There is a moment in winter when the mountains lower their voice. It happens in Avelengo, on the sunny plateau above Merano: snow muffles the woods, paths become fairytale trails, and as evening falls the valley lights up with distant lights. Here, winter is not something to pass through, but to inhabit. And there are two ways to do so, both characterised by discreet luxury, made of space, silence and seclusion: at Chalet Mirabell, between its extensive spa and woodland walks, or at Chalet Zuegg, design retreats overlooking the Merano 2000 slopes. Two addresses, two rhythms, one approach to hospitality: that of the Reiterer family, who have doubled their offering to give guests two equally exclusive alternatives with Alpine charm.
Chalet Mirabell: excursions, a glowing fireplace and the spa
Chalet Mirabell, a five-star resort overlooking the mountains, is a place where winter becomes a long, happy slowing down. In the morning, guests head out to breathe the crisp air among snow-covered trees: there are trails for walking, snowshoeing and Nordic walking, alpaca walks departing directly from the hotel and, for those who enjoy quiet challenges, a night-time ascent on touring skis with skins along the path to the little church of St Oswald, accompanied by the crunch of snow and the enchantment of the white-cloaked forest. The Merano 2000 slopes, with spectacular views of the Ortles group and the Dolomites, are just minutes away thanks to the free ski shuttle provided by the hotel, allowing guests to spend days skiing and enjoying the snow. For adults and children alike. Children are special guests at Mirabell too: from the kids’ club with its play area and qualified supervision to the interactive chillout lounge and cinema room, entertainment is guaranteed. In the spa, the family area with pools and slides is designed for play and relaxation. Outdoor leisure options include fun parks, Alpin Bob (1.1 km of bends and bumps through the woods), dedicated ski schools and high-altitude playgrounds.
On returning, the lobby fireplace is already lit. Then there is the spa: 6,000 square metres of adults-only wellbeing, with 31-metre indoor/outdoor pools heated to 33 degrees, sensory and aromatic showers, a herbal steam bath, panoramic saunas, an outdoor whirlpool and a 25-metre infinity pool of warm water, where guests can swim surrounded by the wonder of the snow-covered landscape, for a body-and-mind detox in the silence of the forest. There are rituals too, such as sauna Aufguss and the Siberian banya, with intensely hot steam and birch branches followed by an icy shower. Treatments inspired by Alpine nature use honey, hay, mountain herbs and arnica to release tension and restore balance. One to try is the Alpine mud detox wrap, a wellbeing must for lovers of Alpine tradition: lying on a floating bed, gently cradled by water at just the right temperature without it touching the skin, the body is enveloped in an Alpine mud wrap with an extraordinary mountain scent. The heat opens the pores and allows it to work deeply (25 minutes, €57). A powerful natural treatment that promotes purification through the skin, it has an enlivening, invigorating effect on the entire body. It is a boost to mental wellbeing too.
At the table, gourmet board, afternoon snacks and Kaiserschmarrn prepared on the terrace with a DJ complete a sense of wellbeing that also embraces taste.
For those seeking even more privacy, the Bergvillen beside the hotel, on the edge of the forest, offer the luxury of a home all to yourself, with a private sauna and heated pool, a sun terrace with a barbecue area, a real-fire fireplace or stove, a designer kitchen and a wine and champagne fridge, without giving up the main hotel’s services just steps away. The most exclusive? The Premium Forest, spanning more than 300 square metres with direct access to the forest and, on request, a private chef.
At Chalet Mirabell, luxury does not shout; it becomes a feeling of lightness, and several recent accolades underline its allure: the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 ranked it seventeenth among Italy’s best hotels; it received the Wellness Heaven Award in the «Best Extras & Service» category; and it secured a nomination for inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 hotel selection.
The offers
«Perfect Five» (until 22 December 2026) and «Golden Five» (from 6 January to 5 February 2027 and from 21 February to 26 March 2027) offer five-night stays with gourmet three-quarter board, all spa services, a body & mind programme with a wellness trainer, yoga sessions and excursions, for the complete Mirabell experience combining wellbeing and snow. From €1,052.00 (Perfect Five) and €1,128.00 (Golden Five) per person, with one complimentary night during selected periods.
Chalet Zuegg: woodland, design and the Merano 2000 slopes
If Mirabell is a refuge for wellbeing, Chalet Zuegg is a refuge for silence. At an altitude of 1,820 metres, at the foot of Monte Ivigna, three independent 100-square-metre chalets and two lofts, the 72-square-metre Zuegg Loft and the 32-square-metre Mountain Loft, redefine Alpine hospitality through design and nature: here, the forest becomes architecture and the Alpine landscape embraces the chalet, tracing the contours of a contemporary retreat built between light and silence, in a continuous dialogue between outside and inside.
Each chalet has a fully equipped kitchen, a private terrace, an exclusive sauna and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the peaks. Every morning brings a personalised treat: a breakfast box featuring the best local produce. And the arrangement is a genuine privilege: ski-in, ski-out, to be the first to leave your tracks on freshly groomed snow, before returning straight to the warmth of your own home.
When the moon illuminates the white blanket and the chalet lights warm the evening, what remains is peace, the intimacy of your own nest and evenings by the fire, as a couple, with family or with friends. For convivial moments, Ristorante Zuegg offers traditional South Tyrolean cuisine reinterpreted with creativity and seasonal ingredients: a welcoming setting that becomes the natural backdrop for musical brunches, shared tables and private events. The restaurant is also open to outside guests, making it an elegant pit stop for skiers between runs, or for anyone wishing to enjoy a gourmet break during an atmospheric walk in the snow.
Prices from €280.00 per night, per person.
Contacts
Chalet Mirabell
Via Falzeben 112
I-39010 Avelengo near Merano
+39 0473 279 300
info@chalet-mirabell.com
https://www.chalet-mirabell.com
Chalet Zuegg
Via Pivigna 4
39010 Avelengo, Merano 2000
+39 0473 279 408
info@chalet-zuegg.com
Sources and images: Chalet Mirabell e Chalet Zuegg / Pizzinini Scolari ComunicAzione press release. Complete editorial text in English translation; photographs supplied with the release.
