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Skiing in Oberau
Located in a quiet corner of the Alps, nestled deep in the Wildschonau (“wild and beautiful”) Valley, Oberau is a great place for families and beginners alike to learn to ski, whilst offering a slice of authentic Austrian village life. Home to a population of 3,800, Oberau is the largest village within the region that makes up the Wildschhonau ski area and retains an air of old-fashioned rural charm, emphasized by the fact that tourism blends comfortably with the local farming industry still thriving throughout the area. Traditional Tyrolean architecture is prominent throughout the village, in the chalets and other lodgings, with the most impressive building being the historic 18th century Church of St Margaretha, boasting stunning Baroque frescos painted on the ceiling.
Skiing in Oberau – The Slopes
The skiing throughout this entire region is mostly suited to beginners and lower level intermediates. The resorts of the valley, Oberau, Niederau and Auffach, are all covered on one lift pass and transport between them all is easy - by free bus service. The 65km of pistes offered within the entire area are mainly north facing and tend to be relatively uncrowded. Oberau itself is situated at a height of 935m, with its’ 10km of pistes served by 10 lifts, the highest reaching 1900m. The resort has its’ own excellent Ski School, which offers all day kindergarten tuition for 4-10 year olds, and nursery slopes, with the 12 short beginners slopes situated on the wide areas below the forest. Along with the 7 drag lifts running parallel to each other serving this area, a longer lift takes you up further to an intermediate area, from which you can tackle some varied red runs, which return you back to the centre of the village. For advanced skiers, there are a handful of blacks in Oberau, and neighbouring Neiderau and Auffach, but the best choices for experts who visit this region with their families would be touring the extensive off-piste terrain or purchasing the Kitzbuheler Alpen Pass, which opens up a massive 700km of pistes throughout 30 more resorts.
Skiing in Oberau – The Apres-Ski
As you would expect, the apres-ski in Oberau tends to be quiet and laid-back, matching the villages’ relaxed pace of life. There are 8 restaurants to choose from, and a small selection of bars and clubs – all offering warm Tyrolean hospitality and local specialities. For non-skiers, Oberau offers other winter pursuits, such as ice-skating, snowshoeing, renting skidoos, bowling, swimming and even paragliding.
Austria Skiing Holidays
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