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Ski Resort Dachstein West in Hallein-Dachstein West: Position on map

Dachstein West Ski Resort

Gosau, Russbach, Annaberg, Lungötz

Trail Map Dachstein West

The Ski Resort

Panorama towards Zwieselalm.
Panorama towards Zwieselalm. © Simon Höfle / Skigebiete-Test.de

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.

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Interesting facts

  • It is among the 10 most family-friendly ski Resorts in Austria.
  • The vertical drop from summit to base is 840 m. The average difference in altitude between base and summit of Ski Resorts in Austria is 720 m. The highest point of the track is 1,620 m above sea level.
  • Average snow depth during the season is 124 cm at summit elevation and 52 cm at base elevation. Snow coverage is usually best during February, offering an average snow depth of 146 cm at summit elevation and 63 cm at the base.
  • Dachstein West features 40 sunny days on average per season. The average for all ski Resorts in Austria is 41 sunny days. February is the sunniest month with an average of 13 sunny days. This makes the ski resort one of the 10 sunniest in Salzburg.

Snow Safety & Snowmaking

Snowmaking Share
91%
Snow Making Machines: 163
Snowphone+43 (0)50 140
Average snow depth of the last years (Summit)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Mai
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
(in cm)

On Mountain Dining

Prices for on-mountain dining are affordable.
Prices for on-mountain dining are affordable. © Simon Höfle / Skigebiete-Test.de

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.

Must-Ski Runs

The run down to Russbach is the longest at Dachstein West.
The run down to Russbach is the longest at Dachstein West. © Simon Höfle / Skigebiete-Test.de

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.

Longest Runs

Nr. 1 Hornspitz-Russbach
Length: 2.6 miles
Vertical Drop: 2431.1 ft

Most Difficult Runs

Nr. 4c Wilde Hilde
Length: 0.3 miles
Vertical Drop: 0 ft
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Nightskiing

Nightskiing possible
Lighted runs: 0.62 miles

Videos

01:01
Ski-Impressions by Dachstein West
02:42
Snowpark Dachstein West - Freeski Session - 10.03.2016
02:35
Snowpark Dachstein West - Snowboard Session - 05.03.2016
00:36
Dachstein West Spot - Gosau, Russbach, Annaberg
01:22
Dachstein West Impressionen vom 10.03.2016

Activities

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.

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Après-Ski and Nightlife

freeride-BAR makes for a great atmosphere on the slopes.
freeride-BAR makes for a great atmosphere on the slopes. © Simon Höfle / Skigebiete-Test.de

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.

Number of Bars and Pubs: 12
Number of Clubs: 3

Dining and Restaurants

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

Number of Restaurants: 2
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Infrastructure & Rental

Skischools

Number of Skischools: 3
Number of Snowboard Schools: 1
Cross Country Lessons
Carving Lessons
Freestyle Lessons

Number of Ski Rental

Ski Depot
Sports Store
Ski Rental
Snowboard Rental
Cross Country Ski Rental
Backcountry Ski Rental

Getting here

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.

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Current Offer

  • Accommodation as booked
  • 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 6 days or 9 days lift pass Dachstein West (value of lift pass up to 294,6 ,-) Exceptions see booking process
  • Use of the sauna (as per description)
  • Use of indoor pool (as per description)
  • Wi-Fi
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last update on 9 Nov 2023
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Mountain Stats

Elevation780 m - 1,620 m
Opening Day8 Dec 2023
Closing Day1 Apr 2024
Capacity 27600 Persons/Hr.
Hours09:00 - 16:00

Lifts

22
6
8
3
1
4
Total 22

Skiable Terrain

45 km
Easy
Moderate
Advanced
Ungroomed
Overall Slope Length 45 km
Number of Slopes 56

Weather (1,618 m)

Snow Report

Open Lifts & Trails

Rates

€64
1 day adult €64
1 day youth €46.10
1 day child €33.30
All rates & fees