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? Recent scuttlebutt is that Mölltal will no longer open for summer skiing (sign of the times perhaps!), instead running for around 8 months from early September to early May.
Skiing at Moelltal Glacier in winter provides some wonderful alpine off-piste powder opportunities. In terms of size, access & elevation, it is like the excellent Pitztal Glacier in the Tyrol. Backcountry routes include descents north from the top of the Mölltaler Gletscher (local name) down to the valley station of the superb Sportgastein ski resort in Salzburgerland.
Before we expand on the resort's lifts & terrain information, check out the ski trail map.
Pros & Cons for Mölltal Glacier Ski Resort
Pros
- Open for skiing 8 months of the year.
- Snow-sure Austrian location.
- Quality snow with all terrain above 2,000m elevation.
- Piste trails for all levels.
- Wonderful backcountry ski opportunities into Sportgastein.
- Quality off-piste skiing.
- Great value lift pass if purchased online up to 5-days in advance.
Cons
- Smallish length & number of on-piste trails (<20km).
- High-alpine terrain above treeline with minimal shelter in poor weather.
- Lift closures are common due to high winds.
- No valley ski run or routes - must download on funicular.
- Cash desk lift pass pricing can be a disgrace when limited lifts are operating.
- Limited ski in / ski out accommodation (one hostel).
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- No village or major base area at the ski resort.
- Sunny south-facing slopes (unusual for a glacier area!).
Where is Moelltal Glacier Austria?
The Mölltaler Gletscher ski resort is in the Carinthia state of southern Austria. The closest major city 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 would then make sense from Mallnitz railway station to your accommodation.
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).
Mölltal Glacier Accommodation
Accommodation at Moelltal Glacier is available in the valley at the hamlet of Innerfragant or the village of Flattach. One ski-in ski-out option exists at 2,800m elevation within the resort - the Jugendhotel Eissee (Youth Hostel Eissee). Shared rooms come with full or half board with access via the Eisseebahn gondola.
Search & book here for Moelltal Glacier ski accommodation.
Review
The Powderhounds tried in vain 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 may return in the coming season ........... but then again, we may not - so unimpressed were we with their operation!
See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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