Exploring Austria's November Weather: Snow Expectations

Austria is a popular attraction in Central Europe, known for its imperial culture, music, art, and natural beauty. November is the end of fall in Austria, and the weather is likely to be cold, damp, and dark. The country doesn't see many visitors this month, but that makes it a great time to get in some early Christmas shopping at a market, relax in a thermal spa in the mountains without the crowds, or go sightseeing in an uncharacteristically quiet month in Salzburg.

November in Austria is the last month of fall, and conditions are generally cold and damp, on the cusp of winter. The average November high is 48°F (9°C), with colder temperatures at higher altitudes. Although there's not much rain, there's a chance of fog, and with not much sun, temperatures can feel colder. Days are also short in the lead-up to the shortest days of the year in late December.

There will be snow in the mountains and possibly also in the cities in November, especially later in the month.

Skiing in Austria in November

Austria is a popular skiing destination, with several ski resorts offering extended seasons. In November 2024, the glacier ski area above Sölden will host the World Cup ski season, as it does every year.

The snow conditions at the beginning of November 2024 have been affected by warm temperatures, with sunshine forecast for the first weekend, even at higher elevations. This means that the glacier resorts are likely to be more popular.

Open Ski Areas in Austria in November

• Rettenbach Glacier above Sölden
• Tyrol Kaunertal Glacier – 4 lifts open, 40cm
• Pitztal Glacier – 5 lifts open, 70cm
• Sölden Glaciers – 9 lifts open (both glacier areas), 102cm
• Stubai Glacier – 14 lifts open, 25cm
• Hintertux Glacier – 14 lifts open, 85cm
• Salzburg Kitzsteinhorn Glacier – 9 lifts open, 110cm
• Carinthia Mölltaler Glacier – 3 lifts open, 50cm
• The high-altitude Tyrolean village of Obergurgl is scheduled to open on 14 November, with World Cup ski races on 23 and 24 November.
• Obertauern in the province of Salzburg is scheduled to open on 22 November.
• From the week of 28 November, another 30 or so ski resorts across the country will open for the 2024-2025 winter season, including major resorts such as Lech, St Anton, Ischgl, Zell am See, and the Saalbach-Hinterglemm area.

Other Activities in Austria in November

While skiing is a popular activity in Austria in November, there are also plenty of other outdoor and indoor activities to enjoy. These include:

• Husky ranches, where you can go sledging
• Schnapps tasting—a popular alcoholic drink in Austria
• Mozart concerts, including a live orchestra and performers dressed in medieval costumes
• Hiking and exploring ice caves, such as the Werfen Ice Caves in Salzburg, which are the world's largest
• Horse-drawn carriage rides through the snow-covered landscapes

Christmas markets in Austria in November

Austria in November is cold, and you can expect to see snow in the mountain areas. The good news is that this means you can visit one of the country's many Christmas markets without it feeling too early!

The Christmas markets in Austria are an age-old tradition, with the first one taking place in 1296. Nowadays, there are over 20 official Advent markets, and they usually start opening in mid-November. The markets are full of handcrafted goods, decorations, and seasonal gifts, as well as delicious treats like mulled wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, and pastries.

• Viennese Dream Christmas Market: In front of the City Hall, this market has a unique backdrop and is filled with delicious aromas. There's an area inside the City Hall dedicated to children, where they can learn to make Christmas cookies and candles. You can also listen to international choirs singing carols for free on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This market runs from 16 November to 26 December 2024.
• Christmas Village Belvedere Palace: Set against the backdrop of the beautiful and world-famous Belvedere Palace, this market features over 40 festively decorated stalls offering traditional handcrafted goods, elaborate Christmas decorations, and culinary delights. It takes place from 15 November to 23 December 2024.
• Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square: Located between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, this market has a very festive atmosphere. It features decorated stalls and a wide array of culinary delights. It runs from 13 November to 23 December 2024.
• Christmas Market at Spittelberg: In the revitalized heritage district of Spittelberg, you'll find a market full of objets d'art, ceramics, jewellery, and warm jumpers. It runs from 16 November to 23 December 2024.
• Art Advent: This market has an "alternative" feel with unique arts and crafts stalls. It's located on Karlsplatz and runs from 15 November to 23 December 2024.

Vienna's ball season in November

A Traditional Affair

Vienna's ball season is an annual cultural and social highlight. The ball season traditionally begins on 11 November and ends on Shrove Tuesday, with its peak in January and February. The special ambiance is created by the ceremonial programme and the courtly customs, which go back to the 18th century. There are dress codes, an opening fanfare, the debutants' arrival, and the exclamation "Alles Walzer!" (the signal to get on the dance floor), as well as dance performances, different types of music, and the so-called midnight interlude, usually a quadrille.

