Do you want to enjoy empty slopes on snow-covered mountains with warm sunshine overhead at the end of the winter season? Then go on a skiing holiday to fairy-tale Austria.

We went to Obertilliach in Tyrol, where we spent one of our best vacations ever. We were captivated by the perfectly maintained slopes of the nearby Golzentipp resort. Plus, we had the slopes almost to ourselves thanks to the fact that we planned our trip for late March.

Beyond skiing, we indulged in a stay at a local hotel with excellent Austrian cuisine, a top-notch sauna and great service. A visit to regional landmarks was also a must. But you will find out more in the following lines.

 

Accommodation

The idyllic village of Obertilliach, nestled in the Lesachtal Valley and surrounded by the peaks of the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, is a gem of East Tyrol. Obertilliach even served as one of the filming locations for the James Bond movie Spectre.

The traditional farmhouses, which have earned the village the nickname "wooden village," now serve as tourist accommodations. Here, rural romance blends with top-class hotel facilities.

We stayed at the Gasthof Unterwöger, which we can highly recommend. This top hotel offers rustic-style rooms with views of the mountain peaks.

Address: Dorf 26, Obertilliach

The hotel is a family-run business with its own farm and butchery, which is reflected in the high-quality rural cuisine made from regional natural products. As part of the half-board service, we enjoyed generous buffet breakfasts and four-course dinners that provided us with the necessary energy after a day on the slopes. For your information, the evening menu is fixed, but you can freely choose any main course from the menu at no extra cost. They are happy to prepare anything that the local cuisine offers.

Included in the accommodation price, we could also enjoy the indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam bath. In our room, a bag with bathrobes and sauna towels was already prepared. However, we left the towels in the room because clean ones are always available in the sauna, along with fresh water and a small snack of dried fruit and nuts.

Additionally, it's possible to book a stone pine sauna with a private relaxation area, but we had the whole sauna and spa area almost to ourselves given the dates we chose.

Of course, there is also a parking lot and a large storage room for ski equipment, which includes an electric ski boot dryer.

Just a few steps from the hotel, you’ll find a small Spar convenience store (address: Dorf 37, 9942 Obertilliach), offering not only groceries but also basic toiletries. Additionally, there is the ski rental and shop "Sport Auer" (address: Dorf 7, 9942 Obertilliach) and an ATM available (address: Dorf 4, 9942 Obertilliach). Both are within walking distance, about 5 minutes from the hotel.

 

Golzentipp ski area

Above the village lies the Golzentipp ski area, featuring two ski lifts and spacious slopes for all difficulty levels, along with two winding downhill runs into the valley. The resort is accessible from the village via a new, modern 10-seater cable car (address: Dorf 135, 9942 Obertilliach), located just a short distance from the hotel. We walked from the hotel straight to the cable car, already wearing our ski boots.

Altitude: 1,430 – 2,250 m

Ski slopes: easy (3.4 km – 4), intermediate (7.8 km – 6), difficult (1 km – 2), freeride (3 km), total: 15.6 km.

 

Great lunch tip:

While skiing, we always went to the panoramic family restaurant Conny Alm at 2050 meters above sea level for refreshments. Its sunny terrace offers a unique view of the surrounding snow-covered landscape, which we enjoyed immensely along with traditional dishes and homemade pastries.

And since our vacation is never complete without regional cultural heritage, we’re adding a few tips for sightseeing as well as shopping and sweet treats.

 

Parish church of Saint Ulrich

We visited the beautiful 18th century church, located just a short distance from the Gasthof Unterwöger hotel, adorned with stunning paintings.

Address: Dorf 1, Obertilliach

 

Basilica Maria Luggau

The basilica is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Austria, located about a 10-minute drive from Obertilliach.

We couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit this magnificent religious monument. Moreover, its origin is tied to an interesting story that we’d like to share with you.

In 1513, a poor farmer’s wife named Helena had a dream vision during her midday rest in a wheat field, in which Our Lady of Sorrows urged her to build a chapel in her honour on that very spot. The woman decided to test the truth of the miraculous apparition and, despite the stormy weather, set a candle burning in the field. The candle survived the storm without going out, which Helena took as a sign that the Virgin Mary truly wanted a chapel built there. Convinced, she later obtained a small late-Gothic Pietà from a local woodcarver—a simple, almost unfinished piece of pure folk art, now known as the famous image of Our Lady of Luggau.

Address: Maria Luggau 26

 

Shopping:

We went shopping in Villach, the second-largest city in the federal state of Carinthia. The car ride from Obertilliach takes about 2 hours. Here, we bought some sports equipment at great prices thanks to end-of-season sales.

 

Sweet tip to finish:

On the way to Villach, we stopped for coffee and dessert at the amazing Semmelrock pastry shop in the town of Hermagor. They offer top-quality confectionery made from premium ingredients that simply melt in your mouth.

Address: Gasserplatz 6, Hermagor