Upper Austria Ski Resorts

Upper Austria: Dachstein Glacier; Ideal For Freestylers

Upper Austria's idyllic landscape spans lofty mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and historic hillside villages. Ski resorts here are particularly popular with families, freestyle skiers, and snowboarders. Dachstein West (470-2100m) is Upper Austria's largest ski area. It is made up of the resorts of Russbach, Zwieselalm,... Full Overview

Upper Austria: Dachstein Glacier; Ideal For Freestylers

Upper Austria's idyllic landscape spans lofty mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and historic hillside villages. Ski resorts here are particularly popular with families, freestyle skiers, and snowboarders.

Dachstein West (470-2100m) is Upper Austria's largest ski area. It is made up of the resorts of Russbach, Zwieselalm, Gosau, Annaberg, Abtenau, Katrin-Bad Ischl, Krippenstein, and Obertraun/Dachstein. Dachstein West has 130 kilometres of snow-sure slopes for all levels and offer views over the Salzkammergut.

The area is a magnet for freestyle fans with 30 kilometres of off-piste with rocky ridges, the Krippenstein Funpark, and the snow-assuredness of the Dachstein Glacier. The area also offers other winter activities such as ice climbing, dog sled rides, snowshoe hikes, and snow camps. Families flock to the area for the children's ski facilities, including ski camps, magic carpet, and Susli land.

Hochficht-Boehmerwald (930-1338m) is home to 20 kilometres of tree-lined slopes. Skiing here is particularly well suited to beginners and intermediates. It is also a hit with freestyle fans for its Fir Snow Park, boardercross, and event arena. Children are well catered for with a kids' park, magic carpet, and ski roundabout. Non-skiing activities include winter hiking trails, and a toboggan run.

Kasberg-Gruenau im Almtal (620-1600m) has 40 kilometres of slopes connected by modern lifts, including an eight-person cable car and a gondola. Half of the slopes are ideal for beginners. A children's ski arena is set at the sunny Jagerspitz station, and is complete with gentle slopes, a magic carpet, the Fairy Tale Forest, and a kids' racing area. Freestylers can practise tricks at the funpark. The area also offers a good selection of mountain huts with sunny terraces.

Wurzeralm-Spital am Pyhrn (800-1870m) is nestled between Stubwies, Rot Wand, and Warscheneck. Its 20 kilometres of slopes are lined with modern snowmaking facilities and is accessed via modern lifts - Wurzeralm actually boasts Europe's fastest funicular. Skiers can take a break from the slopes and enjoy a choice of traditional mountain restaurants. Families also have a sunny kids' park.

Hinterstoder-Hoess (600-2000m) is surrounded by idyllic mountain scenery. The six-person chairlift in the charming village centre takes skiers up to the Hutter Boeden and then up to the Hoess Mountain. The 40 kilometres of slopes offer something for all levels. Hinterstoder features a kids' park, a cross-trail and speed course, and a World Cup race course.

Other ski resorts in Upper Austria include Feuerkogel-Ebensee (443-1625m) with 11 kilometres of slopes, Katrin-Alm-Bad Ischl (470-1415m) with four kilometres of slopes, and Sternstein Lifte-Bad Leonfelden (800-1122m) also with four kilometres.

The ski resorts of Upper Austria are easily reached from the airports of Linz, Graz, and Salzburg. Trains also link Linz and Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim and Bad Ischl, and Graz to Stainach Irding and Bad Ischl.

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