Lachtal Lodge

A ski break with good friends or a hiking adventure with extended family — often trips in a large group fall at the first hurdle of finding suitable accommodation. There’s almost always a problem, not enough double beds, a dining table that only seats four, or only one shower for everyone in a tiny bathroom. The more people, the longer the wish list: It should be beautiful, of course, with plenty of alpine charm please, and not too far away from the ski lifts and hiking trails right at your door. Our insider tip is a property which ticks all the boxes, Lachtal Lodge in Upper Styria. It not only offers enough space for the whole clan (five double rooms, three bathrooms, two living rooms with tiled stoves plus plenty of quiet corners in the 300 (!!!) square meters), it’s also beautiful and really rustic — just as a romantic mountain chalet should be. It sits amongst nothing but fir trees, alpine meadows and mountain peaks. The latter can either be scrambled up in the summer months or whizzed down when the snow arrives. Both activities are easily accessible not far from the front door. The rest of the time you can sit together (or find a spot alone) either in front of period tiled stoves with a crackling fire or make yourself comfortable in front of the house on a wooden bench to drink in the absurdly beautiful, postcard scenery. It will be hard to leave this place (and the rest of your group) when the vacation ends.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The beautiful house — pure Austrian romance, both the house and its surroundings
• Pick a room with your favorite color—blue, red, white, purple or green, you choose.
• The traditional furnishings with lots of wood, old farmhouse cupboards, carvings and restored farmhouse beds, which are so fitting here but when combined with modern pieces don’t look old-fashioned at all
• The numerous cozy corners and nooks for relaxing (inviting armchairs, benches, and stools are everywhere.)
• The wooden table plus four benches in the garden looking out to a fairytale landscape of fir trees and mountain summits
• You’ll be hard pushed to find a place in or outside the house, which doesn’t have a wonderful view.
• Especially quaint are the two parlors with tiled stoves.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Great for big family get togethers or several families with friends
• For cold days, there’s a large sauna with an infrared cabin and relaxation room—wonderful after a day on the slopes!
• For the little guests, there’s a playroom and an extra play area in the garden.
• In the sitting niches, you can find books for relaxing afternoons, reading.
• The three bathrooms with shower (and three toilets!) are a blessing for a big group.
• Wine from the well-stocked wine cabinet and pastries from Resch&Frisch are available on site (for a fee). 
• Of course all the usual mountain activities are on offer here, right from the front door. Hiking trails can be found right outside and the snow-sure ski lift including ski school and the cross-country skiing trail are 200 meters away. Tobogganing is also on offer in the Lachtal too.
• The Lachtal is one of the most beautiful skiing areas in Styria with 150 hectares of sunny slopes.
• In summer, you can go swimming in the open-air swimming pool at Oberwölz or climb in the arial rope course; there’s golf in Murau or in the Mur valley.
• The Wildes Lachtal adventure hiking trail starts right on the doorstep.