Joanna Park-Tonks, Haus Mirabelle
I bought Haus Mirabelle on my 30th Birthday back in 2007. My motivation for the purchase was to be closer to the mountains (a bit of challenge coming from Cambridge, UK, and the flat, brown fenlands.) I love skiing and hope that you too will enjoy the spectacular countryside of Gosau / Dachstein West. Over the next few weeks in this blog, I hope to impart to you some of my enthusiasm about Austria, its landscape, nature, traditions and food.
We renovated the property and added another bathroom and re-fitted the kitchen. As the years go by, I strive to update the property a little bit each year and update the facilities. I hope to create a peaceful environment for future guests and welcome them as I would my personal friends. Being related to the Scottish explorer, Mungo Park, my family and I all share a sense of wanderlust. Part of the pleasure of hosting guests at Haus Mirabelle is meeting people from many different countries and walks of life. People and their stories continue to fascinate me. Most of all, it is a great pleasure to host families and to see them enjoying the house and garden. What is more warming than a house full of laughter?
However, whilst discovering new places and cultures teaches one a lot about oneself and life, sometimes it is beneficial to focus on rest and relaxation, the ‘here and now’. I remember once a mountain guide commenting that it was not important to be the first up the mountain but to enjoy the view as we went along. I believe that staying at Haus Mirabelle it is possible to truly unwind and take things at a slower pace. It is interesting to watch guests arrive tired and often stressed after a long journey and watch how the mountains and being in nature helps them to recover their calm.
We are now ramping up for the Winter season and are looking forward to guests from Greece and Germany for Christmas and New Year. The ski resort of Gosau is about a 20 minute drive from Haus Mirabelle (in the Winter you will need snow chains and winter tyres in Austria as it a legal requirement.) The runs at Gosau are generally at an intermediate level, with broad pistes making it ideal for families and the first couple of days whilst you get your snow legs! Having skied widely in France and elsewhere in Europe, many resorts tend to be concrete aberrations which offend the eye. Gosau is most likely one of the most stunning mountain ranges I have skied on in my life. Whilst the descents may be more hair-raising in other resorts, Gosau makes up for it in sheer natural beauty and the large network of pistes (125 km in total.) You are unlikely to meet many British visitors there as this resort is authentically Austrian and has not been victim of mass marketing campaigns like elsewhere in Austria. It is a well kept secret.
If you are more interested in ski touring and off-piste powder, then nearby Krippenstein is your destination. However, free-riding and off-piste activity is best attempted only when accompanied by a ski guide. We partner with an excellent local company in Bad Goisern, ‘Outdoor Leadership’ and are able to advise you on the possibilities.
In the run up to Christmas, there are many traditional Christmas markets in Salzburg, Bad Ischl and the surrounding lakes and mountains. We have some great deals and availability in December, contact us at info@hausmirabelle.com for more information.
In 2010, we are considering adding some new services – depending on demand. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on whether any of the following would add value to our operations:
• Daily newspaper of your choice delivered
• Fresh croissants and bread delivered every morning
• Daily chalet clean
• Afternoon tea
• Free internet / WIFI
We are also trying to garner opinion on the correct pricing for Haus Mirabelle and would be grateful if you could please take our 60 second survey: http://tinyurl.com/y8clhdc
For any more info, please contact, Joanna Park-Tonks, Haus Mirabelle, www.hausmirabelle.com, info@hausmirabelle.com for more information. Thank you!
Lake Hallstatt
