story readings, lieder evenings and
concerts attract locals as well as visitors from Switzerland, Germany and
Liechtenstein to the bahnhof events
location. It is the objective of those
running the bahnhof to bring global
culture to the Bregenzerwald and to
show the world which culture thrives
in these parts. This may take the form
of art by young avant-gardists or the
artistic craftsmanship of older people
from the Bregenzerwald. The bahnhof
enjoys an international reputation
amongst musicians, music agencies
and the media alike. Moreover, it is the
birthplace of the most exciting new
band in Austria at the moment – the
Holstuanarmusigbigbandclub (HMBC).
information
Kulturverein bahnhof
T +43 (0)664 2507789
[email protected]
www.bahnhof.cc
music and literature salons in hotels
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culture
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Jazz in Steffisalp in Warth
This is the place to finish off a day’s
skiing to the sound of good jazz
and lounge music. Live music in the
fireside bar every Saturday.
information
Sporthotel Steffisalp
T +43 (0)5583 3699
www.steffisalp.at
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Literature salon in Hotel Krone in
Hittisau
The “Literature on Saturday Afternoon” cycle is a joint event hosted by
Ensemble 89 Hittisau and Gasthof
Krone.
information & dates
Hotel Gasthof Krone
T +43 (0)5513 6201
www.krone-hittisau.at
family tips
Advent music in Hotel Post, Bezau
The small yet exquisite Advent
festival in Hotel Post gets you in
the mood for Christmas on the four
Advent Sundays.
Date: 27 November, 4 December,
11 December, 18 December always at
6 p.m.
Hotel Post in Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2207
www.hotelpostbezau.com
Wälderness in Hotel Hirschen in
Schwarzenberg
Once upon a time, it was the “fiveo’clock-tea” which offered refined
entertainment after a day on the
slopes: now it is the music salons
held in the evening. Under the motto
“Wälderness”, selected jazz, blues,
rock and new folk music ensembles –
all of which have a touch of inside tip
about them – play in the Hotel Hirschen in Schwarzenberg every Thursday (between January and March).
information
Hotel-Gasthof Hirschen
T +43 (0)5512 2944
www.hirschenschwarzenberg.at or
www.waelderness.at
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Several hotels in Bregenzerwald
extend a warm invitation to attend
music and literature salons held in
the evening.
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Wälderness – Hirschen’s exquisite music salon
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86
exhibitions & museums
Traditional costume worn by the women of the Bregenzerwald
Insights into the history, lifestyle and
creative activity are provided by lively
museums and exhibitions.
decades, comprises engravings, oil
paintings and neoclassical porcelain
cups decorated according to Angelika
Kauffmann themes.
opening times
Women’s Museum in Hittisau
The first Women’s Museum in Austria 25 November 2011 until 8 January 2012
Fri – Sun 2 – 4 p.m. (closed on 24 and
presents changing exhibitions. The
25 December 2011 as well as on 1 Januexhibition “Celebrations. Struggles.
ary 2012) Guided tours available on
100 years of Women’s Day” is being
request, also outside of opening hours
held until January 2012. Images and
text tell the story of how the women’s information & guided tours
movements demanded, and continue Tourist office Schwarzenberg
to demand, public space, of how polit- T +43 (0)5512 3570
www.schwarzenberg.at
ical identities grow, and how rituals
develop and change.
Franz Michael Felder Museum
opening times
Schoppernau
November – April: Thu 3 – 8 p.m.,
Fri 2 – 5 p.m., Sat, Sun 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Franz Michael Felder was a farmer,
writer and social reformer and is an
and 2 – 5 p.m. as well as following
important historical figure from the
prior appointment.
Bregenzerwald. The exhibition is an
information & guided tours
exploration of his life, displaying origT +43 (0)5513 6209-30
inal documents, quotations and picwww.frauenmuseum.at
tures, and featuring audio points.
opening times
Angelika Kauffmann Museum
Mon 4 – 6 p.m., Thu 9 – 11 a.m.,
Schwarzenberg
Fri 5 – 7 p.m., Sun 9.30 – 11.30 a.m.
