Ski area Dachstein West
Highest point: | 2,100 m | Gondola lift: | 11 |
Lowest point: | 780 m | Pistes in total: | 131 km |
Altitude ski resort: | 813 m |
Pistes:
|
44 km |
Lifts in total: | 57 |
Pistes:
|
80 km |
Tow lifts: | 35 |
Pistes:
|
7 km |
Chair lifts: | 11 | Ski routes: | 40 km |
Ski area Dachstein West
From Russbach, the Hornbahn lift takes you up to the Hornspitz, Edtalm and Zwieselalm ski areas. The ski mountain offers predominantly red pistes for pleasure skiers. Other access points to this family-friendly piste Eldorado are Gosau and Annaberg. The Bärencamp ski school with practice area is located at the Hornbahn valley station. On the mountain, there are challenging pistes, some of which are lined with forest, as well as wide carving routes. Those looking for a challenge will find the black run "Wilde Hilde" at the Edtalm with a gradient of 67 per cent.
The beginner parks "Annapark" in Annaberg, the "Ötscher Kids Park" in Gosau and the "Rookie Park" at the Hornbahn cable car in Rußbach introduce beginners and kids to freestyling. In addition to the floodlit piste in Gosau, the fun slopes are another highlight. They are spread throughout the ski area and promise a varied day of skiing with a slalom course including timekeeping, snowcross, wave run and mogul slopes. There are also Wi-Fi hotspots dotted around the ski area so that you can post photos and chat with others uninhibitedly.
Freeriders will find the entrance point to the "Freesports Arena Krippenstein" in Obertraun. The ski area at the Dachstein Massif is an outstanding freeriding-hotspot, which enjoys a good reputation throughout the country. The largest off-piste area offers 30 km or varied slopes and, with a length of 11 km, possesses the longest freeride slope in Austria. Little skiers can learn to ski in the Krippi-Park at the valley station, and older kids are introduced to adventure off-piste skiing in the Adventure Park with an obstacle course made from natural trees. A panorama highlight on the Krippenstein is the Five Fingers view point.
In Rußbach, one of the entry points to the popular "Panoronda" can be found. This panorama ski circuit has been another highlight since its opening in the 2016/17 season. It includes 44 km of diverse pistes, alongside which rustic huts and sun terraces invite you to take a break and enjoy the fantastic view.
Night skiing Rußbach
On Fridays the ski area Dachstein West near Rußbach has extended opening hours: night skiing is possible between 18:30 and 20:30, namely on the valley side of Gosau. Here, the skiing fun continues even after the lift's official closing time. Winter sport fans can ski down the 1 km long floodlit night skiing slope on the lower part of the valley run by the Ötscher lift. As a red piste, it is certainly challenging for more advanced skiers too. If you like it a little easier, simply head to the night skiing slope in Brumsiland, near the valley station of the Hornspitzbahn lift.Après ski Rußbach
Furthermore, there are plenty of leisure activities for young and old both in and around Rußbach. The 3 km long toboggan run in Abentau is great for the whole family and is lit until 22:00 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Snow shoe hikers can tramp along brand new paths through the wild – without startling the forest's animal residents – and can discover remote farms, icy brooks and lots of untouched nature all around Rußbach. In addition, there are numerous spacious hiking paths to the mountain viewpoints on the Gosau Massifs. For something much cosier, pack yourselves in to a horse-drawn carriage and explore the winter wonderland around you. In the nearby area around Rußbach there are several ice skating rinks and in Bad Goisern there is the opportunity to go ice climbing.
Snowpark: Family Park Dachstein West - Kids Run Rußbach
The "Dachstein West" ski region has a total of four different fun parks for younger visitors. In addition to the piste highlights, the Family Park and the new Kidsrun in Dachstein West guarantee variety and fun. The little ones get their money's worth in the children's areas. With super beginner slopes, magic carpets, race tracks and neighbouring ski schools, families are in good hands here.
Other fun park attractions include the "Ötscher Kids Park" in Gosau, the "Anna Park" in Annaberg and the "Rookie Park" in Russbach. Small waves, banked turns, jumps, boxes and rails are ideal for practising here.
Is the Dachstein West ski area not right for you? Then have a look here instead: Ski areas Austria