Lower Austrian Ski Resorts Thrive Despite Mild Winter

Lower Austrian Ski Resorts Overcome Mild Winter Challenges

Lower Austrian ski resorts have shown resilience this season, welcoming 660,000 visitors despite unusually mild temperatures and low precipitation across the alpine region. Artificial snowmaking played a crucial role in maintaining operations at 15 ski resorts, ensuring good piste conditions throughout the season. The visitor numbers represent a 25% increase compared to the previous three winters, indicating a strong recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

Winter season at Hochkar runs until 6 April. Credit: Hochkar Resort

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, responsible for tourism, noted the positive impact of sunny weather on ski rentals and overall resort attendance. Several ski areas, including the Jauerling Ski Arena, reported extended operating seasons with high-quality snow conditions. The Hochkar Bergbahnen is set to continue operations until April 6, 2025, hosting the Austrian General Class Championships in early April.

The state-owned ecoplus Alpin GmbH, which manages five locations, recorded about 460,000 visits. The busiest day of the season saw over 13,000 first-time visitors across these resorts on January 4, 2025.

Jauerling Ski Arena offers night skiing. Credit: Jauerling Ski Arena

A standout success of the season has been the new Lower Austria Mountain Adventure Pass, which grants access to ten ski areas in the region. Over 8,700 passes were issued, with a significant portion going to children and young people. The pass has been used more than 90,000 times, accounting for about a third of all visits to Hochkar.

Despite the challenges posed by the mild winter, Lower Austrian ski resorts have demonstrated their ability to adapt and provide quality experiences for skiers and riders. The success of the Mountain Adventure Pass and the return to pre-pandemic visitor numbers suggest a positive outlook for the region's ski industry.