Hochsteiermark- An ideal winter sports area in Austria
Upper Styria Is an ideal place in Austria for your winter vacation. The region has not yet been discovered by mass tourism and the small ski areas – sixteen in total – are ideal for families with children. So you can enjoy your vacation without the queues.
Hochsteiermark in Austria
Even though we don’t know how it will all go this year with winter sports, planning is always possible. Hochsteiermark in Austria is a place where mass tourism has not yet struck and for many this can be an advantage. Hochsteiermark is located in the northeastern part of the state of Styria. The area extends from Stuhleck, which is the largest and most modern ski area in eastern Austria.
And goes all the way to the Niederalpl, the Schwabenbergarena Turnau and the Brunnalm-Hohen Veitsch.
Plenty to do in the winter
In this part of Austria there is the opportunity for 227 km of ski touring, 60 km of toboggan runs, 104 km of cross-country ski trails and 300 km of snowshoe trails. The nearest city is Graz.
Read all about vacationing and skiing in this area here.
TRV HOCHsteiermark Tom Lamm
Enjoy at almost 2.000 meters altitude of the sunrise
For early birds who want to go skiing on time, the Stuhleck ski resort offers breakfast on the mountain top with breathtaking views. Or sniff the fresh air at high altitude in the Mariazeller Bürgeralpe ski area with some 10 kilometers of slopes. With the Bürgeralpe-Express gondola you also have a wonderful view of Austria’s pilgrimage site – the Mariazell Basilica in Mariazell.
Children free in the elevator
Areas such as Niederalpl-Mürsteg, Brunnalm-Hohe Veitsch, Aflenzer Hochschwab and Schwabenbergarena Turnau (3 elevators, 4 runs including 2 black runs) are also perfect winter sports destinations for families with children. And not just the older children, but for children of all ages. This is partly because there are hardly any waiting times for the elevators.
In Niederalpl children up to the age of 15 accompanied by an adult can ride the elevators for free.
snowshoeing
Whereas a winter sports vacation used to mean mainly skiing and/or snowboarding, today people are asking for a broader winter fun offer. This is a great way to hike in Waldheimat am Alpl. And if you do want to get up early during the vacations, the sunrise hike to the Hohe Veitsch is for you!
Skibobs and yooners
Besides sledding, you see more and more skibobs here, a kind of bicycle ski with a saddle. The 2022 Skibob World Championships will take place March 4-6, 2022 in Stuhleck. Also, the so-called ‘yooners’ – a sled with a seat and one skilat – are gaining in popularity.
Hike up with snowshoes and then sled down with a yooner. Or go hiking with an experienced guide: whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, in pairs, with the whole family or with a group want to go out, through forests, meadows or high plateaus, there is a wide for-everyone offer.
Find all information about hiking in this area here
Outdoor air stimulates appetite
And because fresh air whets the appetite, several culinary hut hikes have been set up: a popular hut hike is the one to the Aflenzer Bürgeralm where you will taste various local specialties including Pierepfandl, Türkenmtommerl, Häferlkaffee and Buchtln.
Christmas markets
The run-up to Christmas is a very atmospheric period in this region: the largest Christmas market in Austria – the Mariazell Advent – opens on November 18, 2021. You will also find Christmas markets in Stuhleck, the atmospheric Waldweihnacht in Bruck an der Mur and in the town center of picturesque Kapfenberg .