Father and daughter tobogganing | © Oststeiermark Tourismus | Bernhard Bergmann Father and daughter tobogganing | © Oststeiermark Tourismus | Bernhard Bergmann

Winter joys in Eastern Styria 

Fun on the slopes and cross-country skiing!

Small, fine ski paradises in Eastern Styria convince with affordable quality and are the ideal prerequisite for a family holiday in winter. Those hungry for exercise and nature lovers enjoy pleasurable winter pleasures: on the ski slope, on the cross-country ski trail along panoramic paths in gently undulating landscapes while (snowshoe) hiking.

Unique winter highlights in Eastern Styria

The small features make the big experiences.

Free skiing & cross-country skiing

We invite you: All overnight guests in the Fladnitz an der Teichalm nature park community enjoy free skiing and cross-country skiing from the first night onwards – Monday to Friday, throughout their stay, at the Teichalm lifts and on the Almenland trails. Public holidays and the Christmas and semester breaks (3 weeks) are excluded.

Almenland Nature Park
©  Oststeiermark Tourismus | Cian J. Baumgartner

Drive-through WC

“I need to go to the bathroom!” – a cry that every ski instructor, parent, or grandparent is familiar with. For the little ones, it's urgent, but for the grown-ups, it can often be hectic with skis, poles, and winter clothing.

At the St. Jakob family ski resort, everything stays relaxed: Johannes Berger, an experienced father and grandfather, came up with the solution – the world's first drive-through toilet!

Family ski mountain St. Jakob im Walde
A young skier enjoying the snow under blue skies.

Ice climbing at the “Alice” ice waterfall

If you want to test your climbing skills, the “Alice” ice waterfall in Breitenau am Hochlantsch is the place to be. The 23-meter-high waterfall in the Tiefenbachgraben valley remains intact even during warm periods thanks to a sturdy wooden frame. With a difficulty rating of WI 4, it offers a real challenge – complemented by an 18-meter-high ice column for basic techniques.

Friends of Nature Breitenau am Hochlantsch
Ice climbing in the Almenland Nature Park in the Eastern Styria

Uphill tobogganing

At the family ski resort of St. Jakob im Walde, going uphill is a breeze: hook your sled onto the T-bar lift and glide effortlessly to the top – the descent is easy. Every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the illuminated slope is reserved exclusively for sledders. The idea came from Reinhard Ferner, inventor of the patented uphill sled, which Stephan Berger was the first to introduce in Austria.

Family ski mountain St. Jakob im Walde
Rodeln und Schlitten fahren

Winter solstice hike

Experience the sunrise on Sunday, December 21, at around 07:30 am at the Teufelstein.

Details:

  • Start: Fischbach village square with shuttle bus (05:30) or Zellerkreuz (approx. 06:00).
  • Parking: Limited spaces at Zellerkreuz - shuttle bus recommended (registration for 5 or more people: +43 3170 211).
  • Highlights: Sunrise at the Teufelstein (approx. 07:30 am) and mountain breakfast at the Teufelsteinhütte, organized by the Fischbach innkeepers.

No registration required!

Event
Winter hike to the Teufelstein in Fischbach

With the “ruckXbob” on the Teichalm

In winter, you can go up on snowshoes with “Adventure Management” and down with the “ruckXbob” – a sled that is carried like a backpack. The guided tours start at the Almgasthof Hotel Teichwirt on the Teichalm. Fun is guaranteed!

Adventure Management
ruckXbob factor in the Almenland Nature Park

Elmleiten New Year's Eve hike

Start the new year with a hike! On December 31, we will set off at 10:00 a.m. from Gasthaus Gallbrunner or Gasthof Fischbacherhof along the Mariazell pilgrimage route (10 km, approx. 2.5 hours) with refreshment stops, warm drinks, and sparkling wine to toast the new year.

You can join at any time, no registration or guide required.

Event
Snowy resting place with a view in the Joglland-Waldheimat in Eastern Styria

The Eastern Styria winter needle

Eastern Styria scores highly with its family-friendly ski resorts, short distances, and a wide range of winter experiences away from the slopes—from cross-country skiing and winter and snowshoe hikes to toboggan runs and wellness.

There is a small gift for the Winter Needle, which can be collected from the Almenland Nature Park or Joglland-Waldheimat offices.

SummitLynx winter needle
Winter landscape in Joglland with a view of the Teichalm-Sommeralm in the Almenland Nature Park

Skiing in Eastern Styria

Out onto the slopes!

Eastern Styria offers small, fine ski paradises with varied pistes, from gentle to sporty, all the way to early-practice pistes with baby and practice lifts. In the regions of Joglland-Waldheimat and Naturpark Almenland there are 12 of these ski areas with perfectly groomed slopes.

Cross- country skiing in Eastern Styria

On the track, ready, go!

Cross-country skiing in the garden of Austria is so much fun. Classic cross-country skiers and skaters find perfect cross-country skiing conditions in Eastern Styria. Freshly groomed trails and snow-making facilities ensure cross-country skiing pleasure and snow reliability. There are 3 really recommendable cross-country ski trails in Eastern Styria!

Hiking wonderland

Winter and snowshoe hiking

At a leisurely pace, but on a big foot, you are on the move when snowshoeing. Once upon a time, snowshoes were the tools of the trade for forest workers to get around in deep snow-covered forests. Today, nature lovers appreciate them to immerse themselves in romantic winter landscapes.

Tobogganing, ice skating, ice climbing, horse- drawn sleigh rides & co

Even more winter delights!

Whether it's tobogganing, ice skating, curling, ice climbing or horse-drawn sleigh rides - the diversity of Eastern Styria is also reflected in the possibilities in winter!

Kraxen stove in the wellness area

Winter wellness

Do something good for your body and spend relaxing days in one of our wellness establishments. For all those who want to relax, our wellness establishments have a wide range of offers at the ready

Wellness holiday in Eastern Styria
Kraxen stove in the wellness area