Winter delights with a difference

Every winter Lake Weissensee in Carinthia, Austria fascinates locals and guests alike with the largest prepared natural ice-skating rink in Europe. Here you can literally complete your ice skating marathon. Or you can take a leisurely spin across the ice. Whatever you prefer: Host Angela Frey’s six apartments for 2 – 6 people in her holiday home Alte Säge are situated within view of the lake.

Down the mountain on two skids: This experience is offered by the Preda-Bergün toboggan run with its six-kilometre-long descent. A suitable starting point is the Chesa Wazzau, a heritage building in the village of Bever which can accommodate up to 12 guests. From here you can reach Preda comfortably by train on the Rhaetian Railway. The journey over viaducts and through helical tunnels is an experience in itself. Those who like it glamorous can go to the “White Turf” in February, which takes place on the frozen Lake St. Moritz and offers international equestrian sport in a winter setting.

Ski in/ski out is possible from the Anders mountain suites on the Plose massif. This gives you direct access to South Tyrol’s longest valley run. Other winter activities also start right on the doorstep or nearby: a 12 km toboggan run and 12 km winter hiking trails attract winter fans who want to live in style.

The rangers of Central Europe’s largest national park, the Hohe Tauern, also offer various hikes and snowshoe tours to the natural treasures of the area in winter. How convenient that the Hotel Hinteregger is only a few steps away from the National Park Centre! Here, in a multimedia exhibition, you can find out more about daily events and get to know the National Park in advance.

There are 13 inhabitants in the hamlet of Martisberg in the German-speaking part of the canton of Valais in the immediate vicinity of the Aletsch Glacier, the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Those staying in the Faazihaus or the neighbouring Josihaus can set off on winter and snowshoe hikes right from the front door. Or simply enjoy the mountain scenery in silence…

The Bregenz Forest is always worth a visit simply from an architectural point of view. If you stay here, for example, in the Schnepfegg 52 farmhouse modernised by architect Oskar Leo Kaufmann, the sauna, the hot tub or the views from the house including the yoga room are pure enjoyment even when there is no snow.