Carinthia, Austria

Capital City: Klagenfurt
Closest Airport: Klagenfurt
Population: 559,891
Resort Area: Bad Kleinkirchheim - Villach - Moelltal - Großglockner - Hohe Tauern
Snow Season: Mid December - April
Main Language: German
Currency: Euro

Carinthia is found in the sunny southern part of Austria, bordering Slovenia and Italy. It's not the best known skiing region in the country, but it shares the Hohe Tauern National Park with neighbouring Tyrol and it's home to Austria's highest peak - the 3,797 metre Großglockner. That lends a certain steepness to the slopes round here.

The region has 1000 kms of piste in total (no small feat for just ten ski resorts) and there's pretty much something for everyone. The best all-rounder's probably Bad Kleinkirchheim. But if cutting down on lift queuing time is your number one priority you're likely to prefer Flattach, which has an enormous vertical of nearly 2,500 metres giving you access to just shy of 500 kms of downhill. The tiny Klippitztorl, with its 350 metre drop, is ideal for beginners looking to learn away from the crowds.