Where is snow sure for December?
 

My family will be in Austria for a week at Christmastime. I have planned for us to ski/sled/ice skate at Dachstein West, staying in Gosau. I picked this location because it is close to both Hallstatt and Salzburg. I really want to stay where there is snow, even just a few inches, and I am not sure if this will happen in Gosau in December. I am having 2nd thoughts. Should we go to Küthai (Kuehtai), in the mountains above Salzburg, instead? Because the elevation is higher, I am sure there is more chance of snow in the village. Anyone been to either? What can you share?

If you know of other resorts near Innsbruck that will "surely" have snow, please advise me.

Altitude is not the only factor, although it does help. Anyone who lives on the eastside of any mountain range knows there's a "wet side" and a "dry side" to any range. Pick the wet side. ;)

Julie

I am not real knowledgeable about skiing in Austria, but I think the only place snow is "for sure" is on a glacier, like Stubai glacier, near Innsbruck. Most likely it will be other places, also. Have you checked out www.ifyouski.com and www.goski.com?

Yes, goski.com didn't list either of the two resorts I am considering, which may be an indication that I need to look again....The ifyouski.com site has a search engine that spits out an exhaustive list of resorts in Austria, including Gosau (part of the Dachstein West complex). There's just nothing there that tells me if there will be snow in the village, which is at 900m. It seems pretty certain that there is always snow on the top at that point. As I get older, I want to enjoy the snow around the cabin, walking to dinner, etc., as much as I want it on the slopes. Maybe I will look into the Stubai Glacier area.

Kühtai is a very small village in the mountains. They have only a few hotels and the only activity is skiing.

You will have some snow on higher elivations, but there is no guarantee for snow on lower elivations. Temperatures increased in average arround christmas during the last ten years and snow was melting. I saw green grass in St Anton (1300m) during Christmas 2 years ago. Most ski-resorts try to compensate the increasing average temperature with snow machines or new ski slopes on glaciers.

Dachstein area has also a small glacier. Other high elivation villages beside Kühtai (close to 2000m) are Obertauern, Obergurgl, Hochsölden, Oberlech, Zürs, Samnaun.

I've skied over Xmas time at Stubai Glacier, I stayed in Innsbruck and took the car each day, its not far.

There is a large hotel beside the cable car area, I don't know the name but it looked nice. There's no town as such nearby just a string of very very small villages along the valley, also be careful with the apres ski huts/bars that are near the cable car, I've twice been stopped and fined for speeding along the road by the local Police.

Another popular place is the glacier at Kaprun with is near Zell am See. I haven't been but it looks very picturesque and your guaranteed snow.

Geordie

Thanks, guys, for all the help. I am refocusing my attention on Zell am See/Kaprun. It looks to me like we can have it all--a picturesque village in Zell am See, "guaranteed" snow with the glacier at Kaprun, lots of other winter activities for the days we don't ski. There are fewer black diamonds (more flat areas at a glacier, I guess, by the rules of the geography gods!), but at our skiing ability level, that's OK. Any advice on the Zell area (lodging, restaurants, etc.)?

The best, but also probably most expensive, is the Grand Hotel. It's located right at the lake (which, I'm sure will be frozen), with a grand view of the Grossglockner massif.

Your choice, Z.a.S. is a good one -- Kaprun (actually the mountain is called Kitzsteinhorn) has relaxed skiing, the "Hausberg" of Z.a.S. - the Schmittenhoehe - has all kinds of trails.

Even if there is no skiable snow, on a clear day, take the cable car up to the Schmittenhoehe. You have a great view of the Austrian and Italian alps. Has a nice restauran, too.

Thanks, guys, for all the help. I've gotten info from Zell am See, and am sold on it--the lake, lots of outdoor wintertime activities, plenty of snow (at least above Kaprun on the Kitzsteinhorn), a picturesque village. I'm ready to pack (or at least make bookings!!).