Apartment Guide

THE HOW TO GUIDE

Important points are in blue!

GETTING THERE/SET UP

Directions

From the North or South, take the A93 into Austria. (You will need a Vignette (pass/toll) to be allowed to drive on the Autobahn’s in Austria.  These can be bought at Service stations with the “Vignette” sign – Inntal in the first main one coming from the north on the A93, just as you are about to leave Germany).

Take the turning for Wiesing, and at the roundabout take the first right to Zillertal and go under the bridge.  It’s a full 45 minutes from here, so continue through the tunnel, past Fugen, Uderns and Hoch Zillertal/Kaltenbach.  After you see Zell am Ziller/Zillertal Arena on the left with a set of lifts and a Rodelbahn, take a slightly hidden right turning with a green/blue OMV petrol station signposted to Mittersil and Gerlosspass.  Stay on this twisting road up the mountain, through Hainzenberg, and through Gerlos.  Once through Gerlos, stay on this road for another 12 minutes after you leave Gerlos, up into the “wilderness”. 

Do not turn off until you get to the Hohe Tauern National Park Toll.  You will probably have to pay €8 to get through the barriers of the toll station (unless its either very late, or very early), which you get back when you show your ski pass on your way home.  They will also take the ski pass back and refund the “Pfund” on the ski pass.  No refund in the summer months, so get a week/10 day pass.

Immediately after the Toll take the first right (which doubles back on itself a couple of times in the space of 100 yards) and follow the road up through the first of the three Hoch Krimml villages – Filzstein, past the ski school and lifts, and onto Duxeralm with the Duxeralm Restaurant on the right.  You can see the apartment building set back on the right just after the restaurant.  Continue on the road past the Intersport on the right for another 200+m and look for a small right turn downhill.  After 100m downhill take the first right (not into the carpark of a Gasthaus), and follow this road for approx 150m to the third block on the right with pillars by the front door.  The block is officially number 41/Apartment block C and we are no. 10 on the top floor.

Keys

You need to pick up the keys from the office (see below for details) .....  They operate the main door, the pedestrian door to the garage, the wooden door to the rubbish bins, the ski room as well as the Apartment door.  Spare keys are in the top right drawer in the hall. A new key costs €60 as they are programmed System keys, so please take care!

Garage/Ski room

You can off load in the parking bays outside the front door.  The garage is just the other side of the front door.  You need to use the key to the pedestrian door on the left and pull the red cord inside to open the garage door.  The 2 parking bays are on the left marked C10. There is a chain with two combination padlocks across the bays.  The combination is 2666 on each one.

The ski room is inside the garage on the right hand side of the garage entrance as you come in.  The door to the far right of the garage accesses the hallway to the building.

Office

The building next to the Intersport Shop (approx 200 yards, just after the road to the right down to our apartment) away from the Duxeralm restaurant, is the main office that looks after the apartment and general information about the area. They will be able to advise if there is a significant issue with the electrics, water or heating etc.

Herr Helmut Berger GmbH                                 
Hochkrimml 104                                                
A-5743 Krimml 

Telephone: +43 (0) 6564 - 83 72

Mobile: +43 (0) 664 - 52 76 711

Fax: +43 (0) 6564 - 83 81

info@ferienwohnungen-gerlosplatte.de

www.ferienwohnungen-gerlosplatte.de/en/

Rental shop

Intersport, Duxeralm, Hochkrimml.  They have got it all to hire and buy!  As you walk out in front of the apartment looking up the slopes, there is a downstairs entry point, round the left of the stairs, which is very convenient for the hire section. www.intersport.at/standorte/standortdetails.html?outletId=279

Ski School

Ski School Krimml, have a meeting point by the Duxeralmbahn lift (the one outside the apartment and opposite the restaurant.)  However, the main office and meeting point is in Filzstein – the next village (10 mins walk).

www.skischulekrimml.com

Food Shopping

If you want a full selection of food and drink, you will need to shop at a proper supermarket in Köningsleiten (closest Spar – 7.30 – 18.00 and 15.00 – 18.00 on Sundays), Gerlos (Spar x 2), or Seko in Krimml (continuing on the road after the toll down the mountain so no need to worry about going through the toll gate) or ideally 5 mins further along the valley floor, in Wald where there is a big Spar on the left.  Most shops are not open on a Sunday and have 9am-5pm general opening times, sometimes shut for lunch.

