Planai Ski Area
Situated in the Schladming-Dachstein area of Styria, Schladming – Planai is among the most well-known ski resorts in Austria. Situated among four ski mountains—Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm—the 4-Mountain Ski Area links them. For all degrees of skiers and snowboarders, the ski resort provides 123km of slopes, 47 ski lifts, and a range of winter sports.
Planai Cable Car
From the town of Schladming, the main means of access to the ski resort is the Planai cable car. From the valley station at 750 m to the summit station at 1826 m, this contemporary 10-person gondola lift moves skiers and snowboarders in roughly 10 minutes. In the winter, the cable car runs daily from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; in the summer from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Built in 2019, the Planai cable car replaced the former 6-person gondola lift running since 1986. At 3,800 passengers per hour—40% more than the previous cable car—the new one boasts Comfortable seats, panoramic windows, and free Wi-Fi abound as well.
Apart from a practical approach to get to the ski slopes, the Planai cable car is a sightful attraction with breathtaking views of the nearby mountains and valleys. From the gondola, one may see the highest peak in Styria, the Dachstein glacier, on a clear day. The cable car also crosses the well-known Planai finish slope, where the Alpine Ski World Championships were staged in 1982 and 2013.
Planai Ski Slopes
With 41 km of easy to difficult slopes and 14 ski lifts—gondola, chair, platter, magic carpets—the Planai ski area offers The well-groomed, snow-sure, varied slopes satisfy varying tastes and skill levels of skiers and snowboarders.
The longest and most difficult slope in the Resort, the FIS descent is among the highlights of the Planai ski area. Its length is 4.6km and its maximum gradient is 26%. Its vertical drop is 1,080 m. Beginning from the Planai summit and finishing at the valley station, it tracks the same path as the men’s course of the Alpine Ski World Championship. Advanced and professional skiers looking to test their speed and ability on a world-class run will find the slope appropriate.
The 14-person funicular known as Hopsi-Express links the Planai summit station with the Hopsi winter children’s land and the water world in the summer, adding still another highlight of the ski area. Operating daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., the funicular just takes a few minutes’ walk from the cable car station. Where one can find mild slopes, ski schools, playgrounds, and water attractions, the funicular is a fun and simple approach to reach the beginner and family-friendly areas of the ski resort.
Planai Ski Lifts
Modern, quick and comfortable, ski lifts can carry 22,000 people an hour overall. In the winter, the ski lifts run daily from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; in the summer they run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Together with their technical information, the following table lists the several kinds and count of ski lifts in the Planai ski area:
| Ski lift | Type | Capacity | Length | Height difference | Opening times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planai 10er gondola | 10-person gondola lift | 3,800 | 4,200 m | 1,076 m | 08:15 – 16:15 |
| Lärchkogelbahn | 8-person chair lift with bubble and seat heating | 3,500 | 1,228 m | 421 m | 08:30 – 16:00 |
| Planai West I | 8-person gondola lift | 2,400 | 1,000 m | 175 m | 08:15 – 16:30 |
| Planai West II | 8-person gondola lift | 2,400 | 1,500 m | 465 m | 08:15 – 16:30 |
| Fastenberg 6er | 6-person chair lift with bubble | 2,400 | 1,500 m | 665 m | 08:30 – 16:00 |
| Märchenwiesebahn | 8-person chair lift with bubble | 2,400 | 1,200 m | 206 m | 08:30 – 16:00 |
| Mitterhausbahn | 8-person chair lift with bubble | 2,400 | 1,200 m | 330 m | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Burgstallalmbahn | 8-person chair lift with bubble | 2,400 | 1,200 m | 335 m | 08:30 – 16:00 |
| Schoberbahn | 6-person chair lift with bubble and seat heating | 2,400 | 980 m | 360 m | 08:30 – 16:00 |
| Sonnecklift | 4-person chair lift | 1,800 | 1,000 m | 263 m | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Hopsi-Express | 14-person funicular | 210 | 199 m | 67 m | 08:30 – 16:15 |
| Planai Fahr Long | Platter lift | 1,200 | 1,730 m | 12 m | 09:30 – 16:00 |
| Weitmooslift | Platter lift | 1,200 | 1,000 m | 131 m | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Weitmoos-Tellerlift | Button lift | 651 | 300 m | 131 m | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Fritz-Blitz | Magic carpet | 600 | 100 m | 10 m | 09:00 – 16:15 |
| Planai Hopsi-Express 1 | Magic carpet | 600 | 100 m | 10 m | 09:00 – 16:15 |
| Planai Hopsi-Express 2 | Magic carpet | 600 | 100 m | 10 m | 09:00 – 16:15 |
