Goldeck Ski Resort

Not far from the town Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia, Austria, is the ski resort of Goldeck. Skiers can look forward to 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) of runs and dreamy slopes groomed to perfection! The ten slopes of different levels of difficulty provide enough terrain for beginners as well as for experts. Newcomers who want to improve their skiing and snowboarding skills can practice their technique on nine kilometres (5.6 mi) of blue-marked terrain. Advanced skiers and snowboarders have 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) of intermediate slopes to explore. For those of you who are true experts, the resort provides 7.5 kilometres (4.6 mi) of black-marked slopes for a true challenge on the mountain! After those breathtaking descends, nine lifts are on hand to carry visitors back up to the sunny mountain top. The highest point in this resort is at an elevation of 7,027.5 ft (2,142 m).

An ideal practice area for beginners and newcomers is the Children's Area Goldeck located directly by the top station. Here, little ones can practice their skiing on gentle, easy hills. Two special T-bar lifts take them back up the mountain in a trouble-free and comfortable way. If you already feel a bit more confident on the snow, you can head on over to the blue-marked terrain from there.

Freestyle fans should look no further than the Goldeck terrain park to let off some steam. This specially designated area is located next to the Eggeralm lift. The creative set-up of the park offers exciting features for beginners as well as experts. Different boxes, rails and tubes provide enough variety to keep tricksters busy for a while. One special feature is the "Lollipop", a round ball attached to a prism-shaped feature. Get creative and give it a try!

A top tip for escaping the crowds and enjoying untouched terrain is the area dedicated to freeride fans! In the 50+ ha space you can enjoy a top-notch freeride experience with plenty of untouched powder. The best part: It's easy to access and you don't need to master difficult climbs in order to reach the best spots.

The mountain restaurants offer guests to a refreshing stop before they return to the slopes, notably serving delicious game specialties, among other delicacies. Pizza-lovers should head straight for Pizzastadl Marhube, which also serves Carinthian specialties. The restaurant located at the intermediate station, Alpengasthof Krendlmar, also lets you indulge in typical Carinthian delicacies. First-class dishes with first-class panoramic views are available at the mountain restaurant Panoramaalm. Classic alpine food is also served at the Zwergerlhütte. For a quick snack between runs, head on over to the Sonnenbar directly within the Children's Area. Here you have a great choice of smaller dishes. On colder days, check out the Mosthütte where you can warm up with a nice, warm glass of mulled cider.

For expert skiers, we recommend trying the 8.5-kilometre (5.3 mi) black-marked run down into the valley. As one of the longest runs in the Alps with this level of difficulty, strong skiers should definitely not miss this memorable challenge. Other highlights for competitive skiers include the race track and the Eggeralm run.

Goldeck also offers guided ski tours. The three-hour ascent through the magical winter backcountry with unique views of the surrounding mountains is definitely worth the effort. The return route includes a delightful descent which is just reward for the physical effort.

If you're a fan of water as well as snow, we recommend ending your ski day in the warm and relaxing waters of the indoor swimming pool Drautalperle. It's located in close proximity to the base station. For more fun and action, check out the toboggan run on the Goldeck Panoramastraße. If you want to see some more of the beautiful landscape, take part in one of the guided snow shoe hikes or explore the stunning, snowy forests on your own. The artificial and natural ice rinks are the ideal place to ice skate or engage in a game of traditional curling. For a more romantic atmosphere, you can opt for a horse carriage ride alongside the shorse of the frozen lake. Another highlight is cross-country skiing, where you can experience fresh air, beautiful natural surroundings and impressive mountain views all at once.

As far as après-ski is concerned, Goldeck is quite a quiet and relaxed resort. For those of you who can't go without a bit of partying, you'll find plenty of bars in Spittal an der Drau. There are tons of places where you can have a good time and give your day on the slopes a worthy end. For a nice, cool glass of Guiness, check out Finnegans Irish Pub. Gerry’s Bernstein is the perfect location for wine enthusiasts. The party people among you will be happy to hear that the dance club Holiday keeps its doors open until the early hours for dancing and fun!

By car:
From Salzburg, in the north of the country, you can make your way to the resort via the A10. Take the Spittal Nord exit and continue on the Millstätter Straße (B98), then turn onto the B99. From there you can take the L5 which leads directly to the gondola lifts. If you're traveling from the southern part of the country (Klagenfurt/Villach) to Spittal an der Drau, you can also take the A10. Exit at Spittal Ost and stay on the B100 until you can turn onto the L5. From eastern Lienz simply follow the E66 until you reach Lendorf. From there you can turn onto the B100 and once you reach Spittal an der Drau, follow the L5 right up to the base stations.

By public transport:
Goldeck can be easily reached using public transport. The train station Spittal-Millstättersee, which is only a stone's throw from the resort, is located on the route of many IC (Intercity) and EC (EuroCity) trains. From here, you can also take a bus directly to the valley station. The closest airport is in Klagenfurt, some 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) from the resort.