Vandans, Austria

Vipp Montafon Haus

Traditional wooden alpine house with green shutters in snowy landscape.

Accommodation Type

Design-led Alpine guesthouse in a historic Montafonerhaus

Number of Rooms

4 bedrooms, sleeps up to 8 adults

Location

Vandans, Montafon Valley, Vorarlberg, Austria

Setting

A traditional Alpine village surrounded by forested slopes and soaring mountain peaks, rooted in centuries-old valley life

Who It Is Best For

Design-conscious travelers, couples, families, and architecture lovers seeking a refined mountain retreat with history and depth

Travel Mood

The Dreamer

Main Activities

Mountain walks and hikes, slow village life, sauna rituals, reading by the stove, seasonal exploration of the Montafon valley

Signature Feature

A meticulously restored Montafonerhaus from 1836, where Alpine heritage meets Vipp’s quietly radical approach to contemporary design

Vipp Montafon Haus

A restored 1836 Montafon house in the Austrian Alps

Set at the foot of the Austrian Alps, Vipp Montafon Haus is a quiet dialogue between heritage and contemporary design. Housed within a traditional Montafonerhaus from 1836, the property reflects centuries of Alpine living shaped by climate, craftsmanship, and family tradition. Passed down through generations before entering a new chapter under Vipp, the house offers a rare sense of continuity, where time-worn details coexist with precise modern interventions. Here, architecture does not dominate the landscape but listens to it, inviting guests to slow down and inhabit the rhythms of the valley.

Overview

The Montafon Valley stretches through forested slopes and dramatic Alpine peaks in Austria’s westernmost region of Vorarlberg. Scattered throughout the landscape are vernacular wooden houses built to endure harsh winters and seasonal life in the mountains. Vipp Montafon Haus sits quietly within the village of Vandans, rooted in this tradition yet thoughtfully adapted for contemporary living. Its original agricultural layout remains legible, with former livestock spaces on the ground floor and living quarters above.

Across three floors and 196 square meters, the house unfolds as a layered Alpine home. On the ground level, low coffered ceilings, wood-paneled walls, and a central stove create an intimate sequence of kitchen, dining, and living spaces. Thick outer walls and preserved timber details ground the interiors in history, while subtle light interventions gently open the spaces without disrupting their character.

The kitchen centers around a stainless steel Vipp V4 island paired with integrated industrial modules, blending professional durability with domestic warmth. Adjacent dining and living areas encourage shared moments, while furniture and objects are placed with restraint, allowing the house itself to remain the main presence. Throughout the interior, original features such as carved doors, small windows, and hand-crafted elements quietly tell the story of generations past.

Upstairs, four bedrooms each offer their own sense of calm and privacy, with views extending toward the surrounding Alpine landscape. Small “Seelenfenster,” or soul windows, appear high beneath the ceilings, a poetic remnant of Alpine folk tradition. At the far end of the house, a sauna opens onto mountain views, offering a moment of stillness and warmth after days spent outdoors. The result is not a reimagined chalet, but a living house shaped by time, restraint, and respect for place.

Photography courtesy of Vipp.

“Its rich history and setting in the Austrian Alps made it a natural next chapter in our evolving guesthouse story.”

— Kasper Egelund, CEO and third generation Vipp owner

Tips & Recommendations

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Nearest Airport

Zurich Airport is the most convenient international gateway, approximately two hours by car.

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Getting There

Vipp Montafon Haus is located in Vandans, easily reached by train via Bludenz followed by a short local connection, or by car through the scenic Alpine routes of Vorarlberg.

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Best Time to Visit

Summer and early autumn offer ideal conditions for hiking, cycling, and exploring the valley. Winter brings snow-covered landscapes and a slower, more introspective atmosphere, perfect for sauna sessions and quiet indoor living.

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What to Bring

Comfortable outdoor clothing for mountain walks, layered garments for changing temperatures, and a mindset attuned to simplicity and calm.

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Staying at Vipp Montafon Haus

This is a place best experienced without an agenda. Take time to notice the details worn smooth by generations, linger over meals, and let the valley set the pace. Whether exploring forested trails or simply watching light shift across the mountains, the house rewards those who allow stillness to become part of the stay.

Nearby Attractions

Silbertal–Kristberg

Dorfstraße 19, 6782 Silbertal, Austria - 9.1km

A quiet alpine valley known for traditional wooden farmhouses and the historic Kristberg plateau. Once a center of medieval silver mining, the area is now valued for peaceful hiking routes and cultural heritage.

Culture

Silvretta Montafon Ski Area

St. Gallenkirch 198a, 6791 St. Gallenkirch, Austria - 13.9km

The largest ski area in the Montafon valley with more than 150 km of slopes and a modern lift system. In winter it offers extensive downhill skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings alpine hiking trails and panoramic mountain views.

Entertainment

Silvretta–Bielerhöhe

Silvrettastraße, 6794 Bielerhöhe, Austria - 25.5km

A dramatic high alpine landscape with glacier views, mountain lakes, and scenic routes along the Silvretta High Alpine Road. Popular for hiking in summer and cross country skiing in winter.

Nature

St. Anton am Arlberg

Kandaharweg 9, 6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria - 30.8km

One of the most renowned ski destinations in the Alps, known for its vast ski terrain, legendary freeride slopes, and vibrant winter sports culture.

Entertainment