You have probably already heard of Mallnitz. It is a small town, or, to be more precise, a village at an altitude of 1200 meters. The village of Mallnitz is situated in the North of Carinthia. Except for being known as the center of Charintia, it is also known for its role in the rail transport. Vehicles traveling for Bad Gastein in the North have to pass through the Tauerntunnel and the location of their boarding up is, you are guessing already, Mallnitz. Until the building of the motorway Munich-Salzburg (A8) and the Katschbergtunnel and Tauerntunnel, this was the quickest way from north to south in this area.
You will come to Mallnitz through Lendorf after getting off the Villach-Salsburg motorway, as if you are driving towards Molltaler, with the difference of a right turn before coming to Flattach and 12 kilometers of driving uphill along serpentine road until you reach the highland enclosed in steep gorges and peaks. The road leads you directly to the center of Mallnitz, which is full of boarding houses and hotels. The village of Mallnitz offers all the facilities you might need, from ski service in the center to skating rink, swimming pools and tennis courts. In any case you should not be bored here, unless you are a clubbing fan; nightlife is almost nonexistant.
The nearest ski resort, Ankogel, is situated 6 kilometers from Mallnitz. It is reachable by Mallnitz public transport and it will take you 10 minutes to get there. The bus fare is included in ski-lift pass. Ankogel is not crowded as it is situated at the end of a blind road and its guests are only those from Mallnitz. Since the Weather conditions in Ankogel are very similar to those in Moltaller Glacier it is clear that the glacier is more popular among skiers between the two. 
Ski resort transport is provided by a standing gondola which consists of three cabins linked into a sort of a cable car. The gondola sets off in 15 minutes intervals, so be prepared to wait. But, there is more; you will have to change after coming half way to your destination, due to the possibility of a bad weather. There are no chair lifts, but four anchor ski lifts, two of which are baby ski lifts at the very base of the hill, next to the big parking lot. The other two of the anchor ski lifts, which are about 800 meter long, are situated at the top of the slope.
Staff at the cash did not speak English, so it is highly recommended that you speak some German. The season lasts from the end of December to the middle of April. The ski-lift costs €31 and you can use it at the Moltaller Glacier as well. The ski-lift passes can be bought using Amex and MasterCard, and they are of a proximity character which means that you will be given back €3 for returning the ski-lift pass after using it.
The brochure says of 30 kilometers ski trails but the experience says it is a bit far fetched. Especially if the fact of the two easy trails with the baby ski lifts is taken into consideration; those can barely be used for anything apart from learning how to ski. Ankogel owes most of its trail length to a long and very interesting ski trail that starts at the very top of the slope (2636 m) and it ends at its base (1287 m). At this trail one often witness the change of various conditions, especially in the case of variable and milder weather. There are four trails at the top of the slope, very wide and with no trees in the near surroundings so you can ski wherever you wish and wherever your skill will allow. However, bear in mind rather high avalanche risk. Half way down the slope you will witness more crowded trails due to trail constriction and towards the base of the slope you might encounter a wet snowpack. In the milder winter months there could be a lack of snow at the base of the slopes, considering the fact that they are positioned on the southeast side of the resort. But, all in all, ski trails are well cared for and you will not be disappointed unless in a case of force majeure. Concerning difficulty classification of ski trails, there are no black trails, or steep sites (except a few trail constrictions), so it will not be hard time for beginners. 
Within the trail classification system, ski trails are either red or blue. Strong winds, as well as blizzards are very common at the top (those who have visited Moltaller Glacier know all about it). But as you are descending conditions are improving and being halfway down you forget all about strong wind and blizzards. This is the very reason why the gondola is split in two; in bad weather conditions lower part of the ski trail is opened for use, while in better conditions the snow abundant upper one is being used.
Ankogel has three restaurants; a smaller one half way to the top, which is always crowded; one at the very top of the ski resort and a bigger one at its base near the gondola station. The prices are relatively acceptable, as it is the case with Carinthia.
If I was to choose a ski resort, I would hardly decide on this one, since there are considerably better and less oddish ones within about only a fifty kilometer radius. On the other hand, Ankogel being a ski resort with no crowd and with a trail of 1200 meter difference in altitude could serve as a pro argument, especially if it is your first encounter with Ankogel-Mallnitz ski resort.
www.ski-mag.com
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