Grossarl ski resort insider tip - with tips from the locals for the perfect day's skiing
Two of these three criteria definitely apply in Grossarl - the last one not so much, because there is little that is difficult to find in Grossarl: wide, perfectly groomed pistes invite you to enjoy a top-class day of skiing. But what is so hidden and individual about it? Together with our friend Manuela from Grossarl*, we set out on a search and found what gives the ski area that special something: runs that attract little attention even in the high season and are therefore particularly popular with connoisseurs and experts.
Our ski day starts with a ride on the brand new Kieserlbahn - a state-of-the-art 10-seater gondola lift that has been taking guests to cloud nine** since the 23/24 season. From there, you can whizz straight down to Dorfgastein. However, we decide in favour of the Grossarl side, as Manuela is keen to show us the slopes that are worth remembering.
So we work our way over towards Kreuzkogel and not much later we are standing on the upper edge of the Lärchenhang. Locals call it the ‘corpse slope’ with a touch of black humour: A small hint that the slope is not for the inexperienced. The 800 metre long black piste descends steeply and although you can see it perfectly from the mountain stations of the surrounding lifts, we really don't meet anyone there. And all this in glorious sunshine in the high season! If that's not a jackpot.
We make our turns down the piste and, out of breath but with a big grin on our faces, head straight to the second piste highlight that Manuela recommends: the ‘Finstergruam’ (Finstergrube). As the name suggests, the piste is rather shady and therefore easy to ski for a long time, even on spring-like days.
The red run, which connects directly to the Lärchenhang, was widened a few years ago. Since then, it only lives up to its name in December and January because it is no longer quite so dark there. However, you can now experience the training sessions and races of the local clubs that use this piste up close and learn a little about the technology.
Speaking of technique: after Manu has told us about her favourite slopes, we take a short detour to ‘Tom’. Tom is actually Thomas Lackner, owner of Intersport Lackner, world champion ski instructor at the World Ski Championships and decorated ski racer. He lives and breathes skiing and his enthusiasm for the sport and for the people who practise it is palpable. ‘It doesn't matter whether you have recreational or racing ambitions: The important thing is simply to train and keep your body fit, even between seasons.’ Then the Lärchenhang will work out too.
* Fun Fact 1: the autocorrect makes ‘Großartig’, which means magnificent, out of Großarl. :)
** The restaurant of the same name at the mountain station is a hotspot for all those who want to see and be seen. And the food is excellent - after all, bouillabaisse and crème brûlée at 2,000 metres above sea level don't come along every day. As a result, many locals and guests alike flock here.
*** Fun fact 2: The ski trail that leads into the Finstergrube is also known as the ‘Jagateeabfahrt’ - even after two or three cups of the hot drink, you should still be able to manage the very leisurely descent.
