Tomáš — 20 years in Lungau, 120–150 days on the slopes over the past 5 years, owner of the Stay Lungau apartment in Tamsweg.

Last updated: July 2026.

Lungau is a region in Austria's Salzburger Land where a single LUNGO Ski Pass unlocks access to four main resorts with distinctly different characters — from Obertauern's world-class terrain to family-friendly Fanningberg. If you're planning a ski trip and trying to decide where to stay, this guide will tell you which resort fits which type of skier — without the brochure fluff.

If you're looking for an overview of the LUNGO Ski Pass itself (price, coverage, where to buy), see our complete LUNGO Ski Pass guide. This article assumes you already know what LUNGO is and are deciding between the individual resorts.

I write this as someone who's been skiing Lungau for 20 years. I'm not the local tourism board. If something doesn't work, I'll tell you.

LUNGO Ski Pass also covers 4 smaller resorts — Lessach, Zederhaus, Schönfeld, Krakau. I don't cover them in this comparison: they're too local and add little value for the average visitor. I recommend sticking to the 4 main ones.

Why LUNGO Ski Pass works

If I had to recommend LUNGO in one sentence:

Combine the best of the Alps. Après-ski in Obertauern, solid skiing at Katschberg-Aineck, freeride paradise on Speiereck, first turns for kids at Fanningberg. One pass, four resorts, all within 25 minutes of Tamsweg.

Who LUNGO isn't for: skiers who want Ischgl-style partying all week in one place, or looking for a freestyle park (Lungau doesn't have one — hopefully that'll change). For everyone else, it's the best value-for-money option in Austria.

Quick comparison: 4 resorts

Obertauern — all-round resort for everyone

100 km of slopes | 1,640 – 2,313 m | 25 min from Tamsweg

Obertauern is Lungau's most famous and most versatile resort. It's no accident that this is where the Freeride World Tour Challenger is held — an international event on the Hundskogel face (350 m vertical drop, slopes up to 45°). You'll find everything here — from beginner lifts through wide red pistes to freeride terrain where world-class riders compete.

Who it works for: everyone. A couple wanting a nice week. A family with kids of various ages. A group of friends who ski half the day and drink the other half. Obertauern handles all of it.

Snow: Obertauern has the longest season in all of Austria — typically from late November to early May. If uncertain snow makes you nervous, this is your resort.

When to arrive to avoid queues

Ideal morning plan:

• 8:30 — arrival, parking, gearing up
• 9:00 – 10:30 — first runs, minimal lift lines
• 10:30 – 13:00 — peak hour, lift lines 5–10 minutes max
• after 13:00 — situation eases, pleasant afternoon

Lift lines at Obertauern are never dramatic, but the first runs of the day are the best — empty groomed slopes.

Where to eat — my picks

Après-ski

Obertauern is the only Lungau resort with a real après-ski scene. If you want music, beer and atmosphere after skiing, this is where you'll find it.

• Hochalm Obertauern — the obvious choice.
• Edelweissalm Obertauern — top-tier.
• Hundskogelalm — my pick.

Getting there from Tamsweg

From Sauerfeld (Tamsweg) at Stay Lungau apartment it's about 25 minutes by car.

Important warning: the road goes through the Radstädter Tauern Pass, which can close during heavy snowfall. Always check the forecast and road conditions before you leave. If a closure is likely, either go early morning or pick a different resort for that day.

Katschberg-Aineck — wide slopes, family-friendly, practical

80 km of slopes | 1,066 – 2,220 m | 15 min from Tamsweg

Katschberg-Aineck is a resort split across two sides, connected by a single LUNGO pass. Access from two points:

• Katschberghöhe (southern side, at the Katschberg pass) — historically for the Katschberg side, but with the new Almbahn gondola, now also easier access to Aineck.
• St. Margarethen im Lungau (northern side, in the valley town) — the classic access point for Aineck.

Who it works for: families, skiers who want quality relaxed skiing without freeride ambitions, and anyone who appreciates wide, well-groomed slopes.

The new Almbahn gondola

In the 2025/26 season, an 8-seater Almbahn gondola was added, transporting skiers from Katschberghöhe directly to the northern side of Aineck. I use the new lift regularly. During the day it can build queues — but as with Obertauern, morning or afternoon it's completely fine.

Slopes

• Aineck side: wide slopes, accessed only via gondolas. The longest is the A1 run from Aineck — a ride for lovers of long flowing descents.
• Katschberg side: more varied mix — gondolas, chairlifts, and drag lifts.

Where to eat

Freeride?

Small and limited. A few options at the top of Aineck, mainly around the Gipfelbahn if you want to catch some powder. But if you want a serious freeride experience, go to Speiereck (more below).

Parking and route from Tamsweg

I recommend parking at Aineck-Lift, Talstation Parkplatz in St. Margarethen — it's 15 minutes from Sauerfeld. Quick access, practical solution.

