Of the three huts I've visited in the Ortler alps in the winter (Marteller, Branca, Pizzini), this…read moreGerman-speaking hut is the most rugged and rustic - i.e. shared bunk rooms, reasonably tight hallways and rooms. For example, I shared a single room with six other people, and it was the size of my college dorm room double - one large bunk on top, and one large bunk on the bottom. But bathrooms have hot showers. In addition, a few outlets are scattered around where you can charge devices. For an afternoon snack upon arrival, I enjoyed a Knödel (boiled bread dumplings, similar to matzo ball soup), and was treated to live accordion music. A hut staffer played a variety of German songs I didn't recognize, except for a renditions of "Let it Snow." (It seemed to have been working - we had plenty of untracked powder.) Dinner was tasty, but not overly filling. At the bar, you can order a bagged sandwich lunch (do it the night before), various chocolate bars, and several lagers/pilsners are available on tap. The dining area (split into two rooms), like the sleeping rooms, are reasonably compact, and smaller than those in the Branca and Pizzini huts.
