Gerlitzen

Gerlitzen
Sunny panoramic view of all of Central Carinthia

Practically on the doorstep from Carinthia's second largest city, Villach, lies the Sonnenalpe Gerlitzen - a modern ski resort that is very popular with both locals and holidaymakers from Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Great Britain. The 1,911 meter high mountain can be reached with the Kanzelbahn, a cable car. Alternatives to this are the ascent via two mountain roads - either from Treffen or Bodensdorf. The valley station of the Klösterlebahn can also be reached from the north side of the Gerlitzen via Arriach. Those who travel uphill with the Kanzelbahn, certainly the most comfortable way, will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Ossiach, the Villach Basin and the Karawanks. It is not for nothing that the motto of the ski resort is "A little bit above".

From the summit you can tackle all the routes, including the long Klösterle descent down to the valley. Sometimes it can be quite windy or foggy at the summit. The Gerlitzen has been gradually expanded in recent years and is now a real family ski area. Five million euros were invested this year alone. The parking situation has been significantly relieved for years with the parking garage at the valley station in Annenheim, and this year a three-story parking deck with 188 additional spaces is being added. There is also a free shuttle bus from the nearby parking lots - as well as the free ski bus from the city of Villach from the Kärnten Therme to the Kanzelbahn and back. And a special treat: if you have a season ticket or online day and 20-hour ticket, the arrival and departure by S-Bahn from all over Carinthia is included.
After the construction of the 6-seater chairlift "Wörthersee Family Jet" a few years ago, the new Wörthersee Freeride Jet was recently built on the south-east side of the ski area - a modern 4-seater chairlift that replaces the former Finsterbach platter lift and makes Gerlitzen even more attractive. In addition, two new piste machines and a laser scanning module for more efficient snow production were purchased. Numerous propeller snow cannons will also be replaced this year by energy-saving snowmaking lances (90 percent energy savings). At the start of this season, it will be possible to save all Gerlitzen ski tickets on your smartphone and use this instead of the KeyCard.
Gerlitzen is also popular with snowboarders, as there is a freeride area at the top of the Klösterle slope - the proportion of young people who frequent the ski area, which is easily accessible from Villach by bus, is correspondingly high. There are also three practice areas for children and a wave line on the Mooserhang for older kids. In general, it can be said that the ski area has slopes suitable for all skiers of all abilities - from beginners to advanced and experts. A more challenging carving slope, for example, leads towards Lake Ossiach to the valley station of the Birkenhof lift. The Pacheiner drag lift with its steep final section of the slope is also something for more advanced winter sports enthusiasts. Less experienced skiers, on the other hand, take the flatter alternative slope.

For carving The relatively easy but always popular Neugarten run is well suited. And if the snow conditions are right - which has unfortunately rarely been the case in recent years - you can also tackle the valley run to Bodensdorf from the Seppl Hut, which leads partly along forest paths through the forest. Motto: more adventure than pleasure. The range of restaurants on the Gerlitzen also leaves nothing to be desired - classics include the Pöllinger Hut with its great view, the Huaba Hittn on the Klösterle run or the Seppl Hut down by the Birkenhof lift - so nothing really stands in the way of a relaxing day of skiing.