If you’re planning a ski holiday to Austria, it’s handy to know a few basic words in German. This will help you out if the apartment letter greets you with an enthusiastic “Servus!” or if your ski instructor starts screaming “Bremsen! BREMSEN!” Here are 16 words that will go a long way to communicating with the locals on your next Austrian ski holiday.
“Servus” is the most common greeting in Austria. The word has Latin origins and was once used to refer to slaves or servants. Today it’s taken on a friendlier tone and is often used instead of the more formal “Goedendag” (like Guten Tag in Germany).
This is more or less what it sounds like: basically a mix of lemon juice, raspberry syrup and mineral water, although you’ll often find different variations. It’s usually on offer in Austria’s mountain restaurants and is a good option if you find yourself needing to quench your thirst after a tricky black run.
Every beginner skier needs to know this word – it’s the first one you’ll learn in your ski class. A “pflug” (which literally means “plough” in German) is what we usually call a snowplough, a wedge turn or a pizza. Good to know!
German-speaking people seem to find everything “Geil”: the piste, the mountain restaurant, your outfit, your skis and even your car. You’ll hear this term all day long and it equates to the Austrian version of “wicked” or “awesome”.
Wow, your lederhosen are geil!
If you’re lucky, you’ll be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Schnapps in your apartment or hotel, or after supper. The bartender will cry out a hearty “Zum Wohl!” as you lift your glass, which more or less means “to your health!” or “cheers!”
This is a handy warning to assume the position of a ski racer, crouching and leaning slightly back with your poles tucked behind your elbows, to help you get past a flat bit of the piste. If you hear Austrians shouting this to you on the slopes, they’re trying to help you out.
“Na klar” or its sister expression “Ja klar” are often heard in the shops when you make a request of the staff. They both mean the same thing: “of course!”
“Mahlzeit” literally means “meal” in German, but the Austrians use it in place of “guten appetit” or “enjoy your meal”. Bizarrely, they sometimes also use it to wish someone a good day.
One of the more difficult words to pronounce on this list, “Einkehrschwung” is a tailor-made word for ski holidays that refers to stopping at a restaurant for a coffee or for lunch. For example, you might hear people asking where you plan to do your “einkehrschwung” today.
The slopes are really “griffig” today! says the enthusiastic Austrian next to you on the lift. Great! you respond without the faintest clue what they’re on about. “Griffig” is a great word that means the snow is “grippy” – not as good as fresh snow, but not icy either. In other words, perfect for skiing!
“Grüß dich” is another word you’ll hear on the street as well as on the slopes. It’s a friendly greeting that can be used at any time of day (way handier than trying to remember good morning/good afternoon/good evening!). To make it trickier, though, you’ll hear different variations: “Grüß di”, “Griaß-eich” or, in Switzerland, “Grüezi”.
Roughly translated as an “umbrella bar”, a “Schirmbar” is a round bar on the slopes or in the village that is open-air in nice weather and closed with an top that resembles an umbrella in poor weather. You might be able to order a hot cocoa here in the morning, but as of midday, the beer starts flowing.
(Photo: © Mooserwirt.at, St. Anton am Arlberg)
The “gipfel” is the summit and a must-visit on every ski holiday! Usually accessible from the top station of one or more lifts, this is usually the best place from which to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains – and snap some selfies while you’re at it.
Ah, the one we were all waiting for. “Bremsen” means “slow down” and can be used on the slopes or on the motorway. On the slopes you might see the variant “langsam fahren” (go slowly).
Luckily, one of the most important German words is also one of the easiest. “Bier”, as you might have guessed, means “beer” and is one of the crucial ingredients for a ski holiday!
If you’re planning a ski holiday to Austria, it’s handy to know a few basic words in German. This will help you out if the apartment letter greets you with an enthusiastic “Servus!” or if your ski instructor starts screaming “Bremsen! BREMSEN!” Here are 16 words that will go a long way to communicating with the locals on your next Austrian ski holiday.
“Servus” is the most common greeting in Austria. The word has Latin origins and was once used to refer to slaves or servants. Today it’s taken on a friendlier tone and is often used instead of the more formal “Goedendag” (like Guten Tag in Germany).
This is more or less what it sounds like: basically a mix of lemon juice, raspberry syrup and mineral water, although you’ll often find different variations. It’s usually on offer in Austria’s mountain restaurants and is a good option if you find yourself needing to quench your thirst after a tricky black run.
Every beginner skier needs to know this word – it’s the first one you’ll learn in your ski class. A “pflug” (which literally means “plough” in German) is what we usually call a snowplough, a wedge turn or a pizza. Good to know!
German-speaking people seem to find everything “Geil”: the piste, the mountain restaurant, your outfit, your skis and even your car. You’ll hear this term all day long and it equates to the Austrian version of “wicked” or “awesome”.
Wow, your lederhosen are geil!
If you’re lucky, you’ll be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Schnapps in your apartment or hotel, or after supper. The bartender will cry out a hearty “Zum Wohl!” as you lift your glass, which more or less means “to your health!” or “cheers!”
This is a handy warning to assume the position of a ski racer, crouching and leaning slightly back with your poles tucked behind your elbows, to help you get past a flat bit of the piste. If you hear Austrians shouting this to you on the slopes, they’re trying to help you out.
“Na klar” or its sister expression “Ja klar” are often heard in the shops when you make a request of the staff. They both mean the same thing: “of course!”
“Mahlzeit” literally means “meal” in German, but the Austrians use it in place of “guten appetit” or “enjoy your meal”. Bizarrely, they sometimes also use it to wish someone a good day.
One of the more difficult words to pronounce on this list, “Einkehrschwung” is a tailor-made word for ski holidays that refers to stopping at a restaurant for a coffee or for lunch. For example, you might hear people asking where you plan to do your “einkehrschwung” today.
The slopes are really “griffig” today! says the enthusiastic Austrian next to you on the lift. Great! you respond without the faintest clue what they’re on about. “Griffig” is a great word that means the snow is “grippy” – not as good as fresh snow, but not icy either. In other words, perfect for skiing!
“Grüß dich” is another word you’ll hear on the street as well as on the slopes. It’s a friendly greeting that can be used at any time of day (way handier than trying to remember good morning/good afternoon/good evening!). To make it trickier, though, you’ll hear different variations: “Grüß di”, “Griaß-eich” or, in Switzerland, “Grüezi”.
Roughly translated as an “umbrella bar”, a “Schirmbar” is a round bar on the slopes or in the village that is open-air in nice weather and closed with an top that resembles an umbrella in poor weather. You might be able to order a hot cocoa here in the morning, but as of midday, the beer starts flowing.
(Photo: © Mooserwirt.at, St. Anton am Arlberg)
The “gipfel” is the summit and a must-visit on every ski holiday! Usually accessible from the top station of one or more lifts, this is usually the best place from which to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains – and snap some selfies while you’re at it.
Ah, the one we were all waiting for. “Bremsen” means “slow down” and can be used on the slopes or on the motorway. On the slopes you might see the variant “langsam fahren” (go slowly).
Luckily, one of the most important German words is also one of the easiest. “Bier”, as you might have guessed, means “beer” and is one of the crucial ingredients for a ski holiday!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
