Mountains, water, long evenings
What really works in summer and where it stays pleasantly cool.
Holiday know-how
Everything we have learned about hut holidays
We know every hut listed with us personally. What we pick up along the way about Alms, seasons, getting here and life on the farm, we write down here – so you don’t have to find it all out yourself.
01 · Who you travel with
The same hut is a different hut for every group
Whether an accommodation fits is rarely decided by the list of amenities. As a couple it is the parlour that counts, with children the fence around the meadow, in a group of ten the number of bathrooms and the question of who sleeps in the bunk bed. For each of these situations we have written down what really matters – and what we tell guests beforehand so that it fits afterwards.
Start where you recognise yourself. Every guide ends with the huts that match.
02 · By season
When you come changes everything
The same hut is a different place in June than in February. In early summer the meadow blooms and the valleys are empty; in high summer it is about shade and altitude metres; in winter about access, firewood and snow conditions. If you know this beforehand, you book differently – and usually better.
Snow, access, stove
What matters with a hut in winter – before booking.
Summer is getting longer
Coolcation and Sommerfrische: deliberately going where it is cool.
Related: Sommerfrische 2.0 · Hut holidays without electricity · Safe in the mountains · Travelling here sustainably · Shopping regionally on holiday
03 · Experiences
What you can do outside the door
The most beautiful part of a hut holiday is rarely the one you plan in advance. Still, it helps to know what is currently ripe, which mushrooms you may take with you, which lake is still worth it and what ends up in the pan when there is fog outside.
These pages are our collection from many years – none of it comes from a travel guide.
04 · Practical matters
The things you need to know once
What belongs in the rucksack when the hut has no shop within walking distance? What is different from a hotel? And what do you do when the weather turns? Two short pages that anticipate many questions.
Packing list for the hut
What you really need – and what you can safely leave at home.
9 golden hut tips
The points that turn a good holiday into a relaxed one.
Safe in the mountains
Weather, paths, emergencies – calmly explained, without scaremongering.
05 · Farming & sustainability
Why the landscape looks the way it does
We come from farming ourselves. That is why an Alm is not a photo motif for us but a business with an annual rhythm and bills. In this section we explain what Sömmerung (summering) means, why grazing is good for animals and meadows, how a mountain farm gets through the year and what gentle holidays actually bring the region.
This is the part of our knowledge that no booking portal has – and the reason hut owners entrust their properties to us.
Briefly once more
Frequently asked questions about hut holidays
What is the difference between an alpine hut, a chalet and a holiday house?
An alpine hut stands on managed Alm land, is often more simply equipped and in winter sometimes not reachable at all. A chalet is usually newer, more comfortable and accessible all year round. A holiday house often lies in the valley or at the edge of a village. With us, every accommodation states what applies – view all huts.
When is the best time for a hut holiday?
June and October are our favourite months: the valleys are empty, the prices lower, the landscape at its most beautiful. July and August are the busiest time for families, winter for everyone seeking snow and a stove. Details are in Plan your summer holiday and Plan your winter holiday.
Can I get to a hut without a car?
With most of our accommodations, yes – we indicate which are easy to reach by train and bus. You organise the last stage yourself, depending on the location with a hiking bus, on-demand bus or taxi. There is no pick-up service. Ask us before booking and we will tell you honestly how much effort it is: Huts by train and bus.
What do I need to bring to a hut?
Usually less than you think: slippers, a head torch, sturdy shoes, basic supplies for the first evening. What is provided in each case is stated in the description. You will find the complete list in our packing list.
Can I bring my dog to the hut?
With many of our accommodations, yes. What matters is consideration for grazing livestock: on the Alm, dogs belong on a short lead. Everything about this in With your dog in the mountains and directly bookable under Huts with dogs.
What makes you different from a big booking portal?
We list around 29 accommodations instead of tens of thousands. We have seen every one ourselves; for each we know who is behind it and what there is on the farm. How we check is described in What we look at.
You now know what matters – all that is missing is the hut
Tell us when and with whom you are travelling. We know every accommodation ourselves and reply personally.