Köningsleiten (the closest Spar also open on Sundays for a few hours) will do a free delivery service if you order enough (usually minimum €50, but you maybe able to negotiate down).  You can call (0043 (0) 65648214) or best is to ski there to choose your stuff and they will delivery later that day. You come off the run coming down Köningsleiten where their ski school base is (pale green and blue), just by the T Bar on the left (400m before you ski over the bridge over the road). Then walk 200m down the road to the supermarket.

This is the view from the road where you leave the piste:

  This is the house on your left as you leave the piste as walk to the supermarket;

However, during winter months at Duxeralm, there is a teeny weeney hut called Der Kleine Laden by the blue P4 parking sign, opposite the Intersport shop.  This is open everyday (except Sunday) from 7.30 – 9.30 ish (when the bread runs out), and sells the real basics, no fresh fruit or veg, but has good fresh bread.  You can ask them to keep something for you for the next day.

There is a very traditional local food shop on one of the sharp switchback bends as you come up from the Zillertal valley, before you get to Gerlos.  Plus in the Krimml valley the Pingau “Speck” and other local produce is very good.

Bread Service 0043 656420054

If you call this number/use there website, you can order fresh bread to be delivered to the apartment door the next day (during the ski season).  They will repeat this order each day unless you specify a change or when you leave.  Details of how to pay will be in the bag.  You can also simply go to the small shop (see above) – but be early, and/or ask for what you would like and they will have it for you the next day.

Pizza delivery 0043 6564 7272

There is a Pizza place half way down the mountain road to Krimml, and they do a delivery service – Almhotel Schoenmoosalm. We ate there in the summer and it wasn’t great, they do at least deliver to the Apartment door!

INSIDE

Entry system

The buzzer downstairs outside the building is C10.  Inside the apartment, on the right hand side of the front door, there is a control panel.  The top button, phone symbol, allows you to talk with the person, the second button, key symbol, buzzes people in from downstairs.  You need to press the phone button again to END your conversation!! The downstairs door tends to be on latch all day, so sometimes the bell is for someone standing on the other side of the door.

Blinds

The main room has a delicate, electronic blind across the large window – it is probably already drawn back so just leave it open.  The control is hanging on the wooden wall in the kitchen.  One press will open it, although you may need to keep it pressed down if you do not have the knack – the blinds will rotate once and then start drawing up.  Please ensure it is replaced on its hook immediately.

The other white blinds on the mezzanine, and red blinds are delicate with one upstairs in the Dachraum at the end is already broken.  They can be open/closed by pulling the cords to the side and then forwards to release them and allow them to drop down.  Some such as in the bunk room and kitchen, are simply pull by hand up and down.

Heating

The whole apartment is heated with under floor heating – it can get pretty hot!  The rooms and corridor have dials, but the reaction takes some time to come into effect.  So when you arrive in winter they should be set to the recommended solid dot (around 2.5/3).  We would recommend you turn the bedrooms right down and maybe have the window open with the handle turned to the fully upright position (see below for windows and doors). Particularly the bunk room which is right on top of the main heating pipe for the building!

The bathrooms get pretty hot, especially the one with the bath, hence we often use that for drying clothes and shoes directly on the floor or using the clothes horses kept behind the right hand double bedroom door.

Doors and windows

The handles on the outside windows and doors have three positions.  Pointing straight down is shut.  Half way, horizontal is to fully open, and pointing straight up it opens the top section to allow a breeze.

