Upper Austria
Winter holidays in the land of ski huts

Take off your skis, snowboard or snowshoes, stop at a cosy ski hut and enjoy the warm hospitality!

One last turn on the piste, the bindings snap open - it's time to stop for a meal. Whether it's savoury dumplings, aromatic Käsespätzle, a crispy Wiener Schnitzel or fluffy Kaiserschmarren - after a long and exhilarating day on the slopes, Austrian treats taste particularly good.

Cosy ski huts

From rustic huts with low ceilings to modern mountain inns, wooden interiors and snowy mountain views make for ultimate cosiness. Those who love winter come together at ski huts - children and their ski instructors, families, couples, friends. And when eating and drinking together, everyday worries are forgotten and we remember what really matters.

Quick facts about Upper Austria
Capital city:Linz
Area:11,982 km²
Population:approx. 1.53 million (as of 2024)
Highest mountain:Dachstein, 2,995 m
Ski areas:7
Nature parks:4
Thermal baths:4

Event recommendations

Find Upper Austria's top events here

Meet Upper Austria

أبرز المعالم

جولات

مناطق

مدن وأماكن 

For everything, there is a season

Traditional events in Upper Austria
  • The Christmas markets throughout Upper Austria have made a name for themselves for their festive, cosy atmosphere.

  • Did you know that Franz Xaver Gruber, the composer of the Christmas carol "Silent Night, Holy Night", was born in Upper Austria? Visit locations steeped in festive history.

  • On January 5, "Glöckler" runs take place throughout the Salzkammergut region, where people carry brightly illuminated headgear, whilst locals in elaborate "Schönperchten" costumes intend to drive away evil spirits.

  • Since 1604, Carnival (or "Fasching") in Ebensee has been celebrated with colourful parades at the end of February.

  • In Gmunden, people gift each other gingerbread hearts on the fourth Sunday in Lent, or "Liebstatt" Sunday, a custom dating back to 1641.

  • In late summer, colourfully decorated cows return from the Alpine pastures and are celebrated with local festivals.

Futuristic technology meets romantic castles

شخصيات مشهورة

Experience culinary delights in Upper Austria

وصفات

أماكن فريدة للإقامة

A region famous for its biodiversity

Kalkalpen National Park

Kalkalpen ("Limestone Alps") National Park in Upper Austria has made a name for itself as a particularly biodiverse and sustainable region.

  • The National Park includes one of the largest "closed forest" areas in Austria, i.e., no public roads disturb nature here. The only paths are forest roads necessary for the woodland's conservation and upkeep.

  • More than 200 km of unspoilt streams and over 800 springs of crystal-clear mountain water can be found within the area.

  • Four-fifths of Kalkalpen National Park's area is covered in forest.

  • Among countless other animal species, the National Park's forests are home to the only lynx population in the Austrian Alps.

FAQs

The federal state of Upper Austria is known for:

  • crystal-clear lakes (including Lakes Attersee, Traunsee, Mondsee, Irrsee, Wolfgangsee and Hallstätter See) and impressive mountains (e.g., Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Torstein (2,948 m), Großer Priel (2,523 m), Traunstein (1,691 m), Hoher Nock (1,961 m) and Schafberg (1,783 m)) in the Salzkammergut region;

  • the European Capital of Culture, Bad Ischl Salzkammergut;

  • the province's capital Linz on the Danube with its eponymous treat, the Linzer Torte;

  • the hilly Mühlviertel region;

  • its 50 breweries and 100 types of beer.

The region's previous name was "Österreich ob der Enns" ("Austria above the River Enns"), which, over time, became "Oberösterreich" (Upper Austria).

Upper Austria with its capital Linz is the right place for people who are looking for a mix of contemporary art, futuristic technology and experiences in nature.

Top sights in Upper Austria include the Ars Electronica Center, the Lentos Museum, the Linz Castle Museum, the Pöstlingberg hill in Linz, the European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut and the province's abbeys (located in St. Florian, Schlägl and Schlierbach).

The highest mountain in Upper Austria is the Hohe Dachstein (2,995 m), the highest peak within the Dachstein mountain range.

Our top recommendations for cosy huts and mountain inns:

  • Christophorushütte hut at the Feuerkogel cable car mountain station;

  • Kranabethhütte hut on Feuerkogel mountain;

  • Lodge ski hut on Dachstein Krippenstein mountain;

  • Sonnalm hut in the Kasberg family ski area;

  • Zeishofalm in the Dachstein West ski region.

From the far north at Hochficht in the Bohemian Forest to the World Cup ski area near Hinterstoder and the Dachstein ski region in the south, there are seven ski areas in Upper Austria: