A hike within the mountains (with snowshoes or mountain climbing boots) after which again to your personal chalet – wooden within the fire, perhaps a canine snuggling at your toes. For a lot of, a chalet trip is the epitome of an expensive outside trip with area and privateness within the mountains. {Couples}, households or good friend teams admire the individuality mixed with high quality facilities and a particular setting. On this weblog, we will provide you with an outline of the sustainable chalets in Tyrol, South Tyrol and the Allgäu in our community, which aren’t solely ecologically oriented, but additionally provide one or two luxurious extras.
Between simplicity and luxurious
In response to the Allgäuer Zeitung, citing the Historic Dictionary, chalets was quite simple mountain huts. Nonetheless, in the course of the European Enlightenment within the seventeenth and 18th centuries, they grew to become a “image of a society of simplicity, closeness to nature, freedom and democracy”. Later, chalets grew to become widespread with Europe’s aristocracy, which led to them being seen as luxurious trip properties – a fame they nonetheless keep at present.
What makes a chalet sustainable?
Those that select a chalet trip wish to expertise nature. Generally, this results in a larger appreciation of nature. Within the mountains, for instance, you possibly can see the results of world warming firsthand within the melting glaciers.
Sustainably managed chalets are characterised by the next:
- Use of native wooden from sustainably managed forests
- Integration with and respect for nature throughout development
- Conventional constructing strategies of the area to protect the tradition
- Fashionable insulation strategies (vitality saving)
- Cooperation with native companies (strengthening the native financial system)
- Vitality provide with inexperienced electrical energy (self-produced or bought)
- Waste prevention and recycling
- Water conservation measures
- Fashionable chimney expertise and correct use of open fires
- Pure cosmetics in bogs
- Native natural merchandise for breakfast or within the restaurant (if provided)
As you possibly can see, there are a selection of standards that decide whether or not a chalet will be thought of sustainable. Normally, alpine tourism is a crucial financial issue for the area and in addition contributes to the institution and upkeep of conservation initiatives corresponding to nationwide parks. In fact, vacationers wish to go to stunning pure locations. However as a traveler, you even have a accountability. (Learn extra about eco-friendly journey within the Alps right here.) Along with not leaving trash behind, you possibly can decrease your carbon footprint by selecting the way you get there and the place you keep.
What’s the distinction between a chalet and a trip residence?
In response to the Duden dictionary, the phrase “chalet” has each French and Romansh roots and refers to a “country home, normally product of wooden, particularly within the Swiss Alps“.
Curiously, the synonym for chalet is trip home, which brings us to the reply to the query 🙂 A chalet is a trip residence. However not each trip residence within the Alps is a chalet, as a result of chalets are characterised by the truth that they’re wood homes within the conventional model. Trip properties can look completely different.
Sustainable chalets – Our suggestions
We are able to advocate 5 sustainable Inexperienced PearlsⓇ chalets within the Alpine area of Austria, Germany and Italy.
#1 Hygna Chalets in Alpbachtal, Tyrol – Luxurious chalets with jacuzzi
The Hygna Chalets type their very own small chalet village with a complete of 11 chalets of various sizes for 2 to 7 individuals. Inbuilt conventional Tyrolean model, every chalet has a small non-public spa and a few even have their very own sauna and jacuzzi. There may be additionally a hearth with firewood.
A breakfast basket with native (natural) produce (vegan or vegetarian choices accessible upon request) is delivered to your door every morning. The Chalet Village additionally has a 13-meter infinity pool within the former hay barn, a yoga room (with yoga lessons provided), and a health club.
Sustainability: The land on which the Moser household constructed the chalets was beforehand occupied by a concrete break that had been vacant for 30 years. Electrical energy is generated by a photo voltaic system from spring to fall, and warmth is offered by a pellet heating system within the winter. The recent tubs are geared up with a contemporary, water-saving system that fills the water on the contact of a button and purifies it for reuse. E-bikes and E-Golfs will be rented for native transportation.
