On a forested slope above the Pass Thurn road near Aurach bei Kitzbühel, something unexpected rises between the spruces. The Vertical Chalets, designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, are not quite treehouses and not quite conventional alpine suites. They are tall, slender timber structures on slender supports — elevated above the ground, quiet, and architecturally unlike almost anything else in the Tyrolean Alps.

The project was developed by Austria's Staininger Group, a family-run hospitality company with a deliberate interest in design-led mountain stays. What they have built here reflects that sensibility: locally sourced materials, clean structural logic, and a form that echoes the upright geometry of the surrounding pines. A glass elevator runs each unit's vertical core. An outdoor staircase provides an alternative. Both arrivals feel considered.

Inside, the suites range from roughly 60 to 80 square metres, though the vertical arrangement makes them feel taller than their footprint suggests. The defining feature is the glazing. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame pine canopy, ridge lines and, in winter, fog drifting over the pass. The materials throughout are warm and tactile — soft timber grains, natural textures, and an interior calm that genuine craftsmanship tends to produce. Select suites add private saunas and separate living areas: quiet luxuries that suit longer stays rather than rushed overnights.

The atmosphere these chalets encourage is deliberate. There is no pressure to fill the day. The forest decides a lot of it. Mornings stretch differently when your window looks directly into a spruce canopy, and evenings settle quickly when the ridgeline goes dark. It is alpine accommodation that asks you to slow down, not speed up.

The Vertical Chalets form part of a wider resort project. A lobby, spa, restaurant and shared amenities are part of the planned development vision. Prospective guests should check the current operational scope directly with the property before booking.

Summer and early autumn are particularly well suited to stays here. June through August brings mild temperatures and long evenings ideal for forest trails. September and October add crisp air and the glow of larch forests turning gold — excellent conditions for photography or simply sitting above the treeline. The winter ski season, roughly December through March, connects the location naturally to Kitzbühel's slopes, while spring offers quieter meadows and softer mountain light for wellness-focused escapes.

For access, the closest local stop is Aurach b. Kb. Traidlsteg, served by bus 4010 and approximately 130 metres from the property — useful for local connections. Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm, approximately 4.5 km away, serves as the main regional access point with train line S8 and buses 1, 2 and 861. Kitzbühel Schwarzsee offers an alternative, also on train S8 with buses 860 and 861, roughly 6.3 km distant. Most guests will find a car the most practical option for navigating the surrounding mountain roads.