Nassfeld Ski Area, Austria, Way More Than Slopes

By Author: Boštjan Hozjan
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The green, as you may know, shows you all the nature (mountains, lakes, parks, reserves) in the area. If you're looking for mountains and nature in your next ski holiday, you won't want to miss what Nassfeld Austria ski resort and town has to offer you this ski season.

The Nassfeld Austrian ski resort is the southernmost ski area in Austria. Nassfeld is actually housed by the Carnic Alps and neighbors both Slovenia to the south and Italy to the east. If you drive from Calais during the winter ski season, it will take anywhere from 10-12 hours on the Salzburg-Villach tariff motorway. You'll have to drive to Carinthia (often called Kaernten), as this is the location of the Nassfeld ski arena and area. It will take about one hour from Klagenfurt. Both Tropolach and Sonnenalpe towns are considered part of the Nassfeld ski area. Both of these towns offer hotels at hand. The former, Tropolach, has the Millennium Express gondola while the latter, Sonnenalpe, is within the Italian border. Both, however, can get you to the hub of the Nessfeld ski area in no time at all.

The snow in Nassfeld Austria starts falling in late ...
... November with the ski season stretched until mid to late April (29th of November 2008 to 19th of April 2009). Nassfeld is the most southern ski arena in Austria and is located in the Alps. Snow is guaranteed; skiing is guaranteed; slopes are guaranteed; and, sun is guaranteed too. No matter the season, this part of the Alps in Austria is considered by some to be the sunniest areas in the whole country. And, even if the sun disappears and the moon casts its shadow, there is weekly floodlight tobogganing and night skiing, so you'll always have a chance to tackle your favored ski slopes.

The Nassfeld resort can be considered to go as low as 600 meters but typically is quoted at 1300 to 2000 meters. The Millennium Express gondola is over 6000 meters in length and may very well be the longest transporting gondola in all of Europe. You can hop on the Express at Tropolach (600 m) and ride to Madritsche (over 1900 m) in less than fifteen minutes. The Carnia downhill run is almost 8 km long and should only be attempted by intermediate and advanced skiers. In total, there are over 100 km of downhill runs and 30 lifts (transporting over 40,000 skiers per hour) to get you around.

As seems to be the theme in the Alps, intermediate skiers will get the most of these runs with a whopping 18 to choose from. Beginners and advanced skiers will have to master less with five and six respectively. There are a couple hundred snow cannons with slopes facing every direction of the compass rose. Additionally, there are well-marked cross-country routes and 300 km to ride and glide all day long. These turn into over 1000 km of hiking trails in the summer. There are two snowboard parks for snowboarders to get wild on. Some of the premier skiing in Nassfeld starts from Madritsche (1919 m), Rudnigsattel (1945 m), Gartnerkofel (2195 m) and Troghohe (2020 m).

Nassfeld ski area in Austria has way more than slopes to keep you satisfied on your ski holiday this winter. Ice skating or just running amok on Lake Weissensee will be a half- or full-day experience in itself. Lake Weissensee is the largest fully frozen lake in all of Europe. During certain parts of the ski season, the Lake presents ice hockey, ice-skating and ice golf on its nearly seven square kilometer of frozen lake. In addition to the Lake, adults and children alike can go snow tubing, snow biking, snow scootering, take sleigh rides, horse rides, toboggan rides or go for shoe walks, snow walks, snow hikes or floodlight skiing. One of the best apres ski venues includes the unforgettable Cube Nightclub, with DJs, bars, entertainers and some traditional music.

Nassfeld ski resort is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest Austrian ski resort. It's best to start early if you're going to buy a day pass and stay as long as you can. Most slopes shut down before 5:00 pm (1700 hrs). A one-day adult ski pass will cost around €38. A three-day ski pass for an adult will cost €108; a child will cost around €55. An adult season pass will cost around €330 and children will pay no more than €165. With lodging and food to think about, it may actually be cheaper to stay longer in Nassfeld, Austria. The ski area really caters to families with children. There's a daycare system in place that can actually keep an eye on toddlers for most of the day. You can ski in peace knowing you and your family is having the ski holiday of your dreams.