The top ski resort in Austria, Schladming-Dachstein, Styria, opened a new 10-seater gondola replacing the old six-seater lift on the Planai ski area last week after a construction period of only 234 days.

The new gondola can transport up to 3,800 people per hour - increase of over 70% (capacity of previous gondola was 2,200ph) - which means that waiting times for winter sport enthusiasts are a thing of the past.

Equipped with ergonomically shaped individual wood and leather seats, the twelve-minute journey gives users maximum comfort in the larger than usual cabins. The cabins consist mainly of glass offering a unique panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The middle and top stations have been completely rebuilt giving stress-free entry and exit to skiers and boarders thanks to the adapted driving speed in the stations. The new modern interior at the valley station creates a cosy environment.

Schladming, which is within easy reach from Klagenfurt Airport (120 minutes’ drive), has joined the airport and Easyjet giving skiers an unbeatable offer providing free transport directly to selected hotels worth over €200 return (or approximately £170).

With Easyjet flights from Gatwick to Klagenfurt from just £11 skiers can be on the slopes within two hours of landing at the airport.

Special offer: A week’s half-board at the four-star Hotel Mitterhofer in Schladming cost from £583 (€686) per person plus return flights from Gatwick to Klagenfurt for £42 with Easyjet and free return transfers (departing on 7 March 2020). Please quote “Special offer-free transfers from Klagenfurt Airport” when you contact the hotel to make your booking.

See https://airport-klagenfurt.at/destinations/ for more information.

Sustainable? The ‘old’ six-seater bubble lift was dismantled and shipped off to Argentina where it’s being rebuilt in the Las Leñas ski area.