Moelltal Glacier Ski Resort Austria
The Moelltal Glacier ski resort is unique in Austria. It is the highest, most snow sure & longest operating ski resort on the south side of the Austrian Alps. The summit of nearby Sonnblick has a snow measuring station that records the area gets a whopping annual average snowfall of 20m. Whether this is still relevant today is another question, but hey, how bad can it be? Until recently Mölltal was a major centre for summer skiing, but now will for around 9 months from early September to early June. Having observed the massive decline in the glacier firsthand in our visit during January 2024, we can understand why.
Skiing at Moelltal Glacier in winter provides some wonderful alpine off-piste powder opportunities, often when other ski areas on the northern side have missed out. In terms of size, access, & facilities, it has some similarities to the excellent, higher elevation Pitztal Glacier in the Tirol. Backcountry routes include descents north from the top of the Mölltaler Gletscher (local spelling) down to the valley station of the superb Sportgastein ski resort in Salzburgerland.
Pros & Cons for Mölltal Glacier Ski Resort
Pros
- Open for skiing 9 months of the year.
- Snow-sure Austrian location.
- Quality snow on the pistes with all terrain above 2,000m elevation.
- Piste trails for all levels.
- Wonderful backcountry ski opportunities into Sportgastein.
- Fun off-piste skiing within the resort.
- Great value lift pass if purchased online up to 5-days in advance.
Cons
- Terrain & pistes feel surprisingly limited.
- High-alpine, above treeline terrain with minimal shelter in poor weather.
- Lift closures are common due to high winds & other factors.
- No valley ski run or routes - must download on funicular.
- Cash desk lift pass pricing can be a disgrace when limited lifts are operating.
- Snow quality off-piste often impacted by wind & sun.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- No village or ski-in ski-out accommodation at the ski resort.
- Sunny south-facing slopes (unusual for a glacier area!).
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lift & Terrain
Before we expand on the resort's lifts & terrain information, check out the ski trail map.
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Where is Moelltal Glacier Austria?
The Mölltaler Gletscher ski resort is in the Carinthia state of southern Austria. Located on the alpine divide between the peaks Sonnblick (3,105m) & Ankogel (3,250m), the Moelltal Glacier is also close to Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner (3,978m).
The closest major city to the ski area is Lienz, 48km by road to the west. The nearest town is Flattach, 9½km southeast of the funicular base at the ski resort. Nearest gateway airports are Munich (MUC) & Salzburg (SZG). Access from the north side of the Alps is best via the car-train from Gastein to Mallnitz. Passenger trains to Mallnitz run regularly from the glorious city of Salzburg. If one doesn't have a rental car, a private transfer might then make sense from Mallnitz railway station to your accommodation, however there is a good local bus service as well.
The local ski bus runs regularly throughout the region, allowing easy daily access from as far away as Mallnitz (including the train station). if driving to the base of Möltal Glacier ski area, note that last few kilometres are on a narrow winding mountain road. Care should be taken with oncoming vehicles, particularly buses. There is ample parking at the funicular base.
Mölltal Glacier Accommodation
Accommodation at Moelltal Glacier is available in the valley at the hamlet of Innerfragant or the village of Flattach. Ski-in ski-out accommodation once existed at 2,800m elevation at the top station of the Eisseebahn gondola, but sadly it ceased operation several seasons ago. In Flattach, at a stop on the ski bus route, the Sporthotel Mölltal is a good local option.
Search & book here for Moelltal Glacier ski accommodation at Flattach.
For anyone with their own transport, or prepared to take the ski bus (we did!), the village of Mallnitz provides a better lodging location. With transport links via train to Bad Gastein, plus the ski area of Ankogel nearby, Mallnitz has an excellent range of well-priced hotels, plus a variety of restaurants and activities.
Search & book here for ski accommodation at Mallnitz.
Review
The Powderhounds first attempted to review Mölltal Glacier in 2019. Lift closures due to high winds & some ridiculous lift pass pricing when the resort was only operating on an extremely limited basis put an end to our quest. We finally returned in late January 2024 whilst staying in Mallnitz & Bad Gastein. We enjoyed a cold, sunny day with some fresh, wind impacted snow.
See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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