Winter activities
The Faaker lake is famous for its summer holidays but it is also nice in the winter here. The extraordinary high number of sun hours is also a reality in the winter. Enjoy the sparkling sun on the snow of the Karawanken and either go for a walk in the sun, or take the cross country skis to explore the area next to the Mittagskogel. You can also do dog sledding here. Snowshoe tours are free of charge for our guests and take place either at Dreiländereck or at the Gerlitzen depending on the snow.
Skiing
Within 15 Minutes you can reach two great ski areas Nassfeld and Bad Kleinkirchheim by car. How about a skisafari! With the Kärnten Top Card you can ride the lifts in every ski area in carinthia - all together 22 areas. So go and follow the sun, and go skiing in a different area every day. All can be reached within an hour ride.
Gerlitzen Alpe
This area opens in the morning already at 8.15 and brings the guests up to 1911 meters altitude. From there more than 40 km of nice prepared slopes are waiting for you . New lifts guarantee a great ski experience.
Dreiländer Eck
A small but very nice ski area with a spectacular view over the Faaker lake and the Dobratsch. A Lift takes you up to the sunny and easy slopes on top of the hill. The down hill slopes are ambitious but a lot of fun. If you like to go bobsledding - you will find perfect conditions here because there is a special slope dedicated to bobsledding all the way down to the Valley.
Ski tours
The Karawanken slope crosses directly by Faak and is a very popular cross country slope here in our region. If the snow down in the valley is not enough - you can take cross country skiing tours up at the nature park of dobratsch. There you can also enjoy the fun of sledding. If you like to hike through this winterwonderland, take snowshoes and enjoy the silence up in the mountains. Touring skis can be rented in Villach if you like to do a skitour or to enjoy the ride down the mountain in nice powder snow.
We will be happy to assist you to find a tour guide around Villach or tell you where you can do some nice tours depending on the snow conditions and the weather.
Winteraction
If normal skiing is too boring for you, you can take an one hour ride to the area of the Grossglockner where a lot of freeriding slopes are waiting for you. The Ankogelel area is very famous for its powder snow. Thus, you are certain to meet a lot of worldcup riders here! Sledding is also possible on different mountains around our hotel. If you like to do a special run with your sled, walk up the Berta hut and ride down the hill at the evening with the stars illuminating your way.
Many of the lakes in the region freeze over in the winter, thus we have perfect ice skating conditions close to us. The most famous lake is certainly the Weissensee - where ice skating marathons take place. Aichwaldsee is another lake close to our house that freezes very early in the season and allows skating when other lakes are not frozen over yet.
And for all climbers - you don't need to wait until summer - try ice climbing. The Villacher Alpenarena prepares a ice fall for climbers. Secured by a top rope you can either take easy or hard tours up there. If you like to do ice climbing on natural ice falls, that can be done too. Within an hour drive you can reach the Maltatal, famous for its water and ice falls.
Christmas market
The magical old city centre of Villach allures a lot of people every day to visit the christmas market. A small ice skating area is a lot of fun for the kids. Have a warm red wine while listen to wonderful christmas music. A very special event is the Bauern advent - where at least 300 kids dressed like shepherd accompany the christ child coming by boad along the Drau. The water rescue of Villach dives with a christmas tree along the Drau to welcome the christ child. Be a part of this nice living tradition of christmas.
On that weekend Velden also opens its christmas market. Have a drink directly at the shore of the Wörthersee, while warming up by a big fire. All over the city fires a lit up and create a very special feeling. If you like to listen to many different kinds of music - take a walk along the christmas market of Klagenfurt. A lot of different bands play here during the christmas time. Hundreds of lights make the city centre sparkle in a very special atmosphere.
