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Compared to the designer-studded slopes and luxury boutique-lined streets of more widely known alpine destinations like Gustoad and St. Moritz, Austria's mountain towns are refreshingly understated. “We have a very luxurious place here,” says Alice Lichtenstein, an Italian-born design curator who moved to the hills of eastern Austria 20 years ago and resides in her husband's ancestral castle. Instead, Austrian resorts are all about serious skiing and deep cultural traditions. This is practically the same for Austrians. “Skiing is a version of soccer or baseball,” says New York-based sommelier, restaurateur, and winemaker Aldo Sohm. “That's us.”
Stretching from the border with Liechtenstein (country) in the east to the Vienna Basin in the west, Austria's alpine regions cover more than 20,000 square miles. Depending on which peak you're targeting, visitors often fly into Zurich or Munich, rent a car, or take a train up the mountain (the train trip from Munich to Salzburg is about 2 hours) . Sohm prefers to connect to Innsbruck Airport via Frankfurt. It's “small but very efficient,” he says. Lichtenstein points out that there's not much need for a car for a ski vacation here. “You walk out of the hotel and you're in the lift,” she says.
From November to March, winter sports are the main draw. Many vacationers come to soak in the area's natural springs, clustered in historic spa towns like Bad Earth. “Checking into a hotel with a hot bath, soaking, eating and going for a walk is the ideal of a perfect Austrian weekend,” says LieChtenstein. There are also several notable locations to view art and design and explore local crafts such as glassmaking and woodworking. And once the snow melts, the area becomes “basically a paradise” for hikers and bikers, Sohm says.
With so many opportunities to work up an appetite, it makes sense that the food here tends toward the hearty. (“At least now you can find fish,” Lichtenstein says.) Stylist Robert Rabensteiner grew up in an Austrian family in the South Tyrol region of Italy, and grew up in an Austrian family in the South Tyrol region of Italy, where he learned his favorite dishes from far away. “I like restaurants that look the same forever, and it's like stepping into another time,” says Ravensteiner.
Perhaps the most popular place to meet, at least during the snow season, is the “hut” at the top of the slope. There, the Aplus ski crowd indulged in dumplings and Kaiserschmarn (caramelized chopped pancakes served with sugar) with copious amounts of alcohol. “There's this very Austrian thing about drinking too much and skiing in the mountains,” Lichtenstein says. “After a ski day, I came home, took a shower, and even though it was snowing, I thought it was insane that I came from Italy with makeup and high heels on and everyone was dancing and flirting in their ski boots.'' But now I can just take the last lift, dance, have a drink, and then ski a little later.”
insider
Alice Liechtenstein is an Italian-born, Austria-based design curator who founded Schloss Hollenegg for design, a residency program and an exhibition space for emerging designers.
Robert Ravensteiner is a fashion consultant from the Austrian-Adjacent South Tyrol region of Italy who divides his time between Milan and the Dolomites.
Aldo Sohm is a sommelier, winemaker, author, and owner of Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in Manhattan. Based in Brooklyn, he was born and raised near Innsbruck, Austria.
Bettina Steindl is curator and CEO of Campusväre, a contemporary art and design center in Vorarlberg, Austria. She grew up in her family's hotel, Der Anterwaert.
sleep
“Wiesergut in Saalbach Hinterglemm is a family-run place, so it's very luxurious with the most delicious food. At breakfast they have a trolley of different types of cereals, porridge and muesli. They have a cheese tray each day with a different jam, and eggs, ham, bacon, salami – you name it. Almost everything is locally grown, some of it their own. Grown on a farm. (Rooms starting at about $400 per night)
“In Lech, we love staying at the Rote Wand Hotel. The rooms have a quirky decor and lots of really fun visual details. They also have a very good restaurant. (Approx. Rooms from $450)
“G'sund & Natur Hotel Die Wasnerin in Bad Aussee is an adults-only hotel where you can relax, do yoga, and take in the amazing views. It's not really a ski town, but there's plenty of cross-country skiing nearby” (Rooms from about $185 per night) – Alice Lichtenstein
“Burg Vital is elevated by the slopes of Oberlech. You can ski almost to bed. It has an incredible restaurant and an award-winning wine list that is deep but not crazy expensive.” ( Rooms from around $790 per night) – Aldo Sohm
“Having lived and grown up in the Alps, we feel that it is very important to worship nature and live in harmony with it. When a place is too big and crazy, you lose your connection with nature. Hotel in the Damüls Mellau ski area. Alpenstern is beautiful and serene, designed by a local architect and built primarily from local ashes. This restaurant is my favorite place to eat in the area, with a large, sunny terrace and modern touches. (Rooms from around $440 per night).
