12.10.2021

Winter Love in Styria

Skiing, thermal baths and yoga sessions: Styria is a top winter destination for everyone looking for a mix of sports and spas. The province boasts 680 km of slops in 69 resorts, hundreds of km of hiking trails and 9 thermal spas, 6 of them in the volcano region.

Nature at its best 

Whether on the mountain or in the vineyard, in a nature park or on the cross-country ski trail, in a ski yoga class, or while walking through snow-covered towns and landscapes: Winter in Styria means having time to enjoy the tranquility and your natural surroundings as well as relaxing in rustic taverns, where you can get to know the culinary specialties of the region.  

The highlight par excellence for nature lovers and a spectacular way to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Dachstein is Austria's "National Ski Tour on the Dachstein". The starting point of the moderately difficult Dachstein traverse is the summit station of the Dachstein Gletscherbahn, located slightly below the nearly 3,000-metre-high Dachstein peak. From there, ski tourers are on their way for 4 to 5 hours to Lake Hallstatt on the other side of the mountain. They cover about 20 km, most of them leading downhill through deep snow slopes. There are several opportunities to stop and rest along the way.  

Those who spend their holidays near Dachstein should definitely try the alpine cuisine. Together with inn chefs in the Schladming-Dachstein region, award-winning Richard Rauch has developed his special dishes. 15 beautifully situated mountain inns each offer a different delicacy, perfect for a lunch or dinner break.  

 

Skiing and thermal baths 

Anyone who wants to hit the slopes or go cross-country skiing will find a variety of wonderful destinations in Styria, ranging from ski regions with a few lifts to the Schladming 4-mountain ski area, one of the largest interconnected ones in the Alpine region. In Schladming, the FIS skiing elite meets every year at the "Nightrace".  

The best places for cross-country skiers are awarded with the strictly controlled Styrian cross-country skiing seal of approval, 15 regions and towns are currently holding it. They all have both classically prepared cross-country trails and trails for skaters. Guests can choose between small fine cross-country skiing areas with children's courses to the FIS Nordic World Cup cross-country skiing center Ramsau am Dachstein. 

Styria also holds the Austrian record with 9 thermal spas. Healing, relaxing water gushes out of the once volcanic soil in the east and south of the country. There are thermal resorts such as Loipersdorf, Bad Waltersdorf, Bad Gleichenberg and Bad Radkersburg. In Bad Aussee and Bad Mitterndorf in the Salzkammergut region, mineral-rich water and brine (salty water) help to alleviate many aches. 

Styria Facts and Figures

  • Number of ski resorts: 69 

  • Total km of slopes: about 680  

  • Cross-country skiing: 15 resorts with cross-country skiing quality seal  

  • The largest cross-country skiing regions - each with classic and skating trails: Ramsau am Dachstein 220 km of trails, Bad Mitterndorf - Pichl - Tauplitz 200 km of trails, Joglland-Waldheimat 80 km of trails 

  • Hundreds of km of winter hiking trails at all altitudes, from the Dachstein to the wine regions in the south of the province 

  • 9 thermal spas, 6 of them in the thermal spa and volcano region: Kurhaus und Therme Bad Gleichenberg, H2O-Therme-Resort Bad Waltersdorf, Thermenresort Loipersdorf, Parktherme Bad Radkersburg, Rogner Bad Blumau, Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf. Thermal spa in the upper Murtal: Aqualux Therme Fohnsdorf. Spa in the Lipizzanerheimat: Therme Nova Köflach. Therme in the Salzkammergut: Grimming Therme in Bad Mitterndorf. Plus, numerous wellness hotels in all regions of Styria. 

  • 158 "Kulinarium Steiermark" establishments - from award-winning restaurants to rustic inns. 

  • 101 restaurants have been awarded Gault Millau toques. 

  • The wine guide of the Falstaff trade portal counts 206 vintners in Styria, with 40 of them also producing spirits. In addition, there are many other businesses producing high-proof spirits. 

  • There are around 40 breweries in Styria. 

  • Highest peak: Dachstein (2,995 meters) and 788 peaks above 2,000 meters 

  • Lowest point: Vulkania spring (2,843 meters deep) in Rogner Bad Blumau 

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What Winter Love means to Erich Neuhold, Styrian Tourist Board

Winter in Styria

© Österreich Werbung / Harald Eisenberger Schöckl, Steiermark