Planai

Planai is a mountain in the Schladming area of Styria, central Austria. It forms part of the Schladminger 4-Berge-Schaukel, a group of four linked ski areas that also includes Hauser Kaibling, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm. The mountain has hosted major alpine skiing events, including the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2013. Earlier, Schladming staged the same event in 1982, with men’s races on Planai and women’s races at Haus im Ennstal. The venue has also held World Cup finals, most recently in March 2012 ahead of the 2013 championships. Planai is recognised as a regular stop on the World Cup circuit. Each January it stages a men’s night slalom race, usually held before the famous Hahnenkamm races at Kitzbühel. The mountain’s slopes attract top skiers and large crowds for these events. Its long history of international competition has helped establish Planai as a leading venue in alpine skiing. The surrounding Schladming area benefits from this reputation, drawing visitors from around the world. Visitors to Planai find a modern ski area with well-prepared pistes and lifts connecting the four mountains. The summit offers wide views across the Enns valley and the Tauern range. A floodlit night slalom course adds to the attraction for evening skiing. The area’s World Cup heritage is visible in the race infrastructure and the organisation of major events. Off the slopes, the nearby town of Schladming provides restaurants, shops and après-ski entertainment.