Gerlitzen Ski Resort

The family ski area Gerlitzen is located in the centre of Carinthia. From November to April, winter sports fans can expect a fantastic Panorama skiing pleasure. On 44 kilometres of alpine slopes of all levels of difficulty, everyone will find the ideal conditions for lots of winter fun. You can start at one of the three valley stations Arriach, Klösterle or Bodensdorf.

On 13 km of blue marked slopes, families, beginners and re-beginners can take their first turns. The wide and perfectly groomed downhill runs invite you to enjoy the pleasures of easy skiing before trying out the 28 km of red marked pistes. Experts will find some challenges on the 3 km black marked downhill runs or the permanent mogul run.

The high quality of the slopes and the snow safety of the downhill runs can be guaranteed by the latest snow-making technologies. With 18 modern lifts the ski resort offers winter sports enthusiasts convenient and comfortable lifts up to 1,911 metres. The Gerlitzen slope security system ensures safety on the slopes. Families with children can experience pure fun on the slopes in an orderly and secure environment.

The little ones can start their first attempts on the boards in one of the three kids areas. Always present: the Gerlitzen Bino bear and the teams from the local ski schools, who help with the first turns and take care of the kids comprehensively. On Fridays there is always the big ski and snowboard race on the Moser slope, where the kids can try out the newly learnt skills right away.

In the Gerlitzen-Kids-Snowpark at the middle station Kanzelhöhe children and beginners will find lots of obstacles to practice the latest tricks and to prove their skills. Boarders and freeriders will find wonderful natural tracks, cornices and deep snow runs on the Gerlitzen. The Freeride- and Freestyle-Park in the summit area of the Klösterle descent II is a real insider tip. A total of 12.9 kilometres of routes with untouched powder snow slopes in the ski area invite you to enjoy wonderful descents.

For a refreshment stop, winter sports enthusiasts can choose from 15 huts and mountain restaurants.

At the Turnerhütte, Carinthian specialities are served in grandmother's style. The notorious homemade Jagatee also attracts skiers and snowboarders to the sun terrace. The Art and Lifestyle Hotel 12 at the Birkenhof lift is worth a visit simply because of its uniqueness. From Carinthian Kasnudeln to traditional apple strudel to alpine BBQ, guests are spoiled with a variety of culinary delights.

On the sun terrace of the Prinzhütte you can recharge your batteries with traditional Carinthian dishes. The Alpengasthof Pacheiner combines the cuisine of Austria with that of Italy and Slovenia to culinary delights. In the top house at 1,911 metres you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Carinthian mountains for dinner. The Neugarten Almseehütte offers apple strudel, tasty snacks and other regional delicacies. The landlady of the stone turning hut prepares her Carinthian specialities on the traditional wooden stove. On the sun terrace you can enjoy a great view and taste the hearty food.

Other places to stop are the pit stop, the Sepplhütte, the Huaba Hitt'n, the self-service restaurant Sonnenarena, the Edelweiss Hütte, the Kammerhütte, the Pöllingerhütte and the Kanzelstub'n in Annenheim.

The panoramic descent (no. 1a) of the ski area promises some wonderful views. It runs from the summit of the Gerlitzen towards Annenheim.

For competition types the race track "4all" and the timing track are a must. Here the skiers can measure each other and undercut each other in their time.

For freeriders Route 22 "Rock'n'Roll" is especially recommended.

If you want to get warm after the fun on the slopes, you should visit the KärntenTherme in Villach. For winter sports enthusiasts there is even a discounted Ski & Therme offer.

Outdoor fans can enjoy the glittering snow while winter hiking (for example on the panorama winter hiking trail) or trudge through the snowy landscape while snowshoeing. In the ski area two wonderful cross-country ski runs with wonderful panoramas invite you. The easy and intermediate routes are ideal for beginners and advanced skiers.

A special tobogganing experience is the "Bullyrodeln" - here you have to race down the mountain with the toboggan and be pulled up again with the Pistenbully. The night sky can be explored by young and old in the observatory of the Alpengasthof Pacheiner.

Of course a successful skiing day should be celebrated and this is best done in one of the après-ski locations at the Gerlitzen. The Rehtro, the cult après-ski bar of the Edelweiss hut, is located at the foot of the Klöstererle Nord descent.

The Cielo Mountain Lounge Bar with its cosy Alpine Lounge flair, cool drinks, Italian coffee specialities and the best sound on the mountain is also a casual après-ski tip.

Up at the summit, the Bieromobil invites you to après-ski. In the PrinzSchneebar next to the Prinz Hütt'n you can celebrate the day with mood music and lots of fun.

In the evening the Restaurant of the Hotel Feuerberg invites you to a gourmet menu buffet. For the starter you can choose between antipasti variations and the generous starter and salad buffet. For the main course, chef Danijel Radic creates three different dishes every day, which are served with a glass of wine at the table. For dessert, the palate is pampered with snacks and cheese from the board, various desserts and fruit from the buffet.

The Carinthian ski area is very conveniently located and therefore easy and quick to reach.

By car:

From Graz it is about 200 kilometres by car to the skiing area. Simply follow the A2/E66 (Südautobahn) to Villach and change there to the B98. After about eight kilometres there is a turn-off to the L46, which leads directly to the ski area. Winter sports enthusiasts arriving from Salzburg should take the Tauern motorway (A10/E55) to Villach and follow the route described above. There are many parking spaces right next to the slopes. If these are overcrowded, there are many other parking possibilities within a short distance, from where free shuttle buses run to the valley stations.

With public transport:

The nearest train station is in Villach, about 15 kilometres from the ski resort. From the airport in Klagenfurt it is only about 60 kilometres to the skiing area. Many accommodations offer shuttle services. In the ski area you are mobile with the free ski buses.