What to Expect

Expect a mix of traditional waltz and contemporary music. There will be several events to choose from every evening. It is recommended to pick your favourite balls in advance and secure your tickets. The dress code is usually stated on the invitation, but generally, men are expected to wear a black tuxedo/smoking/frack and a bow tie, and women need to wear a floor-length evening dress.

Balls to Attend in November

• Ball of the Viennese Chimney Sweeps – 15 November 2024
• New Year's Eve Gala at Vienna City Hall – 31 December 2024

If you are not attending the ball, there are plenty of other things to do in Austria in November. Here are some suggestions:

• Horse-drawn carriage ride – Cuddle up under blankets and admire the snow-covered landscape.
• Husky ranches – Enjoy sledging and spend time with the huskies.
• Schnapps tasting – Sample the unofficial national drink of Austria, made with 40% alcohol.
• Mozart concert – Attend a concert followed by a three-course dinner, with performers dressed in medieval costumes.
• Hiking and ice caves – Go hiking in Salzburg, home to the world's largest ice caves.

November in Austria is likely to be cold, with rain and freezing rain in the milder regions. Snowfall is expected in the mountain areas.

All Saints' Day in Austria in November

Austria in November is cold, with snow in the mountains and rain in the milder regions. The average temperature during the day ranges from 30-40, and at night, it's around 20-30.

November 1st is All Saints' Day in Austria, a national holiday, and part of a week-long celebration called "Seelenwoche" or All Souls' Week. It is a Catholic holiday that honours all the Christian saints and martyrs who do not have their own feast days. In the past, special feast days were set aside for particular martyrs, but as their number grew, the Church declared an official, shared feast day for all saints in the 7th century. The holiday was moved to November 1st in the 8th century.

On All Saints' Day, Austrians celebrate with their extended family, including the deceased, as they believe the curtain between the world of the spirits and the living is thinner than usual. They attend Catholic Mass and head to graveyards to decorate graves with candles and flowers, typically chrysanthemums, marigolds, and other autumn flowers, either dried or made into wreaths. Church bells ring out at noon, marking the hour of "Seelenauslauten", when souls of the dead are released. Austrians believe that the departed have a bodily presence and can be anywhere. The bells signal it is time for them to move beyond the world of the living.

Public transportation continues to run on All Saints' Day and offers additional routes to cemeteries. The largest Viennese cemetery, Zentralfriedhof, holds an annual celebration where thousands gather to listen to music, have picnics, and decorate graves to resemble the Garden of Eden, encouraging the dead to find their way to heaven. It is also traditional to donate food to the poor on this day, and children receive small gifts as they walk through villages "asking for a small gift" by singing songs of All Souls.

Austria's off-season in November

Weather

November in Austria is cold, damp, and dark. The average high is 48°F (9°C), with colder temperatures at higher altitudes. While there isn't much rain, there is a chance of fog, and with little sunshine, temperatures can feel colder. Days are short, with the sun setting before 5 pm. Snow is likely in the mountains and possibly in the cities, especially later in the month.

Tourism

November is an off-season for tourism in Austria, with few visitors, making it a great time to find discounts on flights, train travel, and accommodation.

Attractions

While some smaller places may be closed, cities like Vienna and Salzburg remain open. In fact, November is a great time to visit Salzburg on a budget, as it is the low season for tourism. The city's entertainment calendar is quieter, and you can stroll the historic Old Town, Fortress Hohensalzburg, and Schloss Hellbrunn without the crowds.

If you're looking for indoor activities, head to Vienna for its ball season, which kicks off in November. While the most famous balls are held later in the winter, you can still experience a traditional ball without the same volume of visitors. Just remember that tickets must be bought a few months in advance, and formal dress is essential.

For early Christmas shopping, Austria's Christmas markets open in mid-November, offering traditional crafts, food, drink, and entertainment.

If you're looking to relax, November is an excellent month to visit one of Austria's spa towns for a warming bath in natural thermal waters. Head to eastern Burgenland or mountainous Styria for some of the country's oldest spas and treatments that utilise the area's natural peat and salt.

Ski Season

While November is generally considered off-season, skiing is already up and running in some parts of Austria. The glacier ski area above Sölden hosts the opening of the World Cup ski season, and other glacier resorts are also open and gaining popularity.

However, the high season for snow skiing in the Western Alps doesn't begin until late December. If you're an early bird skier, other resorts with earlier openings include:

• Hintertux Glacier
• Kaunertal Glacier
• Sölden Glaciers
• Stubai Glacier
• Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
• Pitztal Glacier
• Mölltaler Glacier

Frequently asked questions