“Rarities and Treasures” – from
information
the art collection of the village of
Tourist office Schoppernau
Schwarzenberg. The collection, comT +43 (0)5515 2495
prising purchases, legacies, gifts and
donations made or received over the
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family tips
active winter
The Bregenzerwald locals are masters in the art of
cheese and cuisine. The Bregenzerwald KäseStrasse
with its selection of enjoyable stations is dedicated
to the subject of cheese. The chefs in the multi
award-winning restaurants and inns skilfully master
the art of cooking.
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käsestrasse bregenzerwald
Alpine dairy in Schnepfau
How come a valley community in
which, a century ago, Sunday dinner
comprised a sort of wheat flour mash
(with maize grits the rest of the week)
is now a gourmet region with specialities whose origins are protected and
where refined gastronomy is at home
in many restaurants?
The Bregenzerwald is an Austrian
gourmet region. These days, the word
“gourmet” is used all too frequently
in advertising: however, the expression “gourmet region” has a specific
meaning: it is a registered brand by
the Austrian Ministry for Food and
the AMA (Agrarmarkt Austria), wishing to remind consumers of regional
specialities. The basic prerequisites
are that the ingredients come
from the region, that production is
regional, and that the products are
firmly rooted in regional gastronomy.
In the Bregenzerwald, this means
alpine cheese. Every year, approximately 3,000 tons of alpine cheese
are produced in the valley’s 17 dairies.
Every year, 200 tons of alpine cheese
are handmade by the 90 or more
dairy alps every summer. The special
thing about this cheese is the silofree milk it is produced from, since
only 2% of EU dairy farmers produce
in this way, i.e. their cows never eat
silo fodder – instead, between May
and October, they only eat grass and
herbs. During the winter, they only
eat the air-dried hay from valley
meadows. In the so-called three-stage
käsestrasse bregenzerwald
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
Tip: shop and information point
for the KäseStrasse in Lingenau
cheese cellar.
News: www.kaesestrasse.at
ski & freedom
The passage of this modest alp fare
to the current first-class restaurants in the Bregenzerwald – which
now use over 50 regional types of
cheese – went through a series of
changes which demanded quality
rather than quantity. These include
the 1997 EU Protection of Origin of
alpine and mountain cheeses, the
establishment of the “KäseStrasse
Bregenzerwald” in 1998 as a network
of farmers, alpine d
airies, craftsmen,
publicans and businesses, the “Gourmet region of the Bregenzerwald” in
2005, the Vorarlberg quality marketing “luag druf” in 2005, the inclusion
of Bregenzerwald mountain cheese
into the “Ark of taste” by Slow Food
2008, and the “Bregenzerwald Gourmet Days” by the KäseStrasse in July
2009. The toughest taste test is still
the most regional however: every year,
alpine and mountain cheese is judged
in Schwarzenberg. The winner at this
event is enough to satisfy any gourmet’s taste buds.
ski & board
The three-stage farming method
(which was included in the national
UNESCO list of immaterial cultural
assets in spring 2011) in particular
gives the alpine cheese the special flavour which means it can easily contend with the well-known European
full-fat cheeses. It has been like this
for a long time: back at the start of
the 19th century, the inhabitants of
the Bregenzerwald sold over 30.000
kg of cheese to the monarchy and
abroad. In 1877, Karl von Seyffertitz
wrote: “Everywhere – including in
the cheerful Vorderwald, in Hittisau
and Lingenau, you will meet a unique
people in strange national dress in
wood-panelled parlours with floors
scrubbed white, with shiny door handles – the men busy looking after a
dairy breed of cow and overseeing
the production of a popular, worldfamous fine cheese, the women busy
with elaborate whitework embroidery.” However, it wasn’t the producers back then who made all the money
– it was the sellers. The Schnepfau
local Josef Ambros Moosbrugger, for
example, made so much profit from
selling cheese that he could afford
a city palace in Milan. No doubt he
dined differently to the people back
home, where cooking over an open
fire resulted above all in simple panfried dishes such as the “Riebel” and
the “Schwozermuas”. Up on the alp,
flour, salt, butter, quark and cheese
were the main ingredients. The recipe for “Schwozermus” – named for
the woodcutters from Schwaz – was:
“Water, flour, salt, dripping – and
that’s it!” The lack of bread on the alp
gave rise to the “Käsknöpfle”, to “Sig”,
known only in the Bregenzerwald and
which is caramelised lactose, since
they wanted to make a further product
from the whey.
land & lives
farming method, following their
winter in the barn, the animals graze
on the mountain pastures located
at medium height (around 900 m)
during the spring and the autumn,
and on the high mountain pasture
during the summer. The mountain
pastures are run as a collective, since
the farmers only have an average of
12 cows in the barn.
