Austria - The Little House on the Piste in Dorfgastein

The Magic of Austria
At the base of the black run in Dorfgastein is a small hut. It’s not a lot bigger than a garden shed.
It could be one of the smallest pubs in Austria. This year it’s almost buried in snow but we found the door. Inside was a small table where three Germans were sitting eating a picnic they brought with them of bread and sausages.
We sat on a low couch by the wall. Franz came in and greeted us. He is 82 and a bit shaky on his pins. He went to the wood stove in the corner where a saucepan full of Gluwein was bubbling away. With a ladle he filled two mugs and brought them over. Even last year, apparently, he would have reached us in one stride but now it was a careful slow shuffle. The Gluwein was lovely and warming. Franz sat with the German trio and shared some of their picnic, they had plenty. The atmosphere was convivial and the banter friendly. The Germans wanted their D Mark back and envied us for having our Pound.  
Franz clears the snow for the next guests
After a while, Franz went to the dresser and poured five schnapps, one for each of his guests.
Cheers, Prost – Franz!
We paid for our Gluwein and he went out to clear snow from a small terrace, more guests were coming.

Franz has run the little place for 43 years, how much longer he will be there is difficult to know, but on a cold January morning in 2012 it was very nice to meet him.
And we only wanted a coffee!
(Update 2013 - We passed the Hutte many times during 2012/2013, sadly it was always closed. Franz might have poured his last Scnapps?)
Location: Dorfgastein, Austria

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