"Gourmet huts are conquering the mountain peaks" has been the noticeable trend for some years now. There is hardly an established ski resort in the Alpine region that no longer has a top gourmet restaurant. These are the top addresses.

Austria

Kristallhütte

The multiple award-winning Kristallhütte stands for "enjoyment and lifestyle in the mountains".

The Zillertal "Kristallhütte" stands for being cool like a trendy meeting place, cosy like an inn and classy like a luxury hotel at the same time. And, even presidents dine here - both the former Austrian Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer and his former German colleague, Dr. Horst Köhler, have already been on the guest list of the Zillertal "Kristallhütte". An appealing additional offer of this exclusive ski lodge: there are eight superior double rooms on the upper floor of the "Kristallhütte", panoramic view included. The advantage: after a fantastic sunrise, house guests can be the first to make their turns on the slopes. The hut, located at 2147 meters, is THE meeting place for locals and guests in the Zillertal Alps; the culinary repertoire includes everything your heart desires - from hut classics to exclusive gourmet menus. The wine cellar is also top, one of the highest in Austria: here you will find fine wines from Austria, Italy and France - wine tastings are organised on request.

Crystal Hut, kristallhuette.at
Zellberg 1, 6272 Kaltenbach, Austria
T: +43 676 88632400

crystal cube

The "Crystal Cube" in Fiss offers three different types of enjoyment - champagne breakfast, luxury lunch or high tea.

Admittedly - the "Crystal Cube" in Fiss is not a mountain hut in the classic sense. Rather, it is something like a unique gastronomic attraction. The glass cube, in the middle of the skiing and hiking area, stands for a completely new gourmet concept. Close to the viewing platform of the Fisser Zwölferkopf at almost 2600 metres, this architectural highlight harmoniously blends into the landscape - completely mirrored on the outside, you can see out from the inside into the fantastic surrounding mountain world by means of a 360-degree panoramic view. Ideal as a tip for small groups (up to eight people) or for couples in love, there are three enjoyment options to choose from here: the champagne breakfast, the luxury lunch - a multi-course lunch menu - or the insider tip for those with a sweet tooth, the high tea, with specialities from the in-house kitchen and confectionery. Another tip for lovers: upon request, the "Crystal Cube" becomes one of the most extraordinary registry offices in Tyrol - so you can also get married in this special location.

Crystal Cube, serfaus-fiss-ladis.at
Fisser Bergbahnen GmbH, Seilbahnstraße 44, 6533 Fiss, Austria
T: +43 5476 6396

Angerer Alm

From mountain farm to alpine hut with excellent cuisine - the "Angerer Alm" has been around for 250 years

The "Angerer Alm" is a successful example of how tradition can be cultivated and progress can be given space at the same time. "We don't play alpine pasture, we are an alpine pasture - with everything that goes with it" is the credo up here. At the hut, situated at an altitude of 1300 metres on the Kitzbüheler Horn, a pristine, very authentic experience is offered - authentic partly because the hut can look back on 250 years of history. You can also spend the night at the "Angerer Alm" - while a sky full of stars awaits you upstairs, there's a cellar full of wines downstairs. And that is a real treasure: up to 6000 bottles from almost 400 international wineries are stored here. Annemarie Foidl, a certified sommelier and president of the Austrian Sommelier Association, is also "Wine Host of the Year 1999". In the kitchen, however, Gerald Weiss is the boss - he creates refined symphonies of taste for the half-board or evening guests.

Angerer Alm, angereralm.at
Berglehen 53, 6380 St. Johann in Tirol, Austria
T: +43 5352 62746

Switzerland

Chez Vrony

The restaurant is located at 2100 meters and inspires with a lively history, excellent cuisine and a view of the Matterhorn.

Cordiality meets hospitality and culinary delights at a high level. On top of that, there's a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn - perhaps the most beautiful mountain in the world. All this is "Chez Vrony". The restaurant, including a very rustic guest room, is located at 2100 meters above sea level. The hut also has a history - and a very exciting one at that. A small, idyllically furnished mountain farmhouse was once transformed into today's well-known restaurant. This history is recorded in a book, as is the chronicle of the host family Julen, life in Findeln and the development of Zermatt from a remote mountain farming village to a top tourist destination. From literature we move on to culinary delights: from traditional, age-old recipes to fine classics and specialities to a house of international cuisine. Added to this is a wide selection of top wines. Every taste is catered for at any time - whether for breakfast, an aperitif or lunch.

Chez Vrony, chezvrony.ch
Findeln, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland
T: +41 27 967 25 52

©Chez Vrony

Italy

Comici Hut

In a place that is probably one of the most beautiful in the Dolomites, specialities from the sea, the mountains and from Bella Italia are served.

