Tirol for the discerning: regional and regenerative

Just over the German border, where the Zugspitze stretches its head into the clouds, begins the Austrian region of Tyrol, a heavyweight when it comes to winter tourism: 3,700 kilometers of slopes, 80 ski areas, countless downhill runs, winter hiking trails and guesthouses.

For a long time the province was considered a classic family destination with long-established hotels that welcome their regular guests in the cold season, with a lot of effort, but sometimes also a standardized sloppiness; "Just no experiments!" seemed to be the motto of the Tyroleans.

New concepts conquer Kitzbühel

Today, some companies are resisting this recipe for success. In Kitzbühel, a glamorous, Instagram-worthy place, the "Hahnenkamm Lodge" is trying to assert itself as an exclusive chalet; the opulent wooden house with five suites can only be booked as a whole, and a chef pampers up to twelve guests around the clock. After your winter sports activities, you can relax in your own Swiss stone pine sauna or steam bath - very private, very exclusive.

The "Eriro" is based on a similar concept: The adults-only hotel has opened at an altitude of 1,550 meters, just 400 meters on foot from the mountain station. The deceleration begins at the bottom of the gondola, when the hotel staff pick up their guests at the valley station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn, place blankets on the cabin seats so that those arriving can rest more comfortably, and pour homemade apricot and elderberry lemonade.

Staged originality in the "Eriro"

During the five-minute ride uphill, the view is directed towards the limestone block of the Zugspitze. Winter sports enthusiasts have the privilege of being the first to hit the slopes of the Zugspitz Arena in the morning - the station is within walking distance of the "Eriro". Snow hikes over to the Igelsee lake are on the program, as are toboggan rides down the slope.

The "Eriro" is intended to be a retreat for solvent globetrotters, an ultra-local experiment in slow travel. A bathtub for the room has been sawn out of a tree trunk, old boards hang from the ceiling as decorations, drilled-out stones have been fitted with LEDs and now light up the rooms.

The dedication to regionality goes so far that there is neither Aperol at the bar nor oranges for breakfast. Few exceptions are allowed: Next to the shower, there are care soaps from the Australian brand Aesop, and if you ask, you can get Coca-Cola at the bar. Every day, the chef prepares a culinary symphony using local produce - what they call "original cuisine" here. More pointed restraint is not possible.