Carinthia

[by Irma Heuven]

A sunny winter holiday on the south side of the Alps

The slopes are particularly sunny on the southern side of the Austrian Alps, which is one of
the reasons why Carinthia is becoming ever more popular as a winter sports destination. The
sun-drenched slopes combined with a helping of southern hospitality and rounded off with
Carinthian Alpe-Adria cuisine completes winter stays. The abundance of sunshine can also be
seen in the numbers, of course. Carinthia’s ski resorts register around 100 more hours of
sun in the winter months than destinations north of the main alpine ridge.
Skiing towards the sun – this is possible on the Gerlitzen Alpe in the heart of Carinthia, for
example.

In another ski area, on the Turracher Höhe, guests are served drinks by a Slope Butler
service that celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. Those who really want to make the most of the
sun on the slopes should not miss Early Morning Skiing. In Bad Kleinkirchheim you are even
accompanied by Olympic champion Franz Klammer.

Afterward, participants can refuel over a
delicious brunch with Alpe-Adria specialities.

Carinthia’s ski areas offer ideal conditions for a restful winter holiday on and off the slopes, far from mass tourism. The lift operators focus on safety, comfort, and snow reliability.
Comfortable modern lifts with heated seats, such as on Nassfeld or on the Gerlitzen Alpe,
challenging downhill runs on the Turrach and Katschberg or Carinthia’s highest ski areas amidst three thousand meter summits on the Mölltaler Gletscher/Ankogel and the Grossglockner/
Heiligenblut, guarantee snowsure fun until well into spring.

The smaller Carinthian ski areas in
the Lavanttal Valley and Nockberge Mountains present themselves as family-friendly with open
slopes.

Sunny views of pristine nature

The Nockberge-Trail , Austria’s first ski touring trail that can be booked online, connects the five
ski areas of Katschberg, Innerkrems, Turrach, Falkert, and Bad Kleinkirchheim/St. Oswald.

It’s an ideal choice for casual ski tourers who have a good knowledge of the sport and are in good physical
condition but aren’t interested in exploring high alpine passages. Allow up to six hours for each of
the five stages, with a number of lifts and cableways giving the option of saving yourself a few
meters in altitude along the way. Start when, where, with whom, and how you want.

Ski tourers can make use of select establishments, a piece of handy luggage, and shuttle service as
well as a trail hotline along the Nockberge Trail.

Another special feature of the Nockberge Trail:
instead of sleeping on mattresses in dormitories, as you would on other multi-day ski tours, you can
stay in premium (wellness) hotels that serve first-class Alpe-Adria cuisine.

By the way: The Nockberge Trail becomes a hiking route in the snow-free months.

Relax on a winter hike or snowshoe tour
Those who don’t enjoy skiing or ski touring, but still like to be active, will love winter in Carinthia.
There are wonderful opportunities to go winter hiking or tobogganing. An impressive backdrop
can be found when snowshoeing through Klippitztörl, Dobratsch Nature Park, or the Dreiländereck.
You can even join guided tours if you like.