Adventures With A Real-life Skiing Legend In Nassfeld and Katschberg

As I sat down at the Pritzhutte restaurant in the Austrian resort of Katschberg, I spotted an old friend across the room – literally across the room. For this, ‘friend’ was a wooden beam which helps hold the roof up.

We had been ‘introduced’ a few seasons ago during a lunchtime visit to the converted old wooden barn with former World Cup ski racer and Olympic gold medallist Franz Klammer, who had been showing me around the Carinthian ski area.

I have been lucky enough to ski with Austria’s ski legend on several occasions, and to say it’s never dull would be an understatement.

On this occasion, we were enjoying a few schnapps after lunch while the restaurant owner played some traditional Austrian songs on his guitar. Suddenly, our entertainer jumped up, grabbed the wooden beam above and hauled himself up by his arms and legs until he was hanging by all fours.

Suspended in this upside-down position, he banged with his foot three times on the ceiling and then made suggestive thrusting movements against the beam.

The diners were rather gobsmacked. When he returned to earth, I asked Franz the reason for the acrobatics. After a discussion in Austrian with the owner, Franz translated. “That’s how he gets rid of the wicked winter witch that hides in the roof of barns during cold weather,” he explained. “Would you like to have a try?”

On a normal day, the answer would – and should – have been ‘no’. But the schnapps had dulled my ability to reason properly. With the help of a few onlookers, I was hoisted up in full ski gear, including boots, onto the beam where I ‘performed’ the feet banging and pelvic thrusting to the best of my ability.

I descended to a round of applause. “From now on, you will be known as ‘The Beamer’, said Franz.”

We had skied to the Pritzhutte by picking our way down some interesting off-piste terrain. As there is no lift to get back to the Katschberg pistes, diners are towed out on their skis holding on to a rope behind a horse.

During my more recent return to the Pritzhutte for dinner, my companions and I made the 15-minute journey there and back from Katschberg village in a horse drawn sleigh under a beautiful starlit sky.

The ride there was fairly relaxed and sedate, as was the dinner – this time, my feet stayed firmly on the ground.

I am sure if Franz had been there, he would have persuaded me to have another go at ‘beaming’. It’s always difficult to say no to a real-life legend.

Ironically, I probably had a lucky escape because by coincidence, just the day before, I had once again been skiing with Franz Klammer in the nearby Skiarena Nassfeld, another Carinthian ski area with extensive runs and some fantastic views.

I had just been enjoying a nightcap at my hotel and was heading for bed when Franz made a late appearance. “You must stay for another drink,” he insisted. As I mentioned earlier, it’s always very hard to say no to a real-life ski legend.

A couple of hours and several ‘nightcaps’ later, I left him in the bar with a few die-hards and headed for bed.

The next day, the mountain air worked its usual magic as a hangover cure, although I could not completely shake off the effects of the night before. After a few runs following in Franz’s tracks, we came to the Speedstrecke.

This permanent feature is a cordoned-off speed run of about 200m equipped with a speed gun and a big clock at the end, which records your time.

“Fancy a race?” said Franz to me and my companions. Well, who could resist? What a story to tell in the apres-ski bar. I could dine out for years on how I raced against the great Franz Klammer.

Franz went first and set the pace. A couple of other skiers went down and posted respectable times, but even on this short run, no one could get near the Olympic champion’s time.

Then it was my turn. Now, I don’t know if it was the excitement of the occasion, but as I stood in the start gate, I began feeling decidedly dodgy. The clock reset itself to 00.00, and I pushed off.

Disaster! Halfway down the slope, while trying to stay in a racing tuck position, I was convinced I was going to lose my breakfast.

So, what did I do? I stood up and pushed my skis into a snow plough, or what I tried to later claim was a racing snow plough. I arrived at the finish red-faced but with my insides still intact. There were jeers and comments that my time had to be recorded on a calendar. But at least I hadn’t suffered the ignominy of hurling on the slopes.

The rest of the day, touring the extensive slopes of Nassfeld was great. What is strange about both Katschberg and Nassfeld is that only a few years ago, no British tour operators included them in their brochures. Ski Line now has a choice of accommodation you can choose from by clicking the links below.

Plus, like most Austrian resorts, the apres-ski in the bars is great. I would certainly recommend a visit, even if it isn’t in the company of a real-life ski racing legend.

Nassfeld, which is the biggest ski area in Carinthia, is one of the top places to ski and snowboard in Austria. It has access to 110kms of piste served by 29 cable cars and lifts. Nassfeld, which has 24 mountain huts to choose from, is known for its sunny location and reliable snow conditions. It has one of the longest pistes for night skiing, which is available on selected dates in January and February.

You can get an action shot of yourself taken on the Speed Photo track – The Speedstrecke – and get a video of your descent on a special Ski Movie piste.

For more info and accommodation available through Ski Line on Nassfeld CLICK HERE

The Katschberg ski area in Austria has seen significant upgrades in recent years, including lift renovations, slope extensions, and snowmaking improvements. It is linked to the neighbouring areas of Tschaneck and Aineck, and between them they offer 80km of pistes. Night skiing and snowboarding is possible every Thursday from 7-9pm on the Königswiese between 11 December 2025 and 2 April 2026.

The Lungo Ski Pass also allows access to the wider Lungau ski region, which includes Fanningberg, and Großeck-Speiereck. A free bus can be used to travel to nearby Obertauern, which is also covered by The Lungo ski pass.

For more info and accommodation available through Ski Line in Katschberg CLICK HERE