Ski Areas in Carinthia: Sun Skiing, Diversity, and Stunning Panoramas
Snow enthusiasts can look forward to more than 800 kilometers of pistes spanning over 20 ski areas and glorious sunshine in abundance in the ski areas of Carinthia.
Diverse Winter Destinations in Carinthia
From popular Nassfeld to the ultra-family-friendly Gerlitzen, from the snowy Turracher Höhe to Mölltal Glacier: Carinthia’s ski areas offer pure winter joy amid sunny alpine landscapes, perfectly groomed slopes, snow you can count on, and breathtaking views of the Alps-Adriatic region. Modern lift systems ensure comfort and convenience, while cozy ski huts serve Carinthian specialties like Kasnudeln and Reindling, inviting you to relax and refuel.
Carinthia is home to more than 20 ski areas, including highlights such as Nassfeld, the biggest ski resort in Carinthia; Bad Kleinkirchheim, which combines skiing with thermal spas; and Gerlitzen, an ideal family destination. Reliably snowy ski areas like the Mölltal Glacier promise skiing well into springtime, while family-friendly regions such as the Katschberg and Turracher Höhe feature dedicated children’s zones, professional ski schools, and additional attractions like the ever-popular Nocky Flitzer.
Away from the pistes, too, winter in Carinthia has so much to offer: Lake Weissensee, for example, draws ice skaters with Europe’s largest expanse of natural ice, as well as cross-country skiers with a quality-certified trail network. Look forward to what is sure to be an unforgettable winter holiday!
ALPS RESORTS in Carinthian Ski Areas
In these three popular Carinthian ski areas, we are delighted to welcome you to eight ALPS RESORTS, three of which are located directly in the ski area itself with ski-in/ski-out accessibility.
Nassfeld Ski Area
- Location: Gailtal in Carinthia/Nassfeld Pass (Passo Pramollo)/Tröpolach; 600 to 2,002 m elevation
- Piste kilometers: 110 km
- Lifts: 30 ski lifts
- Highlights: The Austria-Italy border runs along the Nassfeld Pass. Nassfeld is actually the largest ski area in Carinthia, boasting 100% snow reliability and countless hours of sunshine.
- Dates: December 6, 2024, to April 21, 2025
Gerlitzen Ski Area
- Location: Villach-Faaker-See-Ossiacher See region; elevations up to 1,909 m
- Piste kilometers: 53 km (34 different runs)
- Lifts: 21 ski lifts
- Highlights: The Gerlitzen Alpe treats you to a breathtaking 360° panorama. On clear days, views extend all the way to the Hohe Tauern range and Slovenia. At its base lies the Ossiacher See, whilst Villach, with its charming shops and cafés, is only about 18 km away.
- Dates: November 23, 2024, to April 6, 2025
Turracher Höhe Ski Area
- Location: In the Nockberge mountains at 1,795 meters above sea level, the Turracher Höhe marks the border between Styria and Carinthia, with pistes reaching elevations of up to 2,200 meters
- Piste kilometers: 43 km
- Lifts: 16 ski lifts
- Highlights: The Turracher Höhe captivates visitors with Europe’s largest uninterrupted expanses of Swiss pine, and three idyllic mountain lakes. A 12-kilometer ski circuit takes you around the lakes, offering marvelous panoramas. For adrenaline fans, the year-round Nocky Flitzer Alpine Coaster is a must.
A personal "piste butler" ensures unforgettable vacation moments, guiding visitors to the most beautiful, most exciting locations on the Turracher Höhe as part of the exclusive Butler Program. - Dates: November 23, 2024, to April 14, 2025
Culinary Specialties from Carinthia
Reindl, Ritschert, Reindling – or perhaps Carinthian-style dumplings, Kaiserschmarrn, or cheesy spätzle?
Aside from such Austrian ski-hut classics like goulash soup, roast pork, Germknödel, and apple strudel, Carinthia offers countless other culinary delights that are quite exceptional. That said, keep an eye out for:
- Kärntner Kasnudeln: The most popular Carinthian dumpling features a delicate noodle dough filled with a mixture of quark, potatoes, and mild mint, hand-crimped along the edges. Other variations include meat-filled dumplings, potato dumplings, apple dumplings, and many more.
- Ritschert: A hearty barley stew with groats, lentils or beans, root vegetables, and smoked pork
- Reindling: A sweet dessert of yeast dough filled with cinnamon, sugar, butter, and raisins, traditionally served around Eastertime.
Our 3 Highlights in Carinthian Ski Areas close to ALPS RESORTS
- #1: Butler Program in the Turracher Höhe Ski Area: The butler guides guests through the family-friendly Turracher Höhe ski area on the Carinthia/Styria border, accompanies them for a session of early-morning skiing, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at lift operations.
- #2: Freeriding in the Gerlitzen Alpe Ski Area: Gerlitzen offers about 15 kilometers of untouched routes for powder skiing away from the regular groomed slopes. Enjoy incredible panoramic views extending as far as Slovenia and the Hohe Tauern mountains!
- #3: Sun Skiing in the Nassfeld Ski Area: La dolce vita meets the warmth of Carinthian hospitality under bright sunshine, with snow conditions that are truly impressive. Compared to other ski areas, Nassfeld, on the Italian border, boasts about 100 more hours of sunshine annually. Additionally, Old Man Winter (in this case, the Adriatic low-pressure system) ensures abundant snowfall in Carinthia’s biggest ski resort.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Carinthia’s Ski Areas
Yes, many ski areas in Carinthia, such as the Turracher Höhe and Gerlitzen, offer family packages, kid-friendly slopes, and ski schools to ensure an unforgettable experience for winter sports enthusiasts big and small.
Absolutely! In addition to alpine skiing and snowboarding, Carinthia’s ski areas offer a full spectrum of winter activities including ice skating on Lake Weissensee, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing, certain to make your winter holiday diverse and exciting.