14. 1. 2025
Looking for tips on ski touring locations in Austria? Our teammate Jakub Cejpek, an avid ski mountaineer and experienced photographer, has put together a selection of the best routes in the Eastern Alps. From comfy outings to challenging ascents, there’s inspiration for everyone.
Although this year’s ski season has been off to a slow start, prudent ski tourers know there’s still plenty of time to explore the mountains before the season wraps up in late May. Plus, you can save these tips for winters to come. Let’s take a look at a small selection of what the Austrian Alps have to offer.
To start, I should point out that this is just a brief taste of what our southern neighbors have in store. For a more comprehensive overview, you can refer to extensive tour databases linked below.
It’s also worth reminding everyone that tour planning should always take current snow and avalanche conditions into account. Heading into the backcountry requires the right equipment and experience. If you’re unsure, join someone more experienced or hire a mountain guide who can ensure your safety and teach you everything you need to know.
These mountain ranges on the northern edge of the Alps are the closest destination for ski touring from the Czech Republic. Many starting points for tours are less than a two-hour drive from the border, making them accessible even for a day trip.
One of the nearest Alpine areas is the Kasberg ski resort. You can start your ascent directly from the resort, which benefits from artificial snowmaking when natural snow is scarce. Several routes are available, for hiking up the piste, there is currently a fee of 11 EUR, with an additional option to take the cable car multiple times for an extra charge. From the resort, you can tackle the more challenging ridge trail to the Kasberg summit (500 m EG).
If you prefer solitude and unspoiled nature, start your ascent from Brunnental (1200 m EG). However, this route requires sufficient snow coverage, as the trailhead is at just under 600 meters. Along the way, you can stop at the cozy Steyerhütte for a break.
The expansive Totes Gebirge mountain range offers endless opportunities. If snow is limited, the Wurzeralm ski resort can assist with access; for 16 EUR per day, you can use its pistes for ski touring. From the upper station of the cog railway, you can head across the plateau to Stubwieswipfel (1000 m EG) or Rote Wand (1200 m EG).
On the northern side of the massif, venturing into open terrain, a longer tour to Warscheneck via the Zellerhütte (1600 m EG) is an excellent choice. Under good conditions, the upper sections offer spectacular views of the central range, and the steep larch forests provide exceptional skiing.
From the Enns Valley, you can ascend to Hochmölbing (1400 m EG) via the Liezener Hütte (self-service; prior reservation required) or the Hochmölbing Hütte. For skilled skiers, the neighboring peak of Mittermölbing offers a fantastic descent via its southwest face under favorable snow conditions. Meanwhile, the forested northern slopes near the huts are perfect for playful powder skiing.
To round off your experience, consider a pleasant tour to Angerkogel from the Pyhrn Pass (1200 m EG). Although technically part of the Haller Mauern range, another great option is the prominent Grosser Pyhrgas, starting from the Bosruckhütte (1200 m EG).
In the next nearby Austrian federal state, you’ll find countless locations to go ski touring. I’ve selected my favorite, the Gesäuse National Park. Most of the following tours start from the charming village of Johnsbach, and I will list the tips based on difficulty. If the weather or avalanche conditions aren’t ideal, try a shorter tour to Gscheideggkogel (800 m EG). For slightly more challenging and technical routes, you can head to Blaseneck (1000 m EG) or Leobner (900 m EG). Another popular destination is the summit of Gsuchmauer (1100 m EG).
Among the longer and steeper routes, there’s the typical spring tour to Festkogel (1450 m EG), and let’s not forget the iconic mountain of the area, Lugauer, known as the Styrian Matterhorn. You can reach it from Johnsbach (1500 m EG) or take the longer northern route (1700 m EG) from the Enns river valley.
In Styria, you can also explore the popular ski touring area in the Triebental valley. From the varied options, I recommend the moderately difficult and popular Sonntagskogel, but you'll certainly discover dozens of other excellent tours.
In Austria’s highest mountain range, we’ll start with easier and more accessible ski touring routes before venturing above 3,000 meters. In the Angertal Valley, a side valley of the better-known Gastein Valley, try the technically straightforward Kalkbretterkopf (1,200 m EG). From here, you can continue to the neighboring Silberpfenning or reach this peak from the adjacent Rauris Valley (1,400 m EG). Another option in the Angertal Valley is Türchlwand (1,400 m EG), which offers a southern ascent and is ideal for good spring snow conditions.
If there’s insufficient snow at lower altitudes, consider heading further into the valley to Sportgastein. Here, you can tour up to Geisslkopf (1,400 m EG) via Hagenerhütte (a winter hut, open only with prior reservation) or Schareck (1,500 m EG). For those seeking steeper descents, the Mittlere Eisrinne (max. 45°) could be an exciting challenge, and it can be accessed either from Sportgastein or from the Rauris Valley via Niedersachsenhaus hut.
In the Rauris Valley, you can start from a high-altitude parking lot (1,550 m) or from the Naturfreudehaus Kolm Saigurn hut. From here, a popular spring tour leads to Hoher Sonnblick (1,600 m EG). For steeper descents, the Rechte Nordwandrinne offers a thrilling challenge. Another well-loved route from Kolm Saigurn is the higher Hocharn (1,700 m EG). Under good conditions, you can enjoy a long, rewarding descent, and these two tours can be combined if you opt for an overnight stay at the Zittel Haus hut on the Sonnblick summit.
Further west, in the Stubach Valley, you can start from the lower lift station at Enzigerboden for a fantastic and long tour to Hocheiser (3,206 m). Prepare for a 1,700 meters of elevation gain and a short glacier crossing, leading to one of the most spectacular peaks in the area.