Right at the entrance to the valley, where the Haiminger Apfelstraße characterizes the landscape, you can feel the extraordinarily mild and dry climate. The Tschirgant massif protects the Ötztal from cold north winds, and due to its location in the rain shadow of the mighty three-thousanders, it is one of the driest regions in the Alps. Peaches, grapes and sweet chestnuts even thrive around Sautens and Oetz.