Specialities at the huts in the Skicircus: From cheese dumplings to sushi

Dumpling, dumpling, dumpling

The Kaspressknödel, typical of the Pinzgau region, are legendary: they are fried flat in a pan and, in the traditional version, made with properly spicy Pinzgau cheese. Classically, Kaspressknödel are served in clear beef broth, though nowadays you often find them served in a modern take on a salad. As well as Kaspressknödel, the menus at the mountain huts feature a wide variety of other dumplings: spinach dumplings with brown butter, bread dumplings as a side dish with roast pork, or even sweet quark dumplings for dessert. Our family tip: children in particular love dumplings – many even enjoy them with spinach.

Meat from ones own farm

Steaks, burgers or roasts – the meat dishes served at the ski huts are certainly nothing to be sniffed at. One special feature is that, at some huts, the meat even comes from their own farms, where the animals are reared and slaughtered in a particularly species-appropriate manner. ‘Farm to table’, so to speak. Other restaurateurs also buy their meat directly from trusted local farmers in the region and conjure up delicious dishes using local produce. When you know what you’re eating, it tastes all the better, doesn’t it?

Kasnocken, curry and quinoa pan - the veggie favourites

A must-try: hearty 'Kasnocken', often served in a pan, where the melted cheese stretches into long strands. Absolutely delicious! If you prefer something lighter or even more exotic, you’ll now find plenty of variety in the vegetarian section: many ski huts now feature spicy curries, colourful quinoa dishes or creative salad variations on their menus – and they’re not just a hit with vegetarians and vegans.

Wienerschnitzel with french fries

What’s a must-have at any ski hut in Austria? Wiener schnitzel with chips - of course. With a golden-brown coating, top-quality meat, crispy chips, lingonberry jam and a slice of lemon. The huts in the Skicircus serve a wide variety of this traditional Austrian dish. Which one’s the best? The best way to find out is to try them all.

Sushi and fish dishes

Who would have thought it? In the ski huts of the Skicircus, you’ll find not only a wide variety of fish dishes – some made with locally sourced fish – but even really good sushi. So if you’re looking for a change from the typical ski hut classics, hand-rolled sushi made with top-quality fish is the perfect choice.

Pizza like in Italy

Whilst we’re on the subject of international cuisine… even authentic Italian pizza baked in a stone oven has made its way into the ski huts. We reckon some of the best pizzas in the region can definitely be found up in the mountains – with wafer-thin bases, homemade tomato sauce, genuine mozzarella and a wide variety of toppings.

Kaiserschmarren, Muas and Apfelstrudel

What would Austria be without its sweet desserts and main courses? Even in the Skicircus, the desserts are impressive: From classic Kaiserschmarren (a caramelized, shredded pancake) and typical Pinzgau Muas (a mix of flour, butter, salt, sugar, water and fresh fruits) to apple cake or Germknödel (yeast dumplings) with vanilla sauce, everything is offered at the ski huts bringing young and old into pastry heaven.

Homemade beer and Aperol Spritz

Whether as a thirst-quencher between runs or for raising a glass time and again during après-ski, beer, wine and cocktails are an absolute must in the ski huts. And to aid digestion, a ‘health schnapps’. What might you not expect whilst skiing? Homemade beer from the hut’s own brewery high up on the mountain. What should you definitely enjoy? An Aperol Spritz on one of the many sun terraces.

Ski water or preferably homemade herbal limos?

Decades of ski water lie behind us, the syrup-water mixture that particularly children inevitably associate with skiing. Without devaluating the thirst quencher that we continue to encounter at ski huts - today, you can find rather sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks on the menus: homemade sodas with herbs and fruits from the region that evoke summer memories.

Traditional or unusual at first glance - the ski huts successfully bridge the gap between traditional and international dishes. Not only in terms of culinary delights, by the way. From an architectural point of view, too, the entire range can be found in the Skicircus - from the rustical hut followed by exhibition rooms to panoramic glass facades, traditional and ultra-modern at the same time. But more about that in the blog post about architecture on the mountain.

Photos: Michael Geißler, Markus Landauer, Christoph Johann, Mia Maria Knoll, Daniel Roos, W2 Manufaktur and Carissa Gan on Unsplash