Dachstein West Ski Resort

Dachstein West ski region is located between Upper Austria and Salzburg, and features beautiful mountain panorama, perfect slopes, good snow safety, modern lifts, cosy huts, and affordable lift tickets.

Not only thanks to the pleasure circuit "Panoronda", Dachstain West is known to be one of the Austrian ski areas with the best views. It is also one of the most hospitable ones. The cosy and authentic huts are popular among the guests, and boast great results in reviews and surveys.

Furthermore, Dachstein West is a great resort for children. From the first turns to elaborate techniques, there is a great variety of courses. Moreover, there are practice lifts, magic carpets, fairytale slaloms, and childproof cross runs on-slope. Kids will have a blast at "Rookie-Park" in Russbach, "Kid's Cross Ötscherpark" in Gosau, and "Youngsters Freestyle Park" in Annaberg. Off-piste child care is available at kids' club Spatzennest in Russbach or Fuxi's Kinderclub Annaberg.

Freestyle fans will get their money's worth here too: there are four different terrain parks. Besides the three parks for children and beginners, a large terrain park with beginners' and medium area is located in Russbach. For added fun on the runs, there are so-called Gaudipisten, with highlights such as speed checks, race tracks, and mogul runs.

If you're planning to stay for 1.5 days or longer, you can get lift tickets that provide access to ski resorts Krippenstein in Obertraun, Feuerkogel in Ebensee, St. Martin at Tennengebirge, Lungötz, and Karkogel Abtenau. That makes for a total of 119 kilometres (74 miles) of perfectly groomed slopes and 58 modern lifts.

Dachstein West features a great range of on-mountain dining options with delicious food and nice terraces. In Annaberg, you can grab a bite at Jausenstation Harreit, Rottenhofhütte, or Holzerhütte. The best sunbathing can be done at Dolomitenhof's terrace.

In Gosau you can spend your lunch break at Breininghütte. Zwieselalm's Gablonzerhütte features traditional Austrian fare with regional produce. Edtalm and Gogsau Alm are also great options. Home-made cheese and lamb dishes are on Zeishofhütte's menu.

There are valley runs to all of the ski resort's entry points. So even after the lifts have closed, you can ski back down at your own pace. The longest run is a 4.2 kilometre (2.6 miles) trail from Hornspitz to Russbach, with a vertical drop of 741 metres (2,431 feet).

The most difficult run is "Wilde Hilde" in Russbach, with a 67% gradient. It is one of the most challenging slopes in Austria. Experts also shouldn't miss out on "Rodeo" mogul run or "Freier Fall" in Annaberg.

Dachstein features a number of trails for hiking and snowshoeing. Skating at the local ice rink in Annaberg is also fun. It is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and is lighted in the evenings.

If you fancy some action, you will find a number of toboggan runs. Gosau is home to an indoor pool. You can also try your hand at ice stock sport, or go on a tour with a horse-drawn sleigh. Another great option is geocaching.

Gipfeltreff in Russbach, Gosauschmied or Gogosau Alm in Gosau are examples for the many umbrella bars that serve as après ski meeting points. All through the afternoon, hot beats and cool drinks get you into the party mood. If you can't get enough, the party goes on at Zeitlos umbrella bar at Panorama Jet's base station.

In Annaberg you find the best parties at freeride-BAR and the umbrella bar at Dolomitenhof. At night, you can continue celebrating at Lawutschi Bar, or Aqua Stop. The latter is open as late as 2 am.

Winterstellgut in Annaberg serves regional dishes on a high level. The restaurant has its own schnaps distillery.

By car:
If you're driving, take A8 towards Salzburg and change there towards Villach/Salzburg/Italy. Exit 28 Golling brings you towards Gosau. Parking is available right by the gondola's base station.

On public transport:
Trains go to Salzburg, Bischofshofen, or Golling-Abtenau. From there, you can take a bus to Annaberg. Busses go to the ski resort from Bad Ischl as well. The closest airport is in Salzburg.