Anniversary
The Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride turns 40
The ‘young bucks’ conquer the Rosengarten
Culinary culture
Farm-fresh philosophies
by Zur Quelle
You can always count on our blue skies: Just like the previous winter season, practically every day in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm has been sunnier than the last. This past winter, the beautiful weather has lasted for months. And, to our immense luck, the snow in the Seiser Alm ski resort held on right through to spring, in a rock-solid guarantee of winter sporting fun.
Unfortunately, however, the winter of 2022/23 was far too dry in many places: For the countryside’s sake, we are all hoping that the rainfall in the warmer months will make up for the lack of water in the winter.
This summer issue brings you, once again, stories and news from Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, the Seiser Alm, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten. Our cover story this time round is packed with fascinating information about the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament, an extraordinary equestrian event which has been an inspiration to both its participants and spectators from near and far for four decades now.
The Seiser Alm cable car first began running 20 years ago and, as such, is celebrating a special anniversary this year. Despite the fact that it did not achieve universal consensus in its incipient days, it has played a central role in our transportation services for many years now. You can also read about the young climbers from Tiers am Rosengarten who spend their every spare minute conquering mountain peaks, the volunteers who pick up the litter which others have dropped behind them on the hiking trails of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten and the Seiser Alm, and the pretty hamlet of Ums in Völs am Schlern, where the world seems to have come to a standstill. If you take a trip to the farm shops you will find innumerable top-quality products, some of which we’ll be showing you on the following pages. And last but by no means least, we’ll be providing you with a run-down of our successful athletes who achieved incredible successes this past winter season. As always, the supplement booklet provides you with a wealth of superb fun and shopping tips and a list of all event dates to make sure that you get the very most out of your holiday here in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm.
It is lovely to have you here with us!
We wish you a happy read, and a relaxing break.
Helmut Mitterstieler President of Seiser Alm Marketing and the Tourist Offices of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern, Seiser Alm and Tiers am Rosengarten.Page 4
40 years of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Tournament
Page 12
Riding dynasty: The Gasslitter family from the Oberlanzinhof
Page 14
The four tournament games and other facts and figures
Page 18
20 years of cable cars rather than cars: A controversial anniversary
Page 24
The litter gatherers of the Dolomites region Seiser Alm
Page 28
Tiers climbing association: Thirst for the rocks
Page 34
Team Seiser Alm: Champion athletes
Page 36
Ums: The small village at the foot of the Schlern
Page 40
Farm-fresh philosophies
Page 46
Highlights summer 2023
Page 48
Preview winter 2023/24
Page 50
Seen & heard
The route is incredible, say all those who have taken part in the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament. Every year, riding to the four event locations in Kastelruth, Seis, the Völser Weiher lake and Castle Prösels is an unforgettable experience for all participants.
South Tyrol’s largest riding tournament is turning 40: For four decades now, the Oswald von Wolkenstein Tournament has been bringing thrills and excitement to a large crowd of spectators from near and far.
TThe idea took shape during one of those evenings of inspired and good conversations, when Hanspeter Demetz, Verena Pramstrahler and Heinz Tschugguel from Völs am Schlern were enjoying a couple glasses of wine and a chat about life and God in the Hotel Turm. The sleepy life at the foot of the Schlern, they concurred, could do with a bit of a shake-up and a little pomp and ceremony, before coming to the inspired conclusion that a riding tournament would fit the bill perfectly: An event with horse riders dressed in traditional clothing, the excitement of a competition, and a large community of enthusiastic spectators. The stunning backdrop for the multi-day festivities and tournament would be the charming villages and beautiful countryside, and, adding a special atmospheric appeal, the mediaeval castles and historical sites beneath the Schlern. “The truly exciting aspect of the idea was the prospect of an event which would extend beyond one single municipality, and bring Völs am Schlern together with the neighbouring villages,” recalls Verena Pramstrahler. It didn’t take long to think up the perfect name for the event –what could be more self-evident than dedicating the tournament to the famous mediaeval knight Oswald von Wolkenstein, who spent his childhood at the Trostburg near Waidbruck and, from 1420/1421, lived at Hauenstein Castle near Seis am Schlern with his wife Margareta von Schwangau and their seven children? To this day, Oswald von
Wolkenstein is considered to be one of the most noteworthy noblemen of South Tyrol.
To hear the story, the founding of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Tournament was no more than a happy coincidence. However, from that evening until the tournament was actually held for the first time, a great deal of hard work was in store for its founders and their ad-hoc organisation committee. First and foremost, they had to plan out the optimal route for the ride, then come up with innovative tournament games, search out the perfect locations for the event, find participants for the asyet unridden event and, last but not least, recruit an army of volunteers to make sure the event would run smoothly.
In 1983, the starting pistol was fired for the first ever tournament: The IV Army Corps had provided the event with an entire regiment, who arrived with trucks, tents, portable toilets, a goulash cannon and a radio station; with their able assistance, the first ever Oswald von Wolkenstein Tournament ran pretty smoothly. The riders were all in high spirits and, from the very outset, the large crowd of curious spectators was a pleasant surprise.
The designated route and order of events proved to have been the right choice: In the early morning after sitting down to a Riders’ Breakfast, the teams
FRIDAY, 2 JUNE
From 4:00 pm start of the village festival in Kastelruth with beer tapping, announcement of the starting numbers, live music and DJs
SATURDAY, 3 JUNE
From 10:00 am Morning pint with musical entertainment at the village square in Kastelruth
2:30 pm Great parade with flag-wavers, music bands, the participating teams on horseback, horse-drawn carriages with guests of honour, theatricals, knights and jugglers, firebirds and many floats
SUNDAY, 4 JUNE
7:00 am Start of the “40th Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament” at the medieval castle in Waidbruck
9:30 am “Ring piercing“ at the Kofel hill in Kastelruth
11:00 am “Labyrinth” at the Matzlbödele in Seis am Schlern
12:40 pm “Obstacle gallop“ at the Völser Weiher lake in Völs am Schlern
2:20 pm “Gate Race“
Heinz “Bummi” Tschugguel at Castle Prösels with subsequent award ceremony
(each with 4 riders) set off from the Trostburg, above Waidbruck. The route leads them up — on horseback — through Tagusens and Tisens and on to Kastelruth for the first tournament of the event: Ring lancing on the history-steeped Kofel hill. They then ride on to the second stage, a labyrinth on the Matzlbödele , where the view overlooks the erstwhile home of Oswald von Wolkenstein - of which, sadly, only the walls remain today. The third challenge awaiting horse and riders is the obstacle course backed by magnificent views of the Schlern at the Völser Weiher lake. The fourth and final stage is the slalom event at Castle Prösels, home to the Lords of Völs in days gone by, and now the location of the final weaving gallop round the poles before the post-event party brings the thrills of the day to a close.
At each one of these stages, the riders are greeted by a crowd of spectators cheering them on and holding their breath in unison as the challenges are played out. Timings are taken only during the events themselves, while the lengthy distances covered by the four-strong teams in between are generally taken at a leisurely pace as the riders enjoy the velvety-green summer countryside. The 144 riders taking part in the tournament have been training hard for months and have all been greatly looking forward to this big day for themselves and for their horses.
If you remember the early days of this event, you’ll know that, horse riding was not a particularly common practice in the Schlern area in those days. For many of the participants, the main aim of the day was simply to have fun, and the tent camps of the first few years, venues of the significant pre and post-tournament revelries, will forever remain in
our memories. Organising the rankings was somewhat of an endeavour in the early years when notes were taken at the four tournament locations all the way to Völs am Schlern, where the winning places were worked out manually. “At last, the final results were driven to Prösels by car, and read out to great ceremony,” says Verena Pramstrahler. In the years since then, the organisers of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament have adapted the event to the times: The tournament events have been honed, and the number of spectators from near and far has risen steadily. As the riders themselves sharpened their skills, their competitive streaks have also taken somewhat of a leap forwards: At the end of the day, the question of which team will take home the much-coveted champions’ standard comes down to just hundredths of a second,
The local flavour of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament – the unique blend of history, sport, tradition, culture and customs – has remained unchanged. The pre-tournament festival, complete with medieval attractions and South Tyrolean delicacies, takes place on the Friday and the Saturday evening before the event. On the day before the tournament, which is always held on a Sunday at the end of May or beginning of June, the teams of riders dress in traditional costumes and parade through the towns of — in rotation — Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern or Völs am Schlern with their horses and the flags of their villages, treating the public to a fabulous spectacle complete with musical bands, horses and carriages transporting the guests of honour, mediaeval performers and an entourage. The vibrant traditional clothing and costumes play a central role in the proceedings and add a unique atmosphere to the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament. <
Co-founder and many-year President of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride, he was appreciated and respected far and wide. Heinz ‘Bummi’ Tschugguel passed away on 22nd March 2022. “You became the father of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament, which brought us all together 40 years ago, and which would never have come into being had it not been for your dedication, your enthusiasm, your drive and your perseverance,” wrote his compeer Hanspeter Demetz in his obituary. “You managed everything down to the smallest detail, and ploughed your time, passion and resources into doing so. The success of this event is yours.” The Organisation Committee of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament, the many riders, the large riding and horse-farming community and the many friends from near and far would like to thank Heinz ‘Bummi’ Tschugguel for his spirit and vigour and will treasure his memory forever. The Slalom event at Castel Prösels has now been named for Heinz ‘Bummi’ Tschugguel.
ALPE: 40 years of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament is quite an achievement. What do you put the success of this event down to?
Klaus Marmsoler: The Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament is an event that only takes place here, and much of the tournament is unique. It is a magnificent display of teamwork between exceptionally enthusiastic amateur horse riders from South Tyrol and their horses, spectacular scenery, enthusiastic spectators and scrupulous organisation together with traditional customs and tasty South Tyrolean food.
