Ski vacation in Austria, Obertauern

    

Obertauern, this charming ski resort is situated 90kms southeast of Salzburg at an altitude of 1,809m above sea level. The best way to get here is by flying in at Salzburg International Airport and from there take shuttles or rent a car to the resort.

You will find the resort at the top of an old Roman road dividing Land Salzburg from Carinthia in a truly amazing surrounding which has remained unspoiled by the tourists part of which is due to the fact that cars are not used to get around here they mainly stay in the parking lot once they arrive.

Getting around the resort is done on skis in winter and on foot in summer. And this is just normal. People who come here come because they want a bit of activity and exercise and enjoy the fresh mountain air so using your car during your vacation here is out of the question!

It is a year round resort welcoming tourists in cold seasons as well as in the warm ones. The ski season lasts from November to early May. The most expensive period is of course the one around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. February is a good month to go skiing in Obertauern.

Compared to other resorts like Zurs or Lech, Obertauern is somewhat newer but has soon developed into an international sports center offering great skiing opportunities both on and off piste. The resort being located in a great spot at high elevation the snow is excellent and long lasting. The variety of ski slopes welcomes every level of skier while the off-piste trails appeal more to the daring ones. The tow levels of skiers advanced and beginners are divided on different side of the village, one side is steep and is for the advanced ones and the other side is easier. If we add up all the lopes you get 120kms which is quite good!

Getting to your favorite slope is easy and fast and this is possible because of the 26 modern ski lifts encompassing a gondola and chairlifts that can transport over 30,000 skiers/ hour.

Whether you choose to stay around the village for skiing or venture to the more remote tracks, it’s up to you.

As in all great ski resorts you would expect facilities for children and indeed Obertauern is no short of them. Kids can learn to ski, snowboard or cross country skiing by subscribing at one of the ski courses. There are about 70 ski instructors to teach them and while they are off slopes they are involved in other pleasant activities at the kindergarten.

Obertauern is a great resort for families as it is quiet and safe. The accommodation possibilities range from the cheaper to the more expensive ones so you can choose from guesthouses to four-star hotels depending on your budget. the resort can accommodate 6,500 tourists as this is the nr of beds available, but on peak season you will see a lot more as there are those who live nearby and come for a day.

Those who come for a week or so can also choose to see more of the area and the possibilities include Mautendorf where you can visit a great castle, Katschberg and Aineck to the south, The Pöllatal Nature Park. A bit further Salzburg is definitely a must as it is a great historic city and Mozart’s birthplace. If you come to Obertauern through Salzburg you can plan to visit it on arrival or departure.

Even if it is a bit quieter than other top ski resorts Obertauern offers a lot in terms of entertainment. There are plenty of bars, cafés, discos and restaurants to get you unwind.

Austria - overview

1. Jan 6, 2008 Great ski resorts in the Austrian Zurs and Lech (Zurs)
2. Jan 9, 2008 Zurs, the home of winter sports (Zurs)
3. Feb 2, 2008 My favorite Austrian ski resort (Hintertux)
4. Feb 2, 2008 Hiking and white snow in Zell am See und Kaprun (Zell Am See)  ( 2)
5. Feb 5, 2008 Zauchensee, a great ski resort in Austria (Altenmarkt/Zauchensee)  ( 3)
6. Feb 7, 2008 St. Anton am Arlberg, a wonderful mountain village (Sankt Anton Am Arlberg)
7. Feb 7, 2008 Come to ski in the charming Villach (Villach)
8. Feb 8, 2008 Ski vacation in Austria (Obertauern)
9. Feb 13, 2008 The best ski resort in Austria (Radstadt)

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Read about Obertauern in our travel-guide