Nassfeld

Nassfeld Ski Area

The Nassfeld mountainscape resembles that of the Sud Tirol to the south-west and the slopes are protected by the towering ramparts of the Nock mountain range and the peaks of Rosskofel and Trogkofel. A lot of work has been done recently on many of Nassfeld's ski runs to make them wider and more 'carver-friendly' for sweeping grand slalom turns. Nassfeld also prides itself on the grooming of its runs,as well as its snow-making system which covers virtually all the 110-kilometres of runs.

Madritsche is the focal point of Nassfeld's skiing with runs radiating out to left and right. The higher and more advanced skiing is to the right beneath the Trogkofel at 2,280-metres. These slopes, with some well above the tree-line, are served by the Trogkofelbahn and Zweikofelbahn gondolas. There is some exciting terrain from the Trogkofelbhan including the superb sweeping Schnittlauchkofel run, which offers a black option in the Trogkofelabfahrt running parallel to it. There is an open-to-all timed speed run near the top of the Schnittlauchkofel.

The Zweikofelbahn bottom station at Rastl, beside that of the Trogkofelbahn, takes you to just below the Zweikofel. In the shadow of this peak begins the Carnia run which descends all the way to the Tropolach valley station - a wonderful slope which eventually takes you along a tree-fringed ridge to Gmanberg, the first station of the 4-mile long Millennium Express where the floodlit skiing begins once a week. The floodlit part of the run, 2.2 kilometres long, is open every Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm. This run is also a certified FIS race track.

At present, to return to Madritsche from the Trogkofel side of the mountain you can either ski down to the bottom and ride the Millennium Express again or take the Trogkofelbahn back to the top and follow the Sattelabfahrt run which links the two sides of the mountain. But there are plans to build a new lift from Rastl which will provide a quick return to the Madritsche slopes.

Back at Madritsche there are red runs galore served principally by the Madritschen and Trogel chairlifts. At the foot of the Madritschen 6-person chair is the on-mountain village of Sonnenalpe Nassfeld with ski-in ski-out accommodation. The Italian border is here and, indeed, you can actually choose to stay in the Italian part of Sonnenalpe. There is also another beginners' area here. At the foot of the Trogel 4-seater chairlift is another base area with carparks and restaurants.

The main nursery slopes are at Tressdorferalm, at 1,590-metres, which is beside the second station of the Millennium Express. Having the beginners' slopes area here means that novices can be assured of good snow and be in the sun instead of being down at the bottom of the mountain, often with poorer quality cover and in the shade. There are two beginners' lifts here too for easy progression.

Snowboarders tend to gravitate to the Garnitzen Alm area of the mountain - to the left as you look at the mountain - where there is a terrain park and half-pipe. The Snowboard Arena has quarter pipes, high jumps and a snowcross park guaranteeing plenty of fun and action.

Nassfeld has been the venue for the Snowboard Junior World Cup and four World Cup races, so is gaining a big reputation among the boarding brotherhood and the The Pipe is spoken of in hushed tones of reverence.

Nassfeld Ski Lifts & Lift Passes

The bottom station is at 2,000 feet (610m) and the top station at 6,625 feet (2,020m) with 4,625 feet (1,410m) vertical elevation from bottom to top. There are 30 ski lifts serving a total of 110-kilometres of marked piste including five gondolabahns, four 6-seater chair lifts and four 4-seater chairs plus 17 drag-lifts. A high proportion of drag lifts admittedly, but drag lifts are still quite popular in many areas of Austria.

The ski lift network can shift 44,000 people an hour and such a powerful capacity has reduced queues to virtual non-existence. The flagship lift is the Millennium Express gondolabahn which whisks skiers and boarders from the Tropolach bottom station to Madritsche in 17 minutes - a four-mile journey gaining 1,309-metres in altitude.

The Nassfeld ski pass which, apart from day passes, covers all Carinthian and Eastern Tirol ski areas and is valid for the nearby family ski areas of Weissbriach, Weissensee and Kotschach-Mauthen. The areas are all linked by free skibus. The Nassfeld ski lift ticket costs from 159 euros for six days, from 128 euros for seniors and from 80 euros for children.

Nassfeld Beginner Skiing

Beginner skiing in Nassfeld: Tressdorfer Alm and Sonnenalpe

Both areas have their own beginners' lifts with blue runs in the vicinity for easy progression. The resort makes great efforts to specialise in the care of novices with myriad languages available in the ski school - you're sure to find an instructor who speaks yours, BBC and estuary included!

