Our Mountain Vacation at Trapp Family Lodge

My family and I just returned from a week’s vacation at the Trapp Family Lodge, located in the stunningly beautiful mountains of  Stowe, Vermont.  Trapp Family Lodge is owned and operated by the real Von Trapp family – the family depicted in one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music.  We spent a fabulous vacation at Trapp Family Lodge two years ago, and were thoroughly excited to return!

Trapp Family Lodge

The Sunrise View from our Guest House

In addition to the beautiful surroundings and cozy, feel-at-home accommodations, one of my favorite things about Trapp Family Lodge is the food.  The dining options at the resort include plenty of Austrian fare, as well as rustic American options, in settings such as the DeliBakery, a casual deli-style location; the Lounge, an intimate, cozy setting with a smaller menu for lunch and dinner; and the Main Dining Room – the setting for a fabulous breakfast buffet in the morning, and a gourmet fine dining experience every evening.  Fortunately, we were able to experience each of these dining options during our trip!

We started our vacation in grand fashion with an incredible dinner in the Main Dining Room.  Mr. Random began his meal with the Sweet Potato Risotto with Caramelized Leeks and Chestnuts, which was the perfect comfort food to celebrate our arrival in the mountains!  Li’l Random ordered the Alpine Mushroom Toast – wild mushrooms in a rich, decadent cream sauce served over pieces of grilled baguette.  I opted for the House Smoked Trout, served with pickled eggs, shaved red onion, lavash (flatbread) and horseradish creme fraiche.  It was absolutely delicious!

Alpine Mushroom Toast

House Smoked Trout

Li’l Random loves her beef tenderloin, and the Dining Room’s version did not disappoint.  Served with smoked Gouda cream, whipped potates, broccolini and a Merlot demi-glace, it was sheer perfection.  I ordered the Hasenpfeffer – a traditional German rabbit stew, served with wilted greens, braised red cabbage and spatzle.  The stew was rich, comforting and delicious!

Hasenpfeffer

We finished our meal with Apfelstrudel and Linzertorte, two traditional Austrian pastries.  Apfelstrudel is made from a flaky dough (similar to filo dough), stuffed with apples, raisins and cinnamon sugar.  Linzertorte, one of my favorites, is a spiced walnut crust filled with raspberry and red currant jams.

Apfelstrudel

Linzertorte

After a good night’s sleep in the crisp, cool mountain air, we returned to the Main Dining Room for Trapp Family Lodge’s breakfast buffet (where we had breakfast several times during our stay).  The buffet includes typical American fare such as eggs, french toast, cereal and fruit, along with Austrian and European breakfast options including Austrian charcuterie meats, cubed cheeses, homemade muesli and freshly-baked European breads and pastries (baked on-site in the Trapp DeliBakery).  We always lingered over breakfast, enjoying the views of sunrise over the mountains.   I usually opted for a bowl of muesli with fresh berries, along with some of the meats and cheeses.

Another dining option at Trapp Family Lodge is the DeliBakery, where you can order sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods, as well as the new Trapp Lagers, brewed on-site in the Trapp Family Lodge Brewery that just opened this year.  We had lunch at the DeliBakery during our stay, and both the views and the food were fabulous!  I ordered the Austrian Meat Combo sandwich, which included speck and bierwurst, served on fresh pumpernickel bread with kraut salad.  Li’l Random chose a smoked salmon platter, and Mr. Random opted for a roast beef sandwich to accompany his Trapp Lager – he absolutely fell in love with the Trapp Oktoberfest during our stay!

Austrian Meat Combo

The stunning view from lunch!

We also enjoyed a cozy, casual dinner in Trapp Family Lodge’s Lounge during our stay.  Li’l Random dove into an appetizer of Trapp Lager-Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels, served with a soft-baked pretzel to sop up the delicious broth.  I ordered the Chevre (goat cheese) Fondue topped with cranberries and accompanied by orange walnut bread and crisp Granny Smith apples for dipping.

Chevre Fondue

My entree at the Lounge was truly decadent.  Rehpfeffer, Austrian-style stewed venison served with braised red cabbage, spatzle, and cranberry chestnut compote, was one of the best dishes I tasted all week! 

Rehpfeffer

During our stay at Trapp Family Lodge, I had the opportunity to participate in a baking class taught by Executive Pastry Chef Dan Tabor.  Classes are held weekly, and are not to be missed!  In the DeliBakery’s kitchen, Chef Dan and his assistant, Chef Rachel, taught us how to make an apple frangipane tart and spiced gingerbread – just in time for holiday baking!  The apple frangipane was my favorite – shortbread crust and almond paste filling topped with apples picked fresh from Trapp Family Lodge trees the day before our class and finished with an apricot glaze – I will definitely be making one for Thanksgiving this year!  The baking class was fun and informative, and Chef Dan and Chef Rachel took us deftly through each recipe, encouraging us, helping us when needed, and making the class two of the most fun hours of my stay at Trapp Family Lodge!

Apple Frangipane Tart (the one I made!)

Spiced Gingerbread (I made these, too!)

Our last dinner at Trapp Family Lodge was the first of its kind at the resort – the first annual Trapp Family Lodge Oktoberfest!  While Mr. Random enjoyed his last Trapp Lager (until our next visit, of course!), I thoroughly enjoyed my plate full of traditional Oktoberfest fare:

Usually, a “beige” plate with no color means bland, boring food…however, in this case, it was chock-full of delicious treats!  Weisswurst (a Bavarian veal sausage), warm German potato salad, spatzle, fresh sauerkraut and roast suckling pig provided the perfect grand finale for our week at Trapp Family Lodge.

Tags: bakery, baking, Cheese, comfort food, Dessert, Favorite dishes, Food, Restaurants, Reviews