89
90
berggut – good things from the bregenzerwald
Good things from the Bregenzerwald
Really good bread with country-style
butter and alpine cheese, a fluffy
local pancake made with eggs from
happy chickens, a juicy schnitzel
from a mountain pig: the limelight
has recently been on regional delicacies offered by mountain inns and
restaurants catering for day-trippers.
For fresh, natural produce tastes better, and short delivery distances are
good for the environment. A special
menu informs diners which ingredients come directly from regional
farms and manufactories – or even
from the restaurant’s own garden!
Many things are still hand-made: the
excellent alpine and cream cheese,
crispy bread, best butter and creamy
yoghurts. “BERGGUT” partners also
offer farm-made ice-cream made
from milk produced by hay-eating cows, fresh fruits and regional
ingredients.
Almhotel Hochhäderich
Alpenarena Hochhäderich, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 8254-0
www.alpenarena.com
opening times
17 December 2011 to 9 April 2012
Bergrestaurant Simma
Mellau cable cars, Roßstelle
T +43 (0)5518 2761 or
T +43 (0)5518 2760
www.restaurant-simma.at
opening times
Panoramarestaurant
Diedamskopf cable cars
Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 4110-0
www.diedamskopf.at
opening times
8 – 11 December 2011 (depending on
the snow)
Elsenalpstube mountain inn
Damüls cable cars, Uga Express
T +43 (0)5510 297
www.elsenalpstube.at
opening times
Hochalp skiing hut
Jägeralp-Express, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 4250
www.jaegeralpe.at
opening times
exceptional specialties
91
land & lives
ski & board
Gasthof Gams in Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2220
www.hotel-gams.at
Hotel Krone in Au
T +43 (0)5515 2201
www.krone-au.at
Hotel Das Schiff in Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6220
www.schiff-hittisau.com
well-being
Restaurant Schulhus in Krumbach
T +43 (0)5513 8389
www.schulhus.com
dining out
Hotel Post in Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2207-0
culture
information
www.mundart-restaurants.at
Gasthof Krone in Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6201
www.krone-hittisau.at
active winter
The following award-winning
Bregenzerwald inns and restaurants
have made it their business to adopt
“MundArt” as their motto.
Gasthof Hirschen in Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 2944-0
www.hirschenschwarzenberg.at
family tips
MundArt
The term “MundArt” has two meanings in the Bregenzerwald: firstly,
it means the special dialects maintained in this region – even the
Vorarlberg locals don’t understand
it all! Secondly, “MundArt” stands
for the creativity displayed by the
Bregenzerwald catering trade. For
them, it is a matter of etiquette to
use produce from local farms in their
kitchens: meat, vegetables, herbs and
dairy products.
Gasthof Adler in Schwarzenberg
T +43 (0)5512 2966
www.adler-schwarzenberg.at
xc skiing
The Bregenzerwald has a considerable number of restaurants and inns
for those who enjoy good food. This
includes a few exceptional addresses.
ski & freedom
Regional cuisine with creative touches
92
Hotel Schwanen in Bizau
Wirtshaus zur Taube
Openness and naturalness are the
raison d’être behind the Wirtshaus
zur Taube in Alberschwende. The restaurant attaches particular importance to the quality of the ingredients it uses. The Wirtshaus zur Taube
was declared a “Vorarlberger Genuss
Wirt” in 2011.
information
Wirtshaus zur Taube
T +43 (0)5579 4202
www.taube.at
Enjoyment with Hildegard von Bingen
The kitchen in the organic Hotel
Schwanen in Bizau is orientated
towards the teachings of abbess
Hildegard von Bingen. Fresh produce
from the region is lovingly prepared
into delicious meals.
