Experience winter and a skiing fairy tale in Obertauern – the season lasts from November to May

Publication date

9 December 2025

Category

Skiing

Statistics

At the Obertauern ski resort, the 2025/2026 ski season began in mid-November when the first ski slopes opened. While some regions have been struggling with a lack of natural snow in recent years, Obertauern is fortunate to be located in the center of Austria. It currently has up to 50 cm of snow. This superbly maintained ski resort is only a one hour drive from Salzburg and offers skiers modern ski lifts and 100 kilometers of ski slopes.

Obertauern ski resort is one of the best ski resort in Austria, boasting a large amount of snow, with an average snow cover of 2.64 meters, guaranteeing skiing on natural snow from November to May.  This is due to the location of the ski resort, as it receives snow from both the north and the south.

The 2025/2026 ski season began on November 21, when the first ski slopes were opened, and by mid-December, 90% of all slopes are operational. This season will last until May 3, 2026.

An interesting fact about the Obertauern ski resort is that most of the ski slopes, or 96 kilometers, are marked blue and red, which means they are suitable for all recreational skiers.

More than half of the ski slopes are located on the sunny side, which is particularly important for family skiing. This means that children will not get cold, and for additional fun in the snow, there are playgrounds, mascots, and specially designed ski slopes with gates and jumps, as well as a slope with speed measurement and recording. Another special feature is the 2c slope, which includes a haunted house that you can ski through.

The Obertauern ski resort also has one of the most famous black runs in Austria, the Gamsleiten 2, which allows skiing from an altitude of 2,313 meters down to the valley at an altitude of 1,630 meters.

Recreational skiers prefer to ski on slopes that allow them to make a circular trip around the area – Tauernrunde (with red and green routes depending on which direction you are skiing), and there is also a children's version of the circular route, the Bobby Round, where children are accompanied by the mascot Bobby the snow rabbit.

For the most experienced skiers, we recommend a ski trip along the S7 - Super Seven circular route, where you will visit the seven highest peaks around Obertauern and enjoy the most beautiful views.

On Mondays and Thursdays, night skiing is also available on the Edelweissbahn slope. If you have a multi-day ski pass, night skiing is included in the price.

Which slopes will be open at the end of November

Everything is ready for the ski opening at the Obertauern ski resort on Friday, November 21. It has been snowing in recent days, and there will be more snow on Thursday and Friday (November 20 and 21), but the weather forecast for the weekend is better, with sunshine expected on Sunday.

There is up to 40 cm of snow on the slopes, so on Friday they will open slope 5a at the Seekarspitzbahn chairlift. Access will be possible from the central car park via the Grünwaldkopfbahn and Panoramabahn gondola/chairlift, but skiing down to the valley will not be possible – bus transport will be organised for the return journey.

On Saturday, the Hochalmbahn chairlift and most of the slopes with operating chairlifts will also open. Ski pass prices will be reduced by 25% until the other ski slopes open.

New rules at the Obertauern ski resort and renovated sports center

Starting this year, ski tourers are no longer allowed to climb along the ski slopes, and the parking lots at the ski lifts are now reserved for ski pass holders only. Parking motorhomes overnight is also no longer permitted.

The nearest winter camp is in Mauterndorf, from where a ski bus runs daily.

NEW - the renovated sports center in Obertauern opens its doors on November 22 - offering three padel courts, a golf simulator, bowling alley, billiards, and fitness center, as well massages, children's playrooms and a restaurant.

Ski pass prices

Obertauern still has lower ski pass prices than comparable ski resorts in the area. You can now also buy passes online, where you get a QR code that you use to pick up your passes at the ticket machines at the cash desk. The same pass prices apply throughout the season:

• Adult day ski pass - €69.50
• Child day ski pass (2010 - 2019) - €35.00
• Youth day ski pass (2007 - 2009) - €52.50
• Daily ski pass (1961 and older) - €66.00

Purchase ski passes online >

Entertainment, ski opening concerts, and Advent market

The Obertauern ski resort is also known for its party atmosphere at the huts, especially after skiing, when party-loving visitors gather in one of the bars (the most famous being Lürzer Alm).

Every year at the start of the season, concerts are organized, and this year, the Austrian band Seiler und Speer will perform on Friday, November 28, followed by a concert by the Austrian duo Edmund on Friday, December 5.

Advent in Obertauern will take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 28 to December 21, when an Advent market with local products and hot drinks will be open in the center of town from 4 to 8 p.m.

Accommodation in Obertauern

There are more than 150 hotels and apartments of various categories near the ski resort, including two youth hotels, all of which are located close to the ski slopes. Cheaper accommodation can be found in the valley in Tweng, which is connected to the ski resort by a free ski bus (7 km).

For those familiar with Valamar's campsites and hotels, it is good to know that Valamar has three hotels in Obertauern.

Two of them are particularly interesting for families, namely Places Obertauern and Valamar Obertauern, as they have well-equipped children's playrooms and organized entertainment, and both also have an indoor pool and wellness center. This means that some of the family can enjoy the snow while others enjoy the pool or playroom. The Hotel Kesselspitze is perhaps more suited to couples and those seeking a quieter holiday. All three hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of the ski resort - www.valamar.com

For more information about skiing and winter holidays in Obertauern, visit www.obertauern.com