The effort is immense. Although we had to improvise to a certain extent in the early years, nowadays every single aspect is impeccable. Numerous volunteers have been helping us for many years, and they pour the greatest of responsibility into carrying out their respective jobs, whether it’s setting up the bandstands, raking or brooming during the tournaments, taking the times at the start and finish, taking charge of the microphone, policing the proceedings, working as paramedics, helping at the cash desks and serving food and drinks. Our countless volunteers are people we can depend on, and their commitment is, in the truest sense of the word, unpayable.
The unbroken enthusiasm of the teams of riders, the thousands of spectators every year and the immense media interest speak for the success of the event. At the moment, there’s no need to change a thing about this unique tournament. We are, of course, in the process of adapting to ever-more stringent security standards, and we would like to increase our usage of modern media in order to share the pleasure that this event brings us with as many people as possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the trio of founders, all those who have been a part of the tournament in years gone by, my predecessor in office, the sponsors, without whom the event would not be possible, and the members of the Organisation Committee over the past 40 years. They have all contributed to the success of the event, and continue to do so.
Without the Gasslitter family from Oberlanzinhof, there would be no Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride. How often has each one of them been at the starting line? Read on to find out...
The first Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament in 1983 was unquestionably the most bizarre of all. “We rode off from the Trostburg early in the morning with no idea of what was in store for us,” say the Gasslitter siblings, laughing at the memory of their carefree youth. Given their lack of preparation, they arrived second-last in that first year. The following year, however, they grabbed the victory – and with it, sealed their reputation as formidable opponents.
And after all these years, the five brothers from Oberlanzinhof in Telfen/Kastelruth Konrad, Georg, Toni, Reinhold and Andreas – are still a part of it all. In earlier years, their sisters Isolde and Irmgard were also keen competitors of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament; Recalling an all-women team in 1994 and 1995, Isolde tells us that “Evi, Irmgard, our friend Margit Senoner and I rode in dirndls, and caused quite a stir.” In 1994, Konrad, Georg, Reinhold and Andreas’ team
achieved the sensational triumph of winning all four tournament stages. Georg has also made history in his own right: The mountain farmer is the only rider who has never missed a single Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament, and has won the tournament 9 times with his team from Kastelruth/Telfen. Isolde talks of the unique atmosphere and excitement when the teams ride into Kastelruth early in the morning to pit their skills in the first challenge on the Kofel hill. “Each of the four
tournament games has its own unique features and atmosphere,” says Konrad, adding, in reference to nobleman and knight Oswald von Wolkenstein, “We fight for fame, honour and hard cash.” “We’ll keep riding in Oswald’s footsteps for a long as we can,” says the eldest of the brothers, Konrad. But the competition never sleeps. Their sons have also been taking part in the tournament for some years now, fighting it out for precious points and bringing honour to the Gasslitter Dynasty.
1st Tournament at 9:30 am
Having set off from Trostburg in Waidbruck, the teams arrive bright and early at the Kalvarienberg hill in Kastelruth, otherwise known as the ‘Kofel.’ In the first challenge of the tournament, the riders have to lance the standard of their hometown through three rings, hung at a distance from each other, and hand it over to a fellow rider in their team.
2nd Tournament at 11:00 am
After horse and rider have quenched their thirst, it’s on to the next challenge, which calls for well-coordinated team skills. The teams ride side by side, holding their standard, to the fortress, where they must all ride through the labyrinth without touching the sides. On exiting the labyrinth – side by side, as they entered – the team of four then ride to the finish line.
3rd Tournament at 12:40 pm
A ‘Gallop with Obstacles‘ awaits the riders at the next stage, held at the erstwhile fishing lake of the Lords of Völs. During this challenge, the riders have to pick up balls while on horseback, manoeuvre the horse through obstacles, and bring the ball back. The final obstacle involves riding the horse backwards to the finish line. Three riders carry out the ball challenge, while the fourth carries the standard.
4th Tournament at 2:20 pm
Exhausted they may be, but the riders now have to grit their teeth just one more time for the final challenge: The Slalom. In this event, the riders have to weave their way between upright poles while holding their standard. If they touch the pole, the pole-bell rings and penalty seconds are added. The overall winner is the team which completes all events in the shortest time.
#56 riders Of whom six were women, were at the start line of the first-ever ride. The 14 teams of the first-ever event were relatively unambitious and took part for fun rather than glory: The Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament was yet to meet its full potential. In the record year, 43 teams with a total of 172 riders signed up to take part.
#1999 The knock-out heats were held for the first time, as too many teams had signed up for the Wolkenstein Riding Tournament, all keen to put their skills to the test. Given the exceptional circumstances, horses and riders had to race twice. This heat became part of the established order of events in the years to follow.
#30.000 Lire Was the sign-up fee per horse and rider in the first year, equal to around 15 euros.
#3 Changes have been made to the tournament in Seis am Schlern. Crossbow shooting made its debut in 1983; considered overly dangerous and lacking in excitement, it was substituted by the ‘Schinderstechen’ event, whereby the riders had to topple a wooden bust, turning it once around on its axis, with a well-aimed lance. This event, similarly, was short-lived due to its perilous nature, and was replaced three years later with the labyrinth, which continues to this day.
#800 The cavalry regiment of the Alpini (the Mountain Troops of the Italian Army) was not short of men, who were assigned to the event for the first year. They arrived with trucks, a goulash canon, portable toilets and a radio station, and ensured that the even came off without a hitch.
#22 kilometres Is the distance the riders cover on the day of the event: From Trostburg, they ride up to Kastelruth, with an elevation difference of 460 m, then head onwards to Seis am Schlern, the Völser Weiher lake and, finally, to Prösels.
#4:30,88 minutes Is the best time so far. This record was set in 2017 by the team from Ritten.
#33 The Kastelruth Telfen teams have won a total of 156 stage victories in the 39 tournaments held to date. Of these, the team has won the Ring Lancing event on the Kofel 12 times.
#0 The number of tournaments which Georg Gasslitter has missed to date: The Kastelruther has participated in the race every year since 1983. With a total of 9 wins, he holds the record amongst the individual participants.
#8 Heads ride in each team, and they must work together in perfect coordination. Mutual trust and respect are the key to success: Impatience and nerves can all too easily be passed on to the horse.
#19 Of the 36 teams of riders in the Wolkenstein Riding Tournament 2022 had female members. Of the 144 participants, 26 were women.
#500 Volunteers work at the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament every year.
#7 standards Have been created by Josef Obkircher, a sculptor from Völs, over the years. The beautiful winner’s standard is awarded to the winning team for one year; If a team wins the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament three times, the standard is theirs to keep.
Photo: Armin „Indio“Alexander Rier (on horse Terra), Martin Peterlunger (on Lady), Peter Hofer (on Amarillo) and David Tirler (on Thaila) won the 39th Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament in 2022. With a time of 4:47.65 minutes, the team from Kastelruth claimed the much-coveted standard. (in the picture with the president of the organisation committee, Klaus Marmsoler)
The organisation committee “Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament” thanks for the invaluable support:
The Seiser Alm cable car first started running on 15 August 2003. Although its construction was accompanied by considerable controversy, it has proven, over time, to be a true success story: 1.5 million passengers use it every year, and the lengthy traffic jams and endless congestion on the Seiser Alm road are now a thing of the past. For the 20th anniversary of the cable car, we’d like to take you on a little trip down memory lane.
IIf you want to get to the Seiser Alm from Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern or Tiers am Rosengarten you will almost certainly use the Seiser Alm cable car, which whisks its passengers up from Seis am Schlern (at around 1,000 metres altitude) up to the Compatsch at 1,857 m in just a few short minutes. When we look back now it is almost impossible to imagine just how different things were until a few years ago, when it could take hours to get to Europe’s largest high-mountain pasture by car or by bus.
But to get back to the start of our tale: The Seiser Alm was first made accessible by cable car in the mid 1930s, with the line running from St. Ulrich in the Gröden Valley; the two wooden cable cars of this aerial tram could each transport a maximum of 16 passengers to and from Mont Sëuc, at the northern reaches of the Seiser Alm.
Ever since the early days of the St. Ulrich cable car, a plethora of ideas, plans and projects have been put forward as to how a lift system could facilitate access to the high plateau at the foot of the Schlern.
One such plan, as recorded in the 2015 book “Seiser Alm Bahn – Chronik einer bewegten Geschichte” (Eng: Seiser Alm Bahn - Chronicle of an eventful history), envisaged a cable car from Seis am Schlern to Compatsch, to the forefront of the mountain pasture, but with the valley station in a different location to that of today.
Ultimately, none of the proposals were ever put into practice, and it was not until the mid-1980s that the topic of the cable car resurfaced in earnest. At that time, the Seiser Alm had already become a popular skiing and hiking area with guests
and locals and, although under protected area status, counted an influx of 3,000 cars per day; with this immensity of traffic and parking problems, it became imperative to come up with a few ideas to make travelling up and down the mountain as carfree as possible.
The municipality of Kastelruth, which encompasses the majority of the Seiser Alm, had two cable cars in mind: one from the village of Kastelruth to the Puflatsch, via Marinzen (a mountain pasture above the village), and a second from the Gasthof Frommer (not far from the valley station of the Spitzbühl lift) to Compatsch. However, these plans were never to come to fruition, and the traffic problems on and around the Alm continued to deteriorate. In 1986, the 8-member “Arbeitskreis zur Verwirklichung der Umlaufbahn von Seis auf die Seiser Alm“ (Eng: Working Group for the Construction of an Aerial Cableway from Seis to the Seiser Alm) was first founded; coordinated by Alexander Egger, a hotelier from Seis, the group’s objective was to build a cable car from Seis am Schlern to Compatsch.