information
Hotel Schwanen
T +43 (0)5514 2133
www.schwanen.at
FranzMichl-Vinothek
The cosily furnished wine bar in the
centre of Schoppernau has a large
selection of fine wines and Mediterranean specialities. Opening times:
Tue, Fri and Sat from 4 p.m.
information
FranzMichl-Vinothek
T +43 (0)680 500 1002
www.franzmichl.at
Hotel Wirthaus zum Gämsle
The inn and small hotel are housed
in a typical Bregenzerwald house.
The establishment’s philosophy:
to make everything as natural as
possible – from the cuisine to the
furnishings in the rooms. Declared
“Vorarlberger Genuss Wirt” in 2009.
information
Hotel Wirthaus zum Gämsle
T +43 (0)5515 30062
www.gaemsle.at
Naze’s Hus in Mellau
Naze’s Hus in Mellau, a small restaurant and B&B, uses only local produce. Naze’s Hus is accommodated in
a carefully-renovated Bregenzerwald
house listed for preservation.
Awarded the status of traditional
inn in 2008 by “Vorarlberg isst…”.
information
Naze’s Hus
T +43 (0)650 4627929
www.nazes-hus.at
93
land & lives
ski & board
Gasthof Adler
T +43 (0)5513 8156-0
www.adler-krumbach.at
Kur- und Gesundheitshotel Rossbad
T +43 (0)5513 5110
www.rossbad.com
active winter
Krumbacher Stuba
T +43 (0)5513 8724
www.krumbacher-stuba.at
family tips
Restaurant Schulhus
T +43 (0)5513 8389
www.schulhus.com
xc skiing
Moor restaurateurs, Krumbach
Four restaurateurs have taken up the
topic of “Krumbach’s moorlands”
as their mission. As “moor restaurateurs”, they offer their guests guided
tours, cookery courses and moorland
days to experience the moorland
in full. At least one dish related to
the moors is included in the menu
throughout the year. The seasonal
moor drink delights gourmets with
various fragrances and aromas from
the moor. The Spring and Autumn
Moor Weeks are the culinary highlights in the annual calendar of the
moor restaurateurs.
ski & freedom
Krumbach’s moorlands in the winter
culture
dining out
well-being
94
Ms Kaufmann in her cooking studio
Ms Kaufmann: learning to cook
the home-made way
The target audience of “Frau
Kaufmann” is people who place high
demands on the quality of the ingredients, of the instruments used and
the ambience which reigns during
cooking and dining, who regularly
cook at home or who quite simply
wish to cook a meal in an informal,
sociable setting. The various needs
are fulfilled using various products:
Cooking for every day: meals according to the programme, and multipart cooking sessions for beginners.
“Ms Kaufmann” teaches her students
to cook a four-course meal according to old recipes, either sticking to
the original or applying contemporary changes. The side dishes always
depend on the produce currently
available on the market. Everybody
participates in each course, either
cooking or observing. The individual
dishes are eaten as soon as they are
ready, served with a suitable wine.
Depending on the subject, interesting guests, experienced cooks,
farmers or wine-growers are invited
along. The cooking session includes
the recipes, an aperitif, enjoying the
meal together – including wine – and
a taster for home.
Customised cooking: cooking sessions according to your own individual wishes. Whatever your chosen
meal, we cook it together. As part of
a private group, you come along to
“Frau Kaufmann” and choose the
date and the meal which suits you.
Your programme can be held in the
evening or during the day – it is up
to you.
Ms Kaufmann in her cooking studio
The “Ms Kaufmann” cookery school
is located in the former Gasthaus
Engel in Egg, whose substance is
almost 300 years old. It is located on
a historic trading route. Horse dealers, business people and coachmen
once frequented the Engel. It has
been lovingly renovated.
information
Karin Kaufmann
T +43 (0)676 4954144
[email protected]
www.fraukaufmann.at
95
land & lives
ski & board
ski & freedom
family tips
Who doesn’t occasionally long for a retreat, for a
leisurely pace, for stimuli which pamper the body
and soul? The Bregenzerwald is such a retreat. With
a great selection of specialised hotels and range of
services for your very own well-being.
xc skiing
well-being
active winter
culture
dining out
well-being
96
health hotels
The perfect way to finish off active winter days
Curative or preventative: if you want
to lend your health a helping hand,
you are in the right place!
