Staying, eating and drinking in Vorderlanersbach

We decided to stay in the small traditional village of Vorderlanersbach, at the base of the Rastkogelbahn gondola. From there the lift links to Mayrhofen and Eggalm were efficient, and the bus took fifteen minutes to Hintertux. It was a convenient skiing location.

We stayed for the week in the Hotel Kirchlerhof. It was a 7 or so minute walk to the gondola, and 2 minutes to the bus stop. We just had bed and breakfast, but most people had evening dinner included too.

The room was smallish but comfortable, and the breakfast buffet extensive and tasty. The cereal options were limited, but various types of eggs, bacon, breads and cold meats and cheese never left us short of a choice. And the coffee was very good. At the end of the day, the ‘wellness area’ was excellent, with a large sauna, 2 steam rooms and an icily cold plunge pool that was a necessity to use at times. I always felt ‘well’ when I left.

The main apres ski venue was the rather wild Hexenkessl. A small crowded bar, good priced drinks and an absolutely buzzing, loud Europop atmosphere from 3-9pm. The locals indulged excessively, and it was impossible not to get into the swing of things. A very entertaining bar indeed, as this video hopefully shows:

http://images.video.msn.com/flash/soapbox1_1.swf

The hotel bar at the Kirchlerhof was a much more sedate affair, but nevertheless a pleasant place for a relaxing apres beer.

Our favorite food venue was the Metzgewirt restaurant, a ten minute stroll up the road in Lanersbach.We had hearty venison, peppery Groestl and a delicious goulash. They also make their own beer, Tuxer beer. Both the hefeweizen and maerzen were darn fine brews.

We also had beautifully prepared fresh trout at the Forelle (make a reservation – it’s tiny), decent schnitzel at Das Lokal (at the gondola base), and odd but scrumptious Tyrolean food at the Kasermandl. In fact if you like potatoes, eggs, various types of pig, goulash, sausage and dumplings, in some or other combination, Austrian food is hard to fault. And none of this was very expensive at all – typical main courses were in the 9-12 Euro range.

I enjoyed staying in Vorderlanerbach. It’s not for those who want wild apres bar selections and extensive shopping alternatives. But the combination of location, good accommodation options and enough places to eat, drink and entertain for a week suited us avid skiers just fine ;-}