Schladming

Infobox Ort in Österreich
Art = Stadt
Name = Schladming
Wappen = Wappen_Schladming.pnglat_deg = 47 | lat_min = 23 | lat_sec = 39
lon_deg = 13 | lon_min = 41 | lon_sec = 21
Bundesland = Steiermark
Bezirk = Liezen
Höhe = 706
Fläche = 10.3
Einwohner = 4454
Stand = 2005-12-31
PLZ = 8970
Vorwahl = 03687
Kfz = GB
Gemeindekennziffer = 6 12 42
NUTS = AT222
Straße = Coburgstraße 45
Website = [http://www.schladming.at www.schladming.at]
Bürgermeister = Jürgen Winter
Partei = ÖVP
Gemeinderatanzahl = 21
Gemeinderat = 11 ÖVP, 5 SPÖ,
3 Bürgerliste,
1 FPÖ, 1 Grüne
Wahljahr = 2005
image_photo = Schladming.jpg

Schladming is a small mining town in the Styria area of Austria, that is now very popular with tourists. It has become a large ski resort and has held various skiing competitions recently. The shopping area has lots of cafes, restaurant and a variety of shops and caters well for tourists.

As of 2001, the town has a population of 4,570.

Recreation

kiing

The main mountain is the Planai. It has a six seater gondola from bottom to top with a middle station in between. The Planai consists of many "red" runs and the competition black, there are many "blue" slopes for beginners but generally the Planai is an intermediate to expert mountain. The Hochwurzen is the other main mountain in Schladming. It has three main red runs off the four man chair lift and a sledge run. This mountain is better suited to more experienced boarders and skiers. It is a good mountain for snowboarding as it has a lot of jumps and a few rails and boxes. There is a fifteen man gondola which goes in groups of five to the top. There are many enjoyable off-piste runs on both the Hochwurzen and the Planai. There are two main ski operators, who currently operate on Planai, Hochwurzen and surrounding mountains the first being Tritscher Ski School, named after Franz Tritscher. The other is Hopl taking its name from the two mountains, HOchwurzen and PLanai.

In 2008, Schladming was selected to organize the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013.

Non-Winter months

The surrounding mountains are renowned for climbing and hiking and the country side and forest is ideal for cycling. In the summer there are downhill runs for toboggans and go karts with runs of 7 km. There is also a large outdoor swimming complex at the sport complex.

Since 2004 the UCI Mountainbike Worldcup takes place in Schladming. From September 12. to 14. 2008 there will be the Worldcup Final in Downhill, Four Cross and Cross Country.

Accommodation

There are hotels ranging from 1* to 4* catering for a vast range of needs.

Transport

There is a special bus service that runs up and down the Planai and surrounding mountains throughout the year. There are many ski lifts on the mountains some especially for small runs.

Twin cities

*Felletin, France since 1960
*Wetzlar, Germany since 1974
*Furano, Japan since 1977

External links

* [http://www.mountainbike-weltcup.at Mountainbike Worldcup in Schladming]
* [http://www.travel2austria.com/?p=346 Pictures of Schladming]