For more than four decades, the Hettegger family has nurtured a singular vision high in the Austrian Alps: a mountain retreat where generations gather, Alpine traditions endure, and the surrounding landscape shapes every experience. What began in 1979 as a modest 14-room guesthouse has evolved into Das Edelweiss Salzburg Mountain Resort, an immersive Alpine destination in the idyllic Grossarl Valley, just an hour outside of Salzburg.
Now entering its first full year-round season following a $92-million transformation and expansion, the resort blends modern design, large-scale amenities, and deeply personal family hospitality. Set in a valley famously immortalized by The Sound of Music, the property has grown across three generations while maintaining its founding philosophy, which is to create a place where guests feel both the grandeur of the Alps and the warmth of a family home.
A Resort Designed for Every Generation
One of the defining aspects of Das Edelweiss is its ability to welcome families without compromising on serenity. Children have their own world to explore, complete with ninja courses, bouldering walls, mini football pitches, play caves, and even a dedicated cinema for older kids.
Adults, meanwhile, can slip away to quiet lounges, sunlit terraces, or restorative spa spaces. Spacious multi-bedroom suites comfortably accommodate extended families traveling together, while the Edelweiss Penthouse Suite offers complete privacy, occupying the entire eighth floor with sweeping mountain views. This thoughtful balance allows the resort to function as both an energetic family playground and a tranquil Alpine sanctuary.
Wellness at the Heart of the Alps
At the center of the resort’s experience is the Mountain Spa, a five-story sanctuary where wellness and landscape intertwine. Indoor and outdoor thermal pools overlook the Grossarl Valley, while panoramic relaxation rooms frame sweeping Alpine vistas that shift with the seasons.
The spa thoughtfully separates adult-only sanctuaries from family-friendly wellness zones, allowing guests to choose their pace of relaxation. Saunas, steam baths, and treatment suites infused with Alpine botanicals reflect the surrounding environment, turning the mountains themselves into part of the healing ritual. With its scale, thoughtful design, and rare breadth of facilities, the spa stands among the most comprehensive wellness destinations in the Alps.
Elevated Alpine Dining
Dining at Das Edelweiss is equally rooted in both place and heritage. Sirloin Grill and Dine, awarded two Gault & Millau toques, anchors the resort’s culinary offerings, showcasing seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers, including the village butcher.
Guests can also explore a range of dining experiences, from authentic regional Austrian cuisine to the contemporary Sushi Bar & Sakura. A sophisticated wine bar houses more than 1,500 labels and a cellar exceeding 30,000 bottles, making it a destination for oenophiles as well as gourmands. For unforgettable mountain dining, Wolke 7 sits high above the valley, where panoramic views accompany refined Alpine cuisine.
Adventure in Every Season
The Grossarl Valley offers a strikingly different kind of beauty with each passing season. In summer, the region becomes a playground of alpine lakes, scenic hiking routes, and panoramic viewpoints stretching across the Austrian Alps. Guests can explore the mountains on guided hikes or e-mountain biking excursions, while the resort’s complimentary Mercedes-Benz fleet makes venturing further afield effortless. Come winter, the landscape is transformed into a snow-covered wonderland, with ski-in/ski-out access to the Grossarltal–Dorfgastein slopes, part of the expansive Ski Amadé network, one of Europe’s largest interconnected ski regions.
A Family Vision That Endures
Despite its impressive scale and recent expansion, the heart of Das Edelweiss remains unmistakably personal. Peter and Karin Hettegger continue to oversee every detail—from architecture and interior design to culinary direction and guest experience.
Each new addition, whether a building, spa facility, or landscaped terrace, reflects their commitment to balancing innovation with Alpine heritage. The result is a destination that feels both contemporary and timeless. It is a place where the mountains, the community, and three generations of family stewardship shape every stay. In the Austrian Alps, Das Edelweiss stands as a living expression of hospitality rooted in place, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the mountains.
