SalzburgerLand and Obertauern: what winter 2025/26 has in store

Our editorial team attended a meeting at which representatives of SalzburgerLand and the Obertauern resort presented what awaits skiers in the coming 2025/26 winter season. The talks covered not only snow and pistes, but also a new approach to travelling around the region, green solutions and the events that traditionally draw Alpine enthusiasts here. SalzburgerLand is betting on sustainability, reliable snow and comfort.

For years SalzburgerLand has been the region that sets the tone of the Austrian winter. The figures speak for themselves: more than 50 ski resorts, around 280,000 beds, 30 million overnight stays in the 2024 season and a steady place for Poland among its leading markets. Behind the hard data, though, lies everyday hospitality, attention to detail and the belief that in the Alps altitude is not the only thing that counts. The region blends tradition and modernity in a natural way. Mountain huts and inns still set the mood, and alongside them come hotels with wellness areas and fast lifts.

Mobility for guests: the Guest Mobility Ticket

Since May 2025 everyone staying overnight in SalzburgerLand receives the Guest Mobility Ticket, a free public transport ticket valid across the whole region. Regional trains, local buses and long-distance services within the state can be used at no extra cost. In practice this means you can plan your day freely, without having to hire a car. You can go from the hotel to the slopes, drop into a thermal spa in the afternoon and head to a concert in the next valley in the evening. The ticket is electronic; you can save it on your phone or have it printed at reception. The scheme is funded by a small mobility charge of 50 euro cents of tax per person per night. In return there are fewer cars in the mountain villages, less traffic, cleaner air and real savings on the trip budget. Almost two million tickets were issued in the first months of the scheme.

Obertauern: a byword for quality and reliable snow

Among SalzburgerLand's resorts, Obertauern stands out for its location and microclimate. Its altitude of around 1,740 m gives it a head start. The season begins earlier here and ends later, and the snow holds well into spring. The piste network covers 100 km, served by 26 lifts. It is all tied together by the Tauernrunde circuit, which lets you ski around the whole area without taking your skis off. It is a logical, intuitive layout, especially convenient for families and groups who want to ski together while still being free to choose their own route. The resort's signature run remains Gamsleiten 2, one of the steepest pistes in Europe. It commands respect even among seasoned skiers.

Ski in, ski out and après-ski

Come here and you will see that Obertauern was designed with skiers in mind. Hotels and guesthouses stand right by the pistes, so you really can ski straight from the door. The village has around 150 places to stay with 10,000 beds. There are another 150 places to eat and drink, from classic huts with terraces to modern venues where music and conversation take over in the evening. A quick breakfast in the morning, then the first chairlifts, afternoon sun on the south-facing slopes, and dinner and après-ski in the evening. This daily rhythm makes Obertauern a good fit for families with children and for sporty skiers alike. In the warmer months many pistes turn into hiking and cycling trails, and the altitude brings a natural coolness that visitors and locals both appreciate, especially during summer heatwaves in the valleys.

A winter that goes beyond skiing

Skiers in SalzburgerLand are spoilt for choice, but there is more on offer than downhill runs. Cross-country skiing in the valleys and ski touring higher up in the mountains are popular. Many guests discover the joy of long toboggan runs. The region's best-known toboggan run is floodlit and has a vertical drop of around 1,300 m, which makes for a descent of 30 to 50 minutes. More and more people also try mountain yoga here, which combines exercise with the views.

The Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest in the whole of the Alps, shows its harsh and quiet side in winter. Walks with rangers and guides take you to places you would usually only see from a car window. After a day out in the cold it is good to head back to the thermal baths or a wellness area, where the plan for the next day falls into place in a hot pool.

Stories that make history

Obertauern has its own pop culture legend. In the mid-sixties The Beatles came here to film scenes for Help! Paul McCartney recalled that this was where he first stood on skis. The episode lives on in hotel chronicles, in photographs and in the programmes of some events.

Salzburg and the surrounding towns, in turn, carry the story of the carol Silent Night. The words were written in Mariapfarr, the music in Arnsdorf, and the first performance took place in Oberndorf at Christmas 1918. In winter you can follow the carol's trail, visit the chapel, look into the museum in Hallein and see the grave of Joseph Mohr in Wagrain.

The 2025/26 season: opening, Advent and treasure hunting

Winter in Obertauern is long and has its own rhythm. The Ski Opening weekends in November and December draw a crowd, one that likes music combined with the first runs of the season. In December the village is lit up by Tauerndvent, a series of Advent markets with local crafts, hot chocolate and wine. Then come January and February, when conditions are at their most stable and the days grow a little longer. In March the sun comes out, the snow softens in the afternoon and conditions are ideal for long, panoramic runs. In April the stage belongs to the events that close the season. Sheskis combines women's skiing with a charitable cause, Symphonic ABBA is a concert that sounds great in the open air, and Gamsleiten Kriterium turns the mountain into a playground and a hunt for hidden treasure, with different prizes every year and equally big smiles from the participants.

Getting there and planning your stay

The nearest airport is Salzburg, from where the transfer to Obertauern takes roughly an hour. Munich airport is about 2.5 hours' drive away, and Vienna about 3.5 hours. After landing you can rely on public transport to get around (Guest Mobility Ticket).

The season in Obertauern starts at the end of November and runs until mid-April. In the first part of the winter you can count on fresh powder and smaller crowds during the week. Prices are highest in January and February, but in early March they drop while conditions are still ideal for skiing.

Agnieszka Kaszuba / skionline.pl