- Examine charges and availability on the Hgyna Chalets web site.
#2 Summit Lodges, Pfunds, Tyrol – Log cabin with non-public sauna
The Summit Lodges in Pfunds, Tyrol, are a pair of log cabins product of polar spruce and constructed within the model of an American log cabin. They’re extra of a trip residence than a chalet, however nonetheless value a advice! Every cabin is about 120 sq. meters and might sleep as much as 6 individuals. There’s a non-public sauna and a comfy fire with wooden. You may cook dinner in your personal kitchen and be fully unbiased. A ski bus stops solely 2 minutes from the entrance door and in summer season there are a lot of mountain climbing trails. The chalets are additionally very appropriate for a trip with youngsters.
Sustainability: The holiday properties are heated with air-source warmth pumps, and the electrical energy comes from Tyrolean hydropower. The host, Marco Spiess, may be very cautious about waste separation. Company are instructed in recycling, and rubbish is checked earlier than being taken to the recycling middle. There’s a compost for natural waste.
#3 LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet within the Ötztal, Tyrol – Personal luxurious hideaway
In the course of the Ötztal Alps lies an expensive, non-public hideaway: the LENI MOUNTAIN Chalet. To get there, you need to hike from the village of Sölden. Upon your arrival, the Arnold household, who personal the chalet, may have an SUV prepared to move you and your baggage.
The chalet is roughly 200 sq. meters and might accommodate as much as 8 individuals in 4 bedrooms. There’s a fire, a personal pure swimming pond, a wine fridge and different facilities for an expensive alpine trip. Additionally, you will have a private concierge and even a personal* chef if you want. A motorcycle station is obtainable for mountain bikers.
Sustainability: The chalet is constructed with pure supplies from the area and is vitality self-sufficient due to a photovoltaic system. CO₂ emissions per visitor are measured and diminished by varied measures. The house owners are additionally companions of “myclimate”.
#4 Edelsberghütte, Allgäu – Mountain hut with trendy comforts
Our Inexperienced PearlsⓇ associate, Lodge Das Rübezahl within the Allgäu area, acquired the Edelsberghütte in 2024. At an altitude of 1,180 meters above sea stage, the hut welcomes hikers who can benefit from the view and good meals (relying on the route) after a 40-minute to 1.5-hour hike (beginning on the Pfronten mountain climbing car parking zone).
The Edelsberghütte has three chalets or residences. Two are on the primary flooring and one has a separate entrance however can be a part of the cabin. All residences are comfortably furnished with all trendy conveniences.
Sustainability: The Edelsberghütte was bought as an current cabin, and the household that owns it (in addition to their lodge) is dedicated to native suppliers, natural meals, and conservation.
- Examine costs and availability straight on the web site.
#5 ADLER Loge RITTEN, South Tyrol – Chalets with all-inclusive service
On the Ritten Plateau in South Tyrol, you possibly can hire one of many luxurious wood cabins at ADLER Lodge RITTEN*. The chalets are scattered round a pure swimming pond and alongside the hillside, providing completely different however equally unbelievable views. The resort additionally features a major home and spa space with an outside pool, forest sauna and spa remedies. The all-inclusive providers embrace breakfast and a multi-course dinner, in addition to a lunch menu and all drinks. Guided mountain climbing and biking excursions are additionally accessible.
There are 55 sq. meter junior chalets for 2 individuals and 4 90 sq. meter household chalets. Every chalet has a wood-burning fire, terrace and bio-sauna.
Sustainability: Regional and pure supplies have been used within the development. The design of the chalets was the work of a neighborhood architect and craftsmen and is impressed by conventional South Tyrolean structure. As well as, the resort has its personal natural farm, which offers the produce used within the kitchens.
- Examine costs and availability straight on the web site.
We hope we’ve given you a greater understanding of what a chalet trip is, how chalets are run sustainably, and how one can help them.
*CIN: IT021072A1QCJQTLUQ (ADLER Lodge Ritten)
