A family story set on the Falkert

And if it weren’t true, it would almost read like a fairy tale.

The setting is a mountain in the Carinthian Nockberge range: the Falkert. At 1,875 metres, by a crystal-clear mountain lake and surrounded by peaks over 2,300 metres high, our grandfather Hermann Köfer discovered this spot for his grand vision in the mid-1960s.

The beginning of a vision

At the time, Hermann Köfer was a hotelier and farmer in Pörtschach and was looking for a second source of income that would provide him with work and earnings even in winter.

When he saw the Falkert, it was clear to him: this unique landscape, with its mountain lake, alpine pastures and mountains, had great potential for tourism.

In 1965, he bought the building plot and began to turn his dream into reality – even though there was practically no infrastructure on the Falkert at that time. No tarmac road, no electricity and no public water supply.

Building at 1,875 metres

It is hard to imagine today, but the gravel road at the time was so narrow that no construction crane could be brought up to the Falkert. The scaffolding was therefore designed in such a way that building materials could be transported up to the upper floors by handcart.

The machinery ran on emergency generators, and the water came from the hotel’s own spring. Due to the short building season at this altitude, there were at times up to 70 workers on site simultaneously. At the same time, the access road was tarmacked and the electricity line to the Falkert was laid.

New Year’s Eve 1967: The hotel opens

Just two years later, it was all done: on New Year’s Eve 1967, our grandfather opened his 35-bed hotel – complete with electricity, water and a tarmac access road.

As early as 1970, the first families keen on skiing spent their winter holidays with us on the Falkert.

And this focus has remained exactly the same to this day: we want families and their children to feel at home with us, spend time together and experience the mountains.

Our grandfather’s vision became a mission spanning several generations – and a true labour of love for our whole family.

Standing still isn’t our style

At the turn of the year 2017/2018, we celebrated 50 years of the Heidi Hotel. For us, this anniversary was not just a lovely look back, but above all an incentive to continue writing our story.

For our grandfather’s pioneering spirit continues to inspire us to this day.

In 2021/22, we opened our new children’s alpine hut with a sports hall, cinema and trampoline; the dining room with its panoramic views was extended; and a new lounge area was created. Since December 2022, our enlarged family suites have offered even more space for a holiday in the Alps.

And since then, quite a lot has happened again:

2025
New flooring and a fresh new look for our Heidi Suites, a modern makeover for the panoramic indoor swimming pool, our new fitness tower and a completely redesigned hotel bar.

2026
A comprehensive refurbishment of our own spring intake, from which our Falkert water flows directly from the mountains.

And we’ve still got plenty planned…

We already have new ideas and plans in the pipeline for the coming years. One of our major future projects for 2027/28: a new outdoor infinity pool with views of our mountain landscape.

Much has changed since 1967. But what has remained is what it all began with: our enthusiasm for this special spot on the Falkert and the desire to share it with our guests.

I would be delighted to welcome you here at the Heidi Hotel!

Yours,
Lukas Köfer