Wood plays the leading role
Up to the mountain pasture and into the hut. Everything is real here. And wood plays the leading role. The sight and smell of it alone help you to let go of everyday life, enjoy the peace and comfort and take a deep breath. The sun's rays shine through the wooden windows and onto the bench in front of the hut, while the fire crackles in the fireplace. Sleep in a Swiss stone pine bed, cook in a wood-fired oven, just like in the old days - what more could you want? Simply delicious, simply soothing.
Everyone feels the positive power of wood. Whether man, woman, young or old, we all react in a physiologically measurable way when we are surrounded by wood. Our body receives a signal via the subconscious that this is a stress-free zone where we can relax and feel safe. This programming comes from our prehistoric history - this signal calms the heartbeat, strengthens the immune system and the autonomic nervous system. No other building material can promote sleep and regeneration better than wood in its purest form. Last but not least, the forest that surrounds Austria's beautiful alpine pastures is the perfect model for the circular economy, for materials that can be reused and have a long shelf life.
The scent of relaxation
Swiss stone pine wood is particularly beneficial for humans. This is because Swiss stone pine, also known as the "Queen of the Alps", has numerous positive properties: it is pest and bacteria-inhibiting, in folk medicine it is considered calming and heart-relieving, and its essential oils have been proven to make breathing easier. The tree itself is tough and can not only withstand sub-zero temperatures of over 40 °C, but can also reach an age of more than 1,000 years. Swiss stone pine wood is also the lightest wood of all native softwood species and is easy to work with. The many dark knots do not cause any problems, as they are usually firmly intergrown and create the characteristic, lively grain.
At 1,600 m above sea level, the Moseralm luxury chalet, which is clad entirely in Swiss stone pine, offers a holistic wood experience. All of the furniture was also designed in the farm's own workshop and made from its own wood. In the middle of gentle alpine meadows, where a simple alpine hut once stood, a 150m2 refuge was created in elegant alpine style that can be lived in all year round. "As soon as you open the door, you feel so comfortable and relaxed that you don't want to leave," says the alpine hut owner and craftsman with a smile.
A little higher up, at 1,800 m in the high mountains and surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, is the rustic Ploatschtratten Almhütte . Here, too, you live in a natural setting, cooking and heating with the help of wood. Instead of a fridge, there is a cold room on the slope, whereby the highlight is certainly the alpine panorama bathhouse with stylish bathtub and wood-fired sauna. All wood, all good.
Full of character and traditional
Veronika Wagner-Pesendorfer is an architect and owns a beautiful alpine pasture at 1,200 m above sea level with a fantastic view of the Ötscher. In summer, cows and horses graze on the meadow and in winter, a ski slope passes nearby. In 2003, together with her husband, she built the Stadleralmhütte here, Lower Austria's first certified Genießeralmhütte. Built of wood, of course. The furnishings are also made of solid wood, and heating is provided by the tiled stove in the living room and the wood-burning stove in the kitchen.
Why wood?
We live in a densely wooded area. So it makes sense to build and design with wood. It is also a traditional, renewable and natural material.
What makes alpine huts so special?
They are surrounded by beautiful nature, offer peace and relaxation from hectic everyday life, are full of character and convey a unique feeling of living, not least through handcrafted design and natural building materials such as wood, clay or stone.
What kind of craft can you find?
In keeping with tradition, almost everything on the Alm is made by hand: the various wooden joints as well as the roof covering, the guttering and shutters, but also the furniture and even the sauna with a view are made of solid wood. Every guest can feel the soothing effect immediately.
