Winter Sports & Ski Resorts
The mountains around Hallstatt and throughout the Salzkammergut are home to some of the most scenically spectacular winter sports terrain in Austria. Dachstein West, the Krippenstein and the Feuerkogel collectively offer a comprehensive range of skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, snowshoe touring and ice skating — all set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Dachstein massif, one of the great Alpine landscapes of Central Europe. Whether you are a seasoned skier seeking challenging runs or a family looking for a gentle first snow experience, the resorts around Hallstatt offer something exceptional.
Dachstein West, directly above Hallstatt and Gosau, is one of the most visually dramatic ski areas in Austria — its runs descending from the high plateau of the Dachstein glacier through open snowfields and forested slopes, with the UNESCO World Heritage village visible far below. The Krippenstein, accessible by cable car from directly beside Hallstatt, combines moderate ski runs with some of the most extraordinary panoramic views in the Alps — the glacier above, the frozen Hallstätter See below, and the full sweep of the Dachstein range stretching in every direction. The Feuerkogel above Ebensee is beloved by families and cross-country enthusiasts for its gentler terrain and reliable snow conditions.
The broader Salzkammergut winter landscape extends the possibilities still further. The region’s many lakes freeze in cold winters, offering the rare pleasure of skating on natural ice; the forests and mountain meadows surrounding each village are ideal for snowshoe touring; and the network of cleared winter hiking paths allows guests to experience the extraordinary beauty of the Alpine landscape in its most pristine season without skis or specialist equipment. Winter in the Salzkammergut rewards those who come to find it.
Hallstatt Hideaway is perfectly positioned as a base for exploring all three ski resorts and the full range of winter sports available in the region. Ski hire and lift passes are available in the nearby villages, and the combination of outstanding skiing during the day with the warmth and luxury of the Hideaway in the evenings makes for a winter sports stay of quite exceptional quality. Arriving at the Hallstätter See after a day on the mountain, with the snow still on your boots and the frozen lake glittering in the winter light, is one of the truly great pleasures of the Salzkammergut in winter.
