Winter in the Salzkammergut

 

Skiing and Snowboarding

We are right in the centre of the Dachstein West ski region with its  network of 45 lifts and cable cars serving over 140 kilometres of wide, well groomed piste . There is skiing  all around at Russbach, Gosau, Postalm, Obertraun, Abtenau and Feuerkoegel. 

Relatively unknown to skiers outside Austria and Germany, this is an excellent ski area with modern facilities, set in breathtaking scenery. There is skiing to suit all levels from beginners to the most experienced skier, top class ski schools, great children's facilities and welcoming mountain restaurants. In fact everything you need for a great ski holiday!

Grabbing a few days on the slopes has never been easier as we are so convenient for  both Salzburg and Linz airports.

We can arrange transfers directly to the slopes and give lots of advice on the best places to ski.

Never tried skiing? Want to give it a go?
 Why not try one of our ski breaks just for beginners? 

Dachstein West - Upper Austria's Largest Ski Area

We are 25 minutes by car ( or about 50 minutes by ski bus) from Dachstein West and it's main villages of Gosau and Russbach. With skiing to suit all levels, you can ski all day with hardly a queue, and always find a mountain hut to relax and enjoy traditional  food and drink.

Russbach features excellent children's facilities at the Bear Camp and Sparrow's Nest. Professionally trained staff ensure there is plenty of fun and games for all children leaving you to  enjoy your skiing knowing they are well looked after.

Bear Camp features a magic carpet, bear slalom, snow castle and reserved nursery lift. Children under six ski for free. 

Sparrow's Nest is for children from 1 year upwards. Children are warm and cosy indoors,there are lots of toys to keep them amused. Drinks and lunch are available. 

Take a look at:

www.dachstein.at- for full details of the area
www.ski-snow-fun.at - for ski school in Gosau
www.russbach.com - for ski school in Russbach

Postalm

We are 25 minutes by car ( or about an hour by ski bus) from Postalm. A beginners' and improvers' paradise with about 20km of nursery slopes, blue and easy red runs. This is the highest alpine plateau in Austria, sunny and snow sure. Great for families!  The Fun park (with tubes and body boards)  and floodlit toboggan run just add to the fun you can have here. 

Dachstein Krippenstein

We are 25 minutes by car ( or about an hour by ski bus) from Dachstein Krippenstein with skiing at over 2000m, 11km of runs with a 1500m drop! Great off piste skiing. This is a challenging resort for all skiers and snowboarders. There is also a beginners area and ski school. Even if you don't ski here, go up just for the view  -it's like being on the top of the world!

Other resorts in the area

If you fancy a change of scene try Abtenau, Loser-Altausee , Feuerkogel and Tauplitz which are all within an hour's drive.

Ski Touring

Ski touring is one of the fastest growing winter sports. Ski touring (sometimes called ski de randonnée, ski mountaineering, and AT [alpine touring] or variants) uses special ski equipment that enables the user to climb then descend slopes without the aid of ski lifts. Sounds mad? Maybe but fans of the sport love to get away from the crowds and ski free. The Katrinalm in Bad Ischl  5 minutes from Haus Strutzenberger is a ski touring centre.

Cross Country Skiing

For cross country enthusiasts there are miles  of trails, with spectacular scenery, just a short drive away. Try the trails in Bad Ischl on the Rettenbachalm and around Pfandl, or those around Lake Wolfgang and Langbathsee, Bad Goisern and Gosau. 

Other things to do in winter

If you fancy time away from slopes ,or you are not a skier, there is lots to do in and around Bad Ischl.

 Try snow shoe walking, curling or ice skating, take a horse drawn sleigh ride, try out one of the toboggan runs. 

For complete luxury ,or to recover hard worked muscles, a visit to the thermal spa at the EuroTherme  - Bad Ischl is a must. Completely refurbished this year, the spa has pool heated to 33 degrees C, saunas, steam baths, whirlpools and a full range of  therapeutic massages and beauty therapies. Why not treat yourself!

Take a trip to Salzburg. The home of Mozart, the city is still alive with fine music, museums, cathedrals and gardens. You can even take the "Sound of Music" tour to visit the sites used in the film.

Additional Services

We are able to offer a full programme of activities

In winter we can arrange sleigh rides, curling, ice skating, guided visits to Salzburg, sledging and family fun days at the Postalm with tubing and snow bikes.

Bad Ischl is 25 minutes by car to the excellent skiing at Dachstein West and a similar distance to the family skiing area at Postalm. In winter we offer a complimentary transfer to the ski bus or we can arrange for a "direct to slopes" transfer - so there is no carrying of skis. 

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