The small village of Obertauern, which officially has less than 200 inhabitants, becomes an attraction for fans of winter sports from Austria, Germany and the world every year. As the ski resort that is said to have the most snow, it has been comprehensively adapted to the tourists who start their journey with the first snowfall at the latest. Obertauern is an almost sleepy little village during the rest of the year, which is already evident in the number of inhabitants. But if you are looking for a good place for winter sports, you will definitely get your money’s worth here.
Winter sports in Austria – Obertauern is one of the top addresses
With the Austrian Alps, there is of course a large selection of possible places for vacationers to vacation. It is usually important to travellers that they get a lot of snow and can also rely on a good tourist infrastructure. After all, it’s not just about a good descent, but also about being able to ski down in the evening with good food and sleep in a comfortable bed. As one of the most popular areas in all of Austria , the Obertauern winter sports region has all these things to offer.
The proximity to Salzburg invites you to pack your skis when visiting the city and enjoy the possibilities Austria has to offer in winter. At the same time, of course, it means for holidaymakers in the ski area that they can take a day trip to one of the most interesting cities in Austria without any effort. Apart from the general variety and the range of ski resorts in this region, there are many interesting alternatives that you can take advantage of.
Obertauern also likes to advertise the family-friendliness of the place. Short distances and easy access to the most common means of transport are an important key to spending a relaxing holiday here. Of course, a variety of accommodation options also plays a not insignificant role in this reputation.
What can you experience on the slopes of Obertauern?
Obertauern has always been one of the most popular areas for winter sports fans in Austria and other German-speaking countries. This certainly has to do with the fact that a lot of snow falls here, especially here, and the ski resorts are sometimes available all year round. Above all, however, it is because the area in the Salzburg region has ensured that you can spend a holiday without any worries or efforts.
The slopes themselves are divided quite classically. Whether on skis or snowboard, a clear layout makes it easy to find your way around the different slopes and find the level of difficulty you want for your own fun. The infrastructure of the lifts makes it quite easy to find your way around and look for exactly the slope that is suitable for your own descent. Various ski huts, restaurants and small snack bars invite you to have a snack and therefore offer a good variety for your own holiday and for the descent.
In addition, ski courses for children are also offered in the village. So if you just want to go to the slopes and relax without keeping a watchful eye on the children, you can use one of these programs for yourself and at the same time give the offspring the opportunity to explore the snow on their own under supervision.
For the little ones, the best place to get started in skiing is in the “Bibo Bär” family ski park to take their first steps on skis. The gastronomy and hotel industry offers a family atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the slopes. This guarantees optimal skiing holidays for the whole family.
A cool winter sports experience for children and young people is the Kindertauern circuit.
For the little ones, it’s off to the Bobby Round. On the fun slope they can swing down very easily. Ghost train and fairytale forest, wave run and a stopover at Bibo Bear are mega fun.
For parents, there are exactly the fantastic descents that await them. Rustic huts invite you to stop along the way.
Fun sports enthusiasts will find great jumps and slide elements in the attractive snow park with forty elements on three slopes and a total length of 3 kilometres. In addition, a powder kicker zone and a separate freestyle freeride route have been created to push the adrenaline level.
Skiing under the stars is a unique experience on the illuminated, 1,500-metre-long slope of the Edelweißbahn. Every Monday and Thursday in the evening until 10 p.m., there is the opportunity to experience the mountains in the starry glow on the ski run.
For all winter sports enthusiasts who want to take it a little easier, there is a 6.5-kilometre-long toboggan run. Or how about “mountain yoga”. In summer, you can go out into the clear mountain air, while in winter the courses are offered at the end of the day in the Haus des Gastes.
If you like it even more romantic, you have the opportunity to glide through the snow-covered winter wonderland in a horse-drawn sleigh.
For cross-country skiers, 32 kilometres of cross-country ski trails are prepared. In front of a unique mountain panorama, beginners and experts will find the right trail. For example, the Gnadenalm trail beckons. At an altitude of 1,350 metres, a fantastic 15 kilometres of cross-country skiing start. The route between Untertauern and Obertauern is considered one of the most snow-sure trails in the Alpine region.
Ski hikers experience the snow-covered winter landscape on designated ski trails. The “Taurachtalweg” leads through the idyllic landscape over 10 kilometres to Radstadt. The return journey can then be made by ski bus.
The “Wildlife Park Circular Trail – Tauern Gorge” leads through the Untertaur Wildlife Park up to the Wildlife Park Waterfall. Imposing ice sculptures can be admired here before it goes downhill again along the Tauern Gorge.
A groomed hiking route goes from the Gnadenalm to the Südwienerhütte. The path winds up in serpentines and requires a good level of fitness. The reward for the arduous ascent is the view of a fantastic mountain backdrop. The descent can then be made in a rapid toboggan ride back to the holiday accommodation.
Supporting offer and accommodation in the Obertauern ski area
For a modern ski area in this day and age, it is no longer enough if simply the slopes are of a certain extra class. Instead, it is also about the question of whether you have a good offer for the hours outside the snow. Above all, many travelers are concerned with the question of how and whether they can find good accommodation within their budget. In Obertauern there are a variety of hotels and accommodations in different price ranges. From simple hostels to holiday apartments to top-class hotels, there are options available for holidaymakers to choose from. The topic of recreation is also very important, especially in the high-priced sector. Wellness offers and relaxation allow you to enjoy the amenities of the trained staff after a long day on the slopes.
If you are looking for après-ski at night, you will find many pubs, bars and restaurants in Obertauern that have adapted to this need. With fair prices and good music, you can enjoy the night here and get in touch with other people. If you like it a little quieter, you will find some good restaurants in the area, where you can find good food and end the day in a different way.
Finally, of course, the proximity to Salzburg must also be emphasized. The town with the striking castle is an hour away by car, 2 hours by most buses and offers the right destination for a day trip. Not only can you explore the city’s historical sites, but culture also plays an important role. This offers enough variety for a holiday in the Obertauern ski area.
Obertauern off-piste
In addition to a lot of snow, Obertauern also holds wonderful art treasures. On the pass road to Radstadt, for example, you can admire the Tauernhaus “Wisenegg”. Characteristic of Alpine architecture is the roof covered with wooden shingles. The façade is decorated with an old sundial and an inscription from 1573. Adjacent to it is the church “Saint Peter”. The Baroque building dates back to the 17th century and the façade is partially clad with shingles.
The Tauern cemetery is also worth seeing. Buried in the cemetery of the “Nameless” are strangers who tried to cross the pass in bad weather and died in the process. The cemetery and chapel are now listed as historical monuments and house graves that date back to the 16th century.
A worthwhile destination is the Zehnerkarbahn from Obertauern. It is a monocable gondola with the special feature that there is an intermediate station in the upper section of the route, but it is not possible to get off.
If you want to enjoy a bit of culture during your skiing holidays, visit the magnificent imperial town of Bad Ischl. Beautiful Wilhelminian buildings and villas characterize the image of the place. Emperor Franz Joseph I regularly resided in the imperial villa during the summer months from 1849 to 1914.
The winter weather for skiing, cross-country skiing and winter hiking is mostly sunny but cold due to the altitude. From December to February, maximum temperatures below zero degrees must be expected. The lifts are in continuous operation throughout the region from mid-November to the end of April.
At the Gamsleiten criterium, the ski season ends with a lot of fun and hello. A total of thirty-three treasure chests of up to half a meter are buried in the snow. At a party, the start numbers will be assigned, in the order in which the treasure hunters will be allowed to dig and prove their gold-digging qualities in the huge area. The main prize is a car in addition to numerous consolation and material prizes.
