Who we are

This is the place we call “home”.

It’s where we grew up, surrounded by the scent of Mum Helga’s apple strudel and the epic adventures of Dad Gerard.

This chalet holds the charm of times gone by — black-and-white photos and love stories that span generations.

The story

Our father, Gerard Mussner, was born in Selva in 1943 and wore the jersey of the Italian national ski team from a young age. He competed all over the world — from the 1966 World Championships in Portillo to the World Cups in Adelboden and Kitzbühel, from the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble to the World Cups in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He seized every opportunity to fuel his adventurous spirit — like the time he sold his ski gear after the races in Thredbo and Mount Buller (Australia) to set off around the world with fellow young athletes.

Our mother, Helga Schenk, born in 1946, was the daughter of the local baker in Santa Cristina and the youngest of five sisters. As a girl, she would cycle through the Val Gardena valley with a large basket on her back, trying to sell something once considered a rare good: fresh bread. Her love of cooking and her natural work ethic were in her DNA - qualities that never left her.

In 1964, after returning from one of his international races, our father decided to build a ski lift at the foot of Piz Culac and added a small hut with food service. It was quite an undertaking. Back then, this area had no running water or electricity - but plenty of determination. Dad always had the courage typical of optimists.

The family

It was during the hut’s inauguration that he first met our mother. It was love at first sight — though “from a distance,” as was common in those days. In 1971, they pledged their love to each other in the little church of Ortisei.

Mum soon became the heart of the small business. She devoted herself to it with care and dedication, cooking simple meals like vegetable soup, spaghetti, fried eggs with sausages — and the unmissable apple strudel, which would later make her famous.

She had her family’s pastry legacy to thank, of course – but also her constant curiosity: she never stopped learning. In the off-season, she attended courses with renowned chefs — often the only woman in the room - and spent many nights creating new dishes that balanced creativity, the quality of raw ingredients, and practicality.

Mum was always a pragmatic, down-to-earth person — and she wanted her cuisine to reflect that: warm meals, served quickly, and with care.

We, the daughters, came along just a year apart — in 1973 and 1974 — at a time when many things were still taking shape. As soon as we were tall enough to peek over the tables, we started helping out — washing lettuce in the kitchen or carrying plates to the dining room. Our guests — increasingly international and ever more numerous — smiled warmly at our wobbly but enthusiastic service.

As sisters, we had the privilege of experiencing life “before” and “after.” We clearly remember the time when the house felt too small for a family of four — but was always full of joy. Just as vivid is the day Dad brought in a digger and started tearing up the garden to begin the first renovation in 1976. That was just the beginning. A second, much bigger renovation followed in 2010, turning the Chalet into what it is today: a place of deep connection and heartfelt hospitality, in harmony with the breathtaking nature that surrounds us. A true home for anyone who knocks on our door.

On this journey spanning more than 50 years, Mum and Dad placed their trust in us, making us co-owners when we were just 20 years old.

Along the way, clients and team members became friends — people with whom we’ve shared pieces of life and watched generations pass.

If your steps have led you here, it’s no coincidence…

It’s because you, like us, are searching for a place to call home — wherever you are in the world.

Have a wonderful stay at Chalet Gerard.

All the best for your journey!
Nives e Alexa