In autumn 1989, the group founded the company “Seis-Seiser Alm Umlaufbahn AG“ (Eng: SeisSeiser Alm Aerial Cableway PLC). “There were over 1,000 shareholders, most of whom were from Seis. At the time, the notary said that he had never experienced anything like it when setting up a company, founding president of the company Alexander Egger recalls, who still today heads the board of directors. His role as president was interrupted only between 2004 and 2013, when Arno Kompatscher, a lawyer from Völs am Schlern (now Governor of South Tyrol) was both the president and managing director of the association. Through the implementation of a range of measures and schemes, he succeeded in fostering acceptance of the cable car amongst the local population on and around the Schlern.
Today, the majority of the shareholders are still local to the Seis am Schlern area. “And, for the most part, they are held by micro and small-scale shareholders, while a few own larger numbers of shares,” Egger says. The majority of shares belong to the latter group. After the company was founded, however, countless time-consuming hurdles had to be overcome before construction of the lift could
commence, some of which were administrative and bureaucratic in nature. Additionally, one of the biggest challenges was to achieve consensus and acceptance of the scheme amongst the local people; in the municipality of Kastelruth, which also counts the village of Seis am Schlern, a good number of people were unhappy with the prospect of developing the tourist attraction of the Seiser Alm from Seis am Schlern rather than the main town of Kastelruth. There were also fears, particularly within the tourism industry, that construction of the cable car could lead to an economic slump in the area as a result of blocking off the road to private transport. Funding the project presented yet another challenge; In all, 27 million euros were invested in the construction of the Seiser Alm cable car, 2.5 million alone of which went towards the construction of car parks, bus stops and the access road to the valley station. Approximately 5 million euros arrived in the form of provincial funding, while, as Egger tells us, “the remainder was financed by the shareholders and a bank loan of ten million euros.”
The first contract for the cable car project was issued by the local government of South Tyrol in 1999, and was swiftly followed by challenges, appeals and disputes. Construction finally got underway in 2001 but works did not run smoothly, and dragged on until 2003.
The final result, however, came in the form of cutting-edge cable car facilities for that time: An automatically detachable dual-rail cable car, with room for 16 people in each of its light blue cabs and space for wheelchairs, prams, and sports equipment such as bikes and sledges. This style of cableway was chosen for a number of reasons: partly because of the exceptionally high elevation difference (842 m), capacity and distance to be covered (over 4,100 metres), and partly because it would require the construction of just ten support structures.
The aerial cableway took off on its maiden voyage from Seis am Schlern to Compatsch on 15 August 2003 and, on the same day, the shuttle buses which connected numerous locations with the valley station of the cable car, likewise began operations. The shuttle bus service was designed to promote the concept of car-free travel to and from the Seiser Alm. “On the first day, we clocked up over 1,000 passengers in the new cable car, and after just two
OPENING DATE
15th August 2003
PASSENGERS PER YEAR
1.5 million, of whom 570,000 in summer and 930.000 in winter
PASSENGERS ON PEAK DAYS
4,000 in summer
9,500 in winter
VALLEY STATION
1,015 metres
MOUNTAIN STATION 1,857 metres
INCLINED LENGTH 4,127 metres
ELEVATION
DIFFERENCE
842 metres
MAXIMUM SPEED
6 metres/second
JOURNEY TIME
14 to 18 minutes
(depending on speed)
MAXIMUM CAPACITY
4,000 people/hour
NUMBER OF CABINS 108
NUMBER OF SUPPORT TOWERS 10
LONGEST SPAN 950 metres
10.09.2023
Open Day
In 1723, a young surgeon named Anton Schedler from Kastelruth received a permit to build a ´thermal bath´ at the foot of the Schlern massif, not far from the village of Seis am Schlern. The bath sourced its water from two mineral springs, one containing iron and one containing sulphite, formerly used as remedies for numerous complaints ranging from ‘women’s ailments’ to weak nerves. Shortly afterwards, a premises complete with garden and a chapel was built for the guests ofthe spa. Bad Ratzes has lived through eventful times in the intervening years: Changes of ownership, the development of holiday tourism in the 19th century, sojourns by famous people, the closure of the spa during the First World War... Today, the hotel Bad Ratzes is run by the Mutschlechner Scherer family, who are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the spa with a publication chronicling its history and a series of events.
weeks, we had topped 10,000,“ Egger remembers. “There was an immense amount of interest.“
During the first year of operation, private vehicles could also drive to the Seiser Alm. “Right up until the last minute, we were not sure whether the Seiser Alm road would be closed or not,” Egger recalls. But ever since the 2003/2004 winter season, the road to the Seiser Alm has, indeed, been all but closed to private traffic. Access with one’s own vehicle is still permitted for all people who live, farm, work or spend their holidays on the Seiser Alm, although time restrictions apply nevertheless.
A lot has happened in the intervening years: Given that business was progressing well, and the space available at the valley station was no longer sufficient to cope with demand, expansion projects were undertaken step by step. “In 2013 a multi-storey car park was built, thus increasing the number of parking spaces,“ says Egger. “Shortly afterwards, the valley station was renovated, and, on both an architectural and a practical level, its station and service buildings were transformed into a state-ofthe-art transportation hub.”
With its extraordinarily high capacity of 4,000 people per hour, the Seiser Alm cable car today is now one of South Tyrol’s busiest cable cars. “This capacity is fundamental on peak days, particularly in winter, on Christmas or during Carnival season,“ Egger says emphatically. “Because, while the ascents are spread out over a roughly 4-hour time period in the morning, the time window for descents is generally just two hours or so.“
The Seiser Alm cable car transports a total of 1.5 million passengers per year, around 60% of whom in the winter months and 40% in summer. And at long last, now that the erstwhile traffic jams and congestion of the Seiser Alm are no more, visitors to the Alm and the environment can breathe a collective sigh of relief. The hue and cry regarding the cable car has long since died down: “ On one hand,“ Egger reflects, “because people have seen that the system works. And on the other, perhaps because we as a company reinvest a part of our profits into social and community schemes in the local area.”
And on that happy note – let the 20th birthday celebrations begin! <
Celebrate with us the 20th anniversary Free travel with the Aerial Cablecar on Sunday, 10th September 2023
with the Combi Card or the Seiser Alm Card Gold
Seiser Alm Card Gold*
Valid for 7 days (after first use) | 26.05. > 08.10.2023
115.00 €
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13 and 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> unrestricted use of the Puflatsch Aerial Cableway, the Aerial Lifts Spitzbühl, Panorama, Florian (Seiser Alm) and Marinzen (Castelrotto)
> extra charge for the dog: 14.00 € > the bicycle transport will be charged extra
Over the course of 7 days (after first use)
> 3 times to the Seiser Alm and back, with the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway OR the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for the bicycle: 29.50 €
> extra charge for the dog: 7.00 €
Valid for 7 days (after first use)
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for the bicycle: 38.00 €
> extra charge for the dog: 14.00 €
withoutauto-mobil SeiserAlmCardGold
PeriodoGültigkeitszeitraum:7TageabErstentwertung. divalidità:7giornidallaprimavidimazione.Valueperiod:7daysafterfirstuse. YourName&Surname.Cardnottrasferable.
Valid for 14 days (after first use)
> unrestricted use of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway and the Seiser Alm Express (route 10)
Foto:
> unrestricted use of the Shuttle Bus Service (routes 2, 3, 3A, 5, 13, 15) and the Almbus (route 11)
> extra charge for the bicycle: 57.50 €
> extra charge for the dog: 28.00 €
> The Combi Card and the Seiser Alm Card Gold are not transferable and are available at all cash desks of the Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway, at the Tourist Offices of Völs am Schlern and Seis am Schlern and at your accommodation.
> Children (born after 21/05/2015) and persons in wheelchairs ride free of charge. Juniors (born after 21/05/2007) pay only half fare.
> Bicycle transport is not included in the Combi Card and in the Seiser Alm Card Gold.
*The Guest Card “Südtirol Alto Adige Guest Pass” from Dolomites region Seiser Alm, which is not available for purchase and is issued free of charge to the guests by the accomodation, includes a price reduction for the Combi Card and for the Seiser Alm Card Gold.
Seiser Alm Aerial Cableway 39040 Seis am Schlern · Schlernstr. 39 Tel. +39 0471 704 270 · www.seiseralmbahn.it · info@seiseralmbahn.it
On the hiking trails of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten and the Seiser Alm, volunteers pick up the rubbish which others have left behind. Coordinator Egon Trocker tells us about the (as yet) new scheme which is causing such surprise on the trails.
SSouth Tyrol’s hiking trails are something it can be rightly proud of: Perfectly groomed trails, trail markers leading hikers safely to destination, and a variety of difficulty levels to cater to everybody’s needs. The only fly in the ointment is that the pristine countryside which guests and locals would like to see is, often, no longer as clean as it might be; whether through carelessness or on purpose, litter is discarded in countless areas of the region, jeopardising not only the beauty of the countryside but, more importantly, the ecosystem. In recent months, volunteers have been taking to the trails of the Dolomites region Seiser Alm where, armed with pick-up sticks, gloves and rubbish bags, they clear the litter from the trails during the warm months. Their ‘yield’ mainly consists of myriad paper tissues, cigarette butts, and dog-waste bags,
along with full nappies, used feminine hygiene products and shoe soles. Following in the footsteps of a team of AVS (South Tyrol Alpine Association) members who had been gathering litter from the hiking trails of Tiers am Rosengarten, Egon Trocker, Conservation Supervisor for the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten, the Seiser Alm and the Val Gardena area of the Nature Park Puez-Geisler took the initiative further and expanded it to cover the entire Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten and the Seiser Alm.
With the first season now under their belts, the results are looking very good, says Trocker, thanks to the motivated collectors, the enthusiastic support, and the appreciation which they have received from all quarters. <
ALPE: Mr Trocker, how did the idea of voluntary litter collecting come about?
