Obertauern Ski Resort
Being the first and only purpose-built ski resort in Austria, Obertauern is a gem of a resort. It is the highest sitting resort in the Salzburg ski area with a fantastic snow record. Obertauern offers a complete ski holiday experience for its visitors and as such, it is no wonder that it is seeing a steadily growing popularity among British skiers who visit the resort in increasing numbers each new season.
Historically, Obertauern was only a mountain pass dating back to the Roman empire, with some Roman waggon tracks discovered dating back to the 1200s. Skiing only began after the first world war with the village officially built in the winter of 1929. The lift was installed In 1948 at the Seekarhaus and by the end of the 1960s, there were gondolas, cable cars and drag lifts. There’s more to Obertaurens history than meets the eye. Deemed the perfect setting they were looking for, the resort has played host to rock and roll royalty, when a certain, famous musical quartet from Liverpool visited the resort and spent up to 2 weeks filming part of their 1965 musical movie, Help!
Obertauern boasts a diverse ski area with pristine slopes suitable for all skill levels. From gentle beginner slopes to challenging black runs, the resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of every ability. The high-altitude location ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season, with modern snowmaking facilities augmenting natural snowfall. Panoramic views of the surrounding peaks enhance the skiing experience, creating unforgettable moments on the slopes.
Obertauern boasts a diverse ski area with pristine slopes suitable for all skill levels. From gentle beginner slopes to challenging black runs, the resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of every ability. The high-altitude location ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season, with modern snowmaking facilities augmenting natural snowfall. Panoramic views of the surrounding peaks enhance the skiing experience, creating unforgettable moments on the slopes.
As a purpose-built ski resort, the entire set-up at Obertauern functions perfectly for all visiting skiers. It practises a pedestrian, car-free centre and also has 100% ski-in and ski-out hotel and chalet accommodation; allowing visitors to jump out of bed, into their ski boots and onto the slopes! The pistes in Obertauern are perfect for all ski abilities with beginners to advanced skiers finding joy on the pistes. The resort sits at a very impressive 1750 metres altitude with more than half of its pistes above that height, peaking at 2,315 metres. Not only does Obertauern promise high altitude snow sure skiing and excellent ski conditions, its altitude sees the season start early, from November last up until the month of May. Its slopes are also home to cosy and lively mountain lodges and huts where you can stop by for a midday meal and warm drink; perfect for families.
The resort sits at 1,750 metres with the ski terrain ranging between 1,630 and 2,526 metres surrounded by the slopes of the Radstädter Tauern. The mountain has slopes to suit all ski levels, but intermediates are spoiled for choice with countless blues and reds.
Obertauern has up to 100 kilometres of snow-sure, high-altitude pistes that cater to just about all mixed ski abilities. The pistes range from 1630 metres to 2315 metres altitude and are serviced by an efficient network of 31 lifts including gondolas, chairlifts, drag lifts and magic carpets.
After completing a few runs and building confidence in the nursery areas of the resort, beginners can find easy slopes to build on at Perner, Übungs, Kirchbühel and Edelweiss lift. The easy runs here are gentle blues that are an absolute pleasure for beginners. Access the Schaidberg chairlift to reach other easy blues located higher up in altitude.
The majority of the runs here are perfect for intermediate level skiers. One of them, the Tauern Circuit, is a 200 kilometre round trip of the resort which cuts across both blue and. Red slopes.
There are only 6 difficult runs on Obertauern that appeal to seasoned skiers. Advanced skiers can head up to the Gamsleiten 2 to access some of these challenging runs coming down from Gamsleiten at 2,357 metres altitude. There is also a long, windy black coming down Gamskarlift which is worth a shot for advanced skiers. Obertauern also has fantastic off-piste opportunities but we world always strongly recommend visiting with a guide.
All Accommodation in Obertauern
Freestylers and snowboarders are very well catered for at Obertauern. The terrain here at Obertauern is very much freeride-orientated and as earlier mentioned, the pistes here are suitable to all ski ability types. There is also an amazing snowpark with all the obstacles you would normally find (rails, boxes and kickers etc) and more. The park is also open to all ski ability levels.
