Summer Highlights from Our Employees

Can you barely wait for summer? The same goes for us here at ALPS RESORTS. I asked around to find out what my colleagues are looking forward to the most..

Climbin' & chillin'. It's all about the atmosphere.

Droeschka Kersten, Resort Manager of Tauernsuites Mitterwirt and Tauernlodges Uttendorf

"What am I looking forward to most? The answer's clear: the days getting longer and me being able to enjoy the mountains in the evening." An extra hint of adventure is the icing on the cake for this sporty mid-40-year-old. That's why you will frequently find Droeschka clambering across the rocks, hooked on safely, constantly hunting for the next hand- or foothold. The climbing areas in Weissbach bei Lofer, on the border with Bavaria, in Hochfilzen, in the Weisssee glacier area and on the Kitzsteinhorn have a real appeal for her.
"You know, it's not only the sporting side of it. The atmosphere is a big deal, too." For this native of the Netherlands, above all that means being together with friends and spending the day out in nature, totally mellow. "The ideal conclusion to a good climbing expedition is a grill-out. And in fact, in Weissbach and Hochfilzen, there are public picnic areas close to the climbing rocks." You'll also find picnic sites next to the Klammsee in Kaprun, ideal after a tour of the Kitz. Incidentally, it was in the Klammsee, last winter, that Droeschka first went ice swimming. But that's a different story…    

Located just a few meters from Tauernlodges Uttendorf are the Uttendorf swimming lake and a publicly accessible bouldering park with 10 granite blocks. In the Weisssee Glacier Area in Uttendorf (18 km), there are fixed-cable climbs rated A, B to E as well as 11 rock-climbing routes (4b - 7+) along with a multi-pitch route on the Fürlegg Pfeiler.

Shorts & Dumplings

Daniel Mayr, Social Media Manager  

Finally being able to head back into the mountains sporting shorts and a T-shirt, that's something Daniel is already looking forward to. On his days off, he heads out bright and early, making a beeline for the Tyrolean summits. As for the obligatory victory schnapps at the top, well, the only choice for him is a "Williams". As for what else he has stuffed in his rucksack besides a hipflask? A small towel to dry off his feet, in case he dips his toes in a mountain tarn, sunblock and a spare T-shirt, a first-aid kit and a headlamp, for expeditions that take a little longer. I was most interested to hear what this passionate hobby cook had in his snack box. He seems he makes do with dates, carrots, a cereal bar and elderberry juice. Because: "For me, the perfect mountain tour always includes a refreshment break at a hut. Including cheesy dumplings in my soup or with cabbage. Along with an ice-cold, slightly sour glass of shandy - that's all I need to make me happy as a clam!“

Do you love to make refreshment stops at mountain huts as well? In that case, continue reading right here.

FLY LIKE AN EEEAAAGLE

Jennifer Born, Resort Manager Chalet 149 Westendorf

From her workplace at Chalet 149 Westendorf, Jenny can watch the paragliders as they come in to land. From personal experience, she knows exactly what that big grin on the pilots' faces feels like. Hardly any surprise then, that this Aachen native can barely wait to enjoy the most beautiful summits in the Kitzbühel Alps from above again. "During my first tandem flight from the Hahnenkamm, I had a bird's-eye view of the Streif. Unforgettable."
Jenny's office at Chalet 149 is directly across from the Alpenrosenbahn in Westendorf, a lift many paragliders use to begin their adventure. And in between is the landing site. "Because of its ideal thermals and the landscape, Brixental is an attractive paragliding area. And if anyone happens to be in the mood for an extra adrenalin kick: The pilots of Fly Tirol are more than happy to throw in an occasional aerobatic maneuver or two." So, what do you say? 😉

Have we whet your appetite for a change of perspective? Jenny has the right contacts for you and can report about that adrenalin kick from her own experience. The Fly Tirol flight school in Westendorf offers tandem flights year-round.

Best Combo: Mountains & Lake

Kaia Toom, Deputy Destination Manager Schladming – Bergresort Hauser Kaibling, Alpenrock Schladming and Alpenchalets Reiteralm

Right at the top of Kaia's list (as every year) is the Dachstein*, which, standing 2995 meters tall, is the highest mountain in Styria. "I prefer to ride up on one of the first gondolas. That gives me plenty of time for all the attractions the glacier has to offer. Sky Walk, footbridge, Stairway to Nothingness, Ice Palace – the opportunities up there are simply unbeatable. Just like the views." Which extend, incidentally, from the mountains of Austria all the way into Slovenia, not only sparking the enthusiasm of our native Estonian. "When I'm back in the valley after a day in the mountains, I love to leap into the swimming lake in Pichl." Mountains & lake in a single day – we really "get" why she is so looking forward to it!

* With the Schladming Dachstein Sommercard, which is automatically included if you are a guest of Bergresort Hauser Kaibling, Alpenrock Schladming or Alpenchalets Reiteralm, visits to Dachstein glacier are even included for free (reservations are highly recommended)! What are the other attractions included with the Schladming guest card? Click here to learn more. If the combination of mountains & lake appeals to you, please click on ALPS RESORTS on the Lake.

Summer in the mountains is every bit as diverse as the longings of our employees and our offers at ALPS RESORTS apartments and chalets. Just take a closer look!

Photo materials © Title photo: Schladming Dachstein Tourismus / Peter Kogler; Dachstein Footbridge: Schladming Dachstein Tourismus / Herbert Raffalt; Hiking Boots and Hut Snacks: Salzburger Land Tourismus; Mountain Rest: Hohe Tauern National Park Holiday Region; Paragliding in Westendorf & Alpenrosenbahn: Kitzbüheler Alpen Marketing / Maren Krings.