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Five ski touring highlights in Austria

Every ski tour has its own charm, including a tour of your local mountain. However, if you want a little variety this winter, sometimes you have to look beyond your own back garden (or state?) every now and then. Here are five extraordinary ski tours for real ski mountaineers!

Upper Austria – Hinterstoder: summit to the Großer Priel

The tour on the Großer Priel starts at the Polsterlucke car park in Hinterstoder, leads along trail no. 201 to the Prielschutzhaus and from there along trail no. 260 towards the summit. Crampons are required for the last few metres of altitude. The physical effort is worthwhile for both the view from the highest peak of the Totes Gebirge mountain range and the descent. Caution: danger of avalanches!

Salzburg – Radstadt Tauern: summit tour to the Weißeck

Probably the most beautiful ski tour in the Radstadt Tauern, this is an absolute must for any ski mountaineer. From the hamlet of Wald (1,340m), the route runs through forests, high-alpine climbs and cirques that may require crampons. The Ödenkar offers a beautiful downhill run.

Tyrol – Venediger Group: tour to the Johannishütte

If you really want to reach high altitudes but don't want to miss anything, look no further than the tour from Hinterbichl (Gasthof Islitzer) to the Johannishütte. Both its history as one of the oldest mountain huts in the country and its location at the foot of the Venediger Group speak for themselves. Those who want to climb can tackle the Großvenediger (3,666m) from here. Plus, the season here lasts until May, the perfect base for ski tours in spring.

Styria – Gesäuse National Park: summmit tour to the Lugauer

One of the most exclusive ski tours in the country and one of the greatest challenges of the sport. The trail leads from Johnsbach (Ebner Klamm car park) via Gscheidegg and Hüpflingerhals to Lugauerplan. From there, it is a good hour and a half to the summit. The tour is a complete experience of nature in the middle of the national park. You can also descend via Ennstal. Warning: pay attention to the winter rest zones on the Haselkogel! 

Vorarlberg – Kleinwalsertal: tour to the Schwarzwasserhütte

The Kleinwalsertal is an insider tip in itself due to its remoteness. From the Auenhütte at 1,238 metres, the ascent begins westwards over the Melkboden and into the valley, accompanied by imposing towering valley walls. The Schwarzwasserhütte has 40 beds as well as 33 sleeping places in the dormitory and is an ideal base camp for numerous other tours in the region. 

Vorarlberg – Kleinwalsertal: tour to the Schwarzwasserhütte

The Kleinwalsertal is an insider tip in itself due to its remoteness. From the Auenhütte at 1,238 metres, the ascent begins westwards over the Melkboden and into the valley, accompanied by imposing towering valley walls. The Schwarzwasserhütte has 40 beds as well as 33 sleeping places in the dormitory and is an ideal base camp for numerous other tours in the region.