Obertauern is one of Salzburglands highest resorts and its fantastic snow conditions see’s the resort stay open from November up until May. The resort has averaged 593 centimetres of snowfall per annum over the last 10 years also with an average of 46 days of snowfall each season. The resort also has very efficient snowmaking facilities to supplement any losses.
For a small, family-friendly ski resort, the après-ski in Obertauern is pretty lively. It traditionally begins on the pistes with a good number of mountain huts and lodges dotted across the slopes known as “après mile”, where lunch service seamlessly transforms into vibrant music, increased flow of drinks, dancing or taking in the sun whilst enjoying the view on the outdoor terraces. When you head back down, there are a number of pubs, bars and lounges that greet your arrival and from where you can continue the apres-ski evening. Most bars stay open early hours.
Edelweissalm Chalet
Edelweissalm It is a traditional Alpine ski bar with a cosy interior and lively atmosphere. It is one of Obertauern's many ski slope lodges/huts that transforms from a lunch bar and restaurant to full-on apres-ski as the afternoon wavers on. Sitting at 1,850 metres altitude, the party kicks off from 3:30 pm every day and the DJ rolls out the sets which lead to dancing until later in the evening until it’s time to ski back down to the village and continue the crawl to other bars in the resort. It also has an outdoor terrace which often tends to be the scene of table and chair dancing. It is well known for hosting great apres-ski parties.
Lürzer Alm
Lürzer Alm is one of the main apres ski hubs in Obertauern. It is located at the foot of the slopes and is open every day from 3:30 pm. It is a huge establishment which has two different food outlets and a huge bar hall. Great place to catch up on drinks and stories just off the slopes and food is served until midnight. It’s perfect for all types of evening catchups. There is a cosy indoor interior with a fireplace and an outside umbrella bar as well (a great place to hang out on sunny days). Its location makes it the obligatory place to visit once coming down the slopes from Edelweissalm. There is also a large dance floor which comes alive at 9:30 pm when the DJ sets come out and the party kicks off. Lürzer Alm is also well known for throwing some of the best-themed apres-ski parties at Obertauern.
Der Turm Der Turm which translates as The Tower (stemming from its mediaeval tower looks) is a lovely small bar also located at the foot of the slopes and by the Gamsleiten chairlift. Part of Hotel Schneider can be reached by foot or by ski. It has a large sun terrace with deck chairs from where you can enjoy the perfect view of the surrounding mountain range. Smaller and cosier feel to the larger bars in the resort, Der Turm offers a mix of traditional and chic lounge experiences. If you love your cocktails, Der Trum has a fantastic cocktail menu.
Treff 2000 Treff 2000 is a bright, modern restaurant bar that sits at 2,000 metres altitude above the resort, near the Grünwaldkopf lift. It has recently undergone a refurbishment which has certainly given it a very modern and contemporary facelift. Browse through an extensive drinks menu from wines, beers and spirits which you can enjoy along with some of the most breathtaking views anywhere in Obertauern. There is a restaurant on the first floor and a sun terrace on the ground floor with outdoor table seating and deck chairs; amazing on a sunny day.
Gruberstadl The self-proclaimed number 1 après-ski spot in Obertauern. Located right on the ski slopes on 18a, Gruberstadl has a great party atmosphere and the vibe is constantly lively. It usually starts slow but accelerates as the day progresses into the evening. Expect live bands, happy hours, DJ sets and parties. Gruberstadl is also known to throw really good new years eve parties.
The facilities in Obertauern are fantastic. As earlier mentioned, Obertauern is a purpose-built ski resort and as such, it was built to fulfil all needs and requirements of a functioning ski resort. The resort has awesome accommodation facilities which allow door-to-door skiing and easy access to the several amenities available on the resort including shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. There is also a good amount of off-slope entertainment for all visiting age groups.
Obertauern is the perfect resort for children. A purpose-built family-friendly resort, it has more than enough facilities to ensure that children are well looked after and catered to. There are several attractions that are specifically for children's entertainment and enjoyment. We have listed a few here.
All Accommodation in Obertauern