At a glance
Not just for rainy days: The Montafon Suites Schruns offer plenty of space, a pool, a sauna, and a prime location near the mountain railway.
Montafon in the Rain: Bad Weather on a Family Vacation
An honest review with practical tips
Yes, Montafon is still worth visiting even when it rains. Focus on short hikes and walks, cable car rides, wellness offerings, and indoor alternatives. The key is to stay flexible. Spacious accommodations make all the difference during your vacation when the weather is bad.
Weather Forecast: Bad Weather
Sometimes things turn out differently...
Montafon in the rain? Our family vacation with school-age children last summer proved that the valley in Vorarlberg works surprisingly well in bad weather. Instead of clear views and the planned peaks and via ferratas, we had three days of continuous rain, fog, and wet trails—and plenty of wonderful vacation moments.
From cable car rides to short hikes in the rain with unexpected wildlife sightings, to wellness and downtime in our vacation apartment in Schruns: The Montafon offers plenty of options for families when it rains. Provided you plan with some flexibility, adapt to the weather, and pack weatherproof clothing.
Day 1: Check-in, Cable Car, and Montafon Delicacies
- Evening ride on the Valiserabahn
- Käsknöpfli at over 2,000 m at the Valisera Hüsli
Our starting point: a mountain vacation. With a forecast of continuous rain
Our booked accommodation is located just a few meters from the Hochjochbahn valley station, in the center of Schruns in the Montafon. The modern holiday apartment at Montafon Suites Schruns impresses us the moment we walk in with its spaciousness and elegant furnishings.
It offers plenty of space – and is perfect even in bad weather. We arrive and unpack. Outside, there’s no sign of the sky clearing up. Our first outing is still on, though:
A cable car ride despite the rain? It’s doable.
We drive to the Intersport Silvretta Park in St. Gallenkirch, about a 10-minute drive from the Montafon Suites Schruns. That’s where the valley stations for the Valisera and the Grasjochbahn are located.
The Valisera Cable Car’s new 10-person gondola takes us up to 2,104 m on an evening ride. Admittedly, the view could be better. But we stay dry and marvel at the technical feat achieved with the Valisera Cable Car. It is Austria’s first autonomously operated 10-person gondola lift.
Once at the top, we quickly take shelter from the rain at the Valisera Hüsli mountain restaurant. There we order Montafoner Keesknöpfli, Kaiserschmarrn, and Flädlesuppe: Hearty, warm, and served with a mountain hut vibe, these Montafon delicacies are just the thing on a cold, rainy day.
When the weather is better: At Intersport Silvretta Park at the Valisera & Grasjochbahn valley station, kids (and adults) can let off steam on the pump track, the e-trail course, and in the jump area with its big airbag and trampolines.
Day 1 Wrap-Up
The weather’s bad, and so is the forecast? But you’re still in charge of your own mood. Our trip on the cable car - and, mmm, delicious regional specialties - is my top weather-proof recommendation in the Montafon when it rains.
Day 2: Hiking in the Montafon in the Rain
A Surprising Nature Experience
- Hochjochbahn & Sennigratbahn
- Ibex, marmot & salamander – my personal highlight
- Wellness area with heated outdoor pool & sauna
Hiking is still on. Just a little differently.
It’s still drizzling. But that won’t stop us from sticking to our plan to head back up the mountain (true-blue, weather-proof cable car fans). Our motto: We go when we can. So we walk the few meters from our vacation rental across the parking lot to the Hochjochbahn valley station. We take the shuttle cable car to the Kapell Restaurant, where we switch to the Sennigrat 2-seater chairlift. Phew, it’s really wet. And cold.
Once we reach the top, we take a moment to get our bearings in the fog and begin our descent along the Wang Trail. After the first few meters, we come across the absolute highlight of my summer vacation: a herd of ibex behind an avalanche barrier. Calm, massive, impressive. Rain and fog do not disturb the majestic animals. From a safe distance - and speechless -we watch them. Even for experienced hikers, this is not an everyday sight.
We tear ourselves away; the trail continues for 2.4 km and 418 meters of descent back to the Kapell Restaurant. Along the way, we encounter marmots and a salamander - what a nature experience! The rain lets up, and we try our hand at a few stations on the motor skills course at the Kapell Restaurant before taking the gondola down to the valley.
When the weather is better, the Hochjoch Adventure Mountain in Montafon has plenty to offer families:
- Motor skills course, tubing track, climbing center, and slackline course
- Nature trail
- Loop trail to the lake biotope
- Via ferrata routes
- Hochjoch Trail Park
👉 Important tips for hiking in the rain
- Stick to short, manageable, easy hikes and walking trails instead of summit hikes. Safety first!
- Check the weather forecast carefully and keep a close eye on the weather.
- Proper clothing is key: Getting chilled is more dangerous than the wetness itself.
- Rain quickly turns simple trails into hazards (roots, rocks, grass = slippery surfaces).
- Steep descents are trickier than ascents → adjust your route if in doubt.