Those staying at Tropolach can easily reach the beginners' slopes by using the gondola while those at Sonnenalpe are right there anyway. Lessons are available in any combination, group or private from a half-day upwards.

Book Ski Schools & Ski Lessons in Nassfeld

Looking for private or group ski lessons in Nassfeld? Ultimate-Ski and partner CheckYeti work with leading ski schools and ski instructors in over 500 ski destinations throughout Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Let us help you choose the right ski school or instructor for you, and book online.

• Compare ski lessons and prices at ski schools 
• Qualified and experienced ski instructors and guides
• Choose the best ski school and the right classes for you
• 500+ ski destinations, 6,000+ offers, 24,000+ ski school reviews
• Confirm availability and pre-book online 
• In partnership with CheckYeti

Book Ski School Lessons Online Now >>>

Nassfeld Intermediate Skiing

The Madritsche area is where intermediates will tend to gravitate and an intricate network of reds and blues is served by the Madritschen 6-person chair, the Dreier draglift, the Sonnleitn four-person chair and the Millennium Express from Tropolach.

Staying at Sonnenalpe gives the chance to make the most of these intermediate slopes with the accommodation being mostly ski in-ski out - still a fairly unusual option for Austria. You can even ski straight down from the village to the Trogl 4-person chair which takes you up to Tressdorfer Hohe from where an array of blues and reds fans out.

And for intermediate skiers who want as much skiing in the sun as possible without the added complications of trying to see in a snowstorm Nassfeld typically offers more sunny days in Austria than other resorts.

Nassfeld Advanced Skiing

Leaving the Rudnigsattel draglift to the left will bring you to a steep, unpisted ski route down to Mossern, which can be testing, while the Trogkofelbahn gives access to the steep and sometimes icy Trogkofelabfahrt black run. The area is full of steepish and interesting, sweeping red runs such as the Schnittlauchkofel down to Rastl. The Zweikofelbahn takes you to the wonderful Carnia run which goes all the way to the valley station at Tropolach, a vertical of nearly 4,000ft.

The Hohe-Hohe lift from Mossern to Madritsche takes you to the start of the unpisted and engaging Hohe-Hohe Variant black run. While the area is not known for fearsome black runs, when the snow is good there are a number of good off-piste and powder options within the ski boundaries and advanced skiers are unlikely to be bored. And in addition, there are the nearby off-piste and touring options to consider. The Lesachtal Valley is one of the most untouched landscapes in the Eastern Alps and a wonderful choice for ski-touring.

It is uncrowded with a good record for great snow and usually offers the chance to find untouched slopes. You can have first tracks here sometimes days after a good snowfall.

There are basically seven popular routes here, all scenically glorious. They require an ascent, on skins, of between two to four hours but the effort will be worthwhile with long, long, deserted descents, often in powder, of over 4,000ft vertical. The local tourist offices all have details of the possible routes with guides available from the ski school.

Nassfeld Boarding & Freestyle

Nassfeld similarly appeals to freestylers who have a terrain park with rails and jumps, mogul runs and a ski school that runs courses incorporating funpark and mogul skills.

Snowboarders tend to gravitate to the Garnitzen Alm area of the mountain - to the left as you look at the mountain - where there is a terrain park and half-pipe. The Snowboard Arena has quarter pipes, high jumps and a snowcross park guaranteeing plenty of fun and action.

Nassfeld has been the venue for the Snowboard Junior World Cup and four World Cup races and is gaining a big reputation among the boarding brotherhood. The Pipe is spoken of in hushed tones of reverence.

Nassfeld Cross Country Skiing

There are more than 11 kilometres of high-altitude marked cross-country trails up on the mountain. One is on the Italian border - the Seeloipe, a 4.5 kilometre lakeside trail above Sonnenhalpe. Another is 4 kilometres long through the woods at Tressdorfer Alm and accessed from the Millennium Express gondola. 

But many cross-country enthusiasts will head for the 50 kilometres of double-track groomed trails at Weissensee which climb to 1,400-metres. Gliding along this network above the frozen Lake Weissensee is a supreme cross-country experience. At some points the cross-country trails run alongside the ice rinks,so entertaining impromptu races often take place between langlaufers and ice-skaters.

Cross-country instructors are also available from the ski schools and they teach both the classical and skating styles. Special packages are organised for cross-country skiers - they can include half-board in a hotel, ski rental for a week and a 3-day cross-country skiing course from 415 euros.

