Cross-country skiing regions in Styria
Good reputation obliges, as they say.
The cross-country skiing regions in Styria are well aware of this and, as absolute pioneers in Austria, they focus on uncompromising quality. Perfectly groomed classic cross-country ski trails as well as skating trails, an appropriate guidance and orientation system, and even snow-making facilities: These are just some of the requirements that must be met to receive the Styrian Cross-Country Ski Trail Seal of Quality of the Styrian Ski Association.
Only the best is good enough for Styria's guests. That's why the satisfaction of the guests of the most beautiful cross-country skiing areas in Styria is an absolute matter of the heart. It is a mission that the regions are very happy to fulfil. In addition to outstanding cross-country ski trail quality, first-class services such as rental shops and cross-country ski schools with an attractive range of courses complement the offers.
The Top 3 Cross-country-skiing regions
With Ramsau am Dachstein, Bad Mitterndorf and the Jogllandloipe, Styria is also home to three of Austria's absolute top cross-country skiing regions. Especially with the Nordic Centre Ramsau am Dachstein - host of the Nordic World Ski Championships 1999 and the annual FIS World Cup event in Nordic Combined - Styria shows the highest competence.
The most beautiful cross-country skiing areas in Styria
Joglland trail in St. Jakob im Walde in East Styria is just as well known among cross-country skiers as the cross-country skiing area of Eisenerzer Ramsau with its Nordic Performance Centre. Bad Mitterndorf offers two worthwhile destinations with a network of cross-country trails via Pichl to Kainisch and several trails on Tauplitzalm. With the cross-country trails in Bad Aussee and Altaussee at the foot of the Loser, the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut is one of Austria's top cross-country skiing regions.
Ramsau am Dachstein is an internationally renowned cross-country skiing area and a venue of the annual FIS Nordic Combined World Cup.
Cross-country skiers also feel right at home on Krumpen trail in Trofaiach, at Grüner See (Green Lake) in Tragöß, in Hall bei Admont in the Gesäuse region and in Wald am Schoberpass. Another special tip is the Murau region with its Weirerteich cross-country ski trail and the Prebersee trail in the Styrian Krakau. One of the attractions of the Hebalm cross-country ski trail is its proximity to Graz.
The Almenland Nature Park and the trail network in the Hohentauern region complete the diverse offers for pure cross-country skiing enjoyment.
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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about cross-country skiing holidays in Austria
Steiermark is one of Austria’s most diverse cross-country skiing destinations – from high-alpine trails at altitude to enjoyable routes through sunny valleys. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about cross-country skiing regions, snow reliability, infrastructure, and trip planning.
Cross-country skiing regions & offers
Steiermark offers several highly recommended cross-country skiing regions with the Styrian Cross-Country Trail Quality Seal – ranging from high-alpine altitude trails to scenic routes through unspoilt natural landscapes. Among the best-known and most popular cross-country skiing regions in Steiermark are:
- Ramsau am Dachstein: The internationally renowned Nordic centre in the Schladming-Dachstein region features an extensive network of trails (altitudes of approx. 1,100 to 2,700 metres) and is also a host venue for the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup.
- Bad Mitterndorf: One of the most modern cross-country skiing centres in the Alps, offering a wide variety of trails and routes set in beautiful natural surroundings.
- Jogllandloipe (St. Jakob im Walde): The flagship cross-country skiing area in Oststeiermark, known for its perfectly groomed trails. As a special highlight, it also offers one of the longest and most popular floodlit trails in the country – ideal for evening skiing.
Almost all quality-certified regions offer ski schools and equipment hire directly on site. Regions such as Ramsau am Dachstein or Bad Mitterndorf provide ideal conditions for beginners – with wide practice trails, lesson programmes, ski hire and easy orientation. Other quality-certified regions such as the Joglland trail or the Hebalm trail also stand out for their professional cross-country ski schools and course offerings.
Yes, biathlon – the combination of cross-country skiing and shooting – can also be tried in Steiermark. Biathlon courses are available in:
- Ramsau am Dachstein
- St. Jakob im Walde in Oststeiermark
- Erzberg-Leoben at the Krumpen trail near Trofaiach
- In the Erlebnisregion Murau at the Weirerteich cross-country centre
Yes, there are several floodlit cross-country trails in Steiermark that allow night skiing into the evening hours.
- Night trail in Ramsau am Dachstein (2.8 km)
- Joglland trail in St. Jakob im Walde / Oststeiermark (4 km)
- Weirerteich trail in the Region Murau (4 km)
- Krumpen trail near Trofaiach (2.5 km)
- Hebalm cross-country centre in the Region Graz (1.6 km)
Planning & snow reliability
The quality-certified cross-country trails in Steiermark are considered snow-reliable due to their altitude and modern snowmaking systems. In addition, cross-country centres such as Ramsau am Dachstein and St. Jakob im Walde use “snow farming”. This is a sustainable method of snow preservation in which artificial and natural snow produced in spring is collected, covered with a thick layer of wood chips for insulation and stored over the summer. This preserved snow allows for an early and reliable start to the season in late autumn without requiring additional energy for snow production.
An up-to-date cross-country trail report for Steiermark can be found on bergfex.at. If in doubt, you can also contact the respective trail centre directly by phone. In addition, many cross-country regions provide current information on trail conditions and snow levels on their regional websites or via social media channels.
The cost of using cross-country trails in Steiermark varies by region. In quality-certified regions, day tickets range between € 4 and € 20.50. In many areas, children can use the trails free of charge.
Tip: Multi-day tickets and season passes are very good value if you go cross-country skiing regularly. There are also combination passes available, for example for Ramsau am Dachstein / Bad Mitterndorf or Eisenerzer Ramsau / Krumpenloipe Trofaiach.
Infrastructure & special experiences
Yes. Rustic mountain huts and traditional inns can be found along almost all quality-certified cross-country trails. Regional cuisine, short distances and the welcoming atmosphere in the huts ensure cosy breaks with authentic Styrian specialities.
Many cross-country skiing regions in Steiermark are located within easy reach of one another and can be ideally combined. This allows guests to experience different trail characteristics and levels of difficulty during a single holiday.
A good example is the four quality-certified trails in Ausseerland Salzkammergut (Altaussee, Bad Aussee, Bad Mitterndorf and Tauplitzalm) or the two trail centres in the Region Murau (Weirerteich and Krakau), all situated just a few kilometres apart. Combination passes such as the “combined season ticket” for Eisenerzer Ramsau and the Krumpen trail in Trofaiach also make it easy to switch between different trail networks.
A cross-country skiing holiday in Steiermark also offers plenty of options for accompanying persons without skiing ambitions. In many cross-country areas, there are ski resorts, toboggan runs, winter hiking trails and walking paths, as well as indoor swimming pools and thermal spas such as the GrimmingTherme in Bad Mitterndorf or the Aqualux Therme near the Hohentauern cross-country centre.
For children, there are also areas for sledging or small activity zones for building snow castles and snowmen.