Kur- und Gesundheitshotel Rossbad***
Therapeutic fasting, Moor vitality
weeks, Kneipp treatments, wholefood cuisine.
Krumbach
T +43 (0)5513 5110
www.rossbad.at
Vitalhotel Quellengarten***
Active hotel offering sports and relaxation activities. Spacious bathing
and sauna complex plus fitness centre (open to the public).
Lingenau
T +43 (0)5513 6461-0
www.bregenzerwaldhotels.at
Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe****
Applications using mud, wellness
and beauty package deals. Lovely
bathing house with a sauna and wellness complex and pool in the garden
(open to the public).
Reuthe
T +43 (0)5514 2265-0
www.badreuthe.at
Pension Engel***
Therapeutic fasting according to
Dr. Buchinger.
Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6231-0
www.fastenkur.at
Hotel Schwanen****
Detox and wellness programmes
according to the teachings of Abbess
Hildegard von Bingen. It received certification as an organic hotel in 2011.
Bizau
T +43 (0)5514 2133
www.schwanen.at
Sonne Lifestyle Resort****S
modern-yet-cosy designer rooms and
suites, spacious comfort-zone spa.
Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 20100-0
www.sonnemellau.com
Sporthotel Steffisalp****
Modern, elegant hotel with spacious
Steffis spa.
Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3699
www.steffisalp.at
dining out
well-being
Romantik Hotel Das Schiff****
Lovely, new rooms and suites, spacious wellness area with
swimming pool and garden,
excellent cuisine.
Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6220
www.schiff-hittisau.com
Landhotel Hirschen***
Yoga and herb weeks, wellness days,
therapeutic fasting according to Dr
Buchinger, talks on herbs, own herb
garden and cellar.
Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2320
www.landhotel-hirschen.at
culture
Damülser Hof**** Wellnesshotel
Location offering a breathtaking
view at an altitude of 1,400 m above
sea level.
Damüls
T +43 (0)5510 210
www.damuelserhof.at
active winter
Hotel Post****S
Voted the best wellness hotel in
Europe in 2008 by Geo Saison.
Modernised in style in 2009.
Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2207
family tips
Vital Hotel Linde****
Wellness and golf hotel with the elegant Sunset spa and a magnificent
view. (open to the public)
Sulzberg
T +43 (0)5516 2025
xc skiing
GAMS, Genießer- & Kuschelhotel****S
“Blütenschloss” with cosy suites,
The Da Vinci spa has been extended
in 2009.
Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2220
www.hotel-gams.at
ski & freedom
Hirschen Wohlfühlhotel****
Informal establishment, adventure
swimming pool with panoramic view
of the countryside.
Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 21150
www.hirschen.at
ski & board
Hotel Krone****
Sky spa in the fourth and fifth storeys
with a view of the countryside. Bathing
lake in the garden. The swimming
pool and the massage and beauty
areas were modernised in 2009.
Au
T +43 (0)5515 2201-0
www.krone-au.at
97
land & lives
These hotels are particularly orientated towards pampering their guests
with pleasurable and exciting sensations for body, mind and soul.
wellness hotels
98
wellness days
Architecture for a feeling of well-being
Some of the health and wellness
hotels in the Bregenzerwald also
offer wellness days for visitors
who are not guests of their establishments. Prior reservations are
required for all these programmes.
The prices are per person.
Kur- und Gesundheitshotel Rossbad***
Krumbach
T +43 (0)5513 5110
www.rossbad.at
Rossbad wellness day
Full-body massage, Scottish salt bath
in the flotation lounger, affusion stimulating to the skin, use of the sauna
and wellness area, including breakfast
buffet, lunch and evening meal.
