Living sustainability at the Jägerhof

No one can ignore the topics of environmental protection and climate change anymore. Siegi Augscheller is one of the visionaries in tourism for whom sustainability has been a genuine concern for many years. In his hotel business in the South Tyrolean mountains, he and his family demonstrate how sustainable travel can work.

Presumably, Siegi Augscheller’s sensitivity to the conscious use of resources was already instilled in him from an early age. The Alps have never been a place of excess; necessities often had to be painstakingly earned from nature. Today, food comes from all over the world by truck, all year round, and perspectives have long since shifted. Siegi Augscheller takes a conscious path. His credo: “Thinking sustainably means carefully considering the long-term effects of your actions.” The result of his reflections can be experienced pleasantly and inspiringly during a stay at the Jägerhof.

Siegi’s Natural Cuisine: Buy Local, Enjoy Seasonal‍

“Honestly, strawberries in February and asparagus in October—nobody needs that,” Siegi insists, presenting often-forgotten alternatives such as root vegetables and fruit compotes. Whenever possible, the ingredients in his kitchen come directly from the surrounding area: meat, bacon, and sausages, cheese and milk, eggs and bread. Even the herbal tea is blended from organic plants by a local “herbal fairy,” and the muesli bars for more energy on mountain hikes come from the hotel’s own bakery. Buying locally and processing products fresh ensures excellent quality and a minimal CO₂ footprint—a win-win for everyone involved.

Reducing Waste and Using Cleaning Products Wisely

Regional suppliers can often provide products largely without packaging or use reusable containers. Items that don’t need to be transported over thousands of kilometers arrive in tubs, wrapped in paper, or in reusable glass containers at the Jägerhof. “We are working intensively on reducing residual waste and are quite satisfied with the results,” Siegi reports. Reducing waste also means using cleaning products consciously: “A little more or less here and there really adds up over a year. Many cleaning agents are wasted, especially in commercial operations.”

Borrowing Hiking Gear Instead of Buying It

Siegi Augscheller offers guests the free use of hiking equipment. In summer, this includes adjustable trekking poles, backpacks, and thermos bottles. In winter, it mainly consists of snowshoes and trekking poles with wide baskets to prevent sinking in the snow. Beginners in mountain and snowshoe hiking especially benefit from this offer—they don’t need to buy a full set of gear just to try it once. “Our hiking equipment is used optimally for every season, making material usage sensible,” Siegi explains.

Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions‍

The electricity at the Jägerhof comes from the village’s own power plant, eliminating the need to purchase external energy. The Augscheller family goes a step further: Guests arriving in an electric car can charge it at the hotel’s charging station, and those who wish can rent an electric car for local excursions. Additionally, reducing individual car traffic is a particular concern: “We transport our guests with our own bus to the Ratschings ski area and, in summer, to the hiking trails. There are also very favorable offers for public transport in the region and throughout South Tyrol.”

Genuine Nature Instead of Excessive Infrastructure

Apart from the small, charming Ratschings ski area, only ten minutes by car from the Jägerhof, guests can enjoy untouched, pristine mountain landscapes right outside the door. Many hikes, snowshoe tours, and bike trails start directly at the hotel or nearby. Authentic nature experiences, rather than interchangeable “events,” are what make a vacation in this magnificent Alpine setting so special. At the Augschellers, the guarantee of sustainability comes almost as a free bonus—for guests at this certified Regio-Hotel South Tyrol, even with official recognition.