Winter Holidays in Carinthia
Snow, fun and sunshine

Visit Carinthia in Summer
The southern side of the Alps is perfect for winter: Sun-kissed ski resorts, frozen natural lakes, and an abundance of alpine charm.

Southern Austria enchants in winter with its breathtaking mix of mountains and lakes. Surrounded by the Hohe Tauern and Nockberge ranges, Carinthia offers both small family-friendly ski resorts and larger winter sports areas. Winter hikes and snowshoe walks through snow-covered forests, as well as ice skating on frozen natural lakes, provide unforgettable nature experiences. For relaxation, thermal baths and wellness treatments are available.

The region is shaped by the slow food philosophy, with a focus on local specialities like Carinthian Kasnudeln and fresh fish. The Hohe Tauern National Park, the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, and the Dobratsch Nature Park preserve Carinthia’s unique natural beauty.

Facts about Carinthia
Capital city:Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Area:9.538 km²
Population:approx. 570,000 (as of 2024)
National parks:1
Nature parks:3
Wellness spas:5

Carinthia Card:
Arts and culture, leisure activities for the whole family, adventure worlds - with the Carinthia Card there's a lot to experience.

Winter in Carinthia:
Here, you'll find a to-do list for an exciting winter holiday in Carinthia.

Meet Carinthia

Top highlights

Skiing: Towards the winter sun
Ice skating on Lake Weissensee: A winter wonderland
Pyramidenkogel: Stunning views of Carinthia
Gerlitzen Alpe: Nature and views
Advent markets: Embrace the season
Thermal baths: Relax and unwind

Activities in Carinthia

Tours

Torchlight hikes in the Rennweg-Katschberg region
Stargazing: Take an astronomy tour
Tour in the Hohe Tauern National Park: Book a ranger
Dobratsch: Snowshoeing under the moonlight

Christmas Markets in Carinthia.

Christmas time in Carinthia

Excursion destinations in Carinthia

Regions

Hohe Tauern National Park

The most mysterious sites in the national park include the extensive glacier fields, glacial valleys and fascinating flora and fauna.

Hohe Tauern National Park

Weissensee Nature Park

The Weissensee Nature Park has plenty to offer for a sporting break: A small ski area, ice skating on the lake and winter hiking.

Weissensee Nature Park

Nockberge Mountains

Rooted in the Nockberge Biosphere Park, this gently undulating holiday region offers countless opportunities for winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Nock Mountains

Wörthersee

Nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic, Carinthia’s largest lake offers a perfect blend of winter sports and relaxation.

Wörthersee

Dobratsch Nature Park

The limestone mountain impresses with its imposing rock formations and views of the snow-covered Gailtal valley.

Dobratsch Nature Park

Cities and places

Klagenfurt

The provincial capital on the eastern shore of wintry Lake Wörthersee leaves room for me-time.

Klagenfurt

Villach

The lively old town combines the Alps-Adriatic culture and is known for its typical Carinthian hospitality.

Villach

Velden on Lake Wörthersee

Fine cuisine, casual restaurants, great hotels: Velden is an exclusive town on Lake Wörthersee.

Velden on Lake Wörthersee

Millstatt on the Lake

The 19th-century villas by Lake Millstatt exude nostalgia, lakeside restaurants serve fresh whitefish, and the "Badehaus" is perfect for wellness.

Millstatt on the lake

Sights in Carinthia.

Explore Carinthia

Experience Culinary Carinthia.

Slow food experiences in Carinthia

Recipes

Cheese Ravioli from Carinthia

Surprise your family with this cheese-filled type of pasta.

Show recipe

"Buchteln" with Custard

Learn how to make "Buchteln", the perfect winter dessert.

Show recipe

Unique places to stay

The daberer.the biohotel
Genießerhotel Die Forelle
Trattlers Hof-Chalets
Werzers Hotels on Lake Wörthersee
Mountain Resort Feuerberg

Climate Protection Tips

What can we do to protect biodiversity?

  • Respect nature. Stay on marked paths and take your rubbish with you.

  • Use sustainable transport. Opt for public transport or explore by bike.

  • Be mindful of wildlife. Observe animals from a safe distance.

  • Enjoy consciously (and organically). Choose local and sustainable food and products.

  • Strengthen biodiversity. Protecting and preserving biodiversity is crucial for ecological balance.

FAQs

  • Nassfeld – One of Carinthia's largest and sunniest ski resorts, with 110 km of slopes and 30 modern lifts.

  • Bad Kleinkirchheim – Famous for its thermal baths and a wide range of slopes, including 103 km of runs and World Cup tracks.

  • Mölltaler Glacier – Skiing fun at up to 3,122 metres, offering around 17 km of slopes.

  • Gerlitzen Alpe – A family-friendly ski resort with 45 km of slopes and stunning views of Lake Ossiach.

  • Katschberg – A popular ski resort on the border with Salzburg, offering 70 km of slopes.

  • Turracher Höhe – A scenic ski area on the border with Styria, reaching up to 2,205 metres in altitude.

  • Heiligenblut am Großglockner – Offers 55 km of slopes beneath Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner.

Carinthia is especially charming in winter with its combination of reliable snow and plenty of sunshine, particularly in ski areas like Nassfeld. In addition to skiing, frozen lakes such as Lake Weissensee offer perfect conditions for ice skating. Wellness and skiing also pair perfectly, especially in places like Bad Kleinkirchheim.

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Vorarlberg in Summer

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