Franz Kostner is a much-loved character in Corvara and Val Badia. A legendary climber, Alpine guide and expert at great heights, it was his initiative, determination and great love for our land that laid the foundations of mountain tourism in Val Badia. Let us share its story.
Corvara, the tradition of mountain tourism
In Corvara and in Val Badia, the most sought-after international destination for mountain tourism, there is a special “sentimentality” that is often the object of the interest and curiosity of our guests. Those who live here, in fact, identify and sense an ancient tradition regarding the mountain and its peculiarities in their soul, the result of a long history of mythical characters and glorious adventures. The historic tradition of love for the mountains and Alpine tourism has been handed down in Corvara for well over a hundred years.
Corvara, a centuries-old tradition of love for the mountains
The legendary mountain guide, Franz Kostner (1877-1968), perhaps best represented the Ladin spirit we love.
Italian Wikipedia tells us that Franz Kostner was “an Italian soldier, mountaineer and entrepreneur, belonging to the Ladin minority language. Until 1918, he lived in a territory controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and served in the imperial army.” We love to think of and remember him as a person of valour, a legendary mountain guide whose legacy is a profound teaching in the tradition and culture of the mountains, still a point of reference in hospitality and tourism. Franz Kostner and many other people who have forged the history of mountain tourism in Val Badia, have passed on to us that innate love for the mountain that we all experience intensely. This, we believe, is the unique fascination for the mountains that our guests perceive here in Corvara and in Val Badia. It is somewhat unique, something that enriches the heart.
Franz Kostner, the mountain tradition in Corvara
Franz Kostner was born in 1877 in Col Alto, above Corvara, when Val Badia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ladin was the sole language spoken. He only learned his second language, German, at the age of 16 upon being orphaned and seeking work as a shepherd in San Lorenzo di Sebato. But his vocation for the mountains was too strong and, at the age of 20, he became a mountain guide, a very famous profession amongst the mountain people, truly turning his life around. It is believed that he earned his Alpine Guide licence from the German and Austrian Alpenverein in 1897! Franz Kostner recounted obtaining the coveted patent, revealing “thus, I achieved a much-desired objective as I had a great longing to climb the mountains of my valley…” (*).
The initial experiences at great altitude
His first excursion as a guide was to the Boè peak, the main summit of the Sella Group, with an ascent towards the Mesdì valley and descent to Canazei. On this occasion, he had the honour of accompanying the polar explorer Julius von Payer and his daughter. It was through his stories that the wonderful world of international mountaineering enterprises opened up to Franz. In 1901, he then accompanied Professor Gottfried Merzbacher, already a well-known German Alpinist who had spent two years in the Caucasus region touring the Sella Group. Through him, Franz became involved in the great upcoming project, being an expedition to Tienscian, the northernmost chain of the Himalayas. On 17th May 1902, they set out on an expedition that lasted two years.
The journey in Turkestan
In 1907, the second trip to Turkestan took place, being a hunting expedition with Prince Arnulf of Bavaria, in which Prof. Merzbacher was to take part, relying on Franz’s presence throughout the mission for two years, as per the previous adventures. Franz joined the mission, but did not continue on for as long as Prof. Merzbacher had hoped. In 1903, he had in fact commenced negotiations for the purchase of the Hotel Posta in his beloved Corvara and on 1st January 1908, he took over the management. Franz’s memorable international mountaineering exploits had come to an end as another extremely rewarding adventure commenced, being as an entrepreneur in his homeland, Val Badia.
Corvara, a tradition of mountain guides
As an expert mountain guide, Franz Kostner continued his activity for many years, accompanying mountaineers who wanted to undertake new climbs, being great opportunities and bringing much joy for Franz who was always seeking new routes and “…the true essence of the mountain” (*). In 1904, he took part in a ski course for Alpine guides that was held in Igls, Austria, which he undertook with a pair of ash wood skis measuring 2.10 metres in length. Then came the Great War and Franz undertook the first mountain tourism activities for the Gebirgsjäger (the alpine troops of the German Army in the First World War) – with skiing courses and excursions on skis to gain confidence in the mountains. The war passed and with it, resumed the interest in tourism, which was however limited to the summer.
“….during the winter, there was no-one and there was nothing to suggest that winter tourism could rise up in our hamlet. We needed something to wake us from our hibernation.” (*)
Climbing and conversing
It was thanks to the acquaintances and friendship with Luis Langenmaier that the options for winter tourism opened up. After numerous walks and climbs on the peaks in the area around Corvara and Colfosco, long evening conversations between Franz and Luis followed at the Hotel Posta.
In love with the mountains, the two minds opened up by international experiences wasted no time in understanding the territory’s potential for mountain tourism, opening the way for skiing and winter tourism.
The love for the mountains and the sense of freedom given by this wonderful sport soon spread amongst the valley dwellers, who until then had never even laid eyes on a pair of skis, and to the nearby valleys. By now, winter tourism in Corvara had become an indisputable reality.
Franz, an entrepreneur and first citizen
In 1922, Franz Kostner founded a transport company for the postal and passenger service that was then expanded in 1934 to become the transport company Kostner, Videsott & Co., the most important in the province of Bolzano. In the 1960s, Franz Kostner became the Mayor of Corvara. His commitment to his land remained faithful and constant throughout his life.
Mountain tourism in Corvara
After the Second World War, the development of winter sports grew year after year. The skiing possibilities were constantly expanding and Corvara and Colfosco, along with many other places in the Dolomites, were now popular tourist destinations. Hotels, structures, skating rinks, chairlifts and ski lifts dominate today’s Val Badia. Consider that in the 1900s, the villages of Corvara and Pescosta had a total of 38 houses!
Corvara, the international destination for mountain tourism elites
This year, in June 2018, Erich Kostner departed this world at the age of 97, but the Ladin spirit of the Kostner family in Corvara is always present in their legendary love for the mountain. Franz Koster, the great mountaineer and entrepreneur, and subsequent generations have given Corvara that tourist imprint recognised around the world now more than ever. It is a legacy that we still preserve today with pride and honour. Life, mountain enterprises, initiative, genius and their immeasurable love for the mountains and for Val Badia went into developing an innovative and always avant-garde mountain tourism that lives on.
Today, Corvara is a tourist destination recognised worldwide for the unspoiled beauty of its land, for having been able to preserve its traditions, for the hospitality of the locals and for the high quality of services on offer.
(*) translated excerpts from “Franz Kostner, Una vita per le sue Dolomiti”.
Thanks to Francesco Kostner, Hotel Posta, for the material provided.
Grazie Franz!
Francesco Morini – Director
and the Staff of the Hotel Sassongher
Corvara – Val Badia
Hotel Sassongher Licence nr. 2 in Corvara.
#Hotel Sassongher #traditioninthedolomites
