Review Gerlitzen: Après-Ski

Though it can’t quite compete with Austria’s après-ski giants, Gerlitzen’s après ski still has what it takes to send your day on the slopes out with a bang. Its on-mountain huts have plenty to offer visitors in the way of drink and sustenance. For starters, there’s the rustic Huaba Hittn off the Klosterleabfahrt II (no.8), or the Neugarten Almseehutte with its gigantic outdoor bar (at the foot of the 8-seater carving jet), which both cater well to après-skiers. The rest of the resort doesn’t fare too badly either, with a few more huts and après-ski gazebos providing visitors with some variety as well as an incredible view of the high towers and the sharp peaks of the Karawankens. A slight drawback is the fact that the base in Annenheim is only accessible via the gondola, which means that the après-ski fun on that side of the mountain ends at lift-close. One very important strategic advantage, however, is the resort’s proximity to the city of Villach (population ca. 61,000), where night owls will have no trouble finding an adequate après-ski locale.