Side Events

The practice of hunting using a bow and arrow on skis has been handed down from prehistoric rock paintings in the far north. These days, this form of hunting is known as the biathlon and has become a trendy sport. Shooting with a steady hand after completing the cross-country skiing demands mental strength and precision, and even if there is no cross-country skiing involved, you still need to shoot, with all that is involved.

If in doubt, the viability of a team can be ultimately tested by means of the communal building of a boat on the water. Combining skill and teamwork, the floating boards can either advance into a successful project – or the whole team comes a cropper. 

The art of archery is underestimated – this sport is a far cry from our childhood games of cowboy and Indians. It demands a high degree of precision and concentration, discipline and inner tranquillity. All these are things which would be useful in daily life, if only we had gotten round to practising them.

Once upon a time, you had to travel to the far north to take a dog-pulled sleigh ride, to experience up close the life of a musher in the wilderness. These days, however, a lovely team of dogs awaits guests in the Kleinwalsertal and in the Brandnertal.

The gin stills are ready and waiting for participants to distil their own gin from high-quality ingredients and to discover the secrets of the art of distilling under the guidance of experts.

The newly constructed cooperative cheese cellar in Lingenau is home to 32,000 cheeses. A visit to the cheese – which matures for between four and 18 months – constitutes an impressive walk through the storeroom at 10.5°C.

The name is intentional – the long-established Mohren brewery in Dornbirn has over time developed into an experience world with museum, guided tours, a creative brewery, tastings and attractive workshop rooms right at its heart. Interested visitors may enjoy making their own beer in a single day that takes in all the processes from malt crushing to mashing, purifying and cooking.

As in life, everything about SUP (Stand-Up Paddeling) comes down to balance. Certified SUP instructors accompany the group with tips and knowledge about this special experience. 

Start your day on the top of a mountain, watch the sun rise and remind yourself of the scale of things – this brings you back down to earth for the tasks to be faced. However, night owls can take a sigh of relief: observing the sunset from the stop of a mountain has the same, salutary effect.

Guided e-bike tours greatly enlarge the network of tours that can be taken by groups, the mountains and their nature can be enjoyed in a state of relaxation, and your clothing is not quite as sweaty at the end of the tour. 

Some call it Kässpätzle, others Käsknöpfle: the main thing is lots of melted cheese. Whatever the weather, this attracts connoisseurs to one of the Alpine huts and restaurants where the secret national dish is served.

As the peak gets nearer and stress reduces with each passing second, the Pfänder mountain reveals the impact of having this nature paradise a stone’s throw from the city centre.

The secret behind cheese-making is much less complicated than you’d think. All you need to make your own cream cheese is half a day’s time, a few litres of milk, the right recipe and ingredients – and an introduction into cheese-making at one of the region’s professional alpine dairies.

At Waldschule Bodensee, event participants can come to face-to-face with proper adventure. Deep within the forest near Bregenz lies the Waldhaus, which can play host to the most nature-based and grounded meetings possible. Between conversations or work tasks, take a step into the greenery for deep breaths of fresh air, a “forest workout”, a gentle stroll, or customised activities. There are basically no limits to the possibilities here

The crunch of the snow, the crisp air, the panoramic views… a snowshoe hike brings you into the heart of wintery nature, to enjoy alpine landscapes with a sense of true calmness.