Basic course - School of the mountain pasture
Learn the basics of mountain farming work in the mountaineering village of Vals
Once you arrive at Helga’s Alm, you’ll immediately understand why our beginner courses are so popular. Here, you won’t just learn how to mow with a scythe—you’ll immerse yourself in our mountain culture, where authentic craftsmanship, nature conservation, and community go hand in hand. At our Alpine School, the focus is on experiencing alpine life with both heart and mind: You’ll sharpen your own scythe and mow, build slanted fences the old-fashioned way, and help ensure that our mountain meadows continue to bloom tomorrow just as we love them.
So: Roll up your sleeves and head up to Helga’s Alm in the Valsertal. Here, our authentic alpine 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
- Meet nice, 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 people and the goat herd can move about more freely on Helga’s alpine pasture.
We have therefore decided not to allow dogs during the courses, and we appreciate your understanding.
The program at a glance
Tuesday: Arrival and Welcome
Arrival: Take the train to Innsbruck or the Brenner Pass (easily accessible via long-distance trains); from there, use the Wipptal Card for free S-Bahn connections or drive to St. Jodok am Brenner.
You’ll meet your fellow alpine helpers at the inn in St. Jodok for a welcome evening featuring an aperitif, a regional 3-course meal, and a presentation of the “School of the Alps” program.
Wednesday–Friday: 3-day course at Helga’s Alm
A 3-day course at Helga’s Alm in Vals with a regional midday snack: These days are all about scything and building slanted fences. You’ll learn everything you need to know to do this work, while providing valuable and important support to the alpine pasture. All of this is complemented by information from the protected area representatives, a local beekeeper, and experts in herbs and butterflies.
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 for 2026:
July 14–19, 2026
July 21–26, 2026
August 4–9, 2026
All 2026 introductory courses have been successfully completed.
Starting in November, you’ll find the new dates for 2027 here. Feel free to sign up to receive a notification when registration opens.
Prices for 2026:
€675 per person in a double room (private lodging with running water/shared shower)
€695 per person in a single room (private lodging with running water/shared shower)
€785 per person in a double room (inn, room with shower/toilet)
€875 per person in a single room (inn, room with shower and toilet)
€1,035 per person in a double room used as a single (inn, room with shower and toilet)
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 people
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-day course at Helga's Alm, 1 day at 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
- Wipptal Card = Ticket for public transportation in the Wipptal (Innsbruck-Brenner S-Bahn, 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 Geraerhof Inn, we have a special place to offer in 2026. The inn has 25 beds in cozy and lovingly furnished rooms. Before you set off for Helga’s Alm, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet. In the evening, the warm and welcoming hosts will treat you to a wide selection of delicious 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