The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Obertauern spans 100 kilometres of pistes across 76 runs between 1,630 and 2,313 metres elevation, with a vertical drop of 683 metres. The resort holds the distinction of being Austria's snowiest winter sports destination, recording a mean maximum snow depth of 264 centimetres according to a 2016 study analysing 30 years of hydrographic data.
Snowmaking covers 95 kilometres of terrain, whilst the high base elevation at 1,740 metres ensures reliable conditions from late November through early May. The terrain suits intermediates particularly well, with 61 per cent blue runs and 35 per cent red runs.
The signature Tauernrunde circuit connects all 26 lifts in a continuous loop around the bowl-shaped village, allowing skiers to complete a full circuit without repeating any lift. The clockwise pink circuit follows red and blue runs for confident skiers, whilst the anticlockwise green circuit sticks to beginner-friendly blue terrain.
Gamsleiten 2 ranks as Austria's second-steepest marked piste, delivering sustained gradients up to 100 per cent with natural moguls forming through the day. The Super Seven Summit Tour links the seven highest mountain stations for stronger skiers seeking a full-day challenge.
Obertauern functions as a purpose-built ski village straddling the Tauern Pass, with nearly all accommodation offering ski-in, ski-out access directly to the slopes. The compact layout means 11 different lift entry points are spread around the village, eliminating long walks in ski boots.
An après-ski mile featuring 25 ski lodges runs through the resort, with Lürzer Alm and Edelweissalm drawing crowds from mid-afternoon. The resort gained international recognition in 1965 when The Beatles filmed snow scenes for Help! here, choosing Obertauern for its guaranteed snow when other resorts lacked cover.
Lift passes valid for 1.5 days or longer include access to the Grosseck-Speiereck ski area in Mauterndorf, 15 kilometres away, effectively expanding the skiable terrain. Adult day passes range from EUR 49 in regular season to EUR 58 during peak periods, with six-day passes priced at EUR 245 to EUR 290.
The resort suits intermediate skiers seeking reliable snow and efficient piste access, families wanting ski-in, ski-out convenience, and groups combining quality skiing with a lively après-ski scene. Expert terrain is limited to a handful of black runs, so advanced skiers may exhaust challenging terrain within a few days.
683m
Vertical
76
Runs
100 km
Piste
3m
Annual snow
Watch
See Obertauern in motion
The Terrain
76 runs across 100 km of piste
Obertauern's terrain spans 1,630m to 2,313m - a modest vertical drop of 683m by Alpine standards - yet it packs 100km of pistes across 76 trails into a high, treeless pass at the top of the valley. The difficulty spread favours intermediates, who account for 61% of the pistes, against 35% rated advanced and just 4% graded expert, with a longest run of 5km. Lifts and runs radiate outward from the village like spokes on a wheel, letting skiers loop the resort in either direction and ride back to their starting point - the basis of the popular Pink Circuit, whose 30km of pistes can be skied via three separate routes for up to 90km of connected terrain in a single circuit.
Terrain quality shifts sharply with aspect: the sun-facing side runs to wide, mellow cruisers well suited to families and improving skiers, while the shaded northerly slopes hold steeps, couloirs and tree-lined bowls that reward freeriders after fresh snowfall. Gamsleiten 2 is the standout for experts - an ungroomed, often icy mogul field rated among the steepest runs in the Alps, with its lift running only when conditions allow. Boarders have their own ground at Longplay Snowboard Park, cross-country skiers can access trails running up to 23km, and night skiing operates on the Edelweissbahn twice a week.
Terrain split
76
runs
76 runs across 4 grades
Beginner46 runs · 61%
Intermediate27 runs · 35%
Advanced2 runs · 2%
Expert2 runs · 2%
Time it right
When to visit Obertauern
Obertauern operates from 21 November 2025 through 3 May 2026 for the current season, delivering over five months of continuous skiing. Lifts run daily from 08:30 to 16:00 during the main season, with partial operations continuing from 20 April through the closing date when the Zehnerkarbahn, Grünwaldkopfbahn, and Seekareckbahn remain open.
The resort typically maintains full operations from late November through mid-April, with reduced lift pass prices of approximately 30 per cent applying from 20 April onwards. Early morning skiing runs every Wednesday from 08:30 on the Zehnerkarbahn, Gamsleitenbahn, and Achenrainbahn.
Annual snowfall averages approximately 562 centimetres, with January historically recording the highest monthly totals around 151 centimetres. The high base elevation at 1,740 metres and summit access to 2,313 metres ensures the ski area sits well above the freezing level throughout winter.
