Carinthia Ski Resorts

Carinthia: Sun-Drenched Pistes; 600km Cross-Country Trails - Set in southern Austria, Carinthia borders Italy and Slovenia. It is a region of jagged peaks, 100 lakes, and year-round sunshine. Carinthia boasts 20 ski resorts, 600 kilometres of cross-country trails, and summer skiing on the Molltal glacier. It is also home to the longest underground... Full Overview

Carinthia: Sun-Drenched Pistes; 600km Cross-Country Trails -

Set in southern Austria, Carinthia borders Italy and Slovenia. It is a region of jagged peaks, 100 lakes, and year-round sunshine. Carinthia boasts 20 ski resorts, 600 kilometres of cross-country trails, and summer skiing on the Molltal glacier. It is also home to the longest underground funicular.

Some of the most popular ski resorts in Carinthia include Nassfeld/Hermagor, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Katschberg, Sirnitz-Albeck-Hochrindl, Klippitztorl, Koralpe, Flattnitz, Heiligenblut-Grossglockner, Feistritz-Petzen ob Bleiburg, and the Molltal Glacier.

On the western edge of Carinthia, below the Grossglockner, lies the mountain village of Heiligenblut. The 55 kilometres of downhill runs are set between 1300 and 2900 metres altitude and have reliable snowfall. It also offers 10 kilometres of cross-country trails, sledding, ice skating, ice climbing, and snow rafting.

The Molltal glacier features 53 kilometres of pistes and a snow park. Its high-altitude setting at 3000 metres guarantees excellent powder and skiing throughout the summer. The Gletscher-Express, the longest underground funicular, takes skiers and boarders up to Carinthia's highest ski area within just eight minutes.

The ski area of Nassfeld/Hermagor boasts 110 kilometres of sunny slopes. The Millennium Express takes skiers up to the Sonnenalpe Nassfeld in just 17 minutes. It is also home to one of Europe's longest floodlit pistes at 2.2 kilometres as well as a snow cross park with halfpipe, rails, boxes and kickers.

Bad Kleinkirchheim is a family favourite. It features 93 kilometres of slopes for all levels and a children's slope, children's lift, magic carpet, children's park, and a day nursery. The resort also offers a range of modern amenities, including 23 bars and restaurants, and a disco.

The 20 kilometres of ski slopes in Sirnitz-Albeck-Hochrindl are set between 1500 and 1900 metres altitude and best suited to intermediate skiers and boarders. It is also home to a new FIS racing and training trail and 20 kilometres of cross-country trails. Non-skiers can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, toboggan runs, and winter walks. The town centre offers a good choice of accommodation, restaurants, and bars.

Klippitztorl features 28 kilometres of pistes reaching a height of 1820 metres altitude. It also offers three kilometres of cross-country trails and a terrain park for boarders. The northern ski area of Katschberg has 60 kilometres of slopes of varying difficulty set between 110 and 2210 metres altitude, as well as 50 kilometres of cross-country trails.

Koralpe - the largest winter sports resort in the southeast Alps - has five lift systems serving 28 kilometres of slopes. Skiers and boarders can reach a height of 2100 metres altitude. The smaller resort of Flattnitz has just five pistes (one green, one blue, two red, and one black) and reaches a height of 1840 metres altitude.

Petzen-Feistritz ob Bleiburg offers panoramic views over the Jaun Valley and lakes. Skiers and boarders will enjoy the 20 kilometres of slopes, including a 12-kilometre-long downhill run.

Skiing in Carinthia is slightly less expensive than many Alpine resorts. All Carinthian ski resorts are within two hours' drive of Klagenfurt Airport; budget airlines such as Ryanair fly direct to Klagenfurt from many European cities including London Stansted.

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