Chalet Gerard

The story

Chalet Gerard – Traditional Mountain Dining in Ortisei, Italy | Dolomites Michelin-Recommended Country Cooking

Family Roots on the Mountain

In 1964, the father of the Mussner family built a ski lift at the foot of Piz Culac. Soon after, he added a small refreshment stand. His wife became the heart of that place, winning over guests with dishes from tradition and her acclaimed strudel. That small rest stop has grown into Chalet Gerard, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Selva di Val Gardena, where the family story remains at the core of everything.

Today, daughters Nives and Alexa carry forward the values their parents, Gerard and Helga, established. "Nei nostri piatti, così come nelle camere del nostro chalet, ritroverai familiarità e accoglienza, amore per la tradizione e passione per l’innovazione," they write. In the kitchen, their mother never stopped studying, searching for the best combinations, always renewing and experimenting while respecting tradition and the most authentic raw ingredients.

Authentic Country Cooking in the Dolomites

The restaurant serves what the family calls "country cooking" — straightforward, sincere dishes rooted in the Alpine landscape. "Se sei qui, è perché… ti piacciono le storie di una volta," the site reads: if you are here, it is because you like stories from another time. The same philosophy applies to the food: honest, unfussy, and deeply connected to the valley.

The cuisine is available for lunch without reservation (12:00–14:30) and for dinner by phone reservation (19:00–21:00). Chalet Gerard is open from late May to mid-October and from early December to early April. The restaurant’s commitment to traditional, locally-sourced fare earned it a Michelin “Recommended” distinction for 2026.

An Atmosphere of Warmth

Set against the backdrop of the Sella Group and Sassolungo peaks, the restaurant sits within a space woven with warm, boiled wool tones, natural larch wood, and cherished memories of father Gerard. The family describes Chalet Gerard as a place where "the mountain can be breathed." The dining room and adjacent café are designed to feel like home — a home that happens to sit at the center of an extraordinary Dolomite panorama.

For those seeking more than a meal, the property also offers a spa area with sauna, hot tub, and fitness space, as well as comfortable rooms overlooking the peaks. But the heart of the experience remains at the table.