Egon Trocker: As conservation supervisor, I coordinate twelve seasonal forestry workers who maintain the hiking trails in the Nature Parks during the summer months and who, in the course of their work, would often
pick up rubbish. This was never a particularly effective method, as they had to carry their tools around with them and, in any case, didn’t have the time to do it. A few years ago, following the example of Tiers am Rosengarten, I tried to set up a scheme whereby local pensioners would pick up litter in the area. However, except for the
Tiers am Rosengarten area, this system lost its impetus over time. In 2021, I finally decided that I would try it again. The Tourist Office Seis am Schlern provided me with their support, and we began an active search to recruit pensioners for the task –and we succeeded: Ten people signed up for the summer of 2022.
“A lot of people don’t know about it”
Gathering litter: The cleanliness of the paths and trails of the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm is not something that we can take for granted — and, in no small part, it’s thanks to the tireless efforts of retired volunteers.
Has the scheme got off to a better start than the previous attempt?
Our group is extremely hard working, yes. My suggestion was to go out collecting once a week or twice a month. Now, they’re practically addicted to it (laughs).
How many kilometres of hiking trails do the volunteers cover when they’re out and about?
The area they walk includes the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten and the Seiser Alm Nature Reserve, at a count of almost 400 kilometres of hiking trails.
What kind of things are lying around?
Lots of sweet wrappers and cigarette butts. Unlike in the past, there are very few plastic bottles or cans. 95% of the rubbish, however, consists of paper tissues, of which 95% has been used for toilet purposes. In the mountains, these are found primarily along popular hiking trails such as those on the Puflatsch or Saltria, where you could collect rubbish every single day. If nobody cleans it up, as was the case in the past, it sometimes looks absolutely terrible. Last summer, on the other hand, there was barely a hanky left on the ground, and if there was, it was never there for longer than a day or two at the most.
People might think that paper tissues don’t cause much damage to the countryside. But do they? Yes, they do. And the problem is not going to end. You can’t just put toilets in the middle of the countryside and, even if you could, people probably wouldn’t use them. When there is no mountain hut close by, if people
Out and about with pick-up sticks and bags: The ‘booty’ mainly consists of paper tissues and dog-waste bags.
have to go, they have to go. We can’t even get angry about the paper tissues. It would, of course, be ideal if everybody carried toilet paper in their backpacks, as it biodegrades much more quickly and disappears with the first fall of rain. Paper tissues take three to four years to biodegrade in the countryside. However, taking a roll of toilet paper on a hike doesn’t even cross most people’s minds. The next big problem is dog waste bags.
Do people leave them behind too?
We mainly find them in the lower-lying areas – around the Völser Weiher lake, and in the lower-lying areas of the Seiser Alm. Most dog owners carry waste bags with them and pick up after their dogs. But there’s no point in doing this if you throw the bags away immediately afterwards. A lot of people don’t even throw their bags away but place them on benches or hang them from tree branches. I think people assume that somebody will clean up after them. It’s absurd. Here in our area, we clean the countryside regularly, but that cannot be taken for granted.
Do you know how much rubbish was collected last summer?
I can only give a rough estimate based on reports from the volunteers, who have a WhatsApp group, where they share the area that they’re covering on any given day. On average, there was somebody out collecting every day from May to mid-November, and we reckon that around seventy 30-litre garbage bags were filled. That’s a fair amount.
What happens to the rubbish?
If the volunteers are in the area,
they drop it off the depot in Völs am Schlern or Kastelruth. However, this is often inconvenient. The volunteers are also allowed to drop their bags off at the mountain huts they pass along the way, from where it can easily be driven away. The hut owners then get rid of it.
Who supports the scheme and the volunteers?
At first, I was almost embarrassed to ask people to collect rubbish in their free time as I couldn’t offer them more than a “thank you.” In order to further the project, I got in touch with the Tourist Office Seis am Schlern, and we came up with the idea of involving the Tourist Offices in the various catchment areas. They discussed the proposal amongst themselves and decided to provide their support. Now, every year, one of the Tourist Offices of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Seiser Alm, Völs am Schlern or Tiers am Rosengarten pays for shopping vouchers for the volunteers to reward them for this invaluable service. The Seiser Alm cable car also provides the volunteers with a pass for the summer season and, last but not least, the volunteers can have a drink or a bite to eat at many of the huts that they pass by when they’re doing their rounds.
How do people react when they bump into the volunteers on the hiking trails?
A lot of people don’t know about this undertaking, or don’t see it. Many hikers don’t even notice that everything is clean as they take it for granted, and only realise it if
they bump into the volunteers by chance. Guests to the region, in particular, find it hard to believe that people volunteer to do this job, and assume that the garbage collectors are paid for their work. It is a great surprise to many of them when they find out that this is not the case: They are astounded that somebody is hiking the mountains to collect other people’s rubbish. That said, they always offer their thanks and praise. Personally, I am delighted that so many locals appreciate the hard work and dedication of the volunteers.
Do you think that the rubbish-collection scheme helps to promote awareness?
Absolutely. I am certain that when people see volunteers picking up rubbish, they realise that they may have just
thrown something away themselves. They become aware and perhaps begin to reflect or to change their behaviour. This is also one of our goals.
Are there similar schemes elsewhere in South Tyrol?
As far as I know, it’s just us. For many decades now there have been litter collection days in and around a number of the towns and villages, here included, once every spring. This is a wonderful thing, and they always collect an enormous amount of litter. In the past, there was always a lot of old rubbish lying around, while today the problem is more one of recently-dropped litter. Clearing the countryside one day a year is better than nothing, but it does not, of course, resolve the problem.
Would bins along the trail provide a solution?
No. We tried this 15-20 years ago and set up wooden rubbish bins all over the place. One problem was that we were not able to empty them regularly, and we also noticed that people produced and dumped even more rubbish, with no care whatsoever. This is because the bins send out a message that somebody is cleaning up. The bins were literally overflowing, particularly in high season.
Will the volunteers be out and about again this summer?
Last season went much better than I expected. As long as we have people as hard working and motivated as we do at the moment, the scheme will continue. We can certainly continue to count on the support of the people who have been helping so far — and that is already a fabulous result. <
`Tschamintaler’ is the name of the mountaineering association from Tiers am Rosengarten. The ‘young bucks’ of the group love the feeling of freedom and forge their own path in the most literal sense of the word by opening up new climbing routes.
TThe small mountain village of Tiers am Rosengarten in the heart of the Dolomites looks back on a long tradition of climbing, and its own climbing association. The ‘Tschamintaler’ association dates back to 1888, and was founded with the aim of promoting mountaineering, particularly high-performance climbing, within the framework and statutes of the Alpenverein Alpine Mountaineering Association. In 2021, at the age of just 23 years old, Simon Raffeiner was elected President of the Tiers climbing association; he and his three fellow climbers Elias Resch, Hannes Antholzer and Thomas Ladstätter are the youngest members of the ‘Tschamintaler,’ who now count a woman in their ranks for the first time ever: Hanna Raffeiner, who has been a member since 2023. The association members, currently 23, are all experienced Alpine mountaineers. In order to become a member, potential candidates must be at least 18 years old and hold the following credentials: 20 Alpine tours of minimum grade 6 level, 5 of which must be in the Tiers area; five sport-climbing tours of minimum grade 7 in the Tiers area; five WI4 ice climbing tours and ten ski tours at an altitude of at least 1,200 metres.
With its high density of climbing routes, Tiers am Rosengarten is famed as an out-and-out paradise for climbers. Nowhere else in South Tyrol can lay claim to so many routes. The village of Tiers boasts a lengthy tradition of climbing; in days gone by, international mountaineers would travel to Blumau by train and walk from there to the Rosengarten to climb its sheer rock faces. A mountain massif between the Tiers and Fassa Valleys, the Rosengarten has always been considered a mecca for climbers. The highest point of this massif, first ascended by
two British climbers in 1873, is the Kesselkogel at 3,004 m a.s.l., although its main summit is the lower-lying Rosengartenspitze at 2,981 m a.s.l. Other popular climbing destinations include the Vajolet Türme, the Laurinswand, the Tscheiner Spitze, the Rotwand, the Teufelswand, the Masarégrad and the Fensterlturm attract climbers from every corner of the world.
One could almost describe these rocky mountain faces and the Tschamintal Valley as the living room of the Tschamintaler association. The ‘young bucks,’ as the older ‘Tschamintalers’ affectionately call them, spend weekend after weekend out exploring the rocky mountains. Particularly in the summer months, the four of them – like the other members of the association – feel drawn to their ‘living room’, where the association have already opened up countless routes.
“The magic of climbing lies in the pushing yourself mentally and physically, spending time together and having fun, enjoying the feeling of freedom in the mountains, and immortalising yourself in first ascents,” the four young Tschamintaler agree. The thirst for the mountains shines in their eyes. Climbing is a true passion: Opening up a new route is no
“Sometimes it takes us several hours or even a full day to advance by a single pitch”The Tiers climbing association is counting on its younger members.
mean feat. “First, you have to sort out the safety gear, then clean it – which means removing loose grips – and then dust the grips in climbing chalk before starting the tour, where we take it in turns to lead,” explains Simon. It is not unusual for the four climbers to spend entire days and weekends on a mountain face when opening a new route. Their projects, as the four friends call their climbing, often last for months or even years. “Sometimes it takes us several hours or even a full day to advance by a single pitch,” says Thomas. But immortalising yourself with a first ascent, they agree, is a mighty cool achievement. The members of the association know the Rosengarten and the Tschamintal like the backs of their hands and scrutinise the mountains all year round in search of potential new routes. This coming summer, for example, Elias, Hannes, Simon and Thomas are planning a tour on the Sattelspitze and are looking forward to opening a new route there.
Alpine climbing in summer and sport and ice climbing in winter bring the four friends yearround fun. Deeply committed to climbing, they spend their holidays as well as their weekends in the mountains, and train practically every day. All four have a ‘Beastmaker’ at home, a device made in top-quality wood which helps climbers to train their finger strength. Even though the four young mountaineers from Tiers are lucky enough to have such an immense array of climbing options practically on their doorstep, they and the other members of the ‘Tschamintaler’ are often drawn to the neighbouring regions, particularly in the winter, and once or twice a year they also travel a considerable distance to slake their thirst for the rocks.
