The Resort:

Close to the regional capital of Villach, Gerlitzen is a quieter, smaller resort that still has an authentic feel to it. It still has the runs and lifts of a larger resort but has more Austrian charm when compared to other resorts. It also boasts skiing pedigree as the home of gold medal winner Matthias Mayer. Gerlitzen is statistically one of the sunniest resorts in Austria with multiple sunshine hours, large sun terraces, and peaceful cafes the atmosphere around the resort is relaxed but fun.

Skiing in Gerlitzen:

With a fantastic opportunity for progression, it’s obvious why Gerlitzen is an ideal ski resort for a school trip. There are wide open pistes, a first-class area for beginners located in the middle of the station, as well as short and long blue runs to develop on. The quality of the pistes is heralded here with runs groomed overnight to create immaculate runs. Ski lessons and courses are also available at the ski school for those wanting to learn from qualified instructors, and they are used to providing help to large school groups. On Fridays, there are fun ski and snowboard races where students can compete against each other and display any newly learned skills. The Freeride and Freestyle Park have natural tracks and obstacles to practice tricks on as well.

For Schools Because:

The lack of queues means students can be on the slopes as soon as they want which is ideal for large groups. The size of the resort also helps as it’s large enough to accommodate all levels of skill and have a variety of runs, yet small enough to keep track of where various groups are. The resort is also known for being child and group friendly adding to its value as a school trip-friendly resort.

Après Ski:

The cosy mountain huts provide a great opportunity to relax with some food and drink after hours on the slope. The resort is also in close proximity to the city of Villach which has multiple restaurants, shops, and other activities like bowling, ice skating, and cinemas.