Overview
Austria’s Lake District, also called the Salzkammergut, is just under 50km from Salzburg. In winter, these wanderlust waterscapes are transformed into frozen ones, with an excellent network of trails. Cross-country skiing in the Salzkammergut takes you to some of the prettiest of panoramic views, giving you a chance to ski slowly on high-altitude trails around Bad Ischl, a thermal spa town where you are based throughout the trip. This region of Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut is a UNESCO Cultural Landscape site, which is based on its salt mining tradition. In winter, it’s a very different natural resource that you’ll be immersed in, with highlights including the wild winter wonderlands of Rettenbachalm and Gosau Valleys. All in just five, frosty and unforgettable days.
- UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut
- Rettenbachalm Valley
- Ausseerland
- Gosau Valley
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bad Ischl
Arrive in Bad Ischl. This spa town on the River Traun became very popular in the 19th century after Emperor Franz Joseph regularly spent his holidays here. You can take a tour of the Kaiservilla, his summer residence, or try a thermal spa.
- Accommodation: Hotel Goldenes Schiff or similar in Bad Ischl
Day 2: Rettenbachalm | 10km
You are transferred to the Rettenbachalm cross-country skiing centre. The main trail today is 10km, but you have the choice of other perfectly-groomed cross-country trails of varying difficulty for beginners and advanced skiers alike.
- Skiing for the day: 10km and various optional extras
Day 3: Ausseerland | 4/27km
In the morning, travel from Bad Ischl to Bad Mitterndorf by train. The Ausseerland region offers perfectly groomed cross-country skiing trails surrounded by impressive winter scenery. Depending on snow conditions, several trail options are available, allowing you to choose a route appropriate to your experience and fitness. Return to Bad Ischl from Bad Mitterndorf by train.
- Skiing for the day: various options 4-11km. Total trails of 27km
Day 4: Gosau Valley | 4/33km
Take the free ski bus to Gosau. Along this Alpine panorama, ski beneath snow-covered tops and peaks at an average altitude of 780m with a high snow guarantee for cross-country skiing. At the end of the day, take the ski bus back to Bad Ischl.
- Skiing for the day: various options between 4-11km. Total trails of 33km.
Day 5: Departure
Depature after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in a four-star hotel in Bad Ischl. Please note that, in Austria, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at the time of booking; however, they can’t always be guaranteed. The accommodations has been carefully selected based on various criteria, including location, warm hospitality, fine local food and commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample accommodation
- Hotel Goldenes Schiff (Bad Ischl)
Hotels are subject to availability. If a particular hotel is fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all mornings. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops and restaurants, or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate as each day has a choice of slopes or loop trails of different levels of difficulty. You can decide on which trails to take on the day depending on your ability. The options available range from 4km to 27km and you can add two or more different loops. All participants must have some experience in cross-country skiing. All the tracks are prepared for classic and free techniques (skating) (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season. The season for this tour runs from 06 January to 09 March 2027.
For more information on travelling in Austria, please visit our blog Best time to go to Austria.
Getting there
Up-to-date travel advice on Austria is available here.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Salzburg Airport (SZG).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Austria without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway stations in Bad Ischl. For up-to-date train schedules, visit ÖBB or use the Omio planner above.
- From Salzburg, take a direct bus (Bus 150, approximately 1.5h) or train via Attnang-Puchheim to Bad Ischl.
- From Bad Ischl, take Bus 150 back to Salzburg. Alternatively, take the train from Bad Goisern back to Salzburg via Attnang-Puchheim.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights in en-suite rooms
- 4 breakfasts
- Welcome schnapps
- Entrance to the Salzkammergut Thermal Spa Bad Ischl
- Transfer to Rettenbachalm and back on day two
- Return train tickets to Bad Mitterndorf on day three
- Half-day cross-country ski trail ticket for Ausseerland
- Detailed documents (cross-country trail map, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Equipment rental (skis, poles and shoes)
- Extra nights
Equipment rental
Optional equipment rental on this tour includes skis (classic, fishscale or skating), poles and shoes. Please ask when booking for make and model details and specify which items you would like to rent.
