Katschberg

Katschberg is a mountain pass located in the Austrian Alps within the state of Carinthia. The pass sits at an elevation of 1,500 metres and connects the town of Sankt Anton am Arlberg in the north to the town of Scheibbs in the south. It is a major route along the Schnellstraße B 99, which later became part of the Autobahn A 10 through the Katschberg Tunnel.

The pass itself can be accessed via a steep, winding road that is typically open from late spring to early autumn. The road offers panoramic views of surrounding peaks such as the Katschberg and Großvenediger. In winter, the area is closed to motor traffic; instead, a high-altitude ice road is used for avalanche control and maintenance.

Katschberg has been a strategic transit point since Roman times, when a road crossed the Alps. During the Middle Ages, it served as a trade route for goods between Slovenia and northern Italy. The modern highway and tunnel, which opened in 1975, improved accessibility and replaced the old road as the main artery.

Today Katschberg is best known for its ski area, the Katschberg Ski Resort. It offers over 100 kilometres of pistes, a vertical drop of 910 metres, and modern lift infrastructure. In the summer months the area provides extensive mountain biking trails and hiking routes. The resort also hosts various winter festivals and sports events. The Katschberg region is managed by local municipalities and the Austrian Alpine Club, ensuring preservation of the natural environment and sustainable tourism practices.