There are numerous climbing guides and websites to help plan climbing tours and holidays; one of the most famous climbing websites internationally is www.8a.nu which is owned by the South Tyro-
lean company Vertikal Life. In 2017 they took over the site, founded by Swedish climber Jens Larson in 1999, with Mr. Larson at the helm as editor-in-chief, with the intention of providing a website by climbers for climbers. On this website, mountaineers will find all the latest sector news and a login area where they can log their tours in a kind of diary and comment on other tours.
If you look up Tiers on this site, you’ll find 169 climbing routes. Although it may seem an incredible amount for a small mountain village, Tiers is, and is likely to remain, an appealingly isolated destination for amateur climbers, as the majority of climbers prefer areas with ‘climbing gardens’ that are easy to get to in as short a time as possible. If you want to climb in Tiers, you have to reckon in a walk up to 30-minutes or more before the expedi-
tion can begin properly – but, that said, the walking part is always beautiful!
ALPE headed out on an expedition with the four young ‘Tschamintalers’ to the Hopfnwandl – and the atmosphere up at those heights is beyond magnificent! On our arrival at the agreed-upon car park, the four lads had a quick equipment check while the rest of us got our backpacks together, and we set off with a spring in our step and cheer in our chat. After a fairly steep climb of around twenty minutes, which seemed like a leisurely stroll to the four ‘Tschamintalers,’ the sun was beating down on the Hopfnwandl when we arrived.
Four climbers were already in action. Elias, Hannes, Simon and Thomas sat down with their backpacks at the bottom of the mountain face for a quick muesli
bar, hunk of bread or yoghurt to fortify themselves before changing into their climbing trousers and putting on their climbing shoes and tackling the wall, bare-chested, revelling in the heat of the sun radiating from the rock face as they climbed.
Armed with impressive strength, flexibility and focus, Elias and Simon climbed the 7a ‘Nepper Schlepper’ route, while Hannes and Thomas warmed up on the 6c ‘Tingl Tangl’ climb. On the Hopfnwandl there are approximately 70 routes graded 6a to 7c+, with one name catchier than the next. The person who opens a route gets to name it, and there are no limits to the imagination! The Hopfnwandl is home to the novel nomenclatures of Knottenhippy, Field Service Leader and King Laurin, to name but a few.
The moves involved in climbing are a combination of pulling, pressing, pushing, twisting and swinging, and call for exceptional fitness levels - which are not lacking in the four lads, as can easily be seen by their strong arms, hands and legs. Free climbing comprises a variety of techniques, all of which determine the approach to a climb. ‘Redpoint‚’ Flash’ and ‘On Sight’ are all styles which are recognised and used throughout the world. The king of all styles in free climbing is ‘On Sight,’ which means that a climber makes it to the top of a route on their first attempt and without prior information. ‘Flash’ means climbing a route for the first time with prior information, while ‘Redpoint’ is every free ascent from the second climb onwards, also as lead climber, without attaching oneself to the safety cord or other safety equipment.
The highest difficulty grade ever climbed is the 9c on the Silence Route in Norway, first ascended by profession climber Adam Ondra from Czechia. The highest grade in Tiers is classified as 8c, and the most difficult grades completed by the four youngest ‘Tschamintalers’ are 8c+ by Simon, 8a+ by Elias, Hannes und Thomas. But they’re not done yet, they say, telling us that Simon is about to head out on a 9a tour.
When the climbers on the Hopfenwandl are not busy with the route, they sit back in comfortable ease on a wooden bench, gaze out at their surroundings, enjoy the peace and quiet, and watch an eagle circling majestically over the Tschamintal Valley. <
Sustainability and a mindful approach to our natural landscape are very important to us. The Dolomites region Seiser Alm is part of the Nature park Schlern-Rosengarten. It is a protected area and a part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage. The project aims to raise awareness of environmentally friendly conduct among visitors, locals and tourism professionals. It seeks to encourage everyone to act respectfully and responsibly in the mountains as well as in everyday life. Its key topics are potable water and waste prevention.
Pure. Natural. Fresh. Precious.
Did you know… ... that tap water in our Dolomites region is drinkable and of a high quality? Water, including our drinking water, is a rare and precious commodity. Marked refill spots in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm are available for visitors to refill their own water bottles. A careful and respectful use prevent unnecessary wastage.
Less is more.
Our mountain scenery is a delicate ecosystem. It is extremely important not to leave any rubbish behind: the climate conditions at this altitude slow down decomposition processes. Some waste, such as plastic, does not degrade at all. The best kind of waste is waste that is not produced in the first place.
You can find all project information and measures at: www.seiseralm.it/respectthemountain
PATRICK PIGNETER – born in 1987 and from Völs am Schlern – has been one of the world’s top natural-track lugers for many years now. Last season, he achieved his 49th World Cup victory in the singles event and won the Vice-World Champion title at the World Natural Track Luge Championships in Deutschnofen in the nearby Eggental Valley, together with his doubles partner Florian Clara. The duo also finished in second place in the overall rankings of the 2022/23 doubles World Cup.
SANDRA ROBATSCHER: The artificial track luger from Tiers am Rosengarten took home bronze for the team relay at the European Luge Championships in Sigulda (Latvia).
A number of athletes from the Dolomites region Seiser Alm celebrated outstanding successes last winter. The ALPE Editorial Team would like to congratulate each and every one of them!
Andrea Vötter, Raphael Mahlknecht, Patrick Pigneter, Florian Schieder and Sandra Robatscher are all members of the #TeamSeiserAlm, an association of young, ambitious athletes from the Dolomites region Seiser Alm who receive support from the local Tourist Offices, lift operators and Seiser Alm Marketing.
This last season has been one to remember for artificial-track luger ANDREA VÖTTER from Völs am Schlern: The 28-year-old won gold in the women’s doubles together with her partner Marion Oberhofer at the European Luge Championships in Sigulda, Latvia; at the World Luge Championships in Oberhof (Germany), the two-women team won two bronze medals, one for the sprint women’s doubles and one for the women’s doubles. With their outstanding season of eleven podium places, the Vötter/Oberhofer duo also took the Overall Victory in the 2022/23 women’s doubles World Cup, which was held for the first time.
Ski racer from Kastelruth FLORIAN SCHIEDER, born in 1995, treated spectators to a seatedge spectacle as he took second place in the classic World Cup downhill race on the Streif in Kitzbühel, his best World Cup result to date.
Snowboarder AARON MARCH, who lives in Völs am Schlern, won himself a podium place at a major sporting event: Together with Nadya Ochner, the 37-yearold snowboarder took the gold in the team parallel slalom at the Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia. This was March’s first World Championship medal. (Unfortunately, Aaron is missing in this picture.)
Telemarker RAPHAEL MAHLKNECHT from Völs am Schlern made history: With his third place in the parallel sprint in Ål (Norway), the 21-year-old telemarker won Italy its first ever podium place in the World Cup.
An atmosphere of idyllic serenity pervades the hamlet of Ums. This small settlement at the foot of the imposing Schlern enjoys all the advantages of utter seclusion.
O“Once an Umser, always an Umser,” says Richard Mahlknecht as he lists the many and various virtues of his home village with the greatest of enthusiasm. Ums is home to a small church, a hotel, a fire station, a sawmill, around 20 farms and a few houses, although there used to be many more farms in Ums, as evidenced by the 30 barns in the area. Ums is not suffering from emigration problems, however, as Richard tells us with certainty: In the early mornings an ever-growing number of school children hop onto the school bus, irrefutable proof of the high quality of life that the small village provides, particularly to young families. The primary school, which first opened in 1963, had to be closed in 1997. One primary-one pupil was not enough to keep it going.
There are currently 235 people living in Ums. It is a scattered village, and the residential houses and the farms lie in close proximity to one another. The small hamlet, within the municipal confines of Völs am Schlern, is located on a ridge on the foothills of the Schlern massif between the Völser Bach and the Schlernbach. As Richard tells us of the immense rockslide of 1585 which destroyed the St. Martin Church, the sheer rock face before us takes on a somewhat menacing aspect. The storms of the past few years have often transformed the gentle Schlernbach river into the wildest of waters, and the worry on the fireman´s face is clear to see.
Richard Mahlknecht was a member of the Ums Voluntary Fire Brigade for 51 years, of which he spent
10 years as Brigade Commander. In 1907, the main town of Völs was an eternity away from the small hamlet of Ums, and the only sensible option for the Umsers was to become self-sufficient as regards firefighting. The voluntary brigade — which currently consists of 29 men and one woman — provides services of vital importance both in the village itself and in the surrounding area. The catchment area of the Ums Fire Brigade extends to the 2,563 metre Schlern with its vast plateau, and also includes the houses on the Schlern.
The Fire Brigade is the only association of the village and, in addition to providing civil protection, also fulfils a significant social role: The fire station opened in 2013 and is also used as a function room for all kinds of meetings and occasions. From the meeting of the Trinkwassergenossenschaft (Drinking Water Cooperative) to weddings, the numerous events held here keep the village community together.
First referenced in 1326, the Ums Church is dedicated to St. Martin. Richard, who carries out a number of church-related services in Völs, tells us the the patron saint day is held on 11th November. Of the original church near the Tschurer Hof farm, only the pointed-arch entrance framed in sandstone, dating to 1504, remains. As we mentioned above, the church was destroyed by a landslide, and was reconstructed in its current location in around 1610. Ums Church Day, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, is held on 12th September, and is a celebration of immense fun and cheer. Otherwise, life is serene and tranquil around this pretty little church in the heart of the village.
