Franz Gerdl

Experience the best skiing in Austria

Sweeping, sunny slopes with guaranteed snow and the special energy for life in the south – that’s the joy of winter here in Carinthia! With 24 ski regions and more than 800 kilometres of pistes there is plenty for snow sports enthusiasts to enjoy and some of the best skiing in Austria. At the same time our motto in Carinthia has always been to relax and enjoy life. Tasting delicious Alpe-Adria cuisine and finding your bliss at the thermal spa is all part of ski holidays Austria.

10 great reasons why you should ski Austria

Here in Carinthia, on the southern side of the Alps, it’s not about “higher, faster, further”, but active fun and embracing the joy of life. All set amidst a varied mountain landscape studded with picturesque lakes. Add some of the best places to ski in Austria and you have perfect conditions for a winter holiday.

The slopes are particularly sunny on the southern side of the Austrian Alps, and Carinthia’s mild winter climate sees a higher number of sunny days than Austria ski resorts on the northern side of the alpine divide.

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You will find modern and sophisticated infrastructure across Austria ski resorts, which receive significant investment each year. From higher, faster and bigger lifts to extended ski areas, Austria is always upgrading the holiday experience for its winter guests.

Mountain Resort Feuerberg_Familienspaß im Aussenpool im Winter

Franz Gerdl Mountain Resort Feuerberg

You’ll find plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation at Austria ski resorts. With over 40 ski areas, the selection of accommodation in Carinthia ranges from inexpensive to luxury, often with a focus on wellness, family and gourmet. Many resorts offer a ski-in-ski-out Austria experience or convenient proximity to the slopes.

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Where are the best ski areas in Austria? Regularly included as one of the top 10 ski resorts in Austria is Nassfeld in Carinthia. This fabulous ski resort is sure to impress with its size, variety of pistes and breathtaking mountain scenery.

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On the sunny southern side of the Alps the joy of living is so palpable you can taste it! Carinthia lies where Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet and so the Alpe-Adria influence can be both felt and tasted. Enjoy the fresh produce harvested locally in season that give Alpine-Adriatic cuisine that special flavour. Here, longstanding cooking traditions and new interpretations merge to form a delicious regional style.

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You’ll never regret learning to ski at Austria ski resorts. Ski schools in Carinthia and throughout Austria have highly-trained instructors who love making sure beginner skiers of all ages have a great experience and learn the right techniques.

Heidihotel am Falkert im Winter mit der Familie

Martin Steinthaler TINEFOTO / Heidi Hotel

Austria is famous for its thermal spas – it is part of the culture – and nowhere more so than in Carinthia. For the most blissful relaxation after an energetic day on the slopes, experience the healing waters and world of saunas set amidst the snowy mountain landscapes of Austria ski resorts.

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Carinthia enjoys a long ski season, usually lasting from November through to May in the highest resorts. Austria is the only one of four countries in the world that has lift served skiing all year round!

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Safety is always a top priority for Austria ski resorts and winter holidays don’t come more chilled than in Carinthia. The province’s high COVID-19 safety standards and the measures implemented by Carinthian hosts guarantee peace of mind throughout your stay.

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Carinthia has much more to offer than just skiing, snowboarding, freeriding and touring. There are a variety of options to awaken the excitement of family members of all ages, from tobogganing and ice skating to museums and more.

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When is the best time to ski Austria?

The best snow conditions at Austria ski resorts are generally to be found in mid-January, the coldest time of the year. Hitting the slopes from late February is a good time for sun-seekers as temperatures become progressively milder. The most crowded time on the ski lifts is the Christmas/New Year period, although this is a magical time of year to visit. If you want to avoid crowds, ski Austria before Christmas, after the first week of January, or during the middle two weeks of March. Skiing in Austria in April is also a great option outside of the Easter holiday.

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The best snow-sure ski resorts in Austria

The ski season in Carinthia is unusually long, with many ski resorts opening from November through to May thanks to microclimates that provide plenty of powder as well as higher-than-average sunshine. Strong snow-making coverage at Austria ski resorts supports nature in guaranteeing snow-secure skiing.

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Ski through summer at Mölltaler Gletscher

Visit Carinthia’s only glacier ski resort and snap your skis on all year round on the Mölltaler Gletscher. This one of the best ski resorts in Austria for skiing in glorious sunshine as it is open 11 months of the year, only closing for a month from the middle of May. You can even go cross-country skiing and skating at the 2,200m mid station.

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Winter sports fun at Ankogel/Mallnitz

A ski holiday in Austria’s southern province of Carinthia means pure joy on wide pistes, with guaranteed snow, breathtaking freeride areas and snow parks at the Ankogel/Mallnitz ski area. It is also known for its varied freeride terrain, with descents of up to 1,600 m difference in altitude.

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The heart of the mountains at Grossglockner

At the foot of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner ski area offers a fantastic panoramic view of more than forty 3,000 m peaks in the Hohe Tauern National Park. It has 55 km of varied and snowy pistes, served by 11 modern cable cars and lifts. This impressive Austria ski resort offers “Magical Moments” – guided tours to places you would never be able to reach alone!

