Winter in Carinthia

As well as offering a wide range of leisure activities in summer, Carinthia is a true paradise for winter sports enthusiasts in the colder months. Klagenfurt is encircled by mountains and lakes and consequently serves as the perfect starting point for your diverse leisure activities.

Icy delight: In winter, temperatures can dip to minus 15 degrees and then it’s time to strap on your ice skates and glide across the ice or chase the ice puck along the Lendkanal. The Lendkanal is a man-made waterway with a length of four kilometres that runs from Lake Wörthersee to the centre of Klagenfurt. However, the number one destination in Carinthia, when it comes to ice skating, is the legendary Lake Weissensee. Covering an area of 6.5 square kilometres, it is the largest consistently frozen surface in Europe.

Hotspot for freestyle: It’s the perfect alternative to the typical fun of the ski slopes and offers the chance to gain even more speed: The “Largest Fun Mountain in Austria” in the Nockberge mountains, with a snow park, an XXL Funslope, and the Funcross. Pure skiing pleasure and plenty of action for experienced skiers and those who just want a bit of fun can be had there.

White pleasure: Carinthia is also known for its reliable snow conditions and higher-than-average hours of sunshine. Over 800 kilometres of pistes in 24 ski areas guarantee great fun on the slopes. Those of us who are a bit more sporty can grab their touring skis and enjoy the pristine landscape of the Carinthian mountains. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, however, you can take a snowshoe hike up a mountain, around a lake or right across a valley.

Cosy Advent feelings: Carinthia is a land rich in charming Advent markets: You have about a one hundred percent chance of hearing “Last Christmas” at least once an hour in the middle of the Christmas hustle and bustle on Neuer Platz and Alter Platz in Klagenfurt. In contrast, quieter times can be had at the Silent Advent on Pörtschach’s lakeside promenade. For a particularly atmospheric experience, visit the Christmas market at the foot of the Pyramidenkogel tower: The lighting effects on the tower add a particularly romantic touch.