Winter walks through the white-covered landscape

“Can you hear the snowflakes dancing?” If you venture out through the freshly fallen snow and feel it crunching under the soles of your boots, seeing how the innumerable crystals descend, you too will fall quiet. And then you too may hear the snowflakes dancing.

At over 1,000 metres above sea level there is no doubt the winter will come! Sometimes the snow covers the Meran 2000 ski area in a thick blanket of snow, sometimes it extends down into the valley, mantling the elegant spa town of Meran in white. If you want to experience winter at its purest, just like on a picture postcard, go for a winter walk. Forests become enchanted, pastures are transformed into snowy blankets. Most of the trails leading from the Hotel Mesnerwirt are thoroughly cleared and easy to follow through the snow-covered landscape. Up-to-date information on the paths and the best tips for walking through this winter wonderland are, however, best given personally by Manfred Gruber.

The gaze extends from the Texel group to the Dolomites, and from the Ortler massif to the Brenta group in the south. Walking here on the pleasant, varied and well-signposted paths is a relaxing way to experience the winter world – even though it is actually in the middle of a skiing area. The plus side is to be found in the opportunities to indulge the palate. The traditional huts and inns, famed for their culinary skills, reward all the exercise, fresh air and winter temperatures: steaming dumplings followed by a slice of warm strudel and a glass of schnapps to warm you up – here can be found every one of the marvellous clichés that mark the Meran area of South Tyrol.

“The true adventure begins where the well-worn paths end.” Experiences that stay with you - that's what Manfred wants to give his guests. Snow shoes allow you to climb pristine snow slopes, through enchanted forests, perhaps to the top of a mountain – but at all events to one of the huts where the winter picnic in your rucksack rounds off the adventure in the snow. The white-covered landscape, speck and red wine – all you need to raise the (winter) spirits!

• loan of snow shoes and poles
• guided winter walks
• guided snow shoe excursions
• the best winter walking tips each day, fresh as the newly fallen snow, personally from the winter experts at reception
• drying room