Tobogganing for those seeking peace and quiet

It's gray outside, small snowflakes float silently from the sky into the valley and we can hear the wind whistling around the houses. The perfect weather for a cozy afternoon in a warm room with a delicious hot chocolate and a good book. But our plans are different: We want to experience the snow flurries up close - wrapped up thick with hats, scarves and gloves, we want to be out in nature, watch the flakes dance and feel the snow crystals melt on our warm skin.

Our host has given us the tip that the Schattenlagant area is more peaceful in winter than anywhere else in the Brandnertal and at the end of the tour, the warm parlor of the Schattenlaganthütte awaits us. We quickly prepare a cup of tea, pack a few cookies in our backpack and very important: call the hut! To be on the safe side, we reserve a table and the toboggans for the descent.

From Brand, we take a leisurely stroll in the direction of Lünersee. The path is more strenuous than expected, slowly winding its way uphill. We are surrounded by a wonderful silence that can only be found in the white winter mountains. We trudge through dark forests, the clouds clearing from time to time to reveal the view of the valley behind us and the village of Brand. After almost 2,5 hours, our legs start to get tired and we finally see the longed-for shade hut appear before our eyes.

The cozy warmth in the hut is a real treat after our hike and we are warmly welcomed by the hosts Heike and Ernst. Over hot chocolate, Kaiserschmarren and - how could it be otherwise - a schnapps, our limbs slowly thaw out again. The operators of the hut talk about life here, a cat purrs blissfully in the corner. "This cat is a very special cat," smiles Heike. "It's already been on the Schesaplana - in winter!" We can hardly believe it when we hear the story of a ski tourer who found the ball of fur 50 meters below the summit of the Schesaplana - at an altitude of 2,965 m! A photo provides proof of the legendary story.

We would love to sit in the cozy restaurant for hours and listen to the stories, but it's time for our return to Brand. So we pack up again and take the toboggan with us. "Just leave it at the village sign," says Ernst, he will pick it up later.

The step from the warmth of the hut into the winter cold takes some effort, but we bravely get on the toboggan. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower, we toboggan down into the valley. The fresh snow slows us down at times - a welcome deceleration that gives us plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere and the silence. After a quick refreshment with hot tea halfway down, we reach the valley relaxed. A little wistfully, we park our toboggans at the village sign. With many happy moments and stories in our luggage, we leave Schattenlagant behind us and make our way home.