Ehrwald, Austria: Hats Off to Pensions, Borders in the Air

Today’s postcard is from Ehrwald, Austria. February 19, 1958. It says:

“Dear Phil & Charlotte, Enjoying a skiing and sight-seeing holiday in Western Austria. The kids are enjoying the snow, we had so little of it in France. Our Pension is called Daheim, and it is like a ski lodge and much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Expect to go up to the top of Germany’s highest mountain on a cable car soon and intend to go to Innsbruck tomorrow. Took some ski lessons from a read Austrian ski champ but I still get stiff & sore. Must be getting old! Best Regards from Austria, Ted & Mildred.”

Hard to know who wrote it and who is stiff, Ted or Mildred, as in 1958 women might have written correspondence but signed husband’s name first. (As it is also addressed to a couple, man’s name first.)

This is pre-Air BnB era, so I am interested in the idea of a Pension being cheaper than a hotel. Apparently, from Fodor’s Travel, I learn that a pensione (spelt correctly with an e on the end in Austria, but without it in France, where our travellers either live or were visiting, prior) is like a bed & breakfast. Smaller, family-run often, less amenities than at a hotel. However, the Daheim is still available in Ehrwald, and uses the term Hotel as well as Pension. It is rated as a 1-star hotel and doesn’t have very good reviews. The toilets are shared by all guests and apparently the household is noisy (and the innkeeper nosy).

The highest mountain is the Zugspitze, pictured on the card. It belongs to both Germany and Austria as the border goes right over the mountain.

While researching it, I came across a website called Barry’s Borders. I couldn’t find out who Barry is, beyond a border enthusiast who visits and posts pictures. Here is his link about this border…

https://barrysborderpoints.com/country-visits/germany/zugspitze/

The exact height of the mountain is accepted to be 2,962 m (9,718 ft) above sea level. There is a gold cross at the top, which brave visitors can walk up to, to be the tallest person in Germany at that moment.

Those of you who like Rick Steeves can read his summary of the summit visit here https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/rising-to-the-top-in-germany

Today, you can sign up online for ski lesson at Skischule Total-Ehrwald at the cost of 2 hours for 65 euros.

The stamp is one of a series issued from 1948-1958 which depict women wearing regional costumes. They were designed by Josef Seger, an Austrian etcher, painter, and arts teacher. After WWII he became a Professor at the Vienna Academy and in 1948 was chosen to design these stamps. He worked together with the Museum of Folk Art, Vienna to depict traditional costumes of Austria. This 1.45-schillings stamp features the dress of Wilten, Innsbruck, Tyrol. The hat is especially Tyrolean, a felt hat with feathers. This is the origin of the well-known (in my hometown) Oktoberfest hat, green felt with a feather.