OSV showcases Six mountains. One family. Winter in Upper Austria.

Upper Austria's ski mountains are a family. They belong together. But each has its own character.  One doesn't need the Alps. The other seeks the big stage. One wants ultimate freedom. The other a sporting challenge.

Winter begins differently at Hochficht in the Mühlviertel region . This "rooted surprise artist in the Anders Mountains" doesn't need rugged Alpine peaks to make an impression. Nestled among the gentle, wooded hills of the Bohemian Forest, it combines family-friendly skiing with breathtaking panoramic views – all the way to the Alps. Unlike the Alps, Hochficht reveals itself as full of unexpected mountain experiences. For example, a natural spectacle unfolds when, under suitable weather conditions, snow and ice transform the towering trees into fairytale shapes. Or there's night skiing on the Wenzelwiese, which has been awarded top marks by Skiresort.de for its excellent grooming.

The largest ski area outside the Alps is particularly easy to reach thanks to its location, without any need for a vignette or long detours. After a day of fun on the slopes or cross-country trails in the Mühlviertel cross-country skiing paradise, accommodations such as the ****family hotel AIGO in Aigen-Schlägl or the innovative hotel at the Loxone Campus in Kollerschlag ensure restful nights. New from Christmas 2026 is the Aparthotel Key Homes Hochficht in Seitelschlag/Ulrichsberg with spacious apartments and a modern wellness area.

Sportsmanship meets mountain beauty

The 360° Alpine region shows two sides of a winter.

In the 360° Alpine region, two characters meet that could hardly be more different. Hinterstoder is the "true, rugged mountain adventurer by tradition": powerful, athletic, and steeped in a long history of mountaineering and World Cup skiing. The ski area boasts slopes where the competitive spirit can truly flourish. Plunge joyfully into the snow, tackle the piste with momentum, and ski until your batteries are completely depleted. This can be perfectly achieved on the challenging "Hannes Trinkl World Cup run" with a gradient of up to 60 percent.

The Wurzeralm , located next door, offers a more relaxed atmosphere. This "natural, enchanting mountain beauty" lies in a high alpine basin and combines family-friendly skiing with the feeling of having arrived in a special mountain world. A laid-back ski area, nestled in a paradise of rocky peaks and gently snow-covered alpine meadows. Together, they form a winter sports region that caters to all tastes.

And how do you get there? The ÖBB holiday express takes you directly from Vienna to the skiing fun in just two and a half hours by public transport.

Three mountains. Three characters. One winter.

Diversity between lakes and mountains in the Salzkammergut

In the Salzkammergut region , the mountain family comes alive. Dachstein West , the "lively Alpine gang," loves to be together: vibrant, diverse, and brimming with winter joy. The mountains of the Dachstein West ski region take their skiers by the hand and romp with them across slopes and runs, playful and always good for an incredible twist. With over 160 kilometers of slopes and panoramic views of the nearly 3,000-meter-high Dachstein, it offers an unparalleled winter experience. And listen up: For the first time, Alpine Women's Ski World Cup races will be held here on December 28th and 29th. The region around Gosau impresses with a mix of long runs, modern lifts, and highlights like the Panorama Ski Circuit, which leads from one breathtaking view to the next over 44 kilometers. Here, it becomes clear why Dachstein West is considered the epitome of skiing pleasure, not only for locals but also for guests from home and abroad. The epitome of top-tier family-friendly establishments is the Familux Resort Dachsteinkönig in Gosau, which was awarded the title of "Best Family Hotel 2026" by Gault&Millau, among others.

Just around the corner, Dachstein Krippenstein defies easy categorization. This "worldly alpine free spirit" embraces wide open spaces and adventure. A mountain for those seeking greater freedom on skis, nestled in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. Those confident on the groomed slopes might venture off-piste into the deep powder on 30 kilometers of powder. Every run begins in high alpine terrain at an altitude of over 2,000 meters and descends a remarkable 1,500 meters to the valley floor. The groomed alternative: the impressive nine-kilometer valley run, one of the longest of its kind in Austria. Krippenstein, with its high-alpine landscape, is also a popular destination for snowshoe hikers and ski tourers seeking the freedom of winter against the backdrop of the postcard-perfect Dachstein panorama.

The Feuerkogel in Ebensee knows exactly who it is. Since 1927, its cable car has been transporting guests to the plateau above Lake Traunsee. This "heartily eccentric, strong-willed traditionalist" combines pioneering spirit with Alpine village charm, expansive views, and a healthy dose of stubbornness. The Feuerkogel is one of the sunniest ski resorts in the country. From the slopes, an unparalleled view of Lake Traunsee unfolds. The SNOW & SURF combination ticket is also unique: carving turns on the Feuerkogel in the morning, surfing on Europe's largest artificial river wave, THE.RIVERWAVE, in Ebensee in the afternoon. The water, however, is considerably warmer at the EurothermenResort Bad Ischl, which invites guests to relax and unwind.

Top tip:

Join us for the Upper Austria Advent Calendar!

Whether it's a holiday on a farm for the whole family, wellness in an adults-only hotel or relaxation in the 5-star Familux Resort

Dachstein King: The Upper Austria Tourism Advent Calendar (oberoesterreich.at/adventkalender) offers the chance to win a fantastic holiday every day during Advent. Sign up for the newsletter to be there live when the first box is opened. We wish you the best of luck! You can also check us out daily on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you!