Basic course - School of the mountain pasture
Learn the basics of mountain farming work in the mountaineering village of Vals
Once you've been to Helga's Alm, you'll immediately understand why our basic courses are so popular. Here you don't just learn how to mow the scythe - here you immerse yourself in our mountain culture, where real craftsmanship, nature conservation and community go hand in hand. Our School of the Alpine Pasture is all about experiencing alpine life with heart and mind: You grind your own scythe and mow, build sloping fences like in the old days and make sure that our mountain meadows still bloom tomorrow the way we love them.
So roll up your sleeves and head up to Helga's Alm in Valsertal. Here, our authentic mountain pasture instructors are waiting to create something meaningful together with you.
Completing a basic course is ideal if you are planning to work as a volunteer on an alpine pasture for a longer period of time or to participate in our alpine pasture and mountain meadow maintenance project.
Highlights
- Learning to mow with a scythe
- Bring in hay
- Building and repairing a sloping fence
- Repairing avalanche damage
- Get to know like-minded people
Important information:
For this course, you need a very good level of physical fitness, sure-footedness in steep terrain and a willingness to get stuck in. Sturdy mountain boots and work gloves are just as much a part of your basic equipment as sun and rain protection and your water bottle.
Info for our dog owners:
Rough terrain and steep slopes, as well as mowing with scythes, can be dangerous for dogs. Without dogs, both the people and the herd of goats move more freely on Helga's Alm.
We have therefore decided not to allow dogs on the courses and thank you for your understanding.
The program at a glance
Tuesday: Arrival and welcome
Arrival and welcome: By train to Innsbruck or Brenner (perfectly accessible by long-distance trains), from there free S-Bahn connections with the guest card or by car to St. Jodok am Brenner.
You meet your like-minded alpine helpers at the inn in St. Jodok, welcome evening with aperitif and regional 3-course menu and program presentation school of the alpine pasture.
Wednesday - Friday: 3 course days on Helga's Alm
3-day course on Helga's Alm in Vals with regional lunch snack: These days are all about scythe mowing and building sloping fences. You will learn everything you need for this work and provide valuable and important support for the mountain pasture. All this is rounded off with information from the conservation area officers, a regional beekeeper, a herb expert and a butterfly expert.
Saturday: Kluppenalm
Alpine pasture day at the Kluppenalm in the Schmirntal valley. On this day, you will help Otmar and his team maintain the landscape and gain interesting insights into hunting. After visiting a private museum full of mountain farming tools, there will be a traditional farmer's roast dinner at the end of the day.
Sunday: Journey home
Say goodbye and travel home or start your individual extension
Dates & Prices
Dates 2026:
14.07.-19.07.2026
21.07.-26.07.2026
04.08.-09.08.2026
Prices 2026:
€675 per person in a double room (private board with running water/shower on the floor)
€695 per person in a single room (private boarding house with running water/shower on the floor)
€785 per person in a double room (inn, room with shower/WC)
€875 per person in a single room (guesthouse, room with shower/WC)
€1,035 per person in a double room = single room (inn, room with shower/WC)
Tip: Book a half double room for women or men at the inn for €785 per person (separate bedrooms, one shared bathroom)
Minimum number of participants: 7 persons
Minimum age: 16 years
Included services
- 5x overnight stay incl. breakfast in the booked category (private guesthouse or inn)
- Welcome evening and program discussion on the day of arrival at Gasthof Geraerhof in St. Jodok
- Regional 3-course menu on the welcome evening
- Natural history lecture by our protected area manager on the subject of alpine pasture management and biodiversity
- 3 days course on Helga`s Alm, 1 day on the Kluppenalm
- Regional lunch snack on the mountain pastures during the course days
- Visit to the private museum of mountain farming tools
- 3-course menu including traditional farmer's roast on the final evening
- Membership of the Schule der Alm association
- Course certificate
- Guest card = ticket for public transport in the Wipptal (S-Bahn Innsbruck-Brenner, regional buses to all valleys)
The local tax of €2.60 per person per night is not included.
New: Gasthof Geraerhof - your inn in St. Jodok
With the Gasthof Geraerhof we have a special house on offer in 2026. The inn has 25 beds in cozy and lovingly furnished rooms. Before you make your way to Helga's Alm, you can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet. In the evening, the warm hosts await you with a large selection of tasty and regional specialties.
Booking form basic course
Booking and cancellation policy:
6 weeks before arrival you will receive the detailed information about the basic course with program, accommodation address, packing list as well as the invoice, which is due 4 weeks before arrival.
Cancellation conditions:
up to 6 weeks before arrival: €75,- per person cancellation fee
6 to 2 weeks before arrival: 30% cancellation fee
from 2 weeks before arrival: 50% cancellation fee.
We recommend that you take out cancellation insurance with Europäische Reiseversicherung. With your booking confirmation we will send you a link where you can take out your insurance easily, quickly and online.
Provider:
Incoming Reisebürogesellschaft GmbH
Rathausplatz 1
6150 Steinach a. Br.
Tel.: 0043 5272 6270