Ferienhaus Konzett Kilian

While stationed-1958-1960- in the USAF in Germany, I was invited to join a small skiclub group from Sportkreis Darmstadt to go alpine skiing in Vorarlberg region of the Austrian Alps. In a bus rented by this group we traveled from Darmstadt to Schruns/Tschagguns Austria and carried our luggage/clothing, skis, boots and belonging up a 45 minute footpath to the rustic lodge "BergHaus Konzett" where we settled in our rooms/mostly dorm style. There we were provided beds, community bathrooms, breakfast each morning. A small lunch bag was given for our day trip to a ski area and in the evening we returned for dinner, some games, singing with guitars and then to bed. The bus remained with us for transport to each ski area we visited. some days we skied at a mountain, Hochjoch in Tschaguns just across the valley. where a small lift took us to the ski area up high. We also skied in St Christof, St Anton, Lech and Galzig..with the luxury resort, ZURS, being our favorite. We were all in our twenties or so, in good health in every sense, young men and young women with only an older chaperone who was quite accomodating. For three years each March into April we would have the same reservation at BergHaus Konzett and for three weeks we were in heaven. I was the only military member, and since I was in civilian clothing and learning german, I was not completely out of place. While in Zurs I recognized Toni Sailer a three gold medal Austrian Olympic Alpine skier one day in Zurs and was allowed to take a couple of photographs of him. This ended in April 1960 when I returned to New Hampshire with my Air Force service completed. In 2013, visiting a retired veterinarian friend living in Bavaria, she suggested we take a few days and drive through Austria. She had done her homework and secretly planned the destination as she drove right up to BergHaus Konzett in Schruns and in shock and surprised, I entered to learn that the same place was now being managed by the son of the family when I had been there in the 1950s. My friend had made the reservation, we stayed there and in the morning celebrated my birthday with a small cake and one candle....a ritual started in 1958 as my birthday is April 2....we drank champagne with the owners, I shed some tears of joy and we did 1/2 day of skiing at Hochjoch across the valley. What a gift. you can visit the website, location and rates to investigate the charm of this small year 'round vacation lodge with rooms to rent.=, and perhaps sense the joy an old man felt to return after 55 years.