Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Der Unterschwarzachhof
Atmospheric celebratory days in a familial ambience
The candle light reflecting in sparkling children’s eyes, the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cookies and an atmosphere, in which you feel secure and content. That is Christmas in Saalbach Hinterglemm in Der Unterschwarzachhof.
Anticipating Christmas from the first moment
Straight away when you arrive here with us in Der Unterschwarzachhof in Hinterglemm you will experience that long yearned for anticipation of Christmas. When the hotel is festively decorated and the aroma of freshly baked cookies pervades the hotel, Christmas isn’t far off.
The run-up to Christmas in Der Unterschwarzachhof
In the middle of the fairytale-like, snow-covered winter landscape of Glemmtal, you feel the magic of Christmas. Our hotel is filled with the aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, cookies and mulled wine.
Kids Club & ‘Wichtelwerkstatt’
The Kids Club is like a Christmas workshop when crafting, felting and handcrafts are carried out with zeal and the Christmas stars and gifts for Mum and dad are wonderfully decorated. And children want to finish in good time so they can head off in the evening for a torch lit hike or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in the deeply snow-covered head of the valley with their parents.
Baking cookies together little hands are often covered with dough, or they have icing sugar on their faces - but that’s just all part of the fun and then they get to take grandma and grandpa some home-made vanilla Kipferl and Linzer Augen cookies.
Atmospheric Advent for all ages
Enjoy the unspoilt pistes
In the period before Christmas the pistes in Saalbach Hinterglemm are particularly recommended, after all, it is an indescribable feeing as you make those first turns in the wonderful winter landscape when the pistes lie before you, barely touched. So during the day go and enjoy the freshly prepared pistes in Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.
Romantic hike by torchlight
And when it gets dark in the early evening, it's time for a torch lit hike through the romantic, gentle winter landscape. Outside the hotel, hot mulled wine and punch for the children are provided to warm everyone up. Chestnuts are roasted by the open fire and the aroma of baked apples fills the air.
Christmas markets & Traditions
It’s definitely worth taking a trip to the Christmas markets in the surrounding area. The Advent and Christmas markets in the region are tempt you to linger for a while, with their wonderfully decorated cabins, where handcrafts, Pinzgau specialities and treats are offered. An ambience-filled evening awaits all visitors to the Christmas concert held by the local music group at Saalbach parish church.
Pinzgau Advent in Salzburger Land
Advent, the time before Christmas, traditions and handcrafts in Salzburger Land provide a special charm. Lovely gifts, including Christmas tree baubles, hand-knit socks and fine wood work and toys nestle among aromatic mulled wine, roast almonds and cookies. Brass bands, choirs and nativity scenes radiate a pre-Christmas ambience and ensure an Advent atmosphere.
Traditional customs including the Krampus run and the Tresterer with the Perchten, crib exhibits and Advent singing complete with pastoral plays get everyone in the mood for Christmas. It is well-known that anticipation is the loveliest joy.
The loveliest Christmas markets in the surrounding area:
- Salzburg Advent market on Domplatz
- Hellbrunn Advent
- Zell Advent magic in Zell am See
- Leogang mine advent
- Pilgrimage Advent in Maria Alm
- Advent market Saalfelden
Christmas Eve in Der Unterschwarzachhof
And then it arrives - that long-awaited Christmas day. In the hotel the big Christmas tree is festively decorated and all the hustle and bustle means that something special is being planned. Children can hardly wait for Father Christmas to finally arrive.
Agricultural tradition & festive ceremonies
In the evening Toni and Thomas go through the hotel and the farm, burning incense as is tradition, asking for protection and blessing; after all, Christmas Eve is one of the most important ‘Raunächten’.
After the evening meal Jacky, Toni, Thomas and Antonia Hasenauer gather at the Christmas tree for Christmas cookies and punch with guests and staff. Whether it is families, couples or solo travellers - everyone feels included and safe here. Christmas stories are read aloud and sometimes even a pastoral play is offered. A special, celebratory ambience pervades. And then the lights are dimmed and the candles on the Christmas tree lit, reflecting in the children’s eyes.
Visit by Father Christmas
When the sparklers flash, the hymn ‘Silent Night, Holy Night" is sung. And gifts are distributed to all little, and not so little, children, brought by Father Christmas himself, in his red cloak and white bushy beard, sitting high up on horseback, or in a horse-drawn carriage. Everyone wishes each other Merry Christmas, embraces their nearest and dearest and looks forward to lovely times together. And those who want to can even enjoy their very own Christmas celebration in their family suite together with their family. Indeed many people stay on this special evening to celebrate an atmospheric and contemplative Christmas as part of big group.
Christmas mass & festive idyll
At midnight the Hasenauer family head to the festive Christmas mass in Saalbach parish church - and anyone who wants to can go with them.
Next morning - Christmas Day - children proudly show off their gifts to their friends at breakfast and are delighted that Father Christmas has visited. Adults enjoy an extensive Christmas breakfast in peace and quiet, in the festive idyll; enjoying some stress-free time with the family, without having to do everything themselves.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Der Unterschwarzachhof
Early in the evening (17:30) lots of guests gather outside the hotel, or gaze in wonder from their balcony at the traditional New Year’s Eve torch lit procession, complete with ski show right at the Unterschwarzachbahn. A ski instructor demonstrates a ski and snowboard show with a ‘ski past’ and formations, as well as the traditional torch-lit walk and the piste groomer show with Viennese Waltz insert by Bergbahnen Saalbach Hinterglemm, before fireworks then light up the sky above Hinterglemm.
Spectacular celebrations to mark the turn of the year
In Der Unterschwarzachhof there are celebrations to bid farewell to the old year. The hotel exudes celebratory radiance, the kitchen crew prepare a special New Year’s gala dinner, which provides genuine delectation for the Unterschwarzachhof guests on New Year’s Eve night. There is of course a separate menu for children to mark the turn of the year.
After dinner, there are more celebrations in the hotel or in the neighbouring Schwarzacher, where live music and a DJ provide a party ambience. At midnight, and the turn of the year, the new year is welcomed in with the Blue Danube Waltz and a giant firework display right above Der Schwarzacher shows off the unique backdrop of the Unterschwarzachhof in vibrant colours. We enjoy a sophisticated celebration, and a great ambience right into the small hours of the new year, still in its infancy.
Feel at home in Der Unterschwarzachhof
It is little wonder that in Advent and at Christmas time, so many people feel as though Der Unterschwarzachhof is a second home, a place where they feel well looked after. Enjoy an atmospheric and special Christmas celebration with friends and family here with us in Saalbach Hinterglemm.