Skitouring
The Gesäuse certainly has a lot to offer. And there’s quite a lot it doesn’t have either. Above all, there are no ski lifts. Which means, especially in winter: if you want to get to the top, you’ll need to power your own way up. No gondola, no chairlift – even in winter, the only way to the summits is through muscle power. No pain, no gain. Or, as they say: you’ve got to earn that schnapps.
When it comes to ski touring in the Gesäuse, the mountaineering village of Johnsbach immediately springs to mind, as its excellent snow conditions and mountain location make it a ski touring paradise. That’s why the Kölblwirt came up with the idea of setting up a proper ski touring test centre (with equipment to try out). So Johnsbach is a popular starting point for winter mountain tours! Incidentally, given its huge popularity, a trip during the week or outside the holiday season is highly recommended!
Another special feature of the Gesäuse is the selection of national park ski tours, which are marked with winter signage that’s always clearly visible, ensuring that you don’t disturb the wildlife during their well-deserved winter rest and that you don’t get lost yourself. The quality of the descents in the Gesäuse is also exceptional, as is the view of a natural landscape brimming with winter wonders, both big and small.