Please be careful of the internal door between the kitchen and hallway – it tends to swing shut slowly.  Either have it completely shut or keep it open during the day with the grey bag doorstop, as we did get a hole in the wall courtesy of over enthusiastic small person opening it whilst it was half shut.  PLEASE KEEP THE BIG GREY BAG DOOR STOP BEHIND THE DOOR to protect the wall.

Rubbish/glass

There is no real recycling up in the mountains, apart from glass which you can take up to the glass recycle bins next to the small Shop – next to the blue P7 sign.  Normal bags of rubbish and anything else is thrown into the big rubbish bins in the recess next to the garage door with a wooden door, which is opened with your apartment key.  The rubbish bin is in the cupboard under the sink in the kitchen with bin bags behind in the cupboard.

Sauna

It takes at least 30 mins to warm up.  The On button is the first on the left on the control panel outside the sauna.  Please do remember to turn it off when you are finished.  Please also use a towel to sit on.  No children for health reasons. Empty the water bucket after use.

Showers

There is the possibility to use a hand held showerhead (rather than the rain shower head) by simply pulling the bottom section out (physics degree required to work it out).  Please ensure you wipe down the glass doors after each shower with the glass wiper provided.  The knob on the door of the non sauna bathroom can come off.

Dishwasher

To turn on, simply turn off and turn back on again checking it is on number 2 setting – it has a long delay before starting so check to hear it kicks in.  Dishwasher tabs are under the sink.  Sadly wine glasses don’t go in!

TV

The TV control is the Toshiba CT one with bigger buttons! The DVD is the other Toshiba one!  Using the “Input” button on the top left of the TV control you can switch to HDMI 2 to access the DVD player, or any other device you wish to connect to with the big black HDMI cable.

Internet

The router is in the hallway and you should automatically see the link “HausC” and the password is “hochkrimml 41”.

Shoe trays

These are on the shoe racks inside, and should be placed outside the apartment door to put all outside shoes on.

Helmets/Hats n Gloves n Drying

These are best placed on the shelves in the main hall under the coats, but if things are wet, just put on the bathroom floors, which are the warmest place!

Main surfaces

Please use the heatproof mats and wires for all pots and pans coming off the cooker or from the oven.  Please also use the coasters provided for drinks on the coffee table.  The main dining room table is fine for glasses, but not heat!  The wood floor is Antique Oak, so please deal with any spills swiftly – water is totally fine.

Washing

Should you need to wash clothes, there is a washing machine and dryer in a room en route to the ski room in the main hall downstairs.  You need 2 x €1 coins for each machine!  Check the cycle timings on the machines as you need enough coins to cover the overly long cycles!

Bedside lamps

The switch is underneath the silver wall unit in the downstairs bedrooms.  You may want to move one of the small white bedside lamps from upstairs to use as a night light in the main hallway for people to see their way to the loo at night – watch out it’s a 2 piece and liable to be dropped.

Sheets and Towels

There should be a duvet cover, sheet, pillow case, big and small towel per person on the beds.  When you leave please strip the beds and leave everything in an organised pile in the sauna to be picked up.  If you need anything more there are spares in the big antique wooden chest in the upstairs bedrooms – there is a charge of €16 per set. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Skiing tips - http://www.bergfex.com/hochkrimml-gerlosplatte/panorama/

