Austria 

Spotlight On Obertauern

(Originally written for OnTheSnow.com)
by Ted Heck

The trail map of Obertauern in Austria’s state of Salzburg is a departure from the norm. Instead of a rectangle of mountain peaks, it is a globe that depicts the possibility of skiing with the sun all day by working both sides of the road that leads toward Italy.

Obertauern is 5,700 feet high, with all the skiing above the base elevation and snow-sure to guarantee a long season. Although it is not a big area by alpine standards, it is popular with hard core skiers and snowboarders who like the fact that a third of the terrain is rated difficult. They have plenty of off-piste and some touring opportunities.

Snowboarders also have a fun park in which to soar. But there is plenty of space for intermediate and novice skiers among 59 miles of slopes and trails. Twenty-six lifts include an aerial tram, 17 chairs and six drag lifts. One of the chairs is a six-pack. Cross country fans have 16 miles of tracks on which to glide.

Many of the 118 hotels and guest houses are located to allow ski in/ski out access to the ski circus. Like many Austrian resorts, Obertauern has a wide range of accommodations, from four-star hotels to bed and breakfast pensions. But you do not need a fat wallet to stay in any of them. Half-board arrangements in a four-star hotel like the Kesselspitze, even in high season for less than $175 a day. The three-star Alpenhotel Tauernkönig is about $100... Most of the hotels have package deals for week-long guests that include lift tickets.

Dieter Kindl, who heads the tourist office, is a former ski instructor in Canada, Dieter greets U.S. skiers warmly and sometimes shows them around the ski circus. Alas, he seldom looks back over his shoulder to see if you are in his tracks.

Visitors to Obertauern will like the ambience of the hotels and restaurants in both the village and on the mountains. They also have a full menu of other winter sport activities to choose from, plus indoor tennis in the sports center.

Other ski areas are within easy driving distance, but any such diversion should have a lower priority than the city of Salzburg, only 60 miles away. Salzburg is a must on everybody’s sightseeing list, even if they never heard of Wolfgang Mozart or Julie Andrews.