Montafon: Schruns and Hemingway's Winters
A mountain valley, mining and a writer in the snow
- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
Ernest Hemingway spent the winters of 1924 to 1926 in Schruns in the Montafon valley, working on his first novel. This private tour links his traces with the history of the valley, its mountain farmers, miners and seasonal migrants.
Hemingway stayed at the Hotel Taube with his wife and son, went ski touring in the Silvretta and played cards with locals. In his memoir A Moveable Feast he describes these winters as a happy time.
The Montafon was long a poor valley, and many locals left each season to work in Switzerland or France. Silver and copper were mined in the Silbertal in the Middle Ages, and the local heritage museum in Schruns shows mountain farm life.
Your guide shows the parish church, church square and old Montafon houses and talks about Montafon brown cattle and Sura Kees cheese. On request you ride a cable car up the Hochjoch or continue toward the Silvretta High Alpine Road.
Highlights
- Hemingway's winters in Schruns
- Hotel Taube and the church square
- Montafon heritage museum
- Mining history in the Silbertal
- Optional cable car or Silvretta
The route
-
1Schruns church square
Village center and parish church
-
2Hotel Taube
Hemingway's lodging
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3Heritage museum
Mountain farm life
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4Mountain view
Hochjoch or Silvretta on request
Who this tour is for
Ideal for literature lovers, hikers and winter guests in the Montafon.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees and tickets for cable cars, trains, boats or tastings are not included and are paid on site. Your guide is happy to tell you in advance what to expect.
Is the price per person or per group?
This is a private tour with a licensed Austrian tour guide. The price is per group, not per person, so it is just you and your own party.
Are there reminders of Hemingway in Schruns?
Yes. Plaques and exhibits in town recall his stay. Your guide shows the key places and reads short passages from his writing.
