Apres Ski in Nassfeld

Nassfeld is a collection of villages, both on and off the mountain, rather than one resort village. For ski-in ski-out convenience, the choice is Sonnenalpe or Sonnleitn. Tropolach, a pleasant little community at the bottom station of the Millennium Express, can also be said to be ski-in ski-out.

Nassfeld Villages

All have basic shopping facilities – ski clothing and rental shops, bars and restaurants – but are not substantial villages. However, there is everything you need on hand for a ski holiday, especially with the fantastic facilities, spa, restaurants and bars, in the hotels.

The nearest town is Hermagor with a shuttle bus service to the slopes and the closest large town is Villach with more shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Apres-Ski Bars & Restaurants in Nassfeld

Arnold Pucher’s stube in the Wulfenia Hotel at Sonnenalpe is the place to push the boat out, but it seats only 25 so book ahead of time on 0043 4285 8111. It’s the highest Michelin two-star restaurant in Austria.

Most dining options are based at the hotels with the Al Gallo Forcello the obvious Italian choice and the Falkensteiner Carinzia at Tropolach for international dishes. The Barenhutte at Tropolach is popular, especially for ribs. The restaurant at the Hotel Lerchenhof in Hermagor, built in castle style, is worth a visit for its atmosphere alone.

In Tropolach, at the base of the Millennium Express, the Barenhutte is the centre of après-ski. Partying can go on to the early hours here, with the serving of spare ribs, particularly if there is a lively crowd in from the Cube Hotel just across the way. The Cube also has a disco of its own.

At Sonnenalpe, the Hotel Sonnenalpe has a lively après-ski bar, as do many other hotels, and the Al Gallo Forcello often has live music to entertain après-skiers. Umbrella bars are dotted about and drinking continues at a number of the huts until it is time to ski cautiously down to the hotels.

It is also quite common to travel to Hermagor where there are several lively bars. Not to be missed is an après-ski drink at the somewhat eccentric but quite charming Schloss Hotel Lerchenhof built as a chateau by the industrialist Julius Wodley in 1848 on a sunny plateau above the town. Set in parkland, it is now owned by the Steinwender family and Hans Steinwender is a lively host – the gluhwein flows at après-ski time and on some nights there is a disco.

But the winter highlight at Schloss Hotel Lerchenhof is a giant snowman built in the grounds amid great celebration which stays there all winter as the focal point of après-ski parties.

Other Activities in Nassfeld

Nassfeld-Hermagor region sees itself as a total all-round winter holiday destination not just for Alpine skiers and snowboarders. Nassfeld-Hermagor has the largest cross-country network in the province of Carinthia with more than 300 kilometres of beautifully groomed trails.

Tobogganing

There is a 4-kilometre toboggan run on Naggler Alm at Weissensee near Nassfeld. It has become customary for a toboggan ride to be accompanied by yodelling, as loud as possible, from the participants.

Ice Skating, Curling and Ice-Golf 

The frozen Weissensee is the centre of many activities, including skating and ice golf. Skating lessons are available at certain times of the winter. Curling is also popular and often accompanied by copious amounts of gluhwein and schnapps.

Ice golf is played on a ‘carpet’ of snow. The technique takes some getting used to. Coloured balls are essential. The rough is where the snow has not been rolled and even coloured balls get lost easily here. An even smoother, more heavily rolled area acts as the ‘green’. Or rather the ‘white’.

Ice skating is also possible on the Preggersee, even closer to Nassfeld, as soon as it freezes over.

Ice Skating Marathon in February

The Weissensee is famous for its Ice Skating marathon, held in February when more than 5,000 Dutch skaters travel there to see who can skate fastest over various distances. The highlight is the marathon itself covering 200 km. 

Sleigh-rides

Horse-drawn sleigh rides are popular, both over the ice and around the streets, and for winter walkers there are many cleared hiking paths.