Ski Touring

Ski Touring at dachstein glacier

Ski touring is a fascinating way to experience the winter mountain landscape up close. The Dachstein Glacier offers true paradise for ski tourers.

A NATURAL EXPERIENCE AND A SPORTING CHALLENGE

Ski touring combines physical challenge with the experience of nature. Using climbing skins under the skis, you conquer the vertical meters through your own strength, and after the ascent, breathtaking views of the mountain world await. Whether you prefer leisurely beginner tours on groomed slopes or challenging routes in open terrain, the Dachstein Glacier has the right challenge for every level. Proper preparation and the necessary equipment are essential to ensure you can enjoy your tour safely and to the fullest.

Especially in autumn, when the early snow covers the glacier and the light bathes the mountains in a unique atmosphere, the Dachstein offers ski tourers a one-of-a-kind setting for their first tours of the season.

Skitouring Ticket

VALID FROM 24.05.2024 TO 06.04.2025 INCLUDING the toll for Dachstein Mautstrasse

If you are in possession of a Ski Amadé ALL-IN Card gold or white, SuperSkiCard, Ski amadé day or multi-day ticket or the Steiermark Joker, the ascent on the Dachstein Glacier cable car is included.

IMPORTANT NOTE TOLL:

Please have your toll ticket validated at the machine in the Dachstein mountain station so that you can enjoy free use of the road.

Glacier map

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10 Dirndl-Tour

A short and beautiful ski tour. From the Dachstein mountain station on the Hunerkogel via the Gjaidsteinscharte gap past the Dirndl mountain to the serviced Seethalerhütte lodge. This route leads via the Schladming and Hallstatt glaciers and follows the groomed and marked trail.

This easy panoramic tour offers impressive sweeping views into the Salzkammergut region, of the Hoher Dachstein, and into the depths of the south face of the Dachstein and the Schladming Tauern mountains.

Route description

THE ROUTE AT A GLANCE

Descent from the Dachstein mountain station to beneath the Dirndl along the groomed and marked path. Here you put on your skins and follow the trail in a long left-hand arc past the shoulder ascent – which leads to the summit of the Dachstein – to the Seethalerhütte lodge. The lodge, which was completely revamped in 2018, is located between the Dirndl and the Hoher Dachstein directly on the south face of the Dachstein.

Take the outward route back.

NOTE

Please note that you are in high alpine terrain. Ensure you are well informed about the weather and snow conditions and that you have the necessary protective equipment. Please do not deviate from the route due to the numerous crevasses.

Equipment

Telephone (network coverage is adequate). The route leads exclusively via marked, groomed and secured pistes. It is advisable to carry standard safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, first aid).
 

Click here for the map >> 

11 Kleine Mitterstein tour

The Kleine Mitterstein tour offers the perfect introduction to ski touring. This is an easy tour on marked downhill and uphill trails through high alpine terrain.

Even though this is considered a beginner’s tour, quick changes in weather conditions are not unusual on this terrain and can be dangerous if you have inadequate equipment and experience. Please take note of the weather forecast.

This tour lasts around one hour (depending on your level of fitness). On a clear day, the entire tour can be seen from the mountain station.

Route description

THE ROUTE AT A GLANCE

The tour begins with an easy descent via a groomed and marked piste to the mountain station of the Alter Mitterstein chairlift (decommissioned). Here you put on your skins and climb on a marked and groomed trail in a wide arc bearing left towards the Koppenkarstein mountain, the Austria Scharte gap, and back to the mountain station. There are no notably steep stretches.

Equipment

Telephone (network coverage is adequate). The route leads exclusively via marked, groomed and secured pistes. It is advisable to carry standard safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, first aid).

Click here for the map >>

12 GROSSE MITTERSTEIN-TOUR

The Große Mitterstein tour leads across the entire Schladming glacier. This physically slightly demanding ski tour remains on groomed downhill pistes and uphill trails, yet still offers a high alpine experience. The impressive expanse of the Dachstein massif is truly felt.

This tour requires a maximum of half a day. Like several ski tours on the Dachstein, it is unusually structured, starting with a descent and ending with a climb. Although the route is marked and groomed, it is essential to consider the fast-changing weather conditions at this altitude.

Route description

THE ROUTE AT A GLANCE

You first descend from the mountain station via the groomed piste past the decommissioned mountain station of the Mitterstein chairlift to the former valley station.
Tip: Early in the year, there are fine firn slopes on the eastern slopes of the Gjaidstein (orographically left). Please note the danger of avalanches if you deviate from the groomed pistes.

At the valley station, put on your skins and take the marked uphill trail back towards the Gjaidstein saddle and mountain station. There is no need for climbing aids.

Variants

There are many options for extending this tour:

• To the east: The Gutenberghaus route and the Gruberscharte cirque with descents into Ramsau.
• To the west: From the Gjaidstein saddle, ski towards the Dirndl and the Seethalerhütte lodge, the Gjaidstein, and the Dachstein summit, perhaps incorporating a descent and climb via the Hallstatt glacier towards the Eissee lake.

Please note that the demands on your physical fitness increase considerably with possible variants. The appropriate safety equipment is required if you depart from the marked and groomed piste.