Number of sleeping places in mountain huts

Alpine huts first sprang up to provide shelter from bad weather for travellers and working folk such as shepherds, woodsmen and muleteers. At the time the Romans crossed the Alps and, later, with increasing travel possibilities and long-range trading in the High Middle Ages, shelters appeared around the most important Alpine passes. These shelters, described as ‘hostels’ were run by monks and Christian organisations.
The first shelters for tourists appeared in the middle of the 19th century as a result of the increased interest in high Alpine activities. Alpine associations in the various regions recognised the increasing need for accommodation and shelter for walkers, climbers and skiers and started erecting mountain huts that were, at first, spartan. The Grünhorn huts, the first huts belonging to the Swiss Alps Club, were opened in 1863.
Right into the second half of the 20th century innumerable additional huts were erected. Over time, many of them were extended or reconstructed and, today, represent an important element in the economy. Now, as in earlier times, there is a great variety in terms of size and amenities. In most cases it is a question of staffed lodges, in other cases self-service huts which can occasionally be booked while yet others come under the heading of simple emergency bivouaks. Alongside the huts of the Schweizer Alpen-Club (SAC) there is a large number of Alpine shelters with accommodation that are run by private individuals or small organisations.