Your guide to Obertauern Ski Resort in Austria

(1630m - 2313m)

★★★	Beginner
★★★★	Intermediate
★★	Advanced
★★	Off-Piste
★★★	Snowboarding
★★★★★	Snow Reliability
★★★	Extent
★★★	Apres-Ski
★★★★	Mountain Restaurants
★★★	Scenery
★★★	Village Charm
★★	Non-Skiers

Ski Lifts	26
Resort Altitude	1750m
Pistes	100kms
Ski Range	1630m – 2313m
Green Runs	–
Blue Runs	23
Red Runs	35
Black Runs	5

Local Lift Pass	€213 – €235 (6 days)
Area Lift Pass	–
Transfer Time	Saltzburg 2hrs
Transfer Day	Saturday
Tourist Board	Website
Weather	View detailed snow forecast for Obertauern at: snow-forecast.com Snow Report
Webcam	Webcam
Piste Map	Piste Map

The Slopes

With approximately 100km of slopes to explore, and suitable for all levels, Obertauern is a great resort for mixed ability groups. It’s a snow sure resort but some runs do tend to be on the short side though, so if you are a mile hungry skier you may cover the entire resort in a couple of days.

The skiing is located on either side of the main road through the resort - the 3 main areas being Kringsalm, Hochalm and Gamsleitenspitze. Obertauern has developed the unique ‘Tauernrunde’ whereby the runs and lifts have been cleverly designed so that you can ski the complete mountain range in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction and return to your starting point. Be aware though that you will have to tackle some red runs in order to complete that.

The Kringsalm area served by the Edelweissbahn and Plattenkarbahn caters for beginners and early intermediates offering a variety of blue and red runs, which are neither steep nor long. These slopes are ideal for that early morning warm up run. From Kringsalm you can easily get to the second sector Hochalm which offers the intermediate skier much more in the way of a challenge. The slopes are steeper and longer, but still on the short side when compared to those of other alpine resorts. This area does however tend to be quieter and often the best snow can be found here. Over the road is the Gamsleitenspitze area. There are some nice cruisey blues lower down, however expert skiers will want to challenge themselves on the tough black run from the top of the Gamsleitenbahn 2 chairlift. The beginners' nursery slopes are also situated at the bottom of the Gamsleitenspitze area and are reasonably accessible to those staying anywhere in the village.

Being a snow sure resort means that snowfall can cause white outs and as Obertauern has a lack of trees this can sometimes be a problem. It’s lucky then that a lot of the hotels offer fitness and wellness facilities.

Obertauern tends to be aimed at the beginner and early intermediate skier, but mixed ability groups do well here too. Experts can head to the Gamsleiten No. 2 – one of the steepest mogul runs in Europe.

Apres-Ski

Obertauern has a lively après ski scene, there are a number of huts dotted around the mountain and plenty at the bottom of the slopes and in town with a mixture of traditional Austrian music and dancing and some Europop thrown in for good measure. Most of the hotels have their own bars so if you are feeling tired at the end of the day there is no need to venture very far.

Good bars to visit are the Hochalm, the Edelweiss, Der Turm, People, H H Bar, the Latsch´n Schirm, Huberts Yeti Bar and of course the lively Gasthof Taverne and Römerbar. There is also the Hasnstall, Monkey Circus and Lérzeralm.

Eating Out

A lot of accommodation in Obertauern is half board and the majority of hotels serve traditional Austrian food to a very high standard - you can walk in to most of the hotels to eat in their restaurants.

However should you wish to eat out then there are restaurants ranging from pizzeria’s to those serving traditional Austrian cuisine. Make sure you try the award winning Almstube, the Restaurant Austria which serves delicious Austrian cuisine, there is also the Gamsleiten, the Königsalm, the Tiroler Keller and the Gnadenalm.

Simpler fayre such as pizzas can be found at the Pizzeria Da Giorgio, the Hintertürl, the Taverne and the Ferdinando, then there is also the Lürzer Alm for burgers.

Other Activities

Obertauern has a range of activities to keep you entertained such as adrenaline filled snow kiting or snow biking, to the more sedate snowshoeing, suitable for young and old alike.

Or perhaps you’d prefer a tobogganing party on one of the two toboggan runs or the more traditional ice skating, ice climbing, curling and sleigh rides. Obertauern also has a sports centre should you feel that way inclined. If pampering is more your cup of tea then some of the hotels in Obertauern have the most exquisite wellness facilities to ease your aching muscles. Trips to Salzburg are also available.

Ski School

There are a number of ski schools in Obertauern catering for all ages and abilities in small groups or private lessons. Along with skiing and snowboarding, snow biking and snow kiting or cross-country courses are also available.

The Koch Ski School has group lessons starting from €175 for 5 days, private lessons start from €58 per hour.

Ski School Krallinger has group lessons starting from €185 for 5 days and private lessons from €45 per hour.