Obertauern ski resort lies in the southeast of the state of Salzburg in the Radstädter Tauern mountains at heights of between 1,630 and 2,526 metres above sea level. Obertauern is one of Austria's high-altitude ski resorts that doesn't need a glacier.
Obertauern ski area
Skiing here has been well designed; the ski pass allows access to a modern interconnecting lift system where you can ski 100km of pistes in a natural circuit without the need of ski buses! This clever system allows you to always return to your original starting point, whichever direction you start off in. The slopes are also generally quiet especially outside peak weeks, perfect for beginners and families not wanting to waste valuable ski time in long lift queues.
The majority of the skiing can be described as good intermediate terrain, however this resort would not suit strong intermediates as the ski area is not large enough. At an elevation of 2,313 meters, you’ll reach the Gamsleiten 2 slope, one of Austria’s steepest runs and the highest point in the Obertauern ski area. This slope is only for the most daring skier or snowboarder. Due to its exposed position, the lift works only if the weather plays along. For experienced skiers, The Super Seven circuit is something special. The round marks the seven highest picks in the Obertauern ski region, each at the top of a lift facility.
When snow conditions are good there is some excellent off-piste to be found – hire a local guide for a safe introduction to the powder from someone who knows the area inside out.
For budding free-stylers, The Spot Snowpark is the place to be, with two sections and wide choice of rails, boxes and kickers.
Something everyone’s bound to enjoy is night skiing, usually taking place twice a week with floodlights illuminating a 1500m stretch at the Edelweissbahn lift.
Obertauern village
Obertauern ski resort is made up of a mixture of modern and traditional buildings, the majority lining either side of the main road that runs through the centre of the village. Since everything is on the main high-street, it means you do not have to walk particularly far in order to reach shops, restaurants and local bars.
The food in Obertauern is excellent with a mixture of restaurants and ski huts, covering a wide range of food from local specialities to pizzerias and grills. The accommodations tend to be expensive; however, you can find everything you crave: basic self-catering apartments, traditional guesthouses, or luxury spa resorts.
Obertauern ski resort is generally considered to be a somewhat expensive destination for tourists, particularly when it comes to lodging and dining. That being said, you may be able to find more affordable lodging and dining options if you do some research in advance and plan your trip during the off season.