Bobo Kinderclub Innerkrems Sport Schiffer

Come to the ‘Family Valley’ at Innerkrems

Innerkrems is one of Carinthia’s snowiest ski resorts, located at between 1,550 and 2,200 metres in Familiental, the ‘Family Valley’. This is a region where family comes first, offering some of the best skiing in Austria for beginners and accommodation to suit every taste and budget with 60 km of ski runs and 10 lifts.

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The winter paradise of Turracher Höhe

Nestled in the Nockberge region, Turracher Höhe offers a diverse and snowy winter paradise at altitudes of up to 2,205 metres from November to early May. In winter, the idyllic Lake Turrach becomes a giant skating rink, which skiers and snowboarders can circle on immaculately groomed pistes. There are 42 km of ski runs with a rich variety of slopes of varying difficulty served by 14 cable cars and lifts.

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Ski where the sun shines in Nassfeld

There’s something for everyone at Nassfeld, where 30 modern cable cars and lifts promise fun across more than 110 kilometres of pistes, including the Snowpark Nassfeld, the freeride areas and more! 100 more hours of sunshine than the northern Alps means guaranteed snow for your ski holidays Austria, thanks to the unique microclimate and 100% coverage snowmaking facilities.

The best ski resorts in Austria for beginners

Ski schools in Austria have well-trained, experienced instructors to teach beginners the right technique in the snow from the start, while having fun. This reduces physical effort and also the risk of accidents, meaning that beginners can enjoy skiing from their very first lesson.

The Moelltal Glacier is particularly well equipped for beginner skiers, with very good practice areas at the middle station and easy runs on the glacier and on the slopes down to the Klühspies panorama lift.

The Turracher Höhe ski area has beginners’ slopes at the Übungswiesenlift, the Wildkopflift and Zirbelwaldbahn lifts, as well as pistes for more confident beginners, meaning that newcomers to ski holidays in Austria can explore a great selection of slopes.

Katschberg has wide slopes and good practice areas on both the Katschberghöhe or in St. Margarethen.

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Franz Gerdl

Advent Katschberg Skifahren am Katschberg

Top ski resorts for families

Plenty of sun, the mild climate on the south side of the Alps and wide, safe slopes ensure that ski lessons in Carinthia are a complete success for families with children. Innerkrems is known as the ‘Family Valley’, offering perfect winter holidays to suit every taste and budget and focusing on family skiing. At Turracher Höhe, kids love the mascot ‘Nocky’ and this Austria ski resort has a Kids Slope and a snowpark with a family-line. Nassfeld has no less than three children’s practise areas and a Funslope Park. Set your kids up for a lifetime of fun on the snow with ski holidays in Austria.

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Covid-19: Will Austria ski resorts open this year?

It’s time to feel the snow under your boots again. Although it continues to be difficult to predict how travel regulations will progress during the pandemic, with vaccination rates rising in Europe, ski holidays in Austriafor 2021/22 are looking hopeful. Double vaccinated skiers are likely to be able to travel without quarantine restrictions. So which Austria ski resorts will be open?

Many ski places in Austria are offering very flexible cancellation conditions and we recommend you contact your accommodation to discuss the options. Tour operators are also offering terms and conditions that ensure you can book ski packages in Austria with confidence.

How can I save money on ski holidays in Austria?

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Don’t forget to make the most of your time when you visit Austria in winter by picking up one of the regional ski passes and discount cards.

From exploring the snow-covered mountains on skis to a snowshoe hike through Carinthia’s stunning natural landscapes, the Kärnten Card is the ideal winter companion. Impressive views from the top of the Pyramidenkogel, a spot of culture at Carinthian museums, various mountain lifts and more complete the winter experience. Make them all part of your ski Austria experience with the Winter Kärnten Card from just € 31. Further information: www.kaerntencard.at

The ‘One for all’ ski pass is the key to 31 ski areas across Carinthia and East Tyrol. There are also regional ski passes with many attractive perks, such as the "Ski and Wellness Weeks" in Bad Kleinkirchheim. www.topskipass.at Austria ski resorts offer especially amazing value for families. In the Grossglockner/Heiligenblut ski region children under 10 years of age can ski with a “Snowman Ticket” for just € 4 per day. The Bad Kleinkirchheim/St. Oswald region offers the "Family Euro" so that children up to 12 years of age can ski for just € 1 per day. In Nassfeld and Weissensee, children up to the age of 10 can ski Austria for free. And Sportberg Goldeck’s winter package is popular with families, offering free skiing for children up to 14 years of age.

Accommodation in Austria

Start planning your trip to ski in Austria today. Browse the website to find everything you need to know, from short ski breaks to all-inclusive ski holidays. Whether you are looking for a ski in ski out Austria experience or simply the best skiing in Austria, start looking forward to the most fun vacation of the year now!

Skifahren in der Region Bad Kleinkirchheim

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