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    Austria, Europe

    Obertauern

    100km of pistes at 1,630-2,313m. Austria's snowiest resort with 264cm average depth. 26 lifts, ski-in/ski-out village.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    21 Nov 2025
    Closes
    30 Apr 2026
    Days open
    160
    Annual snow
    3m
    The Overview
    MF
    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
    The Terrain

    76 runs across 100 km of piste

    Obertauern spreads 76 runs across 100 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 61%, with 46 beginner runs to find your feet and 4 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    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

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    Latest News

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    Lift tickets

    12 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Full Day

    €49up to €58 peak

    Full day skiing at Obertauern, Austria's most snow-sure resort at 1,740 meters. Experience 100 kilometers of slopes in the legendary Snow Bowl setting.

    Buy pass
    Youth 15–17

    Youth Full Day

    €37up to €44 peak

    Youth skiing at Obertauern with access to Austria's snow-sure slopes. Perfect for teens to experience reliable powder conditions from November to May.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–14

    Child Full Day

    €24up to €29 peak

    Children's skiing at Obertauern with beginner-friendly terrain and ski school access. Family-oriented Austrian resort with gentle learning slopes.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Child (6 & Under)

    Free

    Free skiing for children 6 and under at Obertauern when accompanied by parent. Complimentary access to Austria's most reliable snow conditions.

    Buy pass
    Senior 63–99

    Senior Full Day

    €37up to €44 peak

    Senior lift ticket for Obertauern from 63 years. Discounted access to Austria's Snow Bowl with comfortable lifts and mountain huts.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Grosseck-Speiereck Connection

    €49up to €58 peak

    Obertauern pass valid at nearby Grosseck-Speiereck for 1.5+ day tickets. Explore additional Austrian terrain 15 kilometers away with same ski pass.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Half Day (from 12:00pm)

    €41up to €48 peak

    Afternoon skiing at Obertauern from noon. Perfect for shorter visits to Austria's most snow-reliable resort with guaranteed powder conditions.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Night Skiing

    €18up to €22 peak

    Night skiing at Obertauern on Edelweiss lift Mondays and Thursdays 7-10pm. Experience Austrian Alpine skiing under the stars with floodlit slopes.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Point Card (400 Points)

    €180

    Flexible point system at Obertauern for casual skiing. 400-point card valid for two seasons with points deducted per lift ride based on duration.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Multi-Day (6-Day)

    €245up to €290 peak

    Six-day Obertauern skiing with consecutive day validity. Experience Austria's Snow Bowl with savings over daily rates and reliable powder conditions.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Lungo Ski Pass (4 Areas)

    €62up to €72 peak

    Lungo pass for four Austrian ski areas including Obertauern, Grosseck-Speiereck, Fanningberg, and Katschberg. Regional skiing variety in Salzburg.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 19–64

    Obertauern Season Pass

    €689

    Unlimited access to Obertauern all season from November to May. Austria's longest winter season with most reliable snow conditions in the Alps.

    Buy pass

    Obertauern lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Obertauern closed on Apr 30, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from €18, with peak rates up to €58.

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Obertauern day pass cost?+
    Obertauern day passes range from €18 to €58 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Obertauern lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Obertauern lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Obertauern, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Obertauern lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Obertauern - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Obertauern lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Obertauern offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Obertauern directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Obertauern.

    More Obertauern intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.