A unique experience on natural ice
ICE SKATING ON LAKE WEISSENSEE
The sound of the blades scraping across the mirror-like ice…Every year in mid-December, the waters of the Weissensee in Carinthia freeze over, creating – with an area of 6.5 km² – the largest uninterrupted natural ice rink in Europe. A paradise for skaters, ice golfers, ice-hockey players and walkers. So, we invite you to glide gracefully across the lake on your own two feet, or even perhaps climb aboard a horse-drawn sleigh for a romantic ride over the ice.
At our Natural-Ice Skating School on Lake Weissensee in Carinthia, beginners are playfully taught how to ice skate, while more experienced skaters will be able to refine their technique.
Ice-Skating Marathon
Ever since the speed-skate-loving “Oranjes” became aware of the Weissensee, the Dutch Eleven-Cities Speed Skating Tour has been held every year. The ultimate discipline for the world’s best speed skaters is the 200 km marathon. Every Friday in winter, our guests are welcome to participate in speed-skating races over distances of 10 km, 20 km and 50 km.
Ice Stock
An area of 6.5 km ² provides more than ample space for a traditional ice-stock tournament accompanied, of course, by a mug of hot cider. The “Glitschi”, as the ice machine is lovingly nicknamed, not only grooms, planes and polishes the tracks for speed skaters, it also maintains ice rinks for hockey players and the lanes for ice-stock fans.
Ice Diving
Ice diving in Lake Weissensee is a very special adventure, not least because the water is clear as glass, and when the sun breaks through, it creates fascinating lighting effects. The ice, incidentally, regularly reaches a depth of 40 cm. At the “Easy Dive” or “Yachtdiver” diving schools, you can book introductory diving lessons, ice-diving classes and much more.
