It’s the little things that always refresh our memories of the wonderful time spent on holiday. A souvenir from your holiday prolongs the experience. So what should I bring back from my ski holiday? SnowTrex has put together ten classic souvenirs that ski holidaymakers will love – whether it be for themselves or for those at home.
1. Salzburg/Austria: “Mozartkugeln”
Over 100 years ago, Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst dedicated this sweet treat to the city’s most famous child. Today, these delicacies made of marzipan and chocolate are a popular souvenir for those of us with a sweet tooth. The original Salzburg Mozartkugeln in blue-silver paper, handmade without any additives, can only be bought exclusively in Salzburg’s four Fürst confectioneries. If you can’t make it to Salzburg yourself, you’ll have to make do with one of the not-original-but-nevertheless-delicious imitations.
2. Bavaria/Germany: Beer mugs
Whether glass or earthenware – those who go skiing in Bavaria prefer a beer mug as a holiday souvenir, preferably a proper “Maßkrug”. The beer tastes twice as good in the stein at home. If you export a few bottles of Bavarian beer at the same time, you’ll enjoy that holiday feeling even more.
3. Tyrol/Austria: Tyrolean bacon
It just tastes like a holiday! Good bacon from Tyrol is best bought in a village’s butcher shop or at a farmers’ market. If you buy it in vacuum packaging, you also avoid the odour problem during transport.
4. Austria: Schnapps
It is an absolute must in most households: good schnapps. It serves as a welcome drink, but also as a digestive aid. Distilleries that belong to Europe’s elite have now settled in Austria, especially in Tyrol. Whether Wachau apricot, plum, apple, pear or Swiss stone pine – every taste is catered for.
5. Tyrol/Austria: Swarovski jewellery
You could, of course, buy Swarovski jewellery in your home country – there’s no question about that. However, it would only be half as much fun! After all, in Wattens, very close to Innsbruck, you’ll find one of the company’s largest shops in the world situated right next to the Swarovski production site. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds exhibition is also well worth a visit.
6. Styria/Austria: Pumpkin seed oil
Styria is famous for its pumpkin fields and oil mills. So if you are on holiday here, you should definitely take a bottle of this delicious oil with you.
7. South Tyrol/Italy: Woodcarvings
It was the farmers of the 17th century who began carving figures and objects out of wood during the long winters. Today, the Val Gardena in South Tyrol is known beyond the borders of the country for artistic carvings. Two art schools are located here – in Ortisei and Selva Gardena. Nativity scenes are also popular handmade souvenirs.
8. Tyrol/Austria: Grey cheese
A cheese with only 0 to a maximum of 2% fat? Sounds like a dream! Beware, however: grey cheese is more of a nightmare for those with sensitive noses. Nevertheless, because of how delicious it is, cheese-lovers from all over pack grey cheese into their luggage after spending their holiday in Tyrol – and why not? After all, this Tyrolean speciality is also available in odourless packaging.
9. Carinthia/Austria: Lesach Valley Bread
Now, if a bakery from the Lesach Valley has been replicated in Tokyo, that’s saying something! The bread is made from grain that is ground slowly and gently in one of the five still-active water-powered mills in Maria Luggau. Accordingly, the end product also tastes good.
10. Austria: Loden
The production of loden is a long-standing tradition in Austria. Schladminger Loden, among others, is well-known. You can buy the corresponding fashion at the two traditional businesses “Lodenwalker” in Ramsau and “Loden-Steiner” in Mandling, for example. If you are on holiday in Tyrol and suffer from chronically cold feet, you should buy the so-called “Doggeln”. These are handmade, warm slippers made of loden and felt. However, the sources of supply are not necessarily widely spread. Examples are Günter Hartl in Zillertal and Anneliese Naschberger in Reith.
