Semmering (ski resort)
Semmering | |
---|---|
Semmering, mountain Zauberberg | |
Location | Austria |
Nearest city | Vienna |
Coordinates | 47°37′54.1″N 15°49′48.5″E / 47.631694°N 15.830139°E |
Vertical | 1,000 m (3,280 ft) |
Runs |
6.5 km - beginner 6.5 km - intermediate 1km - advanced |
Lift system | 3 total |
Night skiing | available |
Website | Semmering |
Semmering, located in Semmering, Lower Austria, 90 km (56 mi) from Vienna, is the oldest ski resort in Europe. The resort was founded 128 years ago in 1888 and nowadays it is a classical Austrian resort of year-round operation with ski and toboggan runs for winter entertainment and modern bike park, hiking routes and mountain lakes for the summer.[1]
Semmering is a town in the district of Neunkirchen in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. It is famous for its skiing, and has hosted the Alpine skiing World Cup several times. When the famous Semmering Railway was completed in 1854, it brought many tourists from Vienna to here. Today, tourists are fewer, but more than 100,000 overnight stays are still recorded each year. In 2001, the town had a permanent population of 610.
History
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the better Viennese society discovered the Semmering as a nearby summer resort - destination.
The place is mainly revived with the construction of the Semmering Railway, which opened 1854. With her the Semmering was reached from Vienna barely 80 kilometers away in a few hours. The train journey along steep rock walls, over dizzying viaducts and galleries in wild romantic scenery was a spectacular experience.
The Semmering has already been estimated in the past as a destination, and the region was already to imperial times as a popular recreation area. Also artists found here again silent retreat places where their inspiration received new impetus.
The place impressed with elegant villas and an enchanting landscape backdrop. Since the turn of the century Semmering is also a winter sport region. Even today, the summer, winter, cultural and spa tourism are of great economic importance.
Location
Semmering is located on the border of Lower Austria and Styria at an elevation of 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level and surrounded with forest. Semmering city is located in Neunkirchen, about 100 km (60 mi) from Vienna.
Nearest cities
How to get there
The way to Semmering lies through amazing rocks and viaducts on the one of the most beautiful and first mountain railway in the world. In addition, one could reach the resort from Vienna, located only in 1-hour journey. About 10 trains and buses run between the capital and the resort every day.
The nearest airport is the Shwechat airport in Vienna.
The nearest European capitals:
- Bratislava ~ 150 km (93 mi)
- Budapest ~ 300 km (186 mi)
- Bucharest ~ 1,125 km (699 mi)
- Prague ~ 488 km (303 mi)
Recreation
Winter season
As usual, winter season starts in December and lasts until mid-April. The Semmering resort in winter is a ski village with:
- 14 km slopes for daytime skiing (3 out of them for beginners, 10 - intermediate, 1 - black)
- 13 km slopes for night skiing (Semmering has one of the best lightening system in Europe)
- 12 km slopes available for racing ski
- toboggan run of 3 km
- Split Park
Vertical height up to 400 m (1,310 ft).
Summer season
Semmering becomes a recreation and sport center for the whole family as well as a place for extreme bike events since there is one of the best bike parks in Europe at Semmering. Semmering frequently serves as a location for great event such as Mazda MX-5 presentation or 24h race "Race the night".
For calm repose the resort offers:[2]
- 185 km (115 mi) arranged hiking routes
- 7 bike zones, including kids area
- horse riding walks
- golf course
- sporting activities
- SPA and wellness programs
- mountain restaurants
Accommodation
Semmering has 19 hotels. Grand Hotel Panhans is among them, being also a sightseeing of the city. There is one more attractive hotel - the Sporthotel Semmering/
Grandhotel Panhans
Traditional Hotel with exquisite cuisine, 113 rooms , spa, wine bar, dancing bar, diverse range of seminars, events and much more. All rooms have been individually furnished – ideal for unwinding and relaxing, for resting and as a retreat in one's own room at any time.
Everyone may enjoy his stay on the Semmering in one of our exclusive themed rooms with views to the Sonnwendstein mountain. (Jugendstil – for example dedicated to Arthur Schnitzler or Peter Altenberg, country house style, Biedermeier style, honeymoon suite, room with a tiled stove, lady's or gentleman's salon) or in one of the comfortable rooms with playful details and partial parquet flooring.
Spacious studios (in many cases with sofa-sleepers) with a special decor can be booked in the Grand Hotel and in the rear wing: (studio Hermitage, stargazer studio, Alfred Böhm studio, Family office studio, studio Toscana, studio with a tiled stove, maisonettes in the country house style) or appartements and the Penthouse.
Sporthotel Semmering
In the Sporthotel Semmering all the guests can feel and experience the harmony between family atmosphere and cordial atmosphere with a plus of comfort and service. The 95 tastefully furnished rooms make stay as pleasant as possible. Everyone can also find rest and relaxation in a beautiful natural landscape of the Vienna Alps far away from any hustle and bustle in the 3 * Sport Hotel in the health resort Semmering with breathtaking panorama.
All rooms have shower, toilet, satellite TV, telephone and free Wi-Fi . In some rooms there is also a balcony. From the north side situated rooms, guests can enjoy a magnificent view to the mountain "Schneeberg". For families connecting rooms are also affered.
Interesting facts
- Semmering is famous for its skiing, and has hosted the World Cup races several times.
- Semmering railway was listed as World Heritage Site of UNESCO in 2005.
References
Coordinates: 47°38′37″N 15°49′53″E / 47.6435°N 15.8315°E