“Biohotel Schwanen near the Bregenzerwald ski area is run by a local family whose son worked in America for 10 years. He has made this hotel a truly wonderful place. The restaurant is all It's organic and has a great wine cellar (rooms from about $160 per night) – Bettina Steindl.
“The Christiania Reci Hotel is a mix of old and new, with bright colors, cool furniture, and old-fashioned Austrian service in the rooms. (Rooms from about $625 per night)
“Schloss Munichau in Kitzbuchel is a 15th-century castle filled with antique furniture and historic decor. You can spend the night and live like Austrian royalty.” (about $130 per night) Room from ) – Robert Ravensteiner
eat and drink
“Dahoam in the Saalbach Ski area is not something I usually go to, but the food is so delicious that I unexpectedly managed to complete every course. There are spectacular views of the mountains.
“Der Wolf in Lech is what we call Skihütte, a casual spot on top of the mountain for lunch (the menu includes burgers, steaks and Thai curries) and Après Ski. is very different from most. The interior is all done in pale wood and filled with light.''
“Hus nr. 8 is located in Oberek – the area at the top of the mountain of Lech – and it is in the middle of the slope. From the moment you walk in it smells amazing. After the meal (fondue, blood sausage, etc.) , you can ski all the way down.
“Kitzbuchel's Hallewert offers traditional food with a twist. With Knödel, you might get a special sausage or Spaetzle with a less typical sauce. It's next to a small church and it's very nice to visit afterwards.'' – RR.
“Das Schindler in Innsbruck is a small place with a bit of a scene. The food is more international than most places. Chinese dumplings and ravioli are on the menu, along with the usual schnitzel and steak, but almost everything in Innsbruck It's casual like.
“At Weissrösl in the center of Innsbruck, the schnitzel is particularly good and served in the traditional way with potato salad and lemon and lingonberry jam.
“Zum Wilden Mann, just outside Innsbruck, has an old Tyrolean style (wooden rooms with tiled stoves) with dark cedar-lined walls. Often the Austrian cuisine can be a little heavy. Possibly, but not here.
“At 10,000 feet above Serelden, mounted on the James Bond Museum 007 Elements, Ice Q is perched on top of a mountain and is very sleek and modern. The view is something else. You are literally above the clouds ” – as
“Bad Earth is a spa town where people come to relax, soak in mineral springs, and hike around beautiful lakes, but it's also known for its traditional shops. It also sells silk and floral prints by the meter. In Austria, we only use them for dirndls, but abroad you can get away with making pillows and other pieces for your home.''
“Riedel was founded in the 18th century, but its current CEO, Max Riedel, was in his 40s and is the one who came up with the famous O series stemless wine glasses. Visit the Kufstein factory and museum and discover the glasses You can see it covered by hand – BS.
go home
“Werkraum Bregenzerwald is a huge handcraft atelier where you can see exhibitions, meet artisans and buy their works. ” – BS
“Fritzen's Rocherto is a leading manufacturer of oak de vie (brandy). You must make a reservation to visit the distillery. They are most famous for their apricot variety, but I think it is more I love pine because it's typically Tyroleic.''
explore
“Saalbach Hinterglemm is my favorite ski area, with slopes of all levels and lots of Après Ski fun. The atmosphere is young and sporty. In Italy, I take a lift, ski down, take another… , I was skiing again. Here you can ski for kilometers and kilometers until you hit the lift and ask for a break. “There's also plenty of off-piste skiing.
“The town of Bad Gastenauer is a wonderful place. Walk through the village and up to the waterfall, passing the houses. The town is also interesting in terms of architecture. and acquired four geodesic domes. Unfortunately, you will not be able to go inside until they are restored.
“The Damurs Merauski area in Vollarberg usually has excellent snow conditions. There are some areas that are easy for beginners, but those who ski in general are good skiers.” – B.S.
“The Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, about 10 miles east of Innsbruck, is currently one of Austria's most popular tourist attractions. The exhibitions are extremely sparkly, luxurious and fun.” – as
“Kitzbühel in the Wilder Kaiser has been a ski destination for Upper Crust Germans and Austrians since the 80s and 90s. The most prestigious professional ski race, the Hahnenkamm, is held there every year. ” – R.R.
“When I am with my wife, who is not an experienced hiker, in the warmer months we go to the village of Axamer Lizum and take the Hoadlbahn cable car to Hoadl. Take to Plateau and hike there. The valley is beautiful. If I'm alone I'll do the more advanced sunrise hike to the Sands at 3am to catch the sunrise. You have to leave Innsbruck, which is very steep and challenging, but worth it. You can then take off your boots and cool off at the Kneipp, a river recreation area set up by the town.
“The James Bond Museum, the 007 element is very attractive. It is located at the top of the Gaislachkogl mountain in Selden, where we filmed “Spectre'' 10 years ago. – as
These interviews have been edited and condensed.
