In 2017, we celebrated our hotel’s 50th anniversary. And if it weren’t true, you’d think it was a fairy tale. The setting: a mountain whose name is a combination of the German words “Falken” (falcon) and “hart” (hard), and an undeveloped alpine pasture area in the Nockberge mountains at that time. Set at an altitude of 1,875 meters, and a mountain summit with a height of over 2,300 meters. My grandfather Hermann Köfer had chosen the Falkert to realize his impressive vision.
Being an innkeeper and farmer in Pörtschat at the time, he was looking for a second mainstay that would provide him with work and income in winter. When he saw the Falkert, he knew that this unique idyll with its crystal-clear mountain lake, beautiful alpine pastures and mountains had great tourist potential.
My grandfather was so enthusiastic about this alpine pasture that he went to great lengths and began to realize his dream by buying the building site in 1965 – despite the lack of any infrastructure. At that time, there was no paved road up the Falkert, no electricity and no water supply.
The gravel road was so narrow that no construction crane could be delivered. Therefore, the scaffolding was constructed in such a way that the building materials could be brought to the upper floors using wheelbarrows. The machines ran on emergency generators. The time available for the construction work was very short due to the altitude. At times, there were up to 70 workers on site. Simultaneously, the farm road was being paved and the electricity connection installed. The water came from our own spring.
Two years later, it wasn’t just the turn of the year that sparked a firework display of enthusiasm; on New Year’s Eve 1967, our grandfather reaped the first reward for his pioneering work – a hotel with 35 guest beds, water and electricity supply, and a paved access road. And by 1970, the first ski-loving families were already flocking to the area.
This focus on families has remained a matter close to our hearts ever since. We want to provide parents and their children a home away from home. And that’s why our whole family pitches in. The celebration of the hotel’s 50th anniversary while ringing in the new year 2018 was a wonderful confirmation of our successful work.
Which, by the way, we never run out of! The latest projects were implemented in 2021/22: The indoor children’s area was expanded to include a children’s Alp with a sports hall, integrated cinema and trampoline. The dining room with panoramic views was enlarged, and a new lounge area was built. And since December 2022, we have been able to offer 15 generous family suites for your vacation on the mountain.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Heidi Hotel!
Lukas Köfer