Weather systems arrive from both north and south of the Hohe Tauern mountains, creating the convergence pattern responsible for Obertauern's exceptional natural snowfall. Snowmaking infrastructure covers 95 kilometres of the 100-kilometre piste network with 120 snow cannons, allowing early season opening even before significant natural snowfall arrives.
January and February deliver the most consistent snow conditions, with the snowiest week typically falling in the first week of February when an average of 44 centimetres falls across 4.1 snow days. December offers good early season skiing once the base has established, particularly in the second half of the month.
March maintains excellent conditions on the higher terrain whilst benefiting from longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. Spring skiing through April provides softer snow in the mornings with corn conditions developing by afternoon on south-facing aspects.
The annual Ski Opening Week features headline concerts marking the season launch - the 2025/26 season opened with performances from Seiler und Speer and Edmund. Night skiing operates every Monday and Thursday from 19:00 to 22:00 on the floodlit 1.5-kilometre run served by the Edelweissbahn chairlift.
The SHEskiS women's ski day supporting the Pink Ribbon campaign takes place on 11 April 2026, whilst the Gamsleiten treasure hunt runs from 16-19 April with prizes including a BMW. First.Track mornings occur monthly, opening lifts at 07:30 with alpine brunch included.
Season 2025 - 2026
21 Nov 2025
Opens
30 Apr 2026
Closes
160
Days open
3 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Obertauern, and where to stay
Obertauern sits at 1,740 metres on the Tauern Pass in the Radstädter Tauern mountains, positioned on the border between the Pongau and Lungau regions of Salzburgerland. The village occupies a natural bowl formation surrounded by peaks on all sides, creating the distinctive snow-catching amphitheatre that earns it the nickname 'snow bowl'.
The ski area extends above the treeline, providing open alpine terrain with panoramic views in all directions. Obertauern falls within the municipality of Untertauern in the Sankt Johann im Pongau district, approximately 90 kilometres south of Salzburg city.
The nearest settlements include Untertauern 8 kilometres north, Tweng 7 kilometres south, and the historic market town of Radstadt 20 kilometres to the north. Mauterndorf lies 15 kilometres south in the Lungau valley, providing access to the linked Grosseck-Speiereck ski area.
The region has witnessed winter traffic since 1929, when regular winter crossings of the Tauern Pass first became possible, though skiing arrived earlier with soldiers training here around 110 years ago. Radstadt offers rail connections and serves as the gateway for those travelling by public transport.
Drivers from Salzburg follow the A10 Tauern Motorway to exit 63 at Radstadt, then continue on the B99 Katschberg Federal Road through Untertauern to the pass - a journey of approximately 92 kilometres taking just over one hour. From Munich, the route follows marked motorways to Salzburg before joining the A10 south, covering roughly 220 kilometres.
Those arriving from Villach or the south exit the A10 at St Michael toll station (exit 104), passing through Mauterndorf to approach from the Lungau side. Winter tyres are mandatory on Austrian roads, and snow chains may be required on the final approach to the pass.
Salzburg Airport lies approximately 90 kilometres north, with transfers taking around 70-75 minutes by private shuttle or taxi. Klagenfurt Airport provides an alternative at 140 kilometres, whilst Munich Airport sits 220 kilometres away.
Radstadt railway station, the nearest rail connection at 20 kilometres, receives direct services from Salzburg (80 minutes), Innsbruck, Munich, and Vienna. Line 280 buses operate from Radstadt Bahnhof to Obertauern every four hours, taking 28 minutes - note that public transport throughout the Salzburg region became free of charge in May 2025 for those using Salzburg Verkehr services.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Obertauern, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Obertauern's ski season?
Obertauern's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from November 21 through April 30. That window is roughly 160 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 Obertauern have?
Obertauern lists about 100 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 76 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 Obertauern?
Trail grading at Obertauern breaks down roughly as 61% beginner, 35% intermediate, 2% advanced, 2% expert. With a strong beginner share, Obertauern suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
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 Obertauern have?
Obertauern operates 26 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 8 quad chairs, 6 6-person chairs, 5 t-bars, 3 8-person chairs, 2 double chairs, 1 gondola, and 1 surface lift.
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 Obertauern?
Base elevation at Obertauern is about 1,630 m (5,348 ft), with the summit around 2,313 m (7,589 ft), giving roughly 683 m (2,241 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 Obertauern get each season?
Obertauern averages about 300 cm (118 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 Obertauern lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €19 to €72, 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 Obertauern before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 10 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Obertauern 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 Obertauern 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 Obertauern. 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 Obertauern located?
Obertauern 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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