€ 140
Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe****
T +43 (0)5514 2265-0
www.badreuthe.at
Relax day
1 mud pack with freshly cut natural
mud or herbal bath, 1 all-over body
massage, 1 facial exfoliant and mask,
including day ticket to the thermal
bath and sauna and wellness world,
fitness room.
€ 99.50
Vitalhotel Quellengarten***
Lingenau
T +43 (0)5513 6461-0
Chill-out day
1 wellness bath in the soft pack
lounger (e.g. Cleopatra bath, cream
dream and vanilla bath, hay bath,
evening primrose bath, mud bath), 1
back massage, one wellness bath of
your choice, 1x solarium for 8 minutes, 1 admission for a day in the
Quellenbad & Saunawelt.
€ 87.50
wellness days
xc skiing
family tips
active winter
culture
Landhotel Hirschen***
Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2320
www.landhotel-hirschen.at
Wellness day
1 hot stone massage or 1 herbal stamp
massage, 1 coloured light and sound
therapy, 1 herbal bath of your choice,
use of the sauna and steam bath.
€ 108
ski & freedom
dining out
Sporthotel Steffisalp****
Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3699
www.steffisalp.at
“Desire for pampering moments”
Bathrobe and slippers, sauna towels,
use of the wellness area including
vitality pool and four different saunas (8 a.m. until 8 p.m.).
€ 19
Vital Hotel Linde****
Sulzberg
T +43 (0)5516 2025
Wellness day – pure relaxation
1 pack of hay flowers or freshly cut
peat, 1 back massage, day ticket to our
Sunset spa with wellness pool, sauna
complex, fitness room.
€ 70
ski & board
Sonne Lifestyle Resort****S
Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 20100-0
www.sonnemellau.com
Sunny day
Includes relaxation treatment for the
face and a paraffin intensive pack for
the hands, back and neck massage
with a special aromatic oil, Cleopatra pack in the flotation lounger, use
of the wellness complex covering
1,500 m², drinks and snacks in the
tea & juice corner.
€ 149
All offers can be combined with
breakfast from the large buffet in the
Marktwelt between 8 and 9 a.m. for
€ 17 per person.
Hirschen Wohlfühlhotel****
Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2115-0
www.hirschen.at
Enjoyment day
A sparkling welcome, snugly bath
robe, pampering facial, relaxing
partial-body massage, light wellness
lunch, relaxation in the whirlpool,
in the sauna, in the steam bath, on
waterbeds, total immersion in the
panoramic adventure pool (10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.).
€ 125
land & lives
Hotel Post****S
Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2207
Aktive Regeneration
Active regeneration
Relaxation treatment, all-over
body massage using aromatic oils
(40 minutes), reflexology massage,
herbal and whey bath. Use use of the
bathhouse, fitness room, vitalising
aperitif and light lunch.
€ 217
99
well-being
100
vorarlberg
Vorarlberg – pioneering territory for alpine skiing
Vorarlberg: unearthed! Vorarlberg is
a cosmopolitan province interested in
art, located in the most westerly corner
of Austria. An alpine idyll and vibrant
cultural centre at the same time. Exciting and full of the joys of life.
For over a century, all types of winter
sport have been playing an important
role in the mountainous land between
Lake Constance and the A
rlberg.
Despite this, however, the villages
haven’t been transformed into small
“skiing stations”, and not all mountain
peaks have been d
eveloped for winter sports. The skiing areas have been
gently adapted to the natural features,
which is very pleasing on the eye.
The fact that Vorarlberg is a
thriving winter sports country is,
of course, also thanks to the lovely
landscape: the interplay of gentle and
challenging slopes, of pistes, areas for
freeriders and variation skiers, and
tranquil retreats for winter hikers and
nature lovers.
Visitors to the area also love the
atmospheric villages with their
masterly and surprisingly brave
blend of old and new (wooden)
architecture. Standards of accommodation are high – from the five-star
hotel through to the private room.
