Montafon

Montafon (German: [mɔntaˈfoːn] ⓘ in local dialect: "Muntafu") is a 39 km long valley in the westernmost Austrian federal state of Vorarlberg.

[1] It is traversed by the river Ill (Vorarlberg) and extends from the city of Bludenz and the Verwall Alps in the north, to the Silvretta and Rätikon mountain range in the south.

[4] The municipalities: The route from Bludenz into the valley: The state road B188 leads past an old cement plant and through the town of Lorüns.

The valley unfolds its full splendor beginning at St. Anton (in the local dialect: "Santatöni") on the left, with Vens and Vandans on the right.

The hamlet of Latschau, with its hydroelectric power station and the main base of the Golm ski resort, projecting up over Tschagguns, and opposite Bartholomäberg.

Continuing up the main Montafon valley, the road passes through Gortipohl and on to Gaschurn (in the local dialect: "Gaschorra"), then to Partenen.

This is a three-phase seasonal droving of grazing livestock between the valleys in winter and the high mountain pastures in summer, ensuring a sufficient food supply for the cattle throughout the year.

[5] While tourism and other industries contribute more to the economy, seasonal migration to high pastures is still an important economic factor for parts of the population.

The Silvretta high alpine road (German: Hochalpenstraße) gives access to remote ski areas that are located altitudes of 650 to 1,430 meters.

Nine of the ski lifts are also open during the summer and autumn seasons and allow for quick and convenient ascents or descents in the mountains.

Guests may combine hiking and eating out with the concerts, considering the musical performances are held at extraordinary locations like the Tübinger Hütte at 2,191 m (Gaschurn) or the Panoramagasthof Kristberg.

The World Cup takes place annually in December, with races carried out in the Silvretta Montafon ski area, starting below the Hochjoch summit and finishing near the cable car's mountain station.

During the World Cup, visitors can watch the snowboarders and skiers during the day time and enjoy concerts in Schruns in the nighttime.

The Montafon festive costume for women consists of a black dress (Juppa), whose bodice (Miadr) is laced at the front.

Nowadays, the "Libli" (actually part of the younger girls' costume) is mainly worn by dance groups instead of outerwear.

Some of the older folks still talk about the long nights in Schruns playing cards and drinking with Ernest Hemingway and John dos Passos.