up to 3 peopleTyrol, Gnadenwald
Waldsicht am Karwendelgebirge
Edge of the forest in Gnadenwald, large terrace, dog welcome – and the village Christkindlmarkt is a short walk away.
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Advent in the Mountains · 29 November to 23 December
Advent in the Mountains: Rent a Chalet in Austria
Advent is the quietest time on the mountain. Short days, light in the windows early, a small market in the neighbouring village where nobody jostles. If you like to travel slowly, these are the best four weeks – and the quietest huts.
Personally checkedQuiet weeks
before the bustle
before the bustle
1
Four quiet weeks29 November to 23 December – the quietest time of the mountain winter
2
Shorter staysDuring Advent the minimum stay is usually shorter than over the holidays – how short is stated with each hut
3
Markets without crowdsSmall village markets instead of city bustle – often open only on individual days
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Personal adviceTell us how quiet it should be – we will say honestly what fits
Three different ones every day
Huts for quiet Advent days
up to 6 peopleSalzburg, Bischofshofen
Berghütte Artlieb in Bischofshofen
420-year-old hut in the Pongau with wellness in the house – short distances to the small Advent markets in the valley.
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up to 8 peopleCarinthia, Hochrindl
Pietschacher Almhütte Hochrindl
Up on the alp in the Gurktal Alps, snow right up to the front door, in the evening only the crackling in the stove.
View accommodationHere we show three different huts from our range every day. Whether they are free in your desired period, you can see directly at the hut.
View all huts in the hut finder
Huts for two Huts in a secluded location Huts with sauna Easy to reach by train and bus Regional products on site
Christmas markets (Christkindlmärkte)
Six markets where you bump into no one
Everyone knows the large city markets in Innsbruck, Salzburg or Hall – and in December you notice it. We prefer the small ones: a village square, a barn (Stadl), often open only on individual days. Those are exactly the ones near our huts. The dates for Advent 2026 are not yet fixed everywhere – we therefore give the usual pattern and will update in the autumn.
Christkindlmarkt Gnadenwald
A single evening at the fire station: food, crafts, regional products and Christmas tree sales, with a programme for children in the afternoon. Advent hardly gets smaller – and three of our huts are in the village.
View huts in TyrolAdventmarkt Mils bei Hall
On the village square, on the Advent Saturdays in the evening: warm drinks, regional delicacies, handmade gifts. The quiet alternative to the large market in Hall, ten minutes further on.
View huts in TyrolAlpendorf „Anno Dazumal" in Tux
Rural rather than colourful: bacon, sausage, cheese, butter, bread, alpine Christmas decorations and pastries. Usually on Thursdays during Advent, in the late afternoon.
To the winter themeVillgrater Bergweihnacht
Mountain village Christmas in Innervillgraten with a craftsmen's trail and homemade gifts. This is about custom, not turnover – usually on one Advent weekend.
View huts in TyrolAdventmarkt im Kaminstadl, Hüttschlag
A historic barn (Stadl) at the far end of the Großarltal, weekends in the late afternoon. A short drive from Bischofshofen – and considerably quieter than the valley before it.
View huts in SalzburgFarmers' market in Advent, Himmelberg
On the market square below the Hochrindl: meat, smoked fish, crafts, mulled wine and cider, plus Saint Nicholas and Krampus figures. Traditionally around 8 December.
View huts in CarinthiaAlso small and close to us: „Advent im Dorf" in Mühlbach am Hochkönig, the Advent market in Absam and the village Christmas in Loich in the Pielachtal. Ask us – we will tell you what is really open during your week.
Slow Travel
Why Advent is the time for travelling slowly
One destination instead of five
During Advent it is not worth stacking up a programme. One market, one walk, one long evening – that is the whole day, and it is entirely enough.
Staying instead of passing through
Anyone who stays a week instead of two nights saves half the journey and really gets to know the valley. Advent makes that easy: the huts are still free.
Sustainable arrivalFrom the farm instead of off the shelf
Bacon, cheese, bread, cider – in December the farm shops are open and the farmers' markets are the real reason to go into the village.
To the culinary sectionGood to know
What you should know before booking for Advent
Many markets open only on individual days
Village markets often take place on a Saturday or on the Advent weekends, some on a single evening. Plan the week around the market, not the other way round – and check the dates shortly beforehand.
December means winter equipment
From November, the situational winter equipment requirement applies in Austria. At some huts the car stays in the valley and the host collects you – this is stated with each hut.
Read the winter guideIt is dark by four o'clock
The days are short. Hikes belong in the morning, headtorch in the rucksack – and the long evening in the parlour is not a fallback programme but the point of the trip.
Safe in the mountainsDo not rely on 8 December
8 December is a public holiday. Shops in Austria are allowed to open on this day, many in the valley do, in the mountain village often not. Do your shopping beforehand – and ask the host what is already at the hut.
To the packing listFrequently asked
Advent at the hut – short and honest
When is Advent in the mountains – which period exactly?
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In 2026 that is 29 November, and Advent runs until 24 December. As a holiday period we mean the four weeks up to 23 December – from the 24th, Christmas in the Mountains begins for us.
What is the minimum stay during Advent?
Usually shorter than over the holidays. During Advent many hosts also rent out single nights or long weekends. The exact minimum stay is stated with each hut.
Are the Advent markets crowded in December?
The large city markets in Innsbruck, Salzburg or Hall are, especially at weekends. The small village and farmers' markets in our valleys are not – they are often open only on individual days and are correspondingly quiet.
Is there already snow during Advent?
At the higher-lying huts usually yes, in the valley often not yet. In December it is not reliable anywhere. We tell you honestly what the situation is at each hut instead of promising snow.
Can you travel there well without a car during Advent?
At many huts yes, and during Advent it is more relaxed than in midwinter. With every hut it is stated how arrival by train and bus works and whether the host picks you up from the station.
What does a hut cost during Advent?
With many hosts, Advent is cheaper than the holidays and midwinter. You can see the price for your period directly at the hut – without an enquiry and without a surcharge compared with the host.
Perhaps this suits you too
Further into December
24 to 27 December
Christmas in the Mountains
When anticipation turns into the holidays – rent a hut over Christmas.
View Christmas 28 December to 2 JanuaryNew Year's Eve in the Mountains
The turn of the year at the hut – without a countdown in the crowd.
View New Year's Eve The whole seasonWinter in the Mountains
Snow outside the door, warmth in the parlour – everything about winter at the hut.
View winter themeNot sure which week in Advent is the right one?
Tell us how quiet it should be and whether a market should be part of it. We will tell you honestly what is available.