Lower Austria isn't exactly seen by many winter sports enthusiasts as a state blessed with ski resorts and associated with winter fun. This image, however, does the region a disservice, as Lower Austria has produced a number of successful skiers who have stood on the podium at World Championships and Olympic Games – from slalom specialist Thomas Sykora and speed specialist Michaela Dorfmeister to all-rounders Kathrin Zettel and Marc Digruber. While Dorfmeister made her first turns on the Unterberg near Pernitz, Zettel and Sykora did so on the Hochkar – located on the Styrian border – and Digruber in Mitterbach.
The Alpine foothills, whose reaches extend as far as Vienna, may not be as high as the ski resorts further west or south. However, they offer winter sports enthusiasts ample opportunity to pursue their favorite pastime. Besides the locals, these are primarily Viennese, but also numerous skiers and snowboarders from the neighboring eastern countries of Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. In recent years, the latter have often even constituted the majority of visitors in the ski resorts near the border. While this is a boon for the lift operators and restaurants, it frequently leads to crowded slopes and longer waiting times on weekends.
DIVERSE RANGE
The best ski resort in Lower Austria is probably Hochkar, located near Göstling, which boasts attractive slopes and reliable snow cover well into May. The still relatively pristine area of Lackenhof am Ötscher is also well worth a day or two of skiing. Likewise, the Annaberg in the Mostviertel region and the Gemeindealpe in Mitterbach, which has been upgraded to a sports mountain, are excellent choices. A hidden gem is Unterberg in southern Lower Austria – a natural snow ski area that has retained its old-world charm. Unterberg, along with 14 other lift companies, has joined the marketing group "Lower Austria's Small, Fine Ski Resorts."„
They have joined forces: A welcome sign of life from the economically pressured "little guys".
Mönichkirchen, located in the Wechsel region on the border with Styria, is a true family ski resort that is also suitable for beginners and attracts many visitors from eastern Austria. Another tip for families with very young children is the Wexl Arena children's ski and sports area in St. Corona. And let's not forget the Zauberberg (Magic Mountain) in the Semmering World Heritage Site, which entices visitors with its unique Art Nouveau villas, relatively steep, albeit quite short, slopes, and women's World Cup ski races.
To boost the appeal of Lower Austria's ski resorts, family ski days are offered several times each season. Also noteworthy are the two-day beginner ski and snowboard courses for children, subsidized by the state and led by ski instructors. The "Guga Hö" program in the Mostviertel region (Lackenhof, Hochkar, Annaberg, and Mitterbach) is particularly worth mentioning, allowing skiers to start their turns as early as 6:30 a.m. on selected dates – including a welcome snack and tea, as well as later,
regionally typical mountain hut brunch.
HIKERS AND CROSS-COUNTRY HUNTERS Lower Austria also offers plenty of options: for example in the Mostviertel region or on the Schneeberg mountain, where there's a small ski area in Puchberg – but it's mainly experienced skiers who venture down into the valley after strenuous climbs through steep gullies. Popular cross-country skiers will enjoy the wildly romantic Fadental valley or the scenic...
Hochwechsel cross-country ski trail. For beginners, introductory ski touring, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing days are offered in certain areas, where the necessary techniques can be learned in small groups. The Rax mountain range is a particular recommendation for snowshoe hikers – and winter hiking is also excellent in many places in Lower Austria.