Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Salzburgerland: why you should visit this winter

From sensational skiing to shopping opportunities and laid-back, family-friendly resorts, there's something for everyone on a holiday to Austria's Instagrammable Alpine region

Tuesday 03 December 2019 15:33 GMT

You’re spoilt for choice in Austria’s SalzburgerLand. Between Obertauern, Zell am See-Kaprun, Skicircus and St Johann in Salzburg you’ll have thousands of kilometres of pistes to explore, with everything from snow-sure slopes to family-friendly resorts.

For fun off the slopes, you can whizz down the mountain on a toboggan, which is even more exhilarating at night on a floodlit piste. Make new furry friends when you go dogsledding with adorable Siberian huskies. Get close to nature while discovering woodland trails on a winter walk, or strap on snowshoes to explore a true mountain wilderness.

The magic of the Austrian Alps becomes even more captivating during the festive season. Head to Salzburg to see one of the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets and enjoy a rich calendar of musical events. For an intimate experience, visit the Advent markets in cosy villages such as Grossarl, St Johann in Pongau and Altenmarkt-Zauchensee. The Katschberg Advent Trail is pure enchantment as you follow the trail between mountain huts – either on foot or by horse-drawn sleigh.

Family-friendly Obertauern

A prime photo opportunity in Obertauern

Want to stay right on the slopes? Then head to Obertauern, where you can slide straight to the pistes from your hotel door. Enjoy the long season that runs from November to May, and test yourself on one of the steepest mogul slopes in Europe. For the kids there’s the new Bobby’s Monsterpark that’s opening this season..

Shop and ski in St Johann in Salzburg

St Johann in Salzburg's slopes ere ideal for beginners

Combine a day out shopping in elegant Salzburg with family-friendly skiing at St Johann in Salzburg. Young beginners can get their ski legs on the family mountain of Hahnbaum, while more experienced skiers can get to grips with the tougher runs among Ski Amadé’s 760km of slopes.

​Slow down in Skicircus

Enjoy 270km of pistes at Skicircus

Once you set foot in the ski region of Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, you’ll soon see why they call it the “Home of Lässig” – seriously laid back. This chilled-out resort is just the spot for cruising down the slopes. Thanks to its hi-tech lifts – including a new 10-person gondola this winter – it’s easy to get to know its 270km of slopes.

Explore Zell am See-Kaprun

A fast and comfortable ascent to 3,000 metres above sea level

This season, you can broaden your horizons with the new Ski Alpin Card, which gives you access to Skicircus Saalbach Leogang Fieberbrunn, the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun.

Take a ride on the new 3K Kaprun-Kitzstein Konnection, a ski-in-ski-out gondola that links the Maiskogel to the Kitzsteinhorn. There’s also the new connection taking you from Viehhofen to the Schmitten on the zellamseeXpress.

To find out more about Austria's SalzburgerLand, visit austria.info/winter and salzburgerland.com

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in