You’d think a house of my age would get lonely over time. Thank goodness, the exact opposite is true. Over the years, I’ve acquired some company – a couple of good places that are, so to speak, de facto part of the family. One is down in the village, on the square in Kurzras. The other is perched high up on the mountain, where the air is already noticeably thinner and you need to be careful how you drink your schnapps.
The Platzl Bar, the cheerful little gem in Kurzras
The youngest member of my family has been running the Patrick since 2016. This April, the Platzl Bar celebrated its tenth anniversary. We marked the occasion in style, with live music and a venue that was packed to the rafters from early on until late into the night.
It all started modestly, as a small bar with a terrace for both winter and summer. It has since become the only après-ski bar in the whole of Kurzras. When the skiers come down from the mountain with parched throats, Patrick has already cranked up the music and has the glasses at the ready. DJ Toro spins the decks at the themed parties, and that’s when the party really gets going. The locals love partying there just as much as my guests from further afield. For my own guests, the Platzl has another real advantage. Through the bar, they can access their ski storage room directly, right in the heart of the ski area. It couldn’t be more convenient.
And what’s it like in summer? That’s when the Platzl shows its laid-back side. You can sit on the sun terrace, treat yourself to an aperitif and a slice of apple strudel after a hike, and watch the mountains being mountains. Patrick’s is open from Tuesday to Sunday; on Mondays, he takes a break too.
The Teufelsegghütte: a refreshing stop with a real sense of elation
My second family member towers high above the valley at 2,453 metres. The Teufelsegghütte has been part of my family since 2021.
The climb up is a leisurely one. The Roter Kofel chairlift takes you straight to the hut in six minutes, whether you’re a hiker, a skier or simply someone who’d rather sit than walk. Even grandparents and little ones can whizz up there with ease. In winter, the hut is situated right next to the Teufelsegg slope and is known as the ski hut with the best music in the whole ski area. It’s also been open in summer for the past three years. Things are much more tranquil then, because after the hustle and bustle of winter, a hut like this needs a breather.
For the more adventurous among you, the Teufelsegghütte is the final stop on the Larix via ferrata. Anyone who’s battled their way up over rope bridges and ‘heavenly ladders’ has truly earned a stop for refreshments. Günter is in charge of the kitchen there; he used to cook for me down below. These days, he conjures up his dishes right in the heart of the mountains, using the finest Schnals meat – which, of late, has been sourced entirely from the valley. Anyone up there who mentions that they’re staying with me will be treated to a schnapps. My staff know the code word – feel free to ask them for it! With a bit of luck, the Oberraindlhof Trio will be playing; otherwise, there’s a soothing tranquillity up there. It’s exactly the right setting for a good meal and a long, sweeping view of the three-thousand-metre peaks all around.
They say you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. It’s probably no different with old houses. All I can say is: I’m such a lucky chap!