Ums is the perfect set-off point for hikes to the Hofer Alpl, the Sesselschwaige hut, the Schlern, the Hammerwand, the Tschafon, the Völser Weiher lake, Völs or Tiers am Rosengarten, a fact which is appreciated in equal measure by the holiday guests staying in the ‘Kircher’ hotel or one of the local farms and by the locals themselves. Luisa Hofer Trocker, farmer from the Moarhof, raves about the countless beautiful hikes, and also about the many
Richard Mahlknecht was a member of the Ums Voluntary Fire Brigade for 51 years and knows Ums like the back of his hand.
scenic spots right on her doorstep, one of which is the ‘Kirchplatzl’ church square. The vast ‘Umser Felder’ meadows boast beautiful views of Völs and the surrounding mountains, while ‘Tritsch,’ with its meadows, immense reservoir and surrounding forest land is a wonderful spot for both its landscape and other features: Luisa associates this particular spot with childhood memories of Sunday games amongst the Umsers. “You’re never alone in Ums,” she says. “There are always people looking after each other.” She is also happy that life has returned to the village in recent years. Luisa and her hus-
band, Paul Trocker, are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, and look to the future with optimism. They remember all too well the hardships of their own childhoods, and appreciate life in this God-blessed place.
“When I first came to Ums around 40 years ago, I knew instantly that I had to be there, in the shadow of the Schlern, the Hammerwand and the Tschafon,” enthuses Arnold Tribus, publisher of the Neuen Südtiroler Tageszeitung. “Ever since then I’ve lived in Birkenwiesl, but I still feel like a yearround summer tourist, a bothersome city dweller. You don’t become an Umser: You’re born an Umser.” In Arnold Tribus’ words, Ums is “a small, relatively unspoilt town with the appeal of authenticity, and radiates a sense of something unique and special,” People love this town with its many quirks, its small church and the grand ‘Kircher’ hotel which, in days gone by, catered only to churchgoers – only today, Mass is no longer held here. “I love the solidity of farming life, the beautiful floral arrangements, the philosophy of having a ‘good room,’ the decency, the conventions.” And with these benevolent words, our description of Ums is complete. <
“You’re never alone in Ums, there are always people looking after each other.”Luisa
HoferTrocker, famer at the Moarhof, enthuses about the beauty of Ums and the surrounding countryside.
It’s sustainable, regional, fresh and natural – there are so many good reasons to buy food sourced from the local area. Regionality has become the new organic: This welcome trend runs in perfect harmony with the philosophy of a young generation of farmers overflowing with fresh, innovative ideas.
TThe mountain panorama around the Schlern and the Seiser Alm is breathtaking – but the true charm of the countryside lies in the contrasts between the majestic backdrop and the picturesque little farms nestling in idyllic beauty around the towns and countryside. Decorative flowers arranged with loving care, pristine cottage gardens and grazing cattle add the picture-perfect touch of pastoral beauty to the picture. It’s often easy for us to forget just how hard it was to make a living from these small farms in the none-too-distant past, and the challenges that farmers are faced with on these steep mountain slopes to this day.
In order to secure the future of their small farms, and with the hopes of potentially being able to make a living on the earnings of the farm alone, the farmers of South Tyrol are currently venturing into pioneering new territory: Direct processing on the farm and direct sales of regional, natural and high-quality products, two aspects of farming which have gained great traction in recent years, fostered by a general shift in social mentality and a trend towards a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle. The demand for regionally-sourced foodstuffs is increasing amongst both local consumers and guests
– and, with it, the willingness to pay more for these valuable products.
Farmers who ‘refine’ the fruits of their labours in their farmhouses to make jams, syrups, speck and cheese, or who sell farm products such as eggs, apples and miles in their farm shops are known in this area as ‘direct marketers;’ as Walter Rier from the Südtiroler Bauernbund (South Tyrolean Farmers’ Association) tells us, they fall into two categories: “There are the specialists, who focus their energies on one specific product; these farmers aim to produce larger quantities in order to sell them directly on the farm. Then there are those who offer a wider range of products, provide the final consumer with their product range directly, and are also happy to attend the local farmers’ markets.”
Essentially, we can say that the level and quality of these products has taken a substantial leap forward. “On one hand, this is due to the fact that a new generation is taking over the businesses, and the young people on the farms are equipped with new knowledge and awareness. Legislation has also simplified certain aspects, making entry into direct marketing a more appealing option,”
explains Rier. The Südtiroler Bauernbund’s Direct Marketer Academy for farms who want to adopt this style of business has also been revamped, and now offers farmers approximately 200 hours of training complete with comprehensive information regarding regulations for hygiene, packaging and labelling and training in economics and marketing. The ‘Red Rooster’ seal of quality awarded by the Südtiroler Bauernbund, often seen in local farms, is subject to regular monitoring of the processing and quality of the farm’s products. “The quality must, simply, be consistently high in order to create trust and justify the relatively higher prices,” says Rier with conviction.
A good number of farms, particularly those located on hiking trails, offer visitors the opportunity to buy farm products directly from the farmer – and sometimes even when nobody is at home, as is the case of the Furscherhof in Seis on the road to St. Oswald. This is the realm of Elias Profanter, a young farmer who, with passion, drive and a love of experimenting, is breaking new ground on his impressive, age-old farm. Although Elias fell into the role of farmer at a young age due to the early death of his father, he has lost none of his interest or curiosity over the years. Today, his cosmopolitan approach and environmental sensitivity have led to significant innovative achievements, including the Bioland certification which he received in 2007. In front of the barn, he set up a small gazebo-style farm shop where, initially, he sold primarily the eggs from his mother’s numerous hens. He added potatoes, apple juice and seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes to the shop’s range shortly afterwards. The success of this form of sales – people leave money for whatever they buy in an honesty safe – has surprised even Elias himself, he says. Demand, however, has fallen somewhat; the young farmer with the bushy black beard believes that a willingness to pay higher prices for higher-quality products is closely connected with promoting awareness amongst consumers, which is why he opted to work with an array of distribution channels. In 2010, he also made a shift from cattle farming to Dorper sheep – a cross between Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian sheep – and now has a flock
of 130 roaming around in his spacious barn. The ewes of this distinctive breed with white fleece and a black head are primarily breeding ewes, and the land meat is sold primarily to well-stocked supermarkets in Bolzano. In urban areas, appreciation of top-quality agricultural products is on the rise, and with it, the readiness to pay the correspondingly higher price. In the near future, Elias Profanter is planning to begin an extensive organic farming project which will include Hokkaido pumpkins. One thing’s for sure – there’s no lack of irons in the fire at the Furscherhof.
The quality and authenticity of farm-fresh foods play a vital role in the image factor, particularly in the hospitality industry, and, as such, create added value to the region as a travel destination. People appreciate South Tyrol for the taste, authenticity and high quality of its foodstuffs. Some farms make the most of the opportunity to process their products directly on the farm and sell them in the local areas or in their farm shops. Offering natural foods, produced directly on-site, cooked up in the farm kitchen and served in a rustic farm restaurant whets the appetite to try out mouthwatering specialities: This is the vision of Benjamin Gostner from the Huberhof in the heart of Völs am Schlern, where a well-stocked farm shop has been running for quite some time now. This cheery young farmer has every intention of expanding and professionalising this side of the business further. The cold room in an adjacent building is open to the public and stocks large crates of potatoes and a variety of apples – the cultivation of which, 25 years ago, was an absolute must. However, here at the Huberhof, a classic family-run farm whereby both the parents and their three sons also work in other professions, there’s a lot more going on. Alongside fruit cultivation and cattle farming, the Huber family also offer farmhouse holidays in their holiday apartments and, in addition to the family’s Huber Schwaige ‘Bioalm’ farm on the Seiser Alm, the family also welcome guests to savour traditional specialities in a rustically atmospheric restaurant in the centre of Völs. The vast majority of the foods processed at the Huber Schwaige and on the farm have been cultivated by the Huber fam-
The ‘Mahlzeit! Spezialitäten von Völser Bauern und Produzenten,’ (Enjoy! Specialities from farmers and producers of Völs) brochure. The ‘Völs product’ logo enables consumers to identify regional specialities at a glance and was designed to promote awareness of local economic cycles as an important topic for our future. The brochure is available at the Tourist Offices. In the Dolomites region Seiser Alm it is interesting to note just how much of the extensive range of seasonal fruit and vegetables in restaurants and shops has been produced in the local area. Local products are often displayed on their own designated shelf or display cabinet!
ily themselves. As a member of Bio Südtirol, the Huberhof is also a certified Bioland. A tour of this ancient farm leads through immense processing rooms for fruit and dairy products, and a smokehouse for speck from their own herd of pigs. It is clear to see that the processing and transformation of farm-grown products provides farmers an opportunity to create added value, but it is, nevertheless, a task which entails challenges and a lot of work. Benjamin Gostner’s goal is clear: “In the future, the farm shop should be constantly staffed, as customers and guests always have a lot of questions. Communication is vitally important in helping people to understand the philosophy that we pursue here on the farm and with our products.”
A well-planned link between produce and cuisine is also a priority for Heiner Kaibitsch from the Stanglerhof, who offers something a little different from the other hostelries on and around the Schlern. The Stangler is famed, above all, for its regular, almost avant-garde cultural programme away from the popular mainstream. Every Thursday evening for many years now, the haybarn has been the venue for a wide variety of events ranging from jazz to crossover and even classical concerts, through to documentary films; on these evenings, the Stanglerhof also serves multi-course menus in buffet style inspired by the Slow Food movement and by Mediterranean and international cuisine. The Stanglerhof is a traditional Buschnschank farm restaurant, which means that the use of their own and regional products is both expected and obligatory. The range of direct-sales products on offer has, to date, been dominated by fruit syrups - particularly blackcurrant, which is widely grown in this area. In line with the artistic, somewhat alternative concept of this tavern, viticulture has recently become a significant mainstay of the products on offer. Wines, however, find it difficult to grow at the Stanglerhof in St. Konstantin, which is why Heiner
Kaibitsch took over a family-owned vineyard in Siebeneich, near Terlan, four years ago. Together with neighbouring winegrowers, he cultivates mainly Cabernet and Merlot, and is now in the fortunate position of being able to serve his own wine in the bar and sell it in the small farm shop. The farm shop is a fascinating little ‘tiny house,’ which, over the centuries, has been used as a sheep pen and
a guest house for artists in residence, and is now frequented primarily by guests who have come to the Stanglerhof for an event. For Heiner, the main function of the tasteful wooden building, now converted into a shop, is as a tasting room where visitors can see the entire range of wines and sample the products. Heiner’s vision is to develop a product line which is coherent with his profile; at the Stanglerhof, this means farming in a variety of climate zones ranging from vineyards to mountain farms.
