My great grandfather went to Alaska to pan for gold. He used the money he earned to build this house. That was back in 1902. I am sure he didn’t build it just for himself but also in order that following generations could live here. In 2007 I took over the running of the guesthouse. I love my work and I am also proud that I can look after the house for other generations to come.

I get everything from the local shop in Schmirn. The vegetables come from Thaur and the apple juice from Inzing, but I always get my meat from farmers here in the Schmirntal Valley. Buying locally is really important to me. It is expensive but I think it is right to pay a fair price so that other people can live from their work.

In times like these people, wherever they may be, are in search of simplicity. We don’t have mass tourism here – we wouldn’t have the infrastructure to deal with it. In the evenings, when the guests have gone home, I start getting ready for the next day: washing up, preparing the cutlery, cleaning. Now, during the summer, I enjoy the moments when things are quiet and it is nice and warm outside in the sunshine.”

Gabriela Eller – guesthouse owner

St. Jodok, Schmirn and Vals are certified Mountaineering Villages with a commitment to sustainable tourism. The Alpengasthof Kasern guesthouse is only open in summer and hidden away at the end of the Schmirntal Valley. It belongs to the “Wipptaler Genussspechte”, an association of regional guesthouses focusing on quality and local produce.