Gääschi Leis—the jewel above the mountain village of Vals
In a unique, peaceful setting, an old barn has been lovingly transformed into a small, charming vacation home, combining its original simplicity with luxurious amenities to create a true gem.

In the Vals dialect, “Gääschi” means “small old house.” Our Gääschi is also a small old house—or rather, a small old barn that we’ve lovingly transformed into a little gem using simple materials. If you’re looking for a unique yet luxurious little vacation home in Leis and know how to treat a lovingly furnished home with care, then you’ve come to the right place. Located right next to the Zumthor vacation homes in a sunny spot overlooking the village of Vals, the Gääschi Leis is the perfect starting point for hikes—especially the popular winter and summer hike to Zervreila. Located right on the valley run, you can reach us directly from the ski area in winter when snow conditions are good.

The Gääschi accommodates 2–4 people. It’s an ideal home for 2 adults or parents with their teenage children (not recommended for small children due to the steep stairs). For shorter stays or when space is somewhat limited, it can also accommodate up to 4 adults. The larger bedroom in the basement is furnished with a double bed (160x200 cm) and a large built-in closet. The smaller room in the basement features a high-quality stackable sofa bed from Zeitraum, which can be used both as a sofa for relaxing and as two full-size single beds (90x200 cm each). This room is ideal for 1–2 people. The small bedroom is also furnished with a small antique dresser, perfect for writing, reading, or working.

The basement also houses a separate small restroom as well as a bathroom finished in Vals natural stone, featuring a large, comfortable shower that can be converted into a wonderful steam shower at the touch of a button—perfect for relaxing and warming up. The restroom and shower are equipped with floor heating.

Additionally, the basement features a small storage room with a washer and dryer. The automatic Rika pellet stove stands freestanding in front of the storage room and provides cozy warmth throughout the entire Gääschi.

A steep and narrow staircase—due to limited space (less suitable for small children or frail individuals; see photos)—leads up to the bright living area, which is open all the way to the roof. Here you’ll find a wonderful upholstered seating nook with a magnificent view—perfect for reading, cuddling, and relaxing. Two comfortable swivel armchairs provide additional seating. The rustic kitchen table with Forest Design chairs seats up to six people. The small but modern and well-equipped kitchen (dishwasher, combi steamer, Nespresso coffee machine, fondue pot, raclette oven) offers everything you need for a culinary treat. Valser mineral water and Nespresso coffee are included.

As a charming extra, the living room features a small, lovely balcony with a fantastic view. On dark winter evenings, you can also manually light the black-steel Skandia wood-burning stove. The crackling wood and the flickering light of the fire contribute to the unique mountain cabin charm.

Amenities include a TV with Swisscom TV, a landline phone, wireless internet, a Sonos sound system throughout the house, and an iPad for guests’ use.

Care was taken during construction to use local materials. Spruce wood was the primary material used. The rooms in the basement feature larch flooring. The restroom and bathroom are, of course, finished in local Vals quartzite. And the stone slabs on the roof are a must in Vals anyway. On the upper floor, in addition to the structural elements made of spruce, plenty of fragrant and healthy Swiss stone pine was used.

There is a small seating area in front of the house with a bench (in front) and a table with matching benches (behind the house).

The Gääschi has all the amenities one could wish for in a small vacation home in the mountains. But it is its unique location, the wonderful tranquility, and the connection to nature that make it an absolute gem high above the mountain village of Vals.