There is no better way to spend your time, than being in the company of good friends. But the location and atmosphere can add some special effects to your time with friends.
A “Hüttenzauber” is a long night spent in a cosy mountain cabin or lodge, next to a warm fire or tiled stove enjoying some alcohol and the company of great people in winter time. Here my personal experience of a Hüttenzauber that I can recommend.
The Location
Austria, 3.5 km from Sankt Aegyd am Neuwalde in the Weißenbachtal right in the Nordic sports center. It belongs to the top 5 cross-country ski areas in Lower Austria.
The Cabin
The Durchlasshof cabin is a beautiful log cabin, which is open in the winter period. It is only a 2. min walk up a hill from a car park next to the road.
During the day it rents out cross-country skies and serves hot drinks and a variety of breads with cold meat or cheese and cakes. The perfect pit-stop for food and warmth after a lap of cross country ski-ing.
There is the possibility to rent the cabin for the night. It has mattresses and bed clothing for a maximum of 20 people, who can all sleep together in the attic.
The hosts
Renate and Karl Grafeneder are lovely hosts, who will serve tasty breads with cold meat, cheese, home-made chutneys, honey and cakes. In the morning, they prepare breakfast for those who stay overnight. The Grafeneders own a farm with 60 milking cows close by.
Activities
Since the Durchlasshof cabin is right next to the Langau cross-country ski run in the Nordic Ski Centre, of course cross country ski-ing is a must in the snow. You can rent cross country skies and shoes at the Durchlasshof cabin
But it is also a great area with a beautiful scenery to go walking or running during the day.
In the evening, there is the possibility to take advantage of a sauna, which is part of the cabin. It is a fantastic way to get warm again, after a day outside in the snow and cold.
The rest of the evening you can enjoy in the cosy atmosphere of the cabin, sitting next to the heat of the large Austrian traditional tiled stove, eating, drinking, talking, listening to music and playing games.
Our experience
We were a total of 9 adults and 2 teenagers and rented the cabin to stay for one night between Christmas and New Year.
The day before we arrived it snowed heavily in Sankt Aegyd. So, once we got there, the area had turned into a winter wonderland and there was plenty of snow for cross country ski-ing. For the two days we were there, the sun was shining and the air was crisp with the cold of winter. We could not have had more perfect conditions if we had ordered it.
During the day we either went running, walking or cross-country ski-ing. The cross-country ski run close to the cabin was well prepared and we were not the only ones enjoying a fantastic day out in the snow. The teenagers also went sledging.
At night several of us sweated in the Sauna, based in the cellar of the cabin and then ran out into the snow to cool off. It was just the right thing to do after a day in a cold winter day.
We had a great night and all loved the atmosphere of the cabin, while we were chatting or playing games. We all said we would love to do it again.
For me it was my dream of a truly magical *Huettenzauber” with my friends finally come true.
Links for more information on the Durchlasshof Cabin
Contact details for the Durchlasshof cabin
http://www.genusstourismus.at/4_loipe-langau.html
Map of the cross-country ski run next to the Durchlasshof cabin
http://www.genusstourismus.at/files/Langlauffolder_langeau_l6v09o4l.pdf
Nordic sports center Sankt Aegyd am Neuwalde
http://www.genusstourismus.at/index.html
https://www.nordischeszentrum.at
Write a comment
Gwen (Sunday, 01 January 2017 10:26)
Just how I imagined a magical "Hüttenzauber" with friends. Thank you Renate and Karl for a great memory.
Doris Dorfmeister-Zourek (Sunday, 01 January 2017 11:54)
Es war so ein tolles Erlebnis und das beste Wetter welches man sich wünschen kann. Vielen Dank für die tolle Organisation und die nette Zeit ! Doris
Pinkney Family from South Africa (Sunday, 01 January 2017 12:58)
This is "awesome"! in the words of our teenage son Keagen, who normally spends his free-time at the beaches in Cape Town. What delight to see the whole group enjoying the white fluffy snow scape, running, sledging, hiking or in cross country skis -, which even mom managed proudly for her first try! From breathing in crisp winter air in an idyllic forest and mountain landscape to warming up next to a cosy fire in the wooden Alpine cabin, it was fun and relaxation for everyone. The generous platter of local meats and cheeses, home-made cakes, juices, local honey and jams, definitely something for everyone to enjoy when life in this magic winter wonderland slows down and connects family and friends to one another with memories to last a life-time. With gratitude and joy, a big Thank You, to our warm hosts, Renate, Karl and Omi!
Uschi Altmann (Tuesday, 03 January 2017 09:21)
Ein echter Geheimtipp, die Hütte! Wir hatten auch wirklich Glück mit den Wetterbedingungen. Und die Gaudi haben wir uns selber gemacht! Ich freu mich, dass ich dabei sein durfte! :)