Tag: Winter Holiday

Winter Holidays in PillerseeTal in the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps

Wondering where to go next during the winter months? Seek out the nature-made winter haven with thick blankets of snow and fresh pistes – the coveted PillerseeTal. The sloping valleys around the Kitzbühel Alps remake themselves with every season, but it is in winter where this Austrian region becomes a fairytale.

Combine panoramic views and quality snow to enjoy a top-tier ski holiday! Right by the front doors of cozy lodges and cabins are three ski areas with a variety of slopes.

PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
  • Steinplatte ski area is made for explorers and passionate skiers. Offering up a wide range of slopes, there’s something for every ski level. Add in the expansive views between the Wilder Kaiser to Chiemsee and it is perfect for first-time visitors.
  • Buchensteinwand ski area is best fit for families and beginners thanks to its leisurely descents and wide slopes. The Jakobskreuz landmark is like a beacon; but it’s the Pletzibär-Park at the Valley Station that draws in the multigenerational families.
  • Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski area is a mouthful to match with its equally generous splay of slopes. Featuring 270 kilometers of ski paradise, 70 cable cars and lifts, and challenging runs for athletic skiers – it is one of the coolest ski arenas in Austria.
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

If you’d rather leave the slopes to the passionate athletes, PillerseeTal offers other winter activities too. Snowshoeing is another classic to-do as it takes you straight into the snow-draped forests. Well-prepared hiking trails cross through the dreamy landscapes, taking you into Fieberbrunn, Hochfilzen, St. Jakob in Hause and more valley secrets. Explore 100 kilometers worth of fields, farms, frozen hamlets and idyllic winter scenery.

PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Plenty of beautiful chalets can be found on these ploughed hiking trails. Rest your feet and warm up with their traditional food. One of the best snacks (or late lunch) to have is Kaiserschmarrn, a sweet and lightly-fluffed pancake shredded into easy bites. The rich flavoring comes from rum, applesauce, raisins and powdered sugar; it’s warming after hours out in the snow.

PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Another PillerseeTal itinerary is walking around the Pillersee. It’s a stunning lake of around 60 acres, where the mountains run right down to its banks. With water flowing in from the Kitzbühel Alps and the Lofer Steinberg mountains, no wonder it’s so clear! Even when it’s frosted over in the winter, the utter tranquility of the place makes it a lovely strolling ground.

PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Whether you’re coming from the village of Sankt Ulrich am Pillersee (which is near the lake) or exploring the area around Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm, be sure to drop by the market town of Fieberbrunn. It also makes a great base – Tui Blue Hotel is one of its many resorts and lodges. Right by the slopes, the hotel is both accommodation and break stop! The diner spoils you with Tyrolean and Austrian cuisine, while floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the snowy grounds. Enjoy the daily-changing menu as you dig into a well-earned meal.

PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts
PillerseeTal, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

Winter Escape – Falkensteiner Sport & Wellness Hotel in Kärnten

Maybe it would be nice to see snow again this winter after all? Or I could enjoy a tasty Kaiserschmarrn (pancake with raisins) instead of being exposed to the dreary weather at home, right?

How’d you feel if I tell that you can go snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing in a matter of minutes? But it gets even better with a 1530m high gondola right in front of the door. Lazing around and being pampered is the dream that gets fulfilled here.

If it weren’t for the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Carinzia with all its great offers, nothing would’ve been possible. The four-star hotel in Tröpolach is only a good 50 minutes’ drive from Klagenfurt airport at an altitude of 600 metres.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

The Hotel

As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you have to admire the modern and spacious reception hall. We were accommodated in a junior suite with a view of the village. The room had the usual sleeping area and bathroom, but there was also a spacious lounge and a walk-in closet. 

From the first floor we could go directly to the ski and snowboard rental, which is located in the hotel, and also had direct access to the wellness area.

The wellness area is an exciting experience from both exterior and interior with its floor to ceiling windows and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, you can enjoy the heated indoor and outdoor pool and a variety of saunas with a separate pool area. Twice a day there is even a free sauna infusion, to let the long ski day come to a relaxing end. And if that’s not enough, you can also relax completely with a body massage.

For those who want to get even more exercise, the modern cardio-fitness centre with yoga and workout room is a must.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Culinary Experience

I am a big fan of Austrian cuisine. With it, you could start the day at a breakfast buffet! Everything that one could desire for a snack was there along with a variety of egg dishes, porridge, fruits, muesli, and so much more with it.

At dinner, you can look forward to a fusion of Carinzian specialities: South Tyrolean delicacies and Mediterranean influences.

A Kaiserschmarrn is of course not missing from the buffet!

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Outdoor Activities

Outside of the hotel, you shouldn’t be without Ulli and Marco from the Sportfabrik! Together with the hotel, they‘d created a unique program for us. Whether it was ski trips, snow yoga, snowmobile driving, helicopter flying or snowshoe hiking, everything was included.

The ski slopes are less than a minutes‘ walk from the hotel, as well as the gondola.

From there, you have numerous downhill runs for every level of experience. Ski passes and ski equipment are available at the hotel, of course.

For the romantics among us, a carriage ride was also offered. On this trip, I have experienced so much fun & action in 2 ½ days as I haven’t for a long time.

Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

Good to know

  • Try the Kaiserschmarrn on the Kofel Alm.
  • Dine at the “Bärenwirt” in Hermagor.
  • Après-Ski is a great way to celebrate at the Kristallalm!
  • You can celebrate until late at night in the bar “Zum Alois” right next to the hotel
  • The Klagenfurt airport is small and fine, but flies directly to Cologne, for example.
  • In the meantime, you can also travel to Villach by train from Bonn or Frankfurt at low cost,   sometimes even for 29,90€!
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Kofel Alm
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Bärenwirt
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Bedroom at our hotel
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Suite with the village view
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,
Falkensteiner Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts,

In Kooperation mit Falkensteiner Hotels