When I was a little girl we spent all our family holidays in the mountains. My father was a forester back then and while he was working, I remember happily browsing through my Mickey Mouse magazines and pretending to be a range owner with imaginary horses. Meanwhile my mum and sister were busy doing crafts such as painting silk scarves or fabric curtains on the wooden benches outside the cottage.

These are some of my favourite childhood memories and I still get so happy when I think of them. Years passed, the company my father worked for was sold and those holidays stopped. Everyone got busy with their own lives and travels.

Workation in the mountains

When I saw the advert offering the chance to go on a workation in the Austrian mountains, I knew I had to apply. I was extremely lucky to be chosen. This was my chance to relive a fond childhood memory and I was also proud to be able to give something back to my family.

While our childhood holidays were quite simple, sometimes without electricity and always without phones or internet, a lot had changed in the years since.
My workation took place at Hochrindl, a mountain pass in the Austrian Alps located between Reichenau and Albeck, in one of the Hiasl Zirbenhütte apartments.

When we arrived, I was given a brand-new height-adjustable desk and if I had wanted a second monitor, they would have provided one too. The WLAN worked perfectly, plus the hosts had some internet boost cubes for any emergencies. I had zero connection problems, even when editing and uploading videos, despite us being 1,670 metres above sea level. There was even the option to use a printer – the work equipment provided was better than in some companies I have worked for.

Here are some of my personal thoughts on why a workation in the mountains should be on everyone's list.

My top 5 reasons why a workation in the Austrian mountains is a must:

1) Escape the summer heat.

If you enjoy a Northern breeze more than stagnant hot air as I do, a workation stay in the mountains is a great choice. While I often can’t concentrate when it’s hot and end up completely soaked in sweat after getting home from an air-conditioning-free office, a workation in the Alps feels like a refreshing oasis. The cooler mountain air is such a blessing, especially when the days get hotter and hotter. We stayed at the end of May to beginning of June and it was much cooler than back home. Unfortunately, it can also get quite warm in the alpine area due to climate change in summer, but the trees in the forest provide great shade.

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2) A workation stay is ten times more inspiring than a plain white office wall.

If your job is in the creative field like mine then you will know how inspiring nature can be. The Fibonacci spiral and the myriad shapes, colour combinations and patterns found in nature make every design decision much easier and now new inspiration is just a few steps away.

I set up my workstation next to the panoramic window with its magnificent mountain view. Even when I had to work late, I enjoyed these great views. Working takes up so much of our lives, I started reflecting why we need to work in unpleasant environments when we could actually work from somewhere beautiful every day. I also imagined how nice it would be to be a writer, working on your next novel there and focusing on your characters while enjoying the silence of such a beautiful setting.

Unfortunately the workation days flew by and I could not do everything I had planned. I wish I had the time to do some cyanotype, but maybe next time!

3) A great work-life balance that you won't find anywhere else.

This might sound controversial because the term 'workation' suggests that work and vacation are mixed and many people prefer to keep them strictly separate. I got you. Work is always work, no matter where you go. What I loved about my stay was that I started each day with an early morning walk in the forest. This was a huge difference from my everyday situation, where I walk next to a busy street with vehicle exhaust fumes mixing with the chemical smell of the company.

One of the most underrated benefits of a workation is having someone cook for you. The apartment had a well-equipped kitchen, but we didn't use it much as all the food we tried in the guest house was really tasty because it was made with local ingredients. The Hiasl Zirbenhütte has even received the AMA Gourmet Region Seal for it.

As we all work in different professions and cities, it was lovely to actually see my family for a few days, even though I had to work. In the afternoons, once all the work was done, we could still do things together, which was lovely. If you have a flexible employer who allows you to swap your working hours, imagine going skiing in the morning and then starting your work day. In the evening, you could relax in the relaxation room and use the Finnish sauna at the Hiasl Zirbenhütte.

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4) A mountain workation includes a health cure.

It is scientifically proven that all kinds of greenery have a calming effect. The Japanese practice of 'shinrin-yoku' or 'forest bathing' involves spending time in a forest to promote physical and mental well-being. At the Hiasl Zirbenhütte, you can actually enjoy real forest bathing in their heated outdoor hot tub, which is perfect for the colder seasons.

The mornings and evenings in the mountains were my favourite part of my alpine stay. These are the moments that are usually missed when going on a one-day hiking trip. It was so peaceful and quiet; the rustling of the forest leaves had such a calming effect on me. The forests at Hochrindl are very beautiful, full of pines — it felt like walking in a fairy tale. My daily walks took me to the storage lake which was perfect for me as I love water. One morning, I spotted a fox, two rabbits and a deer – I was so grateful to experience this!

Our apartment smelt incredibly good of pine trees as the walls and floors were wooden. The apartment was built in an eco-friendly way with metal-free beds and the option to block out electromagnetic pollution. We all slept really well and I think the stay had a restorative effect on everyone.

I wish all companies would offer such workation stays after busy periods so employees can reduce stress, depression or burnout through forest therapy. It's such a treatment for the soul!

5) New surroundings offer new perspectives.

Last but not least, a change of setting is the perfect way to gain a new perspective. What I love about the mountains is that problems appear smaller when you look down into the valley and people appear small like ants. This makes at least me question the importance of troubles at work and whether they are really worth spending my energy and time on. A stay in the mountains might also be a great place to rethink your business or personal life. You have lots of time to think in a calm and beautiful environment.

During my workation, I also shot a video for a campaign. I wasn't sure about all the scenes, but I came up with new ideas so easily. We also tried new activities like disc golf and took part in the 'Almmatura', which involves completing various alpine tasks such as milking cows (ours was made of wood), hammering nails and engraving wood. It was great fun!

You don't need to be a sports fanatic to enjoy a workation in the mountains. Although I had a lot of work to do, I still had a wonderful time and I loved being able to relive my childhood memories with my family. I wish my workplace would look like this every day and I can totally see myself doing this again – also for a longer time.

Hiasl Zirbenhütte

The Hiasl Zirbenhütte is a small family business at Hochrindl. Siegrun and her daughter Ines were such lovely hosts! The apartments were only four years old; we stayed in the “Bretthöhe” apartment. You can also book an entire cottage for up to eight people or one for two people. The one for two called Sennerhütte also has an enclosed area, so if you're travelling with dogs, they can run freely. The camping spots are also worth mentioning – they are so beautiful! There is also a giant playground for children.

Hiasl Zirbenhuette
Zirbenweg 10
9571 Sirnitz
Carinthia, Austria
M +436644032556
info@zirbenhuette.com