- Streams and ditches can swell → carefully assess crossings.
- Alpine terrain + rain + cold = reason to turn back; “close your eyes and push through” doesn’t apply.
- Visibility can deteriorate rapidly in fog and rain; thorough preparation (and maps) is essential.
Hiking in the rain works, even with children - if you have traction, temperature, planning, and decision-making discipline under control. Opt for short, easy hikes or walks.
Back to the holiday apartment: a plus when it rains
Then it’s time to warm up in the holiday apartment and have a quick lunch. We have cheese dumplings that I prepared at home (read here how meal prep for the holiday home makes life in the self-catering kitchen easier). We’re happy to have plenty of space in the vacation rental: with 2 bedrooms, a living-dining area with a fully equipped kitchenette, and a balcony, everyone can find their own cozy, dry retreat.
Wellness is always a good idea - especially on rainy days
That’s why we’ve decided to spend an afternoon in the wellness area at Montafon Suites with
- a heated outdoor pool
- saunas
- a view of the mountains in the rain
- and a good book.
Day 2 Wrap-Up
That feeling of being in the right place at the right time? Priceless. And that despite the rainy weather! A spacious holiday apartment where you don’t step on each other’s toes, and a wellness area: worth its weight in gold. 😁
Day 3. Drizzle & Making the most of a weather window
- Walk through the village of Schruns
- Relaxing game day at the holiday apartment
- All-weather toboggan run Alpine Coaster Golm
Relaxing outdoors, cozy indoors: Strolling & playing
On the third rainy day in a row, we’re staying in the valley. Our goal: to explore Schruns along the Culture & Art Trail. A laid-back, relaxed outing—just right for this weather. We start right from the Montafon Suites Schruns; the ALPS RESORTS is located at the valley station of the Hochjochbahn, and it’s 280 m to Schruns Cathedral. The 2.5-km, one-hour walk takes us past listed buildings, through the picturesque town center with its historic market square, and past shops. And cafés like Konditorei Frederick, which has been named Pastry Shop of the Year multiple times. You simply must try the Montafon Nusstorte!
Another tip for easy hikes and walking trails are the "Muntafuner Gaglawege". These are child-friendly hiking trails where children can solve puzzles and discover the area in a playful way.
Back at the Montafon Suites Schruns, Monopoly is on the agenda. For us, games are a staple of the packing list for a vacation in the holiday apartment. They ensure
- quality time together and encourage communication (instead of screen time)
- help wind down and create structure after an active day in a new environment
- bridge waiting times and
- are especially handy when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Schruns is the largest municipality in the Montafon valley and is located approximately 12 km from Bludenz. This certified hiking village lies at an elevation of 690 m and holds the Austrian Ecolabel. With its location at the foot of the Verwall Group, the Rätikon and the Silvretta, its well-developed infrastructure, and its commitment to sustainability, Schruns captivates active vacationers and families all year round.
A break in the weather: Off to Golm!
As the clouds clear, we hop in the car and drive to the Golm Adventure Mountain (10 minutes). The mid-station of the Golm Gondola is also the starting point of the All-Weather Alpine Coaster Golm. Traveling at speeds of up to 40 km/h, the 2.6-km ride takes you down into the valley to Vadans. Children aged 8 and older (and at least 140 cm tall) are allowed to ride alone.
Unfortunately, due to the weather, we have to skip a visit
- to the forest toboggan park and
- the Flying Fox Golm
We’ll add these destinations to our bucket list for our next vacation in Montafon.
Conclusion: 3 Days in Montafon with a Child & Rain
Rain changes the plan, not the experience
We wanted mountain peaks. What we got was fog, rain, peace, time together - and a magnificent natural spectacle. It’s exactly these kinds of vacation experiences that stick with you. The Montafon works just as well in the rain. Just a little differently than planned. One thing is certain: We’ll be back to the Montafon. And then we’ll look forward to the mountains in the sunshine. Although we now know: Rain in the Montafon is no big deal.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Montafon in the Rain
When you can't go outside:
Indoor Activities
- Climbing gym at JUFA
- Klimmerei bouldering gym
- Indoor pool / Aquarena
- Museums & smaller exhibitions
Cuisine & regional products
- Montafon Cheese House
- Taste regional specialties
Bad-weather city stroll
- Bludenz
- Bregenz
Heavy rain:
- Wellness
- Indoor
- Food & Enjoyment
Drizzle:
- Walks
- Short hikes
Rain break:
- Mountain railway
- Views
- Fast-paced activities
Yes. If you're flexible and adjust your plan.
Yes – but only short, safe, and well-planned trips.
- Simple outdoor activities and walks
- Indoor climbing gym
- Swimming pool
- There is a movie theater in Bludenz.
Distance to ski slopes
0,1 km
Distance to cable car
0,1 km
Distance to cross-country trail
8,1 km
Distance to swimming facilities
1,3 km
Distance to golf course
3 km
Images © Montafon Tourismus GmbH Schruns/Andreas Haller, iStock, private collection
Verena Junger
Content Manager at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
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