Nassfeld: Fabulous Family Ski Resort

27th December 2024 | Simon Miler, Nassfeld.

The small resort in Carinthia is not perhaps the most obvious choice for a family ski holiday. That’s exactly why we like it. NEW

No one is pretending that Nassfeld is a fashionable ski resort.

Frankly, I had never heard of it – though when looking for an affordable, luxurious family ski option, this is a good sign.

It’s a small spot in southern Austria, with nothing in the way of boutique shops or swanky restaurants.

In fact it doesn’t really have many shops at all and there’s no pumping nightlife.

It’s basically a ski resort – but without much of the resort bit.

Nassfeld, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

My daughters loved it.

Nassfeld, Austria. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

The Nassfeld slopes (110km, altitude 1300m-2200m) are popular with people from nearby Slovenia and Italy as well as plenty of local Austrians.

It sits on the Austria/Italy border.

Nassfeld, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

There are multiple valleys to explore with an excellent range of stiff red runs, wide comfortable blues and easy greens that wind through the trees.

There is a very relaxed atmosphere on the slopes and being a smallish resort, it’s easy to navigate.

After a day, we were happy to let the teens ski on their own, knowing the draw of lunch at the hotel would be a magnet.

Nassfeld, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Whilst there is certainly enough variety to keep a family happy for a week, with only the occasional black run, the resort wouldn’t stretch more advanced skiers.

Though there is some fabulous heli-skiing on offer.

Heliskiing in Nassfeld, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Nassfeld won’t give you bragging rights, but for families wanting luxury for less it makes perfect sense.

Not only are the hotels incredibly good value, the obligatory ski holiday ‘add-ons’ also inflict less damage on your wallet.

Typically six day lift passes are €75 cheaper and five day group lessons €60 less than in better known resorts.

Nassfeld, Austria. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI

The key to this was the wonderful Hotel Gartnerkofel, a huge, full amenity, 4* hotel that offered everything that Nassfeld didn’t.

With little to do in the ‘village’, we spent all our non-ski time in the hotel.

This risked disaster with three teenager daughters to mange, but with so much on offer, there was little fear of cabin fever.

Gyms, swimming pools, indoor “ice hockey”, a 9m climbing wall, multiple saunas and a vast soft play area so tempting that the Moody Teens were happy to set their phones aside and bounce their way back to childhood.

Casino night, live music, magic shows, a bus trip to a nearby Christmas market – entertainment was laid on in spades.

And the food – wow!

A massive breakfast buffet, the option of a lingering adult lunch or a “grab & go” for kids, all followed by a five course traditional Austrian dinner.

Our family still reminisce about the Nutella fountain.

And the best bit?

The hotel, whilst not cheap, offered spectacular value for money – 6 nights, full board for 5 people cost just under €4000.

A comparable hotel for the same week in a more fashionable resort would be at least €2000 more.

We flew Ryanair from Stansted to Klagenfurt (just over an hour away) but as it’s also accessible from Salzburg, Venice or Ljubljana, there is almost always a cheap flight option.

Skiing is never going to be a cheap holiday, but if you want to treat your family to a luxury ski holiday, a week at one of the big hotels in the ‘not quite a ski resort’ of Nassfeld is a great choice.

FACT BOX

Hotel – www.gartnerkofel.at

Resort – www.nassfeld.at

Transfer Distances

Klagenfurt 105 kms
Ljubljana 140 kms
Venice 207 kms
Salzburg 220 kms

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