The Last Von Trapp Family Sibling Runs a Hill Resort in Vermont
When The Sound of Music was released in 1965, viewers were captivated by the expansive Austrian scenery featured in the tale. Decades later, American admirers of the film still journey to the picturesque Salzburg. Nonetheless, the real Von Trapp family ultimately departed from Austria. After escaping the conflict, they found a new home in Vermont, a location that somewhat echoed their past. Fast forward many years, and their converted home-lodge is still in operation thanks to the last surviving Von Trapp sibling, Johannes.
The Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort was established in 1950, eight years subsequent to Maria Von Trapp—indeed, the one who inspired the iconic character played by Julie Andrews—discovering a dilapidated farmhouse brimming with possibilities in Stowe. Presently, it spans 2,600 acres and is celebrated for its year-round allure. This year marks its 75th anniversary.
With the final living Von Trapp child now at 86 years old, his daughter Kristina alongside her husband manages the resort, while he supports them for half the year that he resides on site. After all, it was his dream that transformed the lodge into its current form. In 1968, he initiated the first commercial cross-country ski center, taking over the resort a year after that. When a fire impacted the resort in the early 1980s, he seized the opportunity to enhance the property.
Since the family does not possess the rights to The Sound of Music, the resort is focused on commemorating the authentic Von Trapps, who built the resort from scratch with the modest earnings from their performances. Nevertheless, movie enthusiasts are welcomed, and the family takes pleasure in hearing their anecdotes. Although not precisely identical, it illustrates the challenges they faced. “They did a fantastic job and it’s a privilege that The Sound of Music remains significant to many,” Kristina Von Trapp told BBC.
This expansive area is ideal for a variety of activities. During warmer months, visitors can join guided tours, hike, ride mountain bikes, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, and try their hand at fly fishing. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing across snow-laden paths await. Afterward, you can savor their exceptional farm-to-table cuisine and enjoy an Austrian-style lager following a tour of Von Trapp Brewing.
“What they’ve constructed over time is remarkable,” a devoted Sound of Music admirer, Kathleen Ditter, remarked. “I felt transported to a European Austrian lodge. Maria Von Trapp was truly a brilliant visionary.”
For further details about what this location provides and to arrange a getaway, check out The Von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort’s website.