• The snow is really best this side (hochkrimml/gerlosplatte) although the runs are all easy. Its not so crowded and fun with the off piste bits – especially to the left of the blue 71 with stunning views and gentle gradient where you can go top to the bottom of the red 70 which connects to Koenigsleiten via the blue Sonnwendkopf cable car.
• Red 75 is a blast, with fabulous off piste to the far left of it where you can go between the trees down and onto the winter wanderweg path and then to the lift if you aim right towards the bottom.
• There is a natural half pipe for the children and nutters to the left of the red 80 en route home (if the snow has been compacted) and a small shallower one left of red 74 starting next to some huts.
• The red 74 is a great speed run when it’s not being groomed 3 x day to make it so fast! 
• Between the trees and to the left all the way down red 78 is amusing for the children and those of like minds!
• Huge steep off piste is straight down between the trees from the blue Sonnwendkopf up to Konigsleiten – really deep stuff.  
• Fun off piste is in and around the red 51 and 54, with some great long off piste runs off the 53 on Konigsleiten.
• Avoid the top of red 39 from the Gipfel at Konigsleiten – take the black 42, if its open.  It’s hardly a black.
• Beware the long connections from the bottom of the black off Gerlos linking up onto Konigsleiten to get to Gipfel (its one long run from there to the bottom of Konigsleiten and the Plattenkogel lifts on Hochkrimml).
• Lovely red 2 off Gipfel to the restaurant Larmach Alm.
• There is the possibility to ski to Kitzbuehl on a different ski pass from just before Mittersil (road to and beyond Krimml). It’s a 25 mins car journey if roads are clear of snow.

Restaurants/huts – MOST ONLY TAKE CASH.  Cash points are in Gerlos and Krimml

Hochkrimml

The DuxerStadl huette on the piste down to the Apartment is the most popular – perfect last drink after the lifts shut.  The Plattenalm is the biggest, and has the best burgers and Kaiserschmarmm, the Duxeralm next door is a little pricey but has the best Gulash, salads and service – say hi to Tim and ask for the hazelnut schnapps! 

It’s a fun night out to walk along the “Winter Wanderweg” that starts just after the houses after the office and heads past the Duxer 6er lift and onto Silberleiten village to eat at the Plattenalm.  Torches are in the hall drawer and it takes about 20/30 mins depending on the amount of “snow action” from the children.  Best to book a table just in case it’s a long walk for a full restaurant – 0043 6564 82850.

Konigsleiten

The Larmach Alm at the bottom of the Larmach chair and red 2, has a magnificent terrace to eat and is famous for their chicken (500+ a day are served), also Panorama Alm is a stunning spot for an outside drink in a deck chair.  Gipfeltreffen is modern and sometimes has great non Bavarian food – best feature are the loos being on the same level.

Gerlos

Latschenalm and Seppi’s are quite charming.

Krimml

Great Pizza place just a few metres on from the Car park for the Water falls (on left as you come down the mountain before you get to the main village of Krimml) – CasaCata – or something like that.  Shouldn’t need to book – but perfect for after a walk to the falls.  We also have info on Reini’s pizzeria in Krimml who do take away but not delivery.

Other activities

Cross country – easy loops are accessible from the point where the Duxeralm village starts.  It’s about €9/hour to hire a set. Top Tip – lean forward, not back.

Snow shoeing – hard work but fun.  Hiring is popular so try to plan this.

Sledging – infront and behind the apartment.  Also there is a floodlit run on the blue slope by Filzstein and the ski school.  There is the longest sledge run in Austria (14km) in Wild Kogel, Bamberg (30 mins drive).  Its called Smaragdbahn.  You rent the sledges and its reasonably gentle, but best done early when its not so “lumpy”.  There is a pizza place halfway down.  You can also do this from the village, Hainzenberg en route to Gerlos which is also a night activity (open until 11pm I think – 20 mins drive from the apartment).

Summer Rodelbahn - at Zell am Ziller in the Zillertal valley.

Horse drawn sledding amongst other things is bookable at Herr Berger’s Office.

Walking – Krimml waterfalls are the highest in Europe and 5^th highest in the world – AND they are lit up at night from 6pm – fabulous.  Again take the torches form the hall drawer.  Park at the main entrance on the left as you come down from the mountain and walk back under the road.  Top Tip – shortly into the walk, descend through the woods on the left hand side and cross to the other side of the river to get the best walk (and avoid paying in summer). Another option is walking along the river in Gerlos.

Swimming – Kristalbad in Wald (bit further on from Krimml).

Further info and fun;

www.zillertalarena.com

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