There is always a lot of snow in the small Austrian village Obertauern and who wants to start skiing directly in front of the hotel should book a room at the four-star family Hotel Steiner. The traditional house is situated on 1752 meters and the 98 rooms offer a great view into the white winter world.
Obertauern is located in the province of Salzburg and you can reach the city via the Tauern motorway from Salzburg in one hour. Even if it should be “green” in Radstadt – from November to April Obertauern seems to be a snow bowl and offers the best ski conditions.
The hotel Steiner is easy to reach – even without four-wheel drive. We turn from the main road and park right in front of the hotel entrance. For our skiing equipment there is a huge room and every guest has a lockable cabinet with a heating for ski boots. The luggage is already in our room.
Modern rooms with antique wood at Hotel Steiner
After check-in we relate the newly renovated double room Nr. 108. It’s motto is “enjoy nature” and genuine old wood on the cabinets and walls provide a great indoor climate. A small pillow with alpine pine is lying in bed and ensures deep sleep.
A large sofa invites us to relax and who sits on the chair by the window is looking at the snow-covered mountains. I step out on the balcony, but at minus ten degrees, it is still too fresh outside.
The bathroom offers plenty of space and has a walk-in shower, from which you can even look through a large window across the mountains. For a visit to the 1000 sqm large wellness area every room has a spa bag with large fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers.
Delicious food almost around the clock
After the long drive we are hungry and a walk in the large, promising restaurant. Those who book a room at the Hotel Steiner, can enjoy Austrian delicacies from early morning to the late evening. In the morning the hotel offers a big buffet breakfast with an appealing choice of tea and cereals, homemade jams, fruit, fresh egg dishes and baked goods. Late risers can even have breakfast to 12 clock.
Now it is already 3 pm and we make our way to the lunch buffet. From 12 to 4.30 there are hot dishes, a wide selection of salads and sweet desserts – the offer also belongs to the Pampering Package. Many guests sit in ski clothing at the table. As the hotel is located directly at the slopes, many guests stop at the hotel Steiner for lunch and enjoy the buffet. After the brief stop, guests slip back into the warmed ski boots and rush further down the slopes.
The five-course set menu is served in the evening from 6 to 8 pm. We can choose every day between different starters and meat, fish or a vegetarian dish to the main course.
Wellness with a view at “BergSPA”
After the late lunch, it is time to explore the spa. Behind a cozy tearoom with bright armchairs is the spa reception, here the hotel offers a variety of massages and pampering treatments – all cosmetic products come from the region. Next door attracts the cuddle oasis with spa couches and soft music.
A few steps down there is a family sauna, where parents can enjoy sweating with their children. Of course, in bathing suits.
Next door there is a huge pool. Even in the early morning the guests come for doing some exercice, in the afternoon the kids are splashing in the water. From 7 pm the entire wellness area is open only for adults.
Hot sauna, fresh snow
Behind the pool the relaxation area for the adult guests begins. A Kneipp pool activates the circulation, in the conservatory you can relax and let your eyes wander over the white peaks.
First, we sweat in the 90 ° hot Finnish sauna, after that we go to cool off in the outdoor area. Sauna fans cool off with fresh snow, I swing a little in the cozy hammock, enjoying the fresh winter air.
In addition, the spa area features a bio sauna with light therapy, a steam room and a rock crystal grotto.
Skiing: Checking out Obertauern’s “Tauernrunde”
The next morning we start skiing right after breakfast. We slip into the preheated ski boots, cross the street and stand on the first slope. From here, the 100 kilometers of slopes in Obertauern can be reached directly, 26 cable cars and lifts bring skiers comfortably up. We follow the green “Tauernrunde” and drive around Obertauern counterclockwise.
So we do not need a map, but just keep looking for the appropriate signs and always explore new departures. After a lunch break in the hotel we follow the red “Tauernrunde” that leads us in a clockwise direction around the village.
Great: Every Sunday the house instructor from the hotel Steiner shows guests the “Tauernrunde”-skiing trip and gives valuable tips for skiing.
More information
Find more details and booking opportunities at www.hotel-steiner.at.
Find more information and the actual prices for lift passes at www.obertauern.com.
Note: This trip was supported by the the Hotel Steiner. The report is intended solely as our own opinion.
