Bad Kleinkirchheim Ski Resort
This picturesque resort is tucked away in the southern Austrian Alps in a pretty, tree-lined valley and was where ski racing legend Franz Klammer learned his trade.
The jewel in the resort's crown is the Franz Klammer downhill run, which drops down almost 1000m from the summit to the valley and hosts World Cup races each season. Away from this, there are over 100km of other slopes to explore, ranging from gentle blues to cruisey reds (over 75% of the slopes are rated red), but there is little in the way of off piste or real challenges for experts.
As famous as it is for skiing and the legacy of Franz Klammer, the resort is equally as famous for its spas and many visitors come here just to enjoy the healing thermal waters and fresh mountain air. There is a very good choice of accommodation, including lots of traditional family-run hotels. Getting there is easy, with links via Klagenfurt or Salzburg airports in Austria or Ljubljana airport across the border in Slovenia.
Resort website: www.badkleinkirchheim.com
