Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a winter wonderland, with its stunning landscapes and snow-covered forests. The country offers a range of activities for visitors during the winter months, from winter sports to cultural experiences. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice, there are slopes suited for all levels of expertise. For those who want to try something other than skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of options, including tobogganing, hiking, and exploring Christmas markets. Austria is also home to charming alpine villages, where you can cosy up by the fireplace in traditional wooden chalets and sip on warm mulled wine or hot cocoa. The country's spa complexes, natural wonders, and cultural attractions make it an ideal destination for a winter getaway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skiing | St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech am Arlberg, Obertauern, Ischgl, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Sölden, and Kitzbühel |
| Christmas Markets | Salzburg |
| Tobogganing | Wildkogel Arena Neukirchen and Bramberg |
| Ice Skating | N/A |
| Snowboarding | N/A |
| Sledging | N/A |
| Snowshoeing | Bad Gastein, Sulzbachtäler valleys, Salzkammergut, Bad Schallerbach, Bad Ischl, Vienna, Salzburg |
| Cross-country skiing | Sulzbachtäler valleys, Salzkammergut, Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg |
| Winter hiking | Lienz Dolomites, Carnic Ridge, Dachstein Alps, Salzburg, Vienna |
| Relaxation | Thermen (spa complexes), Bad Gastein, Alpbach |
| Light Installations | Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Chambers of Wonder, Fairytale light installation |
| Museums | The Alpinarium Galtür, Braukunsthaus Zillertal, Schönbrunn Palace |
| Food | Tiroler Gröstl, cake, hot chocolate, mulled wine, hot cocoa, Alpine cake |
| Wildlife | Golden eagles, bearded and griffon vultures, ibex, chamois |
| Suspension bridge | highline179 |
| Coffee | Café at 3,440 meters in St. Leonhard im Pitztal |
| Sights | Hallstatt Salt Mine, Lake Hallstatt, Salzburg Castle, Kapuzinerberg |
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What You'll Learn
- Explore the winter wonderland of Salzburg, famous for Mozart and The Sound of Music
- Experience the ultimate winter retreat in Alpbach, a serene village with wooden architecture
- Skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing in the Tyrolean mountains
- Visit the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, with impressive light installations
- Witness the Krampus Run, a procession of elaborately costumed Krampus figures led by Saint Nicholas
Explore the winter wonderland of Salzburg, famous for Mozart and The Sound of Music
Salzburg is a winter wonderland, famous for Mozart and The Sound of Music. It is a magical place to visit in winter, with its snow-covered baroque buildings, festive decorations, and winter lights. The historic Old Town is a must-see, with its iconic landmarks and small, cobbled streets that are perfect for romantic strolls.
The key to staying comfortable in Salzburg during the winter is to layer up. The weather can vary, with temperatures ranging from well below freezing to around 50°F. So make sure to pack those warm coats, hats, scarves, and gloves! The city also averages around nine hours of daylight during the winter months, so be sure to make the most of each day.
There are plenty of attractions to visit in Salzburg, with the Cathedral and its impressive art and architecture being one of the top spots. Entry is free, which makes it a great option if you're on a budget or looking to escape any bad weather. Right next door is the DomQuartier, a complex that houses five museums and a fantastic observation terrace with unique views of the city.
For those who enjoy the great outdoors, there are numerous well-maintained paths for winter hiking. The Salzach River is a great place to start, with broad paths along both banks offering beautiful views and a chance to stop at cosy cafes. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try tobogganing at the Wildkogel Arena in Neukirchen and Bramberg, which boasts the world's longest illuminated natural toboggan run.
Salzburg is also known for its Christmas markets, which usually open at the end of November. These markets, set against the backdrop of the historic Old Town, offer a unique and festive experience with mulled wine, musical events, and delicious food. The Advent Singing is another special event, where you can enjoy some traditional carols.
If you're looking for a more relaxed experience, Salzburg has plenty of spas and thermal resorts. Bad Gastein in SalzburgerLand is a famous spa and winter sports resort, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The town is known for its Belle Époque hotels and villas built into the steep, wooded hillsides, with mineral-rich spring water that is said to promote holistic regeneration and well-being.
Lastly, no trip to Salzburg would be complete without paying homage to its famous residents, Mozart, and The Sound of Music. You can book a Sound of Music tour or enjoy a Mozart concert, immersing yourself in the rich musical history of the city.
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Experience the ultimate winter retreat in Alpbach, a serene village with wooden architecture
For those seeking a cosy day in the village, Alpbach has plenty to offer. Explore the local shops, restaurants, and hotels, or enjoy a meal at the Kafner Ast, a family-run ski hut popular with the locals. Don't miss the chance to ride the Pöglbahn cable car up to Gmahkopf and take in the incredible views. The nearby Schatzberg gondola offers another opportunity to admire the scenery, with the Wurmegg Hut at the top serving up delicious giant schnitzels.
If you're feeling adventurous, try the longest red slope at the resort or explore the 19 winter panoramic walking routes circling the village, totalling 250 kilometres of trails. The Reither Kogel mountain is perfect for long hikes, with a 2.5-kilometre circular walk accessible from the top of the cable car. For a truly magical experience, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snowy landscapes.