The trails are well-known in cross-country circles for being especially well maintained and have been awarded the Carinthian Cross-country Seal of Quality. They have even received a commendation from Markus Gandler, Olympic silver-medallist and World Champion, who often uses them for training. 'The trails are always in excellent condition,' he says. 'Just like the ones I'm used to in international cross-country competition.'

And of course, apart from ski rental and lessons, cross-country skiing is otherwise completely free throughout Carinthia.

Nassfeld Mountain Restaurants

Nassfeld is well supplied with mountain restaurants - 18 at the last count, 12 of them with table service. The Watschiger Alm is known for its kasespatzle (cheese noodles topped with fried onions) and kaiserschmarren (chopped up pancakes with sultanas and fruit compote) and its large sun terrace.

The Tressdorfer Alm specialises in pizzas and spare ribs and has an afternoon umbrella bar for early après-ski revellers. You can nip across the border to eat Italian-style at the Albergo Ristorante Al gallo Forcello at Pontebba - a restaurant so confused it has intriguingly an Austrian telephone number and an Italian fax number. Perhaps different rooms are in different countries with the border running through the middle of the building!

At Sonnenalpe, the Alpenhof Plattner does both good lasagne and Austrian grostl. The Rudnigalm, halfway down the Schnittlauchkofel red run, is another popular lunchtime stop-off with a good sun terrace.

Nassfeld Village

All have basic shopping facilities - ski clothing and rental shops, bars and restaurants - but are not substantial villages. However, there is everything you need on hand for a ski holiday, especially with the fantastic facilities, spa, restaurants and bars, in the hotels.

The nearest town is Hermagor - the name comes from St Hermagoras, a bishop of Roman times who fell foul of the Emperor Nero and was subsequently tortured and beheaded (his statue stands in the town) - with a shuttle bus service to the slopes.

The nearest large town is Villach with a mass of shopping, restaurant and nightlife.

Nassfeld Bars & Restaurants

Most of the dining options are based at the hotels with the Al Gallo Forcello the obvious Italian choice and the Falkensteiner Carinzia at Tropolach for international dishes. The Barenhutte at Tropolach is popular, especially for ribs. The restaurant at the Hotel Lerchenhof in Hermagor, built in castle style, is worth a visit for its atmosphere alone.

Apres Ski

In Tropolach, at the base of the Millennium Express, the Barenhutte is the centre of après-ski. Partying can go on to the early hours here, with the serving of spare ribs, particularly if there is a lively crowd in from the Cube Hotel just across the way. The Cube also has a disco of its own.

At Sonnenalpe, the Hotel Sonnenalpe has a lively après-ski bar, as do many of the other hotels, and the Al gallo Forcello often has live music to entertain après-skiers. Umbrella bars are dotted about and drinking continues at a number of the huts until it is time to ski cautiously down to the hotels.

It is also quite common to travel to Hermagor where there are a number of lively bars. Not to be missed is an après-ski drink at the somewhat eccentric but quite charming Schloss Hotel Lerchenhof built as a chateau by the industrialist Julius Wodley in 1848 on a sunny plateau above the town. Set in parkland, it is now owned by the Steinwender family and Hans Steinwender is a lively host - the gluhwein flows at après-ski time and on some nights there is a disco.

But the winter highlight at Schloss Hotel Lerchenhof is a giant snowman built in the grounds amid great celebration which stays there all winter as the focal point of après-ski parties.

Nassfeld Other Activities

The frozen Weissensee is the centre of many activities, including skating and ice golf. Skating lessons are available at certain times of the winter and ice golf is not really played directly on the ice, rather on a 'carpet' of snow that has been rolled flat. The technique takes some getting used to. Coloured balls are essential. The rough is where the snow has not been rolled and even coloured balls get lost easily here. An even smoother, more heavily rolled area acts as the 'green'. Or rather the 'white'.

Curling is very popular - an activity best practised with the aid of copious amounts of gluhwein and schnapps. Many of these activities are also on offer on the Preggersee, even closer to Nassfeld, as soon as it freezes over.

But it is the Weissensee that is famous for its Ice Skating marathon, held in February when more than 5,000 Dutch skaters travel there (2008 marks the 20th holding of the event) to see who can skate fastest over various distances. The highlight is the marathon itself covering 200 kilometres. The current record is 5hrs 11minutes.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides are popular, both over the ice and around the streets, and for winter walkers there are many cleared hiking paths. One of the most popular off-slope activities is taking advantage of the many hotel spas with a variety of treatments on offer from a haybath to a hot-stone massage.