Wintertime on Kristberg!

I'm a medium-sized white-brown dog, I live at the Kristberg Panorama Inn and my name is Chino. Like everyone at our inn, you can call me by my first name.

I'm supposed to tell you a bit about the wintertime on Kristberg and what comes to mind is: lots of sun, cold, almost always snow, the slide, snowmen as markers, etc.

The guests arrive on the Silbertal Kristberg cable car and my boss Adolf and I come and pick them up at the top. We both really like to ride the Skidoo. It's a lot of fun. Of course we take the kids along and the grown-ups walk the 200m to the inn.

There Jürgen, the junior manager, awaits you with your room key and if anyone has something yummy for me, just say the word and I'll follow you.

But now let me tell you what goes on around here! There's not a lot of "action" up here on our little mountain, but we can offer you peace, quiet, nature and relaxation.

The morning begins with a wake-up call from Egon, the rooster. Whoever overhears this is awoken by the bells of St. Agatha church. Adolf and I go get the fresh rolls off the cable car, so that they're on the table for breakfast at 8 a.m.

I'd go get them on my own, but everyone says they'd be too soggy.

After the plenitful breakfast with fruit, muesli, different meats etc., you're off onto the slopes, cross-country routes, hiking tours or the ski-school. The Kristberg lift is right behind the house and from there you can take the Sattel lift.

By the way! The Ried slope has been redone and is now comfortably wide like a highway all the way down. Below our house we have a lovely ski-kindergarten and behind the station of the Kristberg cable car you'll find the beginning of the 11 km long Panorama cross-country route.

You can get your tickets for the Kristberg lift in the valley or from Hubert, who sits in the little hut at the first lift. The other tickets can be obtained from the nice guys at the Kristberg cable car (Günter, Roland, Ferdl, Erwin and Werner). They can also advise you on which ticket is best for your needs.

If you just want to go for a walk, you can do so towards Wasserstubental or Innerberg. If our guests have a nice lady-dog with them, I sometimes go along for the walk.

There are special winter walk maps of Montafon and of course you can get these from Jürgen at the front desk.

After skiing we recommend a few goodies with coffee, a deck-chair or just a hot shower.

Some guests have wanted to take me to the shower with them, but I don't like the water much and prefer to roll in the snow - that gets me clean, too!

Some exercise in our small fitness room would be another alternative. Our games room offers table-tennis and -football. Some people enjoy a little "into-the-evening-sun-walk" with me or a little early-evening nap. Ideally, everyone does exactly what they feel like, after all, that is the point of "vacation".

Dinner is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and as were all really casual around here, everyone wears whatever he or she feels most comfortable in. Our half-board guests get a 4-course meal that Günter and Jepi put together and the others just choose something from our menu.

Maybe you have some leftovers for me sometime, but none of the Zudrell's are allowed to find out. You have to give it to me secretly, because otherwise I get into trouble. You see, everyone thinks table scraps aren't healthy for me, but what in today's world is healthy anymore?

Our house guests decide what goes on after dinner. Suggestions can be made to the Kristberg team.

A lot of dancing goes on, because I often have nightmares about all those legs. That's all I can see of all the dancing. But I always look forward to the evening torch-lit walks, an ice-bar party with mulled wine to warm you and the sleigh-rides on full moon nights...

And boy, do you sleep well! I for one sleep like a dog with all this fresh air and peace and quiet - or should I say "like a bear"?

Your Chino with Schnick and Schnack