Although a destination’s landscape, cuisine and cultural attractions draw travelers in, it is often the people they meet who turn a trip into a lasting memory rather than a mere item on a checklist. That attention to hospitality is evident around the Plose and the neighboring town of Brixen in Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region. Here five women play central roles in introducing visitors to fresh perspectives on this time-honored Dolomites destination known for skiing, outdoor recreation and scenic hiking.
© Brixen Tourismus – Manuel Kottersteger
Rosi Ellemund: Innkeeper
Serious skiers often plan their trips around the Trametsch downhill run, which winds from the Plose into the valley and on toward St. Andrä. Trametschhütte, the mountain lodge at the base of the piste, is popular for its sunny location, wide-ranging views and satisfying, hearty food. Rosi completes the visitor experience by preparing fresh regional specialties daily, selecting ingredients according to seasonality. She is particularly noted for her inventive dumpling varieties and homemade desserts that showcase local flavors.
Elisabeth Larcher: Keeper of Rooms with a View
In Vahrn, north of Brixen, a 355-meter natural toboggan run climbs to an elevation of 1,400 meters, offering an invigorating alpine adventure. At the base of this route, Elisabeth and her husband run the six-room Gostnerhof mountain farm. The farm stays offer panoramic views across the Plose, the Brixen valley basin and distant Dolomite peaks. Guests also enjoy seasonal farmhouse cuisine drawn from Elisabeth’s garden and regional traditions, including schlutzkrapfen and other simple, comforting dishes.
© Brixen Tourismus – Manuel Kottersteger
Karin Kinigadner: Nature Guide
“My guests return with backpacks full of experiences, emotions and inner calm,” says Karin, who offers immersive, educational outings year-round. As a certified hiking guide, forest-bathing and relaxation expert, and Kneipp health trainer, she leads guests to experience nature with all five senses. On her walks visitors learn to recognize medicinal herbs, explore the geological history of the Plose, discover local wildlife rhythms such as full-moon phenomena, and practice Qi Gong techniques to deepen relaxation in a natural setting.
Linda Stricker: Ski Rental Specialist
After their professional ski racing careers, Linda and her late husband Erwin built a business focused on ski and winter-sports rentals. Since Erwin’s death in 2010, Linda—originally from the Netherlands—has continued to manage Sportservice Erwin Stricker. The year-round operation includes multiple rental locations, bike stations and sports shops across South Tyrol, with a prominent presence at the valley station of the Plose cable car, making gear and advice readily available to visitors.
© Brixen Tourismus – Manuel Kottersteger
Monica Borsatto: Vacation Engineer
Monica, from Padua, grew up visiting Brixen each summer and inherited a lasting love of the mountains. Her early years as a competitive skier led her to an unconventional academic path: civil engineering with an alpine specialization. Today she applies that expertise designing cable cars and ski slopes, blending technical know-how with respect for the alpine environment to help shape safe, sustainable mountain experiences for visitors.