From the farm shop of the award-winning dairy cheese farm Zu Fall, Kastelruth, to the fruit spreads of the Partschillerhof, to the speck production of the Stampferhof in Völser Aicha, from winegrowers to beekeepers to fruit growers, the list of producers and direct marketers in the Schlern area could go on forever. The specialities of these farmers provide, in the best of ways, a contrast to industrialised, mass-produced foodstuffs and their wellknown drawbacksand invite you to help safeguard the future of so many small businesses by purchasing natural, top-quality foods: A win-win for all concerned, not least the environment. <
In South Tyrolean extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s words, they are “the most beautiful mountains in the world“. The incomparable beauty of the Dolomites is widely renowned and for many they are synonymous with excellence in summer holidays.
The mountains of the Dolomites can be thought of as a fossilised coral reef arching up into the sky in spectacular fashion. Thanks to their monumental beauty as well as their geological and geomorphologic significance, the so-called Pale Mountains were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009. Divided into nine areas and forming part of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten, the Dolomites
are considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world.
Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten: South Tyrol’s oldest natural reserve, a 7,291-hectare park, is situated in the western Dolomites and was founded in 1974. The Schlern is an impressive mountain range whose emblematic outline, that includes the Santner and Euringer peaks, stands out as one of
the signature landmarks of South Tyrol. The Rosengarten massif, with its numerous peaks, is also known far beyond the country’s borders. The most striking part of the massif is the Kesselkogel peak, which stands at a height of 3,002 metres. The natural park also includes the mountain forests around Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten, and the Tschamin Valley.
The vegetables sold at the farmers’ markets come straight from the farm: With crunchy courgettes, mouthwatering tomatoes, beans, healthful broccoli, sweetly scented herbs and carrots in a rainbow of different colours to choose from, there’s no limit to the healthy variety and abundance of the summer months. Vegetable strudel is a wonderful addition to any summer menu repertoire.
180 g flour
180 g butter
180 g curd
A pinch of salt
Knead the flour, butter, curd and salt into a smooth pastry and leave to rest in the fridge for around an hour.
(The pastry recipe was taken from the recipe book “So kocht Südtirol” Athesia Publishing House)
Dice the vegetables of your choice into small cubes and sauté together with finely chopped onion and leek. Season with pepper, salt, fresh herbs from the garden and, if desired, a little chilli, lemon zest or ginger. Leave to cool while the pastry is chilling in the fridge. Roll the pastry out on a floured work surface and transfer to a baking tray. Place the vegetable filling in the middle of the pastry and fold remainder of the pastry over to close.
Baking temperature: 180°C
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Text: Barbara Pichler
9 May – 1 July 2023
Fancy a break? When the countryside awakens in spring, the urge to get out into the open air gets ever stronger and draws us out into the great outdoors and the spring air. A morning hike to the Tschafon mountain refuge, taking a bath in the forest, relaxing with The Five Tibetans® or a breakfast at the Völser Weiher lake... The Balance experiences offer movement, relaxation and well-being for body and mind. Plenty good reasons to escape from everyday life for a brief moment. www.seiseralm.it/balance
June 2022
GOURMET WEEKS
In the theme of “100% Dolomites Region Seiser Alm”, lovers of regional cuisine can look forward to a season-opening gourmet experience of a very special kind; over these two weeks, the star of the show is cuisine that is year-round available, healthy and 100% locally sourced. The event showcases all that is 100% local, and forges the bond between farmers, direct marketers and the local network. The kick-off event “Bergler Harass –Picnicking at the foot of the Rosengarten mountain” on 2 June 2023 will give the starting signal for the Gourmet Weeks. On 10.06.2023 from 18.00 the “Völser DorfkuchlA Culinary Delight!” will take place, a must for all epicures and gourmets. www.seiseralm.it/genusswochen
From 1 May to 31 October, Prösels Castle, dating back to the days of Maximilian and arguably Tyrol’s most emblematic castle, is open to the public. Guided tours will offer visitors a fascinating insight into the history of the castle and the infamous Lords of Völs, so closely interwoven in the threads of time. “Martha the Witch” will also be guiding special children tours where children can delve into a realm of fable and fairytales and discover the secrets of the healing arts in days gone by, while children embarking on tours led by Knight Friedrich von Hauenstein will step into a bygone world of knights, knaves and damsels. A series of concerts, readings and seminars round off this castle’s cultural events programme. Prösels Castle has South Tyrol’s first ever escape room in a castle. Children (9 years old and upwards) accompanied by their parents, young people and adults in groups of up to 5 people can put their skills to the test in intuition, creativity, team spirit, logic, maths and, above all, their ability to learn and have fun. And while the kids are having fun in the all-new play park, their parents can savour the delights of local cuisine in the castle gardens. www.schloss-proesels.it
2, 3 and 4 June 2023
40TH OSWALD VON
3 days, 4 locations and 36 teams: In tribute to knight and minstrel Oswald von Wolkenstein, the three villages of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern and Völs am Schlern organise a historical riding tournament at its very finest. On 2, 3 and 4 June 2023, visitors of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Riding Tournament can leap back in time to the 14th century and experience life in the Middle Ages, admire the masterly horsemanship and feel the hospitality in South Tyrol. No other riding tournament has the good fortune to be able to offer this kind of culture, tradition, history, sport and folklore all rolled into one single event. This year, the opening ceremony and festive parade take place in the village Kastelruth. www.ovwritt.com
16 and 17 June 2023
KASTELRUTHER SPATZEN OPEN-AIR CONCERT
Thousands of fans make their way to Seis am Schlern to enjoy the breath-taking landscape and to experience the “Spatzen” live. They’ll be treating fans and friends to a nostalgia concert of their hits from 1993 to 2021. This coming year, as always, music bands from near and far will be providing fringe entertainment.
The summer programme at the Visitor Center of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten in Seis provides variety-packed, nature-themed fun for adults and children, in the rooms of the Visitor Center as well as outside in the nature park. The rangers of the nature park will accompany you and your family on exciting nature experience hikes and at interesting lectures on, amongst others, the fascinating worlds of butterflies and mushrooms, and the geology of our mountains. nature-parks.provinz.bz.it
26 June – 11 September 2023
AM SCHLERN
Seis offers an extraordinary series of concerts for lovers of classical music. The artists, mainly from Italy and with a wealth of international experience behind them, will be performing the works of great composers. The concerts will be held on Mondays at 9 pm.
> 26 June 2023
> 3, 10 and 17 July 2023
> 21 and 28 August 2023
> 4 and 11 September 2023
Photo: SAM/Werner Dejori Photo: OvW-Ritt/Indio MayrOPEN-AIR GOURMET EXPERIENCES
Two very unusual open-air gourmet events make for an incredible culinary experience in the Seiser Alm summer: The first event will be the Bergler Harass in Tiers am Rosengarten on June 2, followed by the Berglertafel on July 20, 2023, which is also famed for its breath-taking views to the legendary Rosengarten. A special culinary event will take place on 23 June 2023 on the Seiser Alm. Tabbla Toò organised by the “jungen Alpler” (the young people from the Seiser Alm) at the Tschötsch Alm – a culinary delight. Outdoor dinner with open-air concert of the singer Max von Milland at the Tschötsch Alm. In case of bad weather the concert will be moved forward to Thursday June 22th 2023.
2 July 2023
10TH SEISER ALM
HALF MARATHON
21 kilometres, 601 metres of elevation difference and 700 participants: These are the key statistics of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon on 2 July 2023, which will start and finish in Compatsch. Surrounded by the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, the Seiser Alm Half Marathon is a unique experience and sporting challenge for both professional and amateur athletes. The route leads past the majestic Schlern and Plattkofel, as it weaves up to its highest point at 2,050 metres under the Goldknopf and, from here, back to Compatsch. running.seiseralm.it
8 July 2023
6TH ROSENGARTEN SCHLERN SKY MARATHON
Right in the very heart of the unique Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, a 45-kilometre Alpine Mountain Marathon with around 3,000 m of elevation difference will set off from Tiers am Rosengarten. The Rosengarten Schlern Sky Marathon. The challenging mountain race will begin in St. Zyprian at 1,136 m asl, lead round the Rosengarten Massif, over the Schlern and the Tschafon and back to Tiers am Rosengarten. The highest point of the Sky Marathon is the Grasleiten Pass at 2,630 m. www.skymarathontiers.it
8 September 2023
The traditional Alm Market in Compatsch is held every year on 8 September, and features live music, stalls selling a wide variety of goods, and culinary specialities.
Autumn 2023 TRANSHUMANCE 2023
Marking the end of the season and the return of the cattle to the valleys, this festival features whip-crackers, live music and mouthwatering traditional fare. The transhumance from the Seiser Alm to the valley will take place on 30 September, and the Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten transhumance on 1 October 2023.
6 – 8 October 2023
Three days of celebrating, spending pleasant evenings together, experiencing the “Kastelruther Spatzen” live: the Spatzen-Festival in Kastelruth is a must for every fan. Surrounded by the unique scenery of the Dolomites the seven “Spatzen” mesmerise all lovers of traditional music.
1 – 31 October 2023
The Völser “Kuchlkastl” Kitchen pantry event has been a culinary high point of autumn in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm for 46 years and counting. Foodies and lovers of down-home cuisine can feast to their hearts’ content from 1 to 31 October, when the restaurateurs of Völs warmly welcome guests to enjoy a “Gastronomical October.”
