Dachstein West
Ski 51km of pistes across Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg in Austria's UNESCO Salzkammergut. 872m vertical, 24 lifts, family-friendly terrain.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
29 Mar 2027
Days open
115
Annual snow
2.1m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Dachstein West spans 51 kilometres of pisted terrain across 46 runs between 745 and 1,617 metres, delivering 872 metres of vertical drop beneath the dramatic Dachstein massif. The regional lift pass unlocks 160 kilometres across eight interconnected ski areas including the Freesports Arena at Krippenstein.
Terrain splits 29% beginner, 65% intermediate and 6% advanced - ideal for families and improving skiers. The 44-kilometre Dachstein Tour ski circuit connects all three base villages while the Wilde Hilde run challenges experts with a 67% gradient.
Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg retain their traditional Upper Austrian character with rustic mountain huts and minimal après-ski. Children's areas include Fredy-Land and Zwisiland in Gosau, Bärencamp in Russbach, and Fuxi Kinderland in Annaberg - all with dedicated ski schools and magic carpets.
The resort operates within the UNESCO World Heritage Salzkammergut region, offering exceptional value compared to larger Austrian ski areas. The Marcel Hirscher race course with timing and mogul pistes like Donnergroll and Schwarzreiter add variety for confident skiers seeking challenge.
872m
Vertical
46
Runs
51 km
Piste
2.1m
Annual snow
The Terrain
46 runs across 51 km of piste
Two thirds of Dachstein West is graded intermediate (65%), and that defines how the ski area skis: long, rolling cruising between 745 and 1,617 metres rather than big alpine pitches. Across 46 runs and 51 kilometres, beginners take 29% and advanced skiers just 6%, with no terrain graded expert. Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg each have gentle lower slopes close to the villages, while the better runs sit higher around Hornspitz, Edtalm and Zwieselalm, where the pistes open into wide carving terrain and a few tree-lined descents.
The one run that breaks the pattern is Wilde Hilde, a black piste at Edtalm that starts beneath the snow park and reaches a 67% gradient. Around it, the Gaudi slopes spread timed slalom courses, snowcross, wave tracks and mogul pistes across the mountain, and Gosau keeps a floodlit run open for evening skiing. With 872 metres of vertical and so little steep ground, Dachstein West suits families, progressing intermediates and mixed-ability groups far better than anyone chasing difficulty or big off-piste days.
Terrain split
46
runs
46 runs across 4 grades
Beginner13 runs · 29%
Intermediate30 runs · 65%
Advanced3 runs · 6%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Dachstein West
Dachstein West operates from 5 December 2025 through 6 April 2026, running continuous ski operations during peak periods with partial service in early and late season. The four-month season delivers approximately 120 days of skiing when conditions permit.
Annual snowfall averages around 315 centimetres with peak accumulation in January and February when summit depths typically reach 55 centimetres. Snowmaking across 122 kilometres compensates for the mid-mountain elevation, ensuring groomed pistes remain skiable throughout the season.
February offers the most reliable snow coverage alongside March's 19 sunny days on average - the brightest month of the season. January brings the Gosau Balloon Week featuring the spectacular Night of the Balloons with illuminated hot-air balloons above Hornspitz.
The Children's Snow Festival at Fredy-Land draws families in late December and early January with free activities including tubing and llama hikes. Ski touring enthusiasts gather in March for the charity ski touring event on Russbach's 3.6-kilometre Atomic Backland route.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
29 Mar 2027
Closes
115
Days open
2.1 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Dachstein West
Daily snow reports at Dachstein West go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
105 cm
Snowiest day
18 Mar 2021
34 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
210 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Dachstein West, and where to stay
Dachstein West straddles the border between Upper Austria and Salzburg, with Gosau in Upper Austria and Russbach and Annaberg in Salzburger Land. The three villages sit within the UNESCO World Heritage Salzkammergut region beneath the 2,995-metre Dachstein glacier.
Hallstatt lies 15 kilometres east, while the imperial spa town of Bad Ischl sits 20 kilometres north. Salzburg city centre is approximately 70 kilometres northwest, reachable in under 90 minutes by car.
Motorway access comes via the A10 Tauernautobahn exit at Golling from the south or the A1 Westautobahn exit at Regau from Vienna and Linz. Free parking is available at all three village base stations with paid parking at seven euros per day in Gosau.
Salzburg Airport sits 70 kilometres away - approximately 45 minutes by car. Train connections run to Bad Ischl on the Salzkammergut railway, with free ski buses linking Bad Ischl, Hallstatt and Obertraun to all three resort villages throughout the season.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Dachstein West, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Dachstein West's ski season?
Dachstein West's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 4 through March 29. That window is roughly 115 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Austria, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Dachstein West have?
Dachstein West lists about 51 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 46 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Dachstein West?
Trail grading at Dachstein West breaks down roughly as 29% beginner, 65% intermediate, 6% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Blue/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Dachstein West have?
Dachstein West operates 24 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 7 surface lifts, 5 6-person chairs, 5 t-bars, 4 quad chairs, and 3 gondolas.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Dachstein West?
Base elevation at Dachstein West is about 745 m (2,444 ft), with the summit around 1,617 m (5,305 ft), giving roughly 872 m (2,861 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Dachstein West get each season?
Dachstein West averages about 210 cm (83 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Dachstein West lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €36 to €69, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Dachstein West before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 9 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Dachstein West so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Dachstein West have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Dachstein West. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Dachstein West located?
Dachstein West sits in Austria, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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