Southern family happiness in Carinthia, the winter paradise

The Carinthian formula for happiness for families is child’s play: Because Austria’s southernmost province makes winter dreams come true. It’s child’s play for aspiring ski stars to learn their first turns on wide, superbly groomed slopes. Elsewhere, exuberant toboggan runs, exciting excursion destinations and winter wellness await for your relaxation. When heavy snowflakes dance from the mountain peaks all the way down into the valleys and cover Carinthia in white, the south invites you to enjoy unforgettable winter moments for young and old alike. The following tips will light up the eyes of children:

1. Learning to ski with Heidi and Peter

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Heidi Alm

The Heidi Alm Bergresort in Falkert is an insider tip for families and connoisseurs. The popular figures from the children’s series Heidi promise a playful approach to learning in the snow. Children’s hotels, a children’s ski school, the Heidi Alm ski park, here everything revolves around the big wishes of the little ones. Wide and safe slopes await the young winter sports enthusiasts, who are well looked after by experienced ski instructors.
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2. Animal winter fun on the Katschberg

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Spass mit dem Schneemann am Katschberg

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Advent Katschberg Pistenspass

Katschberg

The Katschberg family region is ideally equipped to meet the needs of the whole family. While the parents enjoy skiing on the 70 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, which can be fully covered in snow, the children enjoy themselves in Katschi's Children's World: A specially closed off nursery slope with fun, life-size figures enables safe and carefree skiing; those who don’t want to carry their skis to the next slope on foot can simply be picked up from the hotel in style by the horse-drawn carriage. That’s really something to neigh about, isn’t it? And, if the little skiers need a break, heated pavilions are available for a rest.
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3. Surprisingly simple

A new surprise awaits you on every slope on the Nassfeld. Especially for young people. In the breathtaking fun park areas and on the mogul slopes, boredom doesn’t stand a chance, everyone can test their skills on the speed & ski movie sections, and thanks to the free WiFi throughout the ski area, everyone’s friends will know in an instant how beautiful it is up here on the border with Italy. 

Thirty modern cable cars ensure a fast ascent to the 110- kilometre paradise of slopes. For those who are looking for something special, the piste known as “The Snake” awaits with waves, jumps and steep bends, it winds its way for 700 metres through an idyllic tract of forest. For that little bit more.
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4. The Nocky Flitzer “flits” even in winter

Thirteen steep curves, 15 waves and 3 loops - the Nocky Flitzer, the spectacular alpine roller coaster on the Turracher Höhe, delivers invigorating experiences. Over a distance of 1,600 metres, you streak down into the valley. Even in winter! And grandma and grandpa can also be part of this winter “buzz” because the cable car takes young and old, big and small, directly to the entrance of the roller coaster. In addition, the ski area at Turracher Höhe offers the best amusement mountain facility in Austria with kids’ slope, snow park, fun slope, fun-cross and family line for all the younger guests.
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5. Family ski area and spa paradise in Bad Kleinkirchheim

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Bad Kleinkirchheim Rodelspass

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Therme Bad Kleinkirchheim

Bad Kleinkirchheim impresses with its wide slopes: Over 100 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes await families, while 24 lifts guarantee a comfortable ascent. After trying your luck on the slopes, two thermal baths promise relaxing hours: The alpine wellness temple, the Thermal Römerbad, with an area of 12,000 square metres and 13 themed saunas, as well as the St. Kathrein family spa, which opened in September 2017 and has the largest area of water in Carinthia. An absolute highlight for young guests is the 86 metre-long indoor slide, Carinthia’s longest.
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6. Fairytale Dobratsch Nature Park

Under the motto “Dobratsch - unplugged”, you can experience truly fairytale moments in the nature park: For example, on a guided night hike without artificial light but with historical lamps to the Hundsmarhof, with crackling camp fire and exciting stories from times long gone. For “magical moments” in the middle of Carinthia’s untouched winter landscape that you’ll remember forever.
Further active in nature programmes can be booked here.

7. Everything on a single card – even in winter

From exploring the snow-covered mountains to a relaxing snowshoe hike through Carinthia’s stunning nature, the Kärnten Card is the ideal winter companion. Impressive views from the top of the Pyramidenkogel, a spot of culture at the Carinthian museums, various mountain lifts and more complete the winter experience. Further information: www.kaerntencard.at 

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But that's not all: The sunny south offers many more winter adventures.

Whether exciting snowshoe hikes with wildlife watching for real nature boys and girls, whooping with joy toboggan runs for adventurers, skating for speed skaters, building snowmen or in the Christmas bakeries - here, everyone can collect glittering memories or recall their very personal "taste of childhood".

The most important general rule when you go skiing: get your equipment checked before the start of every season! Helmets are compulsory for children and teens up to the age of 15.

Weather today, 19. March 2024