The chefs of Völs will be cooking up traditional recipes with a sophisticated twist: Time honoured recipes reinterpreted and served with love. www.voelserkuchlkastl.com
4 September – 3 November 2023
A very special atmosphere awaits you in the golden autumn months in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm. The Seiser Alm mountain autumn brings together outdoor experiences with a magnificent landscape and outstanding cuisine. The programme of events features sunrise hikes to the most beautiful peaks of the Dolomites with breakfast in a mountain refuge, guided hikes, coocery courses and guided tours to local producers. www.seiseralm.it/mountainautumn
Photo: SAM/Patrick Schwienbacher Photo: SAM/Helmuth RierDecember 2023
When the air is thick with the scent of gingerbread, cinnamon and mulled wine, you know it’s advent time here at the foot of the Schlern. The run-up to Christmas is a meaningful time here in the Dolomites region Seiser Alm; the Christmas markets in the villages of Kastelruth, Völs and Tiers are small but incredibly beautiful, and are guaranteed to get guests and locals alike into the Christmas spirit, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. With their traditional handcrafts, specialties of South Tyrolean cuisine and Christ-massy melodies, they warmly invite you to join them for a sociable Advent of companionship.
16th Kastelruth
Mountain Christmas
> 2/3 December 2023
> 8/9/10 December 2023
> 8/9 December 2023 Christmas concert of the Kastelruther Spatzen
> 9 December 2023 Devils course
> 15/16/17 December 2023
> 22/23/24 December 2023
> 26 December 2023
Waiting for Baby Jesus in Völs am Schlern
> 08/09/10 December 2023
> 16/17 December 2023
> 23 December 2023
> 29/30/31 December 2023
> 4 January 2024
> 6/7 January 2024
Mountaineer’s Advent in Tiers am Rosengarten
Culinary delight with local products and handicraft on 8.12. and 23.12.2023
Prösels Castle is also open to visitors in winter. Winter castle tours offer a variety-packed alternative to skiing. Every Thursday from 11 January to 28 March 2024, Prösels Castle will be awakening from its winter slumber and open its doors at 3 pm. During a one-hour tour, visitors will learn a wealth of fascinating information about the castle and its former residents and, at the same time, can visit three art exhibitions and a vast weaponry collection. On three days this winter (28.12.2023, 04.01.2024 and 15.02.2024) at 3 pm, the “Winter Cuisine & Culture” event will be held once more at Prösels Castle: After the castle tour, guests will have the opportunity to sample traditional local products free of charge in the castle grounds, where local producers will be hosting an array of stands. Prior booking is essential for winter guided tours, and can be reserved at the Castle up to 12pm on the day of the event: info@schloss-proesels.it www.schloss-proesels.it
Winter
Discover the diversity of nature with all your senses: The Nature Experience programme also includes cooking courses in Kastelruth. In Seis am Schlern you can discover the magic of dusk, learn the age-old secrets of traditional recipes and take part in a bread-baking course; in Völs, you can enjoy wine tasting sessions with the winegrowers of Völs, while in Tiers, you can explore the rustic Tschamin valley on a snowshoe expedition through the untouched winter countryside and, in the evening, take part in a guided torchlight hike with dinner. On full-moon nights, you have the opportunity to embark on a hike across the snowy Seiser Alm to a hut where a traditional dinner awaits.
Winter hiking, snowshoeing, culinary delights and evening events - these guided adventures offer you a winter vacation in the Dolomites to experience with all your senses. www.seiseralm.it/winteradventure
While outside nature is resting, the Visitor Center of the Nature Park in Seis am Schlern provides an insight into the diverse and fascinating flora and fauna of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten. A special focus this winter is on the amphibians of South Tyrol. A special exhibition shows their way of life and introduces us to toads, frogs, salamanders, and newts. The Visitor Center of the Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten in Seis can be visited free of charge during opening hours. nature-parks.provinz.bz.it
DATES AND TIMES OF GUIDED TOURS
> 27 December 2023
3pm (German), 4pm (Italian)
> 3 January 2024
3pm (German), 4pm (Italian)
> 14 February 2024
3pm (German), 4pm (Italian)
Photo: SAM/Alex Moling Photo: Schloss Prösels/Helmuth Rier09/10th December 2023
From 9:00 am at the mountain station of the Seiser Alm cable car, you have the opportunity to try out this original sport. Excellent telemark professionals from all over the world will be there to pass on the best tips and tricks.
14th January 2024
Over the years, it has grown to become an established tradition: The Kastelruth Farmer’s Wedding. It is an authentic reproduction of an old-fashioned farmer’s wedding as celebrated since time immemorial here at the foot of the Seiser Alm. The high point of the event is the wedding parade from St. Valentin to Kastelruth. The wedding party, dressed in traditional attire, drive to the centre of Kastelruth in a magnificently decorated horsedrawn sleigh, bringing their guests along with them on a trip back in time to the 19th century.
25 January 2024
A sporting event illuminated by the glow of flickering torchlight, the chance to put your skills to the test at international level, and the magical winter backdrop of Europe’s largest mountain plateau: In 2024, the Moonlight Classic will once again be offering numerous athletes and cross-country fans the chance to spend a sensational evening on the Seiser Alm by night. Participants can opt to take part in either the 30 km or the 15 km variant of the loop route. Both variants begin and end in Compatsch and are raced exclusively in classic diagonal style. The starting pistol for this cross-country spectacle will be fired at 8:00 pm. Registration required: www.moonlightclassic.info
February 2024
Travel back to bygone days at the Nostalgic Jamboree Race - numerous nostalgia groups from the Alpine regions have been invited to the Seiser Alm to do just that! Spectators can admire the period clothing from a variety of eras on the Panorama slope and meet the nostalgia skiers during the lunch break in the surrounding huts. A prize-giving ceremony rounds off the event, organised in collaboration with Kastelruth nostalgic pro, Otto Mauroner.
Exclusive skiing experience for early risers followed by breakfast on the Seiser Alm. Weekly in March, three ski lifts will take turns to start running at 7 am. Early risers will have the unique opportunity to cross the freshly groomed, deserted slopes and enjoy the special morning atmosphere on Europe’s largest mountain plateau, accompanied by a ski instructor who will provide a wealth of handy tips. At 9 am, we’ll be heading to a mountain hut to enjoy a sociable Alpine breakfast.
13 - 17 March 2024
16TH
Jazz in the mountain huts, soul on the slopes and traditional tunes in the restaurants in the evenings: Fraom 13 - 17 March, musicians from all over the Alpine region will bring musical cheer to the Dolomites region Seiser Alm at the Swing on Snow festival from morning to night. Bands and singers will be getting old and young, winter sports visitors and music lovers alike, into the party mood. The modern interpretation of traditional folk music with jazz, soul and pop reflects the musical culture of the Alps; listeners can swerve in time to the beats and rhythms, and weave their way downhill to the sounds of the tuba, bass, dulcimer and accordion. Concerts will be played at the valley station of the Seiser Alm cableway and the slopes of the Seiser Alm in the mornings and afternoons in the huts and evenings in the villages of Kastelruth, Seis am Schlern, Völs am Schlern and Tiers am Rosengarten. www.swingonsnow.com
Photo: Helmuth
Rier
Photo: Helmuth
Rier
Kastelruther Spatzen: 40 years on the stage. 2023 is the Kastelruther Spatzen’s 40th anniversary of stage performances. With songs such as Tränen passen nicht zu dir (Tears Don’t Suit You), which won the Spatzen the 1990 Grand Prix of Folk Music in Germany), Eine weiße Rose (A White Rose) and Ich schwör (I Swear), the group have become one of the most famed German-speaking music band on the scene over the past four decades. Their first big hit, however, was Das Mädchen mit den erloschenen Augen (The Girl With The Lifeless Eyes), which reached gold disc status in 1983. This was followed by countless other gold and platinum discs and the sales of millions of records in Germany, topping those of international superstars the likes of Madonna or Michael Jackson. The Spatzen are planning a big tour to mark their 40th anniversary, while their traditional large-scale events held in their homelands are also back on the cards this year: On June 16th and 17th, their Open-Air concert will be held in Seis am Schlern, and from 6th to 8th October, the big Spatzenfest will be held in Kastelruth for the 37th year.
Around 30 years ago now, Florian Rabanser purchased the traditional Zu Plun farm in St Valentin, a district of Kastelruth, where he established a small distillery. In the intervening years, his spirits and fruit brandies – ranging from gin to rum to grappa — have reached fame far beyond the borders of the Dolomites region Seiser Alm, as can be seen by the many accolades he has received from sector specialists: The WineHunter named Florian Rabanser Master Distiller 2022, while his ‘Zu Plun Blue Tea’ gin received the WineHunter Gold Award 2022. In 2021, his ‘Zu Plun Yellow Gin’ won the WineHunter Platinum Award; in the same year, Zu Plun was a finalist in the Enogastronomy category of Winning Idea Mountain Awards, and received Falstaff Spirits Special ratings of 95 points for the ‘Salz Gin Limited Edition’, 94 points for the ‘Grenoir Pomegranade Gin’ and 93 points for ‘Dol Gin Dolomites Gin,’ ‘Dolomites Plum Fine Old Distillate’ and ‘Dolomites Traminer Fine Old Distillate.’
The inspiration for Marc Goller’s first illustrated book came about purely by chance: When a good friend showed Marc his collection of old photos of the Schlern area, his treasure hunt began. The illustrated book entitled ‘Domols Dahoam’ (Home in Days Gone By) is the result of the unique material that Marc Goller collected over the next two years, and contains previously unpublished material, pictures, maps and illustrations. Given the immense interest that the book has received, Marc Goller is now working on a second volume. Holiday guests and locals are, therefore, warmly invited to take a look through their trasure chests and send any interesting materials or pictures to Marc Goller at phone +39 333 5826809, or email them to marcgoller91@gmail.com
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