Ski area Dachstein West
Highest point: | 2,100 m | Gondola lift: | 11 |
Lowest point: | 780 m | Pistes in total: | 131 km |
Altitude ski resort: | 511 m |
Pistes:
|
44 km |
Lifts in total: | 57 |
Pistes:
|
80 km |
Tow lifts: | 35 |
Pistes:
|
7 km |
Chair lifts: | 11 | Ski routes: | 40 km |
Ski area Dachstein West
There is Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg with their beginner's pistes and then there is Hornspitz, Edtalm and Zwieselalm, offering mainly red pistes for the more experienced and indulgent skiers. Here, you can also find pistes bordered by forest and carving pistes. Those looking for a challenge should check out the black piste "Wilde Hilde" with its 67% decline, starting just below the snowpark Dachstein West. This professional fun park offers everything a freestyler could wish for. Beginners can have a go in the "Annapark" in Annaberg, "Ötscher Park" in Gosau as well as the "Rookie Park" next to the Hornbahn lift in Russbach. Next to the snowparks and the flood light pistes in Gosau, the fun pistes are another highlight: they are spread all throughout the ski area and promise an exciting ski day with their slalom pistes including time measurement, snowcross sites, wave and mogul pistes. Wi-Fi hotspots can be found all across the ski area so that you can post pictures and share your experience with others instantly.
Freeriders can make their first experiences in the "Freesports Arena Krippenstein" in Hallstatt's neighbouring village Obertraun. The ski area at the Dachstein massif is a fantastic freeride hotspot with an excellent reputation in the whole country, which it acquired due to its off-piste territory with 30 km of diverse runs and Austria's longest freeride piste with its 11 km length. The little ones learn their skiing in the "Krippi Park" at the valley station and all other kids wanting to learn how to ski or snowboard off-piste, will gain new skills in the tree parcours in the Adventure Park. One of the panorama highlights at Krippenstein is Five Fingers view point.
You should check out the new panorama ski circuit "Panoronda" with a total of 44 km of piste is a diverse experience on perfectly prepared and signposted pistes. Cosy huts and sun terraces are available for breaks and especially for enjoying the magnificent panorama view.
Night skiing Hallstatt
In the Dachstein West ski area, night skiing is part of the deal. A small night ski area with extended operation hours once per week can be found nearby the Gosau valley station. At Ötscherlift, the bottom section of the valley run is illuminated for night skiing. The night ski piste is approx. 1 km long. Marked a red slope, it also meets experienced skiers' requirements. Apart from the main piste the beginner's piste at Brumsiland nearby the Hornspitzbahn lift valley station is illuminated by floodlight. Both pistes can be used during the extended operation hours from 18:30 - 20:30. After night skiing, the Hornspitz umbrella bar invites you to stay a little longer.Après ski Hallstatt
Winter hikers can look forward to two lovely viewing platforms accessible through an adventure hiking trail. First of all, there is the Five Fingers, a platform consisting of 5 footbridges, from which you can enjoy views across the lake and the entire magnificent landscape of the inner Salzkammergut area. Secondly, the World Heritage Spiral on the top of the Krippenstein at 2,100 m, is a building made of aluminium, where you can take the perfect selfie from the photo point with the Dachstein Glacier in the background. Moreover, the lodges in the ski area Krippenstein are excellent starting points for beautiful ski tours and snowshoe hiking at the Dachstein massif.
The valley stations Russbach and Gosau offer fantastic après ski parties under their umbrella bars. In the afternoons and evenings, Hallstatt's market square and its old buildings are a good option, offering cosy cafés and guest houses with a special atmosphere, some of them with a great view over the lake.
Snowpark: Snowpark Dachstein West Hallstatt
The ‘Dachstein West’ ski region has a total of four different fun parks where every freestyler will get their money's worth. The ‘Ötscher Kids Park’ is located at the valley station in Gosau. With their own lift, budding freestylers can acquire their first skills here without being disturbed. Those looking for the ultimate kick in terms of risk should check out the Snowpark Dachstein West: Obstacles such as the 6-metre-long wave box and various medium kickers as well as a jib box and a 70-metre-long wave run provide the ultimate adrenaline rush. Does all this seem too daring for you? No problem, because beginner elements allow even newcomers to discover weightlessness. Thanks to the free Wi-Fi hotspot, you can also share new successes straight away.
If you want to practise away from the freestyle aces, there are two places to go in the ski area: the ‘Rookie Park’ in Russbach and the ‘Annapark’ in Annaberg. Small jumps, boxes and rails offer plenty of space to practise.
Is the Dachstein West ski area not right for you? Then have a look here instead: Ski areas Austria