You will find some of the best food in
Austria here.
information
Vorarlberg Tourismus
Poststraße 11
6850 Dornbirn, Austria
T + 43 (0)5572 377033-0
F +43 (0)5572 377033-5
[email protected]
www.vorarlberg.travel
how to reach vorarlberg
Munich
216 km
Friedrichshafen
62 km
Memmingen
103 km
Lake
Constance
D
Altenrhein
41 km
Zurich
140 km
CH
Bregenzerwald
Klein
walsertal
BodenseeVorarlberg
Großes
Walsertal
FL
Arlberg
Innsbruck
200 km
Alpenregion Bludenz
A
Montafon
CH
Distances to Egg in the Bregenzerwald
Photographs:
Adolf Bereuter (Cover, p. 10/20/30/50/68/78/88)
Christoph Lingg (p. 70/72/74/76/86/91)
Editor:
Dietmar Walser www.walser-image.com (p. 12)
Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH,
Helmut Tiefenthaler (p. 56/57/58/59/66)
Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg
Ludwig Berchtold (p. 90)
Manfred Felder (p. 16)
Design by:
Monika Albrecht (p. 33)
broger grafik, Andelsbuch
Marc Van Landeghem (p. 71)
Peter Mathis (p. 84/100)
Printed by:
Roswitha Natter (p. 80/94)
Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau
Rudolf Berchtel (p. 60/61/62/63/64)
Markus Trettner (p. 83)
Text by:
Archiv Au-Schoppernau Tourismus (p. 6/65)
Kinz Kommunikation
Archiv Bregenzerwald Tourismus (p. 52)
Florian Aicher (p. 6–7, 76–77, 78–79, 80–81)
Archiv Damüls Tourismus (p. 2)
Kurt Bracharz (p. 88–89)
Archiv Warth-Schröcken Tourismus (p. 67)
Archiv Gemeinde Krumbach (p. 93)
Carthography:
Archiv Gemeinde Langenegg (p. 82)
Aries Werbegrafik-Design
Archiv Gemeinde Sulzberg (p. 38)
Text and planning of hiking routes: Dr. Rudolf Berchtel
Archiv Hotel Hirschen Schwarzenberg (p. 85)
© Land Vorarlberg für Geodaten
Archiv Hotel Krone Au (p. 96)
By car
from the north
• Stuttgart-Ulm-Lindau
• or München-Memmingen-Lindau
from the west via Swiss
motorways* via Zurich-St. GallenSt. Margrethen
from the south via the routes
• Brenner motorway-Innsbruck-
Arlberg pass-Lech-Warth**
• or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal- Bregenzerwald
• Como-San Bernardino-ChurSt. Margrethen*-Bregenzerwald
from the east
• Innsbruck-Arlberg pass-LechWarth**
• or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal-Bregenzerwald
Archiv Hotel Lifestyle Resort Sonne Mellau (p. 98)
Data and prices subject to change. Typographical
Archiv Hotel Schwanen Bizau (p. 92)
errors cannot be excluded. Edition August 2011
Archiv Skischule Schwarzenberg (p. 51)
www.intersky.biz
*
toll road ** closed in winter
toll sticker required by law
A toll applies to the use of Austria’s
motorways and dual carriageways.
Types of toll sticker: “corridor” toll
(border of Germany to the Hohenems
exit, close to the Swiss border),
10-day, 2-month and yearly stickers.
Information: www.asfinag.at
By train
The closest railway stations
(distances to Egg):
• Bregenz (A): 26 km
• Dornbirn (A): 20 km
• St. Margrethen (CH): 32 km
• Lindau (D): 35 km
Timetable information: www.oebb.at
Onward travel by public buses:
www.vmobil.at
By aeroplane
• Zurich (CH): several direct train
connections to Bregenz
• Friedrichshafen (D)
• Memmingen (D)
• Munich (D)
• Innsbruck (A)
Transfers from the airports to the
Bregenzerwald:
www.mytransfer.at
bregenzerwald
b rege n z e rwald
wi nte r 2011/ 12
travel guide
Mon – Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat, bank holidays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun: closed
wi nter 2011/2012
Impulszentrum 1135 . 6863 Egg . Vorarlberg . Austria
T +43 (0)5512 2365 . F +43 (0)5512 3010
[email protected] . www.bregenzerwald.at
Ideas and Addresses.
Your guide through the
Bregenzerwald.

bregenzerwald

Transcription

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