Alpbach is also a great base for exploring other villages in the area, each with its own unique traditions. The medieval village of Rattenberg is known for its glass-blowing craft, while Inneralpbach is home to a one-man brewery where you can sample unique beers. With its stunning scenery, cosy amenities, and abundance of winter activities, Alpbach is the perfect destination for a winter retreat in Austria.
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Skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing in the Tyrolean mountains
Skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing are popular winter activities in the Tyrolean mountains.
Skiing
Top ski resorts in Austria include St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech am Arlberg, Obertauern, Ischgl, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Sölden, and Kitzbühel. The ski areas in the Sarntal valley near Bolzano/Bozen and the Schwemmalm in the Ultental valley are ideal for families. Leisure skiers can carve tracks on the 'Pichlberg-Plankenhorn' slope, while experts can test their skills on the 'Joch slope', with up to a 58% incline.
Cross-country skiing
Austria offers many opportunities for cross-country skiing, with trails winding through pristine winter landscapes. In Tyrol, there are trails in the village of Bayrischzell, with over 100 km of groomed trails, and in the neighbouring village of Vorderthiersee, the Seeloipe track offers a 4 km route around Lake Thiersee. The Sulzbachtäler valleys also provide 30 km of cross-country skiing trails.
Tobogganing
Tobogganing is a national sport in Tyrol, with many runs throughout the region. The Plose ski resort has two toboggan runs, including the "Rudi Run", the longest in South Tyrol at 10 km. The Wildkogel Arena in Neukirchen and Bramberg features the world's longest illuminated natural toboggan run at 14 km. The Reinswald ski area is also known for its toboggan runs, attracting fans from all over South Tyrol for moonlight tobogganing on full moon nights.
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Visit the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, with impressive light installations
If you're looking for a winter wonderland, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria, is the place to be. This extraordinary destination showcases the allure and brilliance of Swarovski crystals through impressive light installations and magical chambers of wonder.
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds store, one of the largest in the world, offers a dazzling shopping experience with spectacular art installations. The interplay of light, art, and crystal creates a fantastic atmosphere for showcasing jewellery pieces and home accessories. The store entrance, designed by Snøhetta, is a fascinating light and sound installation, with kilometres of luminous fibres forming a spiral tunnel leading to the store.
The Chambers of Wonder offer a unique and magical experience, where modern artists and designers interpret the theme of crystal in unprecedented dimensions. These wonder chambers are filled with sparkling crystal illuminations, creating a mesmerising world for art and crystal enthusiasts alike.
The centerpiece of the garden is the Crystal Cloud, a monumental installation floating above the black mirror water. Designed by Andy Cao and Xavier Perrot, it consists of over 800,000 hand-set crystals, spanning an area of around 1,400 square meters. The crystal cloud is a mystical masterpiece, capturing the light of the crystals like stars in the night sky, even during the day.
The garden also features a glittering carousel, a modern play area, a play tower, and a labyrinth, providing an enjoyable experience for both adults and children. The renowned architectural firm Snøhetta designed the play tower, which offers a unique spatial experience with a variety of play opportunities across its four levels.
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Witness the Krampus Run, a procession of elaborately costumed Krampus figures led by Saint Nicholas
Witnessing the Krampus Run is one of the most unique winter experiences in Austria. The Krampuslauf, or "Krampus Run", is a dramatic spectacle where elaborately costumed Krampus figures take part in a procession, led by Saint Nicholas. The Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon figure from Alpine folklore, embodying a fusion of goat and demon within the Advent traditions of the Eastern Alps. In German folklore, the Krampus is essentially Knecht Ruprecht, the companion of Saint Nicholas.
The Krampus Run is a theatrical parade where St. Nicholas leads a procession of costumed Krampus through a village, town, or designated area such as a Christmas market or square. The Krampus participants wear alpine bells, frightening masks, and shaggy, animalistic costumes. Their intention is to scare, taunt, and "punish" spectators, usually by hitting their feet and legs with bundles of twigs, ruffling their hair, stealing their hats, and shaking their shoulders. The Krampus masks are traditionally made of Swiss Pine wood and take 20-25 hours to carve, with an average cost of 800 EUR.
The Krampus Runs are organised by local Krampus clubs, and a single run can involve one club or many regional clubs. In a well-established Krampus parade, you are likely to see 20+ Krampus clubs parading through the streets. The night of December 5th is celebrated as Krampusnacht ("Krampus Night"), when Krampus is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children. On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day, children wake up to find their gifts or nurse their injuries.
The Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime in the aftermath of the 1932 election in Austria, and the government distributed pamphlets titled "Krampus Is an Evil Man" in the 1950s. However, towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred and continues today.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. Adventure-seekers can try downhill skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing. For those looking for a unique experience, there's also stand-up paddling on glacier ice. If you're an experienced skier, you can try the faster variant, skate skiing.
Austria has many options for relaxation. Visitors can enjoy forest bathing, winter walks, and hiking in the country's pristine nature. The country is also known for its expansive spa complexes, Thermen, which offer mineral-infused pools, saunas, restaurants, fitness rooms, and spas providing massages and beauty treatments.
Austria has many cultural experiences unique to the country during the winter. The Krampuslauf or "Krampus Run" is a dramatic procession of elaborately costumed Krampus figures, embodying a fusion of goat and demon, led by Saint Nicholas. This folk tradition is usually celebrated between late November and mid-December. Austria is also known for its Christmas markets, often set in stunning locations like castle keeps, baroque palaces, or gothic churches.
