Animal encounters and nights in the snow
The quiet side of winter is experienced by all those who set off in sturdy shoes.
Date: 23 January 2026
For children and adults alike, it is particularly entertaining to be out and about in the winter countryside with animals. Llamas and alpacas accompany classic hikes. Huskies make speedy sleigh rides possible. If you want to experience Nordic flair, try a night in an igloo.
Winter hiking with llamas and alpacas
They are mainly used as pack animals in South America. But llamas and alpacas are also very popular in our latitudes, especially because of their calm charisma and lovable character. There are several families in Vorarlberg who keep llamas and alpacas and offer hikes in the company of these animals. Tours with llamas are offered by Horst Kuster on the Bartholomäberg near Schruns in Montafon and Reinhard Achleitner in Klostertal. Alpaca hikes take place in Gaschurn in Montafon, in Klostertal together with the Arlberg alpacas and in Grosses Walsertal, accompanied by Holzmichl’s alpacas. Hikes and animal-assisted therapies with llamas and alpacas are organized by Birgit Knecht from Röns.
Husky sled rides
In northern countries, where there are hardly any other means of transport in winter, huskies are often used as sled dogs. There are also some people in the Alps who are enthusiastic about these agile and docile dogs and introduce interested visitors to the fascination of huskies. “Husky Toni”, based in Brandnertal, organizes an extensive programme. His offering ranges from sled rides to hikes and snowshoe walks with the friendly dogs. Husky tours specially designed for children with a sledge ride can be booked in Kleinwalsertal.
Exploring the world of animals
The Wildpark Feldkirch and the Alpine wildlife park on the Pfänder viewing mountain near Bregenz are also open in winter. Both are ideal for an entertaining tour and both are accessible free of charge. Visitors can also learn interesting facts about the local animal world at the interactive nature experience show inatura in Dornbirn.
Build an igloo and spend the night in it
How do you build an igloo and how does it feel to spend the night in a shelter made of snow? In Vorarlberg, there are two opportunities to experience the building process. In Damüls in the Bregenzerwald, it is also possible to sleep in an igloo you have built yourself. Equipped with saws and shovels, the adventurers set off from Damüls in the Bregenzerwald to build an igloo in the middle of winter nature and, if they wish, spend the night in it. The igloo adventure also includes meals. It takes place on certain dates and by arrangement. Interested visitors can also try building an igloo with the experts from AktivZentrum Bregenzerwald around Schnepfau. The expedition starts on snowshoes and with GPS devices. The igloo is built before nightfall.
