at Hotel zur Pfeffermühle
Christmas in the Mountains
Short days, early dark, warm inside. Outside, a ski area just waking up — and in the house, it smells of biscuits.
There are two stretches of December here that are unlike the rest of the winter.
Advent Moments
3 to 18 December · four nights · from €1,250 in a Komfort double room
Four nights of mountain air, movement and slow evenings.
Winter at the Arlberg begins on 2 December; we open on the 3rd. The weeks that follow are our favourite: freshly groomed slopes, short queues at the lifts — and in the evening your table is waiting, without you having to book it.
If you'd rather stay off the slopes entirely, that works too. Winter walking trails start at our door, the Advent market in the park is a few minutes away, and the Christmas market in Innsbruck makes a good day out.
Included
Four nights with half board
One guided walk from the malibie Moments programme
Yoga and Pilates from the malibie Moments programme, at our partner hotel Arlmont
Campfire bread and mulled wine from the malibie Moments programme
Christmas at the House
19 to 26 or 20 to 27 December · seven nights · from €3,355 for two in a Komfort double room
Seven nights across the holidays, with half board.
What happens on 24 December
Raclette in the afternoon, with mulled wine or punch. Christmas biscuits waiting in your room.
At 5 pm the presents — all the children together by the tree in the hall.
In the evening, midnight mass at the parish church in St. Jakob, and an earlier children's service for the little ones.
On 24 and 25 December, head chef Patrick and his team cook the Christmas gala menu. Included in the price.
The Christmas menu
Marinated white prawn with white curry, bergamot and lemon balm
Consommé of roasted potato with bacon, black winter truffle and chives
Crisp goose croquette on kimchi-style red cabbage and root vegetables, goose jus
Pink-roasted veal fillet on a tartare of seared clam with sous-vide celeriac, hazelnut crumble and kombu brunoise, quince reduction
Pear and lemon thyme sorbet on Österkron espuma with puffed buckwheat
Vanilla and sour cream mousse with mandarin curd, coffee-miso ice cream and white chocolate soil
We also cook vegetarian and vegan. Let us know when you book.
Do I need to ski to come here in December?
No. Plenty of our guests come in Advent without setting foot on a slope — winter walks, an afternoon in the sauna, the village in its Christmas lights. The ski area is there if you want it. It doesn't have to be.
What else is there besides skiing?
Winter walking, the Advent market in the park in St. Anton, and our AusZeit Spa: Finnish sauna, organic herbal sauna, brine steam bath and infrared cabin. Yoga and Pilates sessions run at our partner hotel Arlmont. For a day out, the Christmas market in Innsbruck is worth the train ride.
Can we come with children?
Yes, and at Christmas especially. The presents on the 24th are handed out to all the children together by the tree in the hall, and the children's service is a short walk away. Whatever you need with children is ready — cot, high chair, baby monitor.
Is there a New Year's offer?
We're close to fully booked over New Year. Do ask anyway — something occasionally opens up. On 31 December, Patrick and his team cook a seven-course New Year's menu.
Can I come just for dinner?
The Wirtshaus — our restaurant — is open to guests who aren't staying with us. Over the holidays seating is limited. On 24 December and New Year's Eve we have a few places left for the gala menu; we don't cook à la carte on those two evenings.