Hotel Nesslerhof: Before Winter Hibernation
November is the month when you can decide whether to see the mountains one more time before the snow arrives. In the Großarl Valley, at the Nesslerhof, it is not a particularly difficult decision.
Movement Begins Right Outside the Door
The air is clear, the trails are less crowded, and the Nesslerhof has come up with something for this in-between season that suits the weather rather well: MOVEember. At first, it sounds like yet another made-up word from the world of wellness holidays. But at the Nesslerhof, they take the idea quite literally, in the most pleasant way. Here, movement is not an activity that has to be squeezed in between breakfast and a massage. It begins right outside the door. A walk into the valley, a hike up to an alpine pasture, a yoga session, perhaps a few lengths in the pool later on. Afterwards, you feel tired in a way that feels good.
Between Mountain Air and the Onsen Pool
The hotel knows both sides. Outside, the Großarl Valley; inside, the spa area with its 25-metre outdoor pool, natural swimming pond and new Japanese-inspired onsen pool, which, at 42 degrees, offers a rather different interpretation of November. The appeal lies somewhere between these temperatures. Warm up, head outside, warm up again. A principle that works perfectly well without any wellness philosophy.
Ice Bathing, Breathwork and Yoga
In November, things become more specific. On the first weekend of the month, ice bathing and breathwork are on the programme. After an introduction to breathing techniques, it is time to enter the 800-square-metre natural swimming pond. You could consider it a perfectly sensible way to relieve stress. Or you could simply admit that it takes some courage. From 6 to 8 November, Edith Aigner will lead a retreat dedicated to these practices. A week later, it is yoga’s turn. The programme includes four yoga sessions and two meditations with Julia Schamanajew.
A November Without Competition
In between, there is plenty of time for what you really come to Großarl for: being outdoors, disappearing into the spa, eating, reading, doing absolutely nothing. That is the sensible thing about MOVEember: it does not turn movement into a competition. At the Nesslerhof, movement is also allowed to lead towards the sauna. In mid-November, several days of special sauna infusions, herbal rituals and themed ceremonies are on the calendar. And eventually, you find yourself sitting down to dinner.
Five courses, mountains outside, November within. The day has been long enough. Tomorrow, you can set off again.
Photos: freiundzeit, Franziska Unterholzner, Gustav Willeit
