COMING IN TO LAND… AT KLAGENFURT
27th January 2020 | James Cove, Klagenfurt, Austria
Last modified on May 21st, 2021
Where? Ever flown this way into Austria? No, neither have we but we’ll be doing it again. And here’s why…
We have lost count of the number of times we have flown into Innsbruck and Salzburg to access the ski resorts in the Austrian Alps.
Plus from Munich in Germany and Verona in Italy on occasion.
But for some reason we have never touched down at Klagenfurt in the Province of Carinthia.
Until now.
It is in Central Austria in the Eastern Alps and gives access to a range of fabulous resorts.
The approach is special – similar to Innsbruck as the plane glides over the snowy mountains that are seemingly within touching distance.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
But that is all immaterial compared to the experience as the wheels hit the runway.
The plane taxis up not to a gantry miles away, but at the exit itself.
It is indeed a welcome sight.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
It is a short walk across the tarmac.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
As I walk across, I can see my bag on the baggage carousel.
This is arriving at an airport as it should be – old school.
As I queue for customs my bag is already visible on the conveyor belt through the glass window.
Klagenfurt airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI.
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The main resorts that are accessible from Klagenfurt are Schladming and Nassfeld (where I am skiing this week) and Obertauern.
One secret gem is Heiligenblut.
The resort sits at the foot of the Grossglockner mountain with 55km of piste skiing and the skiing goes up to 2,900m.
It’s off piste is fabulous.
The resorts are all reached by a private transport and are linked by train and local bus.
EasyJet is now in its third year of flying from Gatwick, with flights on Saturday and Wednesday, so a short break is an option.
This coming weekend (February 1st – 8th) a return flight is under £80 – £79.93 to be precise.
And it seems I am not the only one ot like it judging by some reaction on the PlanetSKI Facebook page:
Facebook reaction
So, what I am doing in this part of the Austrian Alps?
Firstly visiting a couple of resorts I have not skied in and then there is the small matter of the World Cup night ski races in Schladming that I have mentioned in here:
And guess what I have secured?
A golden ticket.
Schladming night ski races. Image © PlanetSKI.
Look out for a full report on proceedings as the racing takes place on Tuesday night…
