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One of the best things to do in Gerlos? For me, that is enjoying a blissful winter sports vacation. Think of several days of skiing or snowboarding, tobogganing, hiking and not to forget après-ski. Gerlos, located in the Austrian Zillertal, is an enormously popular winter sports destination among the Dutch. This is not only because of the snow guarantee, but also because of the excellent combination of beautiful ski slopes and lively après-ski. These are my ultimate winter tips to do in Gerlos!
Skiing and snowboarding in Gerlos (Zillertal Arena)
Gerlos is located in the beautiful Zillertal in the Austrian state of Tyrol. The Zillertal, and thus Gerlos, is one of the most important destinations in the Alps when it comes to winter sports. The ski area, known as Zillertal Arena, consists of 139 kilometers of slopes and connects the villages of Gerlos, Köningsleiten and Zell am Ziller. It is a challenging ski area with mainly many red runs (99 km), followed by blue runs (33 km) and some black runs (7 km). As an avid winter sportsman, you can have a great week of fun in the Zillertal Arena.
Some helpful tips for skiing and snowboarding in Gerlos:
Gerlos is home to two gondolas, the Isskogelbahn and the Dorfbahn, both of which provide access to the Zillertal Arena ski area;
At the Dorfbahn you can rent 2- and 4-person lockers where you can store all your ski equipment. The lockers are heated and can also be used by snowboarders. The 2-person locker costs €8 per day and the 4-person locker costs €16 per day (prices 2024);
Renting skis in Gerlos? You will find next to the Dorfbahn and the Isskogelbahn Intersport Huber. From my own experience, I can definitely recommend this ski rental;
No ski pass yet? You can purchase your Zillertal Superskipass at the gondolas in Gerlos. For a 6-day ski pass, this is the most common, you will pay €349 per person in 2024. Tip: arrive on Saturday and start skiing on Sunday? Then you can already buy your ski pass on Saturday after 15:00. Then you won't have to stand in line on Sunday morning.
Other fun winter activities in Gerlos
The fact that Gerlos is at an altitude of 1,300 meters not only means that you are almost always assured of good snow conditions, but also that you can therefore undertake many other fun winter activities in Gerlos and the surrounding area. One of the most popular activities to do with friends and/or family is tobogganing.
Tobogganing in the Zillertal Arena
There are 3 toboggan runs in the Zillertal Arena, of which the Gerlosstein is the most interesting option. This toboggan run is 7 kilometers long and can be found near the village of Zell am Ziller. The toboggan run is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Mondays and Saturdays because then you can toboggan until 01:00 a.m.
In Gerlos you will find in the Krummbachtal and illuminated toboggan run of 1.5 kilometers. This is open every day until 00:00. And then you will also find an illuminated toboggan run in the village of Wald, but this one is only 500 meters. Ideal for children, but for more challenge the Gerlosstein is really the best option.
Other winter activities
Is skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing too active for you? Then it is still great fun to be in Gerlos during the winter period. After all, the ski area and the surroundings of Gerlos lend themselves perfectly to a relaxing hike. Nothing is as beautiful as walking through an enchanted white landscape. Or perhaps you prefer to do this by horse-drawn sleigh.
Need to relax for a day? Then check out the wellness facilities at the Kristalwaldbad. You'll find a wonderful spa, sauna and heated pool here.
These are the best après-ski bars in Gerlos
Say Gerlos, you say après-ski. During a winter sports vacation in Gerlos you can't ignore the après-ski. Where après-ski in many winter sports villages only starts after the valley section towards the end of the afternoon, après-ski in Gerlos often starts early in the afternoon on the slopes at Seppi's in Gerlos or at Umbrella Bar in Köningsleiten. At 4:30 p.m. the music stops here and a bumpy and challenging final descent often awaits you.
Once down, everyone deviates. Some go back to the hotel or apartment, while others still dive into one of the après-ski bars. One of my favorite bars in Gerlos is Luigi's Turbo Bar where they are guaranteed to play music you can sing along to from A to Z. German and Dutch music, as well as other classics, are interspersed throughout the evening.
Not my personal favorite bar in Gerlos, but definitely a busy one is the Cin Cin. A place where you can swing your hips until late at night!
Atmospheric accommodations in Gerlos
In Gerlos you will find a great diversity of accommodations. This is because the winter sports audience is also very diverse. Gerlos is not only an interesting destination for groups of friends, but also for families. You will find accommodations for every budget. From luxurious four-star hotels to small apartments. On Booking.com you will find a complete overview of all available accommodations in Gerlos.
Staying in a penthouse with jacuzzi and sauna
During my ski vacation in Gerlos, we stayed with our group of friends in the penthouse of Gerlos Alpine Estate. The penthouse is one of the 12 apartments in the complex and consists of a total of 5 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Because Gerlos Alpine Estate is located high on the mountainside you are hardly surrounded by other accommodations. This is very nice when you are sitting in the jacuzzi on the balcony. The living room has a large kitchen, 12-person dining table and a lounge sofa with TV corner. The ideal place to stay with a group of friends in Gerlos!
Delicious food on the slopes can be found at these mountain huts
One of the things I personally love about winter sports is enjoying lunch on the slopes. Especially when the sun is shining it is great to relax on one of the nicely situated terraces. Along the slopes in the Zillertal Arena you will find some very nice mountain huts. These are my tips for a tasty lunch:
Kreithütte - a cozy mountain hut with a sunny terrace in Zell am Ziller;
Schnitzelhütte - for the biggest schnitzel in the Zillertal you have come to the right place;
's Legal - you have to look hard to find this hot spot, but what a fine place with delicious baguettes this is;
Larmach Alm - the place known among Dutch people for eating a whole chicken;
Seppi's - an atmospheric hotspot for lunch and après-ski!
Tips for booking your winter sports vacation
If there is one vacation you need to book in time it is your winter sports vacation to Austria. Because even for this vacation, the earlier you book, the cheaper the trip.
The best winter sports deals are easily booked with the well-known travel agencies anyway TUI and Sunweb. Why? Because they often have good agreements with local hotels and apartments, and in addition, your ski pass is often already included in the travel price.
Personally, I don't mind driving to and from the winter sports destination so much, it makes the experience complete. But if you don't feel like driving to the Austrian Alps in 11 hours, you can also consider covering this distance by train or plane. Skycanner flies daily in winter to Innsbruck airport, from where you can drive to Gerlos in 1.5 hours.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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