Obertauern

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.

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.