Swept natural ice track on the Weissensee with mountains in the background
Carinthia, Austria

Skating on the Weissensee

A mountain lake at around 930 metres altitude that, in favourable winter conditions, turns into Europe's largest professionally prepared natural ice surface.

Trip typeIndependent
LocationCarinthia, Austria
Altitude± 930 metres
Lake area6.5 km²
Dates and priceComing soon
Swept natural ice track on the Weissensee
Two skaters on the Weissensee between the mountains
The Weissensee, Carinthia
Where you skate

Europe's largest professionally prepared natural ice surface - if winter plays along.

The Weissensee is one of Europe's best-known destinations for skating on natural ice, including for skaters from the Netherlands. The mountain lake lies at an altitude of around 930 metres and covers an area of 6.5 square kilometres. In favourable winter conditions, part of the lake turns into Europe's largest professionally prepared natural ice surface.

The ice master and his team maintain the released tracks intensively. Depending on the weather and the safety of the ice, there are shorter, sheltered loops or longer skating routes available. Under optimal conditions a lap of up to about 25 kilometres can be laid out.

This trip is different from Orsa and Falun: no Novakse guide joins you on the ice. The tracks are maintained and released on site by the local ice master.

Why the Weissensee

Why travel to the Weissensee?

Deliberately outside the event

The Weissensee is known for the Alternatieve Elfstedentocht, but that is not what we focus on. Novakse deliberately plans this trip outside those event days: no thousands of skaters, but calm, space and independent skating on natural ice.

Skating in a remarkable mountain landscape

You skate on real natural ice, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and wintry forests.

Professionally maintained tracks

The released ice surfaces are maintained by the local ice master and his team.

More than skating alone

If the ice conditions are less favourable, the region offers alternatives such as cross-country skiing, winter walking and downhill skiing in the local family ski area.

Skaters on the Weissensee, outside the event days
Calm instead of an event

For those who prefer calm over an event

Many skaters choose the Weissensee precisely because of the Alternatieve Elfstedentocht. Novakse deliberately picks the weeks around it: fewer people on and around the lake, more nature and more room to set your own pace and route.

This is a different way of travelling than Orsa and Falun: here you skate independently, without a fixed group or a Novakse guide.

Good to know

Natural ice, no guarantee

Skating takes place on natural ice. The opening, route, track length and ice quality depend on the weather and safety conditions. The ice master decides every day which sections are accessible. No rights can therefore be derived from the track lengths and expected ice conditions mentioned.

Dates and price

The travel details for the Weissensee are being finalised now

Once the dates and the price are confirmed, they'll appear here. Want to be sure you stay informed? Leave your details and you'll be the first to hear - without any obligation.

Keep me updated Practical travel information
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the Weissensee

Is the trip to the Weissensee guided?

No, this trip is different from Orsa and Falun: no Novakse guide joins you on the ice. The tracks are maintained and released on site by the local ice master. You skate here independently, without a fixed group or a Novakse guide.

How big is the Weissensee and how long can the skating track be?

The mountain lake lies at an altitude of around 930 metres and covers an area of 6.5 square kilometres. Under optimal conditions a lap of up to about 25 kilometres can be laid out.

Why does Novakse not plan this trip during the Alternatieve Elfstedentocht?

The Weissensee is known for the Alternatieve Elfstedentocht, but that is not what Novakse focuses on. The trip is deliberately planned outside those event days: no thousands of skaters, but calm, space and independent skating on natural ice.

Is the ice quality on the Weissensee guaranteed?

No. Skating takes place on natural ice; the opening, route, track length and ice quality depend on the weather and safety conditions. The ice master decides every day which sections are accessible. No rights can be derived from the track lengths and expected ice conditions mentioned.

Prefer a guided group trip?

Orsa and Falun are guided group trips: Joey comes along, judges the ice and decides every morning where the day will be at its best. The Weissensee you skate independently.

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