"The blue shutters greet you from afar and make your tired step quicken once more," is the quote on the website of the "Comici Hut." Emilio Comici is the namesake of the famous hut on the Sassolungo near Selva (Val Gardena). The mountaineering legend was born in Trieste in 1901 and was considered the "most elegant mountaineer of his era". He was probably also addicted to the magic of the Dolomites. Just like the guests after a visit to the "Comici Hütte". Visually, the hut at 2145 meters above sea level - as mentioned at the beginning - captivates with its very distinctive light blue shutters and its positioning directly under a rock face. But the "Comici Hütte" is also a culinary attraction. For example with - as the host family promises - "heavenly creations". Exquisite products such as fish and wine - directly from their own farm in Grado - are served. Since Gianno Marzola opened the hut in 1955, the family has continued to run it in a great tradition of quality and cordiality.

Emilio Comici Hut, rifugiocomici.com.
Plan de Gralba 24, 39048 Selva di Val Gardena (BZ), Italy
T: +39 0471 193 0388

©Andergassen Printing, Hannes Niederkofler

Germany

Gifpelalm Zugspitze

Typical Bavarian dishes in Germany's highest restaurant

At the "Gipfelalm", the Bavarian attitude to life is clearly brought to the point. Several components are skilfully combined here. The Zugspitze is not only Germany's highest mountain - it is also home to Germany's highest restaurant at exactly 2962 metres above sea level. Traditional Bavarian, hearty and rustic dishes are naturally on the menu at the "Gipfelalm" - white sausages are a must. And neither should beer. Because, as befits Bavarians, the culinary offerings high up on the summit also include a beer garden, which is also Germany's highest, by the way. In addition to the "Gipfelalm", the culinary offer on the summit of the Zugspitze also includes the "Panorama Lounge 2962" and the "Panorama Gipfelrestaurant". The culinary offer in the various restaurants is varied - traditional Bavarian meets modern cuisine with an international touch. A little insider tip on the side: the guests of the "Gipfelalm" especially appreciate the delicious apple strudel.

Summitalm, zugspitze.de
Bavarian Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG
Olympiastraße 27, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
T: +49 8821 7970

Other top addresses

Dolomite hut, East Tyrol

"As spectacular as the peaks of the Dolomites" is what the hosts promise about the "Dolomiten Hütte". The place is in any case traditional, unique and cozy. A hut as you would imagine it - with wooden panelling, an open fireplace and traditional cuisine. Dolomitenhütte 1, 9908 Tristach, Austria
T: +43 664 2253782, dolomitenhuette.at

Chicken fishing, Salzburg

Located directly at the mountain station of the Steinberg and Asitzbahn, guests are guaranteed a great view of the breathtaking mountain panorama and exquisite dishes. In addition to chicken, there are also smoked prawns and snails. Pirzbichl 21, 5771 Pirzbichl, Austria
T: +43 6583 20800800, hendl-fischerei.at

Sennhütte, Tyrol

Everything here is sensational - the "Sennhütte" in St. Anton, which uses this adjective due to the name of the owners (the Senn family), stands for sensational après-ski (not this year due to Corona), but also for sensational cuisine - almost everything comes from their own garden, even the hay schnapps is homemade. Dengertstraße 503, 6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
T: +43 5446 2048, sennsationell.at

Wedelhütte, Tyrol

In 2019, the "Wedelhütte" in the Zillertal was voted "Best Mountain Hut" by a major ski area test portal. Rightly so, we say. Guests can choose between an enjoyable stop and a classic, alpine hut party. Numerous culinary delights are on offer, including a classic: the "Wedelhütten Burger". Zillertaler Höhenstraße, 6272 Kaltenbach, Austria
T: +43 676 88632577, wedelhuette.at

Le Cap Horn, France

Located 2100 meters above sea level, this restaurant is one of the highest in the ski resort Les Trois Vallées. Despite the altitude, the restaurant specializes in seafood and sushi. The maritime design is - after a look at the menu - completely fitting. The Christmas and New Year's Eve parties at "Le Cap Horn" are famous. Saint Bon FR, Rue de l'Altiport, 73120 Courchevel, France
T: +33 4 79 08 33 10, maisontournier.com

La Soucoupe, France

Situated directly on the ski slope, the "La Soucoupe" hut scores particularly well with freshly prepared grilled meat specialities. Matching wines and champagne are also available, as well as a great alpine experience. 2398 Chemin rural du, Rue du Lac Bleu, 73120 Courchevel, France
T: +33 4 79 08 21 34, lasoucoupe.com.

Le Corbeleys, France

The hosts of "Le Corbeleys" promise emotions: not only is there regular redecoration in the chalet in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, but the menu is also constantly adapted to the demands. 73440 Les Belleville, France
T: +33 4 79 08 95 31, le-corbeleys.com