If you are looking for a destination for an active winter holiday in Europe’s mountain regions, you will almost inevitably come across the Austrian Zillertal. The Gerlostal, located in a side valley of this world-famous Alpine region, promises ideal starting conditions for winter sports and wellness in the cold time of the year. That’s why the small community of Gerlos is the insider tip among winter sports enthusiasts and that’s what it offers its visitors.
Gerlos: An Alpine community with history
Although Gerlos has just 800 inhabitants, it can look back on a long history. This takes its starting point in the 9th century. At that time, the Archbishop of Salzburg acquired land in the Tyrolean Zillertal. From the Salzburger Land, the path led to the distant farmsteads over the Gerlos Pass. Today, the congregation of Gerlos, which was soon founded, no longer serves as a transit route and accommodation for envoys of the church. The beautiful natural panorama, which in earlier times was appreciated by envoys of the church, today attracts holidaymakers from all over the world. Above all, skiers, snowboarders, hikers, climbing artists, and nature lovers are drawn to the valley.
Tourism at a beautiful altitude: Gerlos is well prepared for it
For these, the small community provides an impressive number of about 6000 guest beds. On a holiday in Gerlos , you can choose between affordable accommodation, comfortable accommodation and hotel luxury with all-round care. What attracts visitors in the first place, however, is not the accommodation, but its surroundings. A tranquil stream runs through the beautiful valley at an altitude of 1200 metres. The impressive mountain landscape makes an impressive impression and is downright challenging for winter sports enthusiasts. When the snow covers the landscape in winter, there are cross-country ski trails for cross-country skiing enthusiasts and ski resorts for alpine descent. Over 53 different lifts transport skiers and snowboarders comfortably and stylishly up to the mountain. From there, they can let off steam on around 150 kilometres of slopes. The long downhill runs offer extensive skiing pleasure. This ski area, known as the Zillertal Arena, is the largest ski area in the entire Zillertal.
In Gerlos, active holidays can be combined with a relaxing break
Relaxation after skiing is by no means neglected in Gerlos. Many hotels offer their own sauna landscapes and wellness treatments for their guests. If you want to visit an even larger sauna area, you will find the Erlebnistherme Zillertal in nearby Fügen and an adventure pool in Mayrhofen. In the warmth of steam baths, modern swimming pools and various types of saunas, you can warm up after excursions, relax strained muscles and prevent sore muscles. Every visitor can individually distribute the share of sporting activities on the one hand and relaxation and celebrations on the other, even on holiday in Gerlos. This makes a Zillertal holiday a suitable destination for both athletes and people who long for a winter break in the Alps.
Winter sports and wellness alternate
- Alternating between hot and cold strengthens the circulation
- Sauna initiates the necessary relaxation after winter sports
- Alpine panorama opens up a view into the distance and strengthens the soul
Gerlos is guaranteed to offer enough snow for winter sports
Due to the good access to the alpine mountain locations of the Zillertal, Gerlos is very snow-sure during the winter months. If you book your holiday in advance, you don’t have to worry about snowfall. The geographical location and the weather conditions on site offer almost a guarantee for a winter holiday in beautiful white. Visitors can count on real snow. As is well known, this offers much nicer winter fun than artificial snow. On beautiful winter days, you can rush down over white-covered areas in the Gerlostal, while a bright blue sky lifts your spirits. You can get a sun-tanned skin on such a ski holiday just as well as on a beach holiday on a Caribbean island. To avoid sunburn and snow blindness, visitors should therefore definitely equip themselves with suitable snow goggles. Sunscreen with a high protection factor belongs in your luggage during your winter alpine holiday. The white snow reflects the light of the sun from the ground, even amplifies it and then passes on the UV radiation.
Celebrate après-ski in rustic wooden huts
Alpine pastures and huts in Gerlos invite you to après-ski fun. A winter sports holiday in Gerlos therefore offers a good entertainment factor. Anyone who has ever been able to experience the hut atmosphere live will appreciate it as part of the alpine sports culture. The rustic look of the small huts and the numerous opportunities to stop for a bite to eat guarantee an authentic party atmosphere that you can experience alone in the Alps. All over the world, alpine huts are being rebuilt from wood to create a similar setting to the one in the Zillertal. However, such replicas never come close to the original atmosphere at après-ski. It is an integral part of a skiing holiday to get involved in the get-togethers in the huts. Some holidaymakers make new friends on site and make contact with other winter holidaymakers, with whom they meet every year on site. Other travellers inspire new people in their own circle of friends and in sports groups for an Alpine holiday.
Enjoy culinary specialities from Tyrol
In addition to sports, wellness and partying, the physical food should not be neglected on holiday. Austria is known as a country where special emphasis is placed on food culture. During your holiday in Gerlos, you can enjoy the hearty Tyrolean Alpine cuisine. The products of organic farming are freshly processed. The result is a hearty and tasty fare. Even if you can get other dishes on site, you should try some of them during your winter holiday in Tyrol. For example, the following culinary classics are well-known:
- Cheese dumplings
- Kasspatzln
- Tyrolean dumplings
- Schlutzkrapfen
Get equipment and explore excursion destinations in the surroundings of Gerlos
There are also numerous excursion destinations for a winter holiday with children in Gerlos. If you want to introduce your offspring to winter sports, you can do so yourself in a quiet environment or book professional sports courses from experienced instructors. Not all holidaymakers arrive directly with extensive equipment for sports. This is also not necessary. Providers such as the Gerlos ski rental offer the possibility to rent the necessary equipment on site. This gives you the opportunity to start your winter holiday from home with light luggage and to try out a snowboard on site in addition to classic skis.
Summary: Why a holiday in Gerlos is worthwhile
Gerlos is an ideal starting point for daily ski trips and a wide variety of activities. At the same time, the region offers wellness facilities and beautiful small alpine huts to stop off and celebrate after an active day of winter sports in the Zillertal. On site, the Tyrolean Alpine cuisine takes care of the physical well-being.
