Setting off down south – “sun and snow in a top southern spot”
Non-stop skiing from mid-June to mid-May, plus first-class slopes and powder as far as the eye can see – welcome to Carinthia’s exclusive glacier ski resort. This verdict has been echoed by the province of Carinthia too: the Mölltaler Glacier and its slopes have been awarded the elusive Carinthian seal of approval.
With up to 450 cm of natural snow in high winter, and a compact artificial snow base (thanks to the new snow machines), skiers and snowboarders alike can indulge in the snowy sports from Schareck down to the Schwarzkopf lift. The Molltäler Glacier, which lies at an altitude of between 2,100 m and 3,122 m, entices visitors with 53 km of slopes, an 18 km long varied downhill run and 9 cable car systems.
The slopes and lift systems on the Mölltaler Glacier
Skiers ascend to the ski resort from the valley station at 1,200 m above sea level with the Glacier Express (funicular railway), taking a mere eight minutes to reach the ski school centre at the middle station at 2,200 m. The Ice Lake system (with 6-seater cable cars) leads up to the top station at 2,800 m above sea level – to the “Glass Palace” with the Ice Lake panoramic restaurant. The highest mountain transportation facilities take the form of the Glacier Jet (6-seater covered chairlifts) and the double chairlift 3000. These provide access to the slopes at Schareck, while the Klühspies panoramic railway bears skiers from Hochwurtenspeicher back up to the mountain station, where the family-friendly runs are so perfect for carving that even beginners will revel in this energising winter sporting experience. The “lowest“ point, at around 2,100 m above sea level, is near the 4-seater Schwarzkopf chairlift, which leads directly to the Weisseehaus. Here, winter sports enthusiasts can decide whether to sail on down to the next ski-run, or to swing by the cosy hut for a spot of refreshment first. The middle station houses two drag lifts and a practice lift for beginners, which leads directly down to the gentle slopes by the ski school. The range of winter sporting activities for pros and amateurs alike is rounded off by a 2.5 km long cross-country ski-run - all in all, a perfect sports complex for cross-country and biathlon training.
A breathtaking glass palace at 2,800 m
The gigantic glass and steel construction dominates the cable car ascent to the mountain station at 2,800 m. The impressive restaurant stands majestically in the middle of the ski resort, the surrounding mountain landscape reflected in its glass façade.
The panoramic “Ice Lake“ restaurant is joined by the long-established "Weißseehaus Hut”, the "Duisburger Hut" and the "Gold Digger’s Hut", completing the range of culinary delights on offer at the Mölltaler Glacier. The après-ski programme before the journey down to the valley with the Glacier Express, namely hot sound and cool drinks in the “Europa Bar”, is another feature of the glacier which no skier should miss.
sea level
snow report