Grosseck-Speiereck — freeride paradise, no queues, home mountain

50 km of slopes | 1,100 – 2,400 m | 10 min from Tamsweg

This is my home resort and the closest one to Stay Lungau. Grosseck-Speiereck has two separate peaks with completely different characters — something most generic guides don't mention.

• Grosseck — pure piste fun. Two long descents (one from Speiereck down, the other from Grosseck to Mauterndorf). Ideal for "collecting kilometers" — smooth, long runs.
• Speiereck — freeride paradise. Grosseck offers no freeride.

Who it works for: skiers who are low-maintenance on amenities but want to push themselves. Freeriders and ski tourers. Anyone who doesn't want to wait in lines — Grosseck-Speiereck has practically zero queues throughout the day.

Freeride on Speiereck

This is something few people outside the local community know about.

Get off the Speiereck chairlift at 2,411 m altitude. After stepping off, do a traverse across Speiereck and pick a line — either toward the south face, or into the north gullies. Both sides offer relatively long freeride terrain.

Night ski touring — a Lungau original

One of the most beautiful things Grosseck-Speiereck offers, and few people know about: ski touring on the piste, even on its illuminated section.

After the regular ski day ends, a specific section of the piste opens up for ski tourers. Check exact times on the resort's official website (varies by season and weather). If you're a ski tourer with an apartment in Tamsweg — it's 10 minutes away and you have an evening training session on professionally groomed terrain.

Where to eat

Après-ski

Schi Alm Mauterndorf offers a decent space for a beer after skiing, but nothing wild. If you want real après-ski, go to Obertauern.

Valley run Speiereck to St. Michael

This is the resort's marketing highlight. Officially advertised as an 8.5 km valley run, but according to my Strava records it's really 5.29 km with 22% gradient.

Who it's good for and who should skip:

• Good: intermediate and advanced skiers with decent fitness who want to experience a long smooth descent into the valley.
• Skip: beginners and skiers with weaker technique — it's not a black run, but you'll hold 22% gradient for a long time and your legs will burn.

Parking and route from Tamsweg

I recommend parking on the Mauterndorf side. From Sauerfeld it's about 10 minutes on flat roads — practically no complications in winter. Even in bad weather this route is reliable.

Fanningberg — first ski experience and relaxed alternative

25 km of slopes | 1,500 – 2,150 m | 15 min from Tamsweg

Fanningberg is the smallest of the main resorts, but has a strong niche — a family resort with beautiful views.

Who it works for — two scenarios:

LUNGO family perk — why it pays off

Where to eat

Edelweiss Alm — and when I say Edelweiss Alm, I mean the best tea with rum in the area. If you manage to visit Fanningberg for a day with the kids, don't miss the tea with rum at Edelweiss Alm.

Route from Tamsweg

15 minutes by car. In heavy snow, snow chains are mandatory — don't worry if you don't have them: the bus will take you, you leave the car in the village. This is a specific tip for Czech and Slovak visitors who don't want to deal with winter tires and chains.

Practical info — staying at Stay Lungau as your ski base

If you're planning skiing in Lungau and deciding where to stay, the Stay Lungau apartment in Tamsweg (Sauerfeld 44) is at the center of the region — all 4 resorts are 10 to 25 minutes by car.

Door-to-door driving distances

EV Wallbox — a practical note

Stay Lungau has an EV Wallbox from AG Salzburg. The operator is public, charging requires just a regular credit card — no mandatory app or special account. Power output is 15 kW, which means comfortable overnight charging after skiing. It's not a DC fast charger, but for an average EV skier who parks overnight, it's more than enough.

Ski storage

You have options:

• Lockable box — right at the apartment, practical overnight.
• Roof box on the car — if you have skis on the roof, you can leave them there.

Peak season and snow guarantees

Frequently asked questions

Which resort should you choose?

If you asked me for a one-week trip to Lungau:

• Couple, intermediate skiers, wanting a nice week with après-ski? → base in Tamsweg, rotate Obertauern (2–3 days), Katschberg-Aineck (2 days), Speiereck freeride (1–2 days depending on conditions).
• Family with kids of different ages? → base in Tamsweg, start with Fanningberg for the small kids, then Katschberg-Aineck for versatile skiing, possibly Obertauern for one day for the "wow" factor.
• Group of friends wanting skiing + party? → Obertauern dominates, but I recommend trying Speiereck (freeride) or Katschberg (wide slopes) for 2 days of variety.
• Want freeride paradise? → base as close to Speiereck as possible — that means Tamsweg. Speiereck is 10 minutes away, and after skiing you have evening ski touring on the illuminated piste.

LUNGO Ski Pass lets you rotate resorts regardless of weather or mood. That's its main benefit — you always have plan B, C, and D.

Stay Lungau — logical base for skiing in Lungau

If you're deciding where to stay for skiing in Lungau, the Stay Lungau apartment in Tamsweg is a logical base:

• All 4 resorts 10 to 25 minutes by car
• EV Wallbox (AG Salzburg, credit card, 15 kW charging)
• Lockable storage box for skis or bikes
• View of Grosseck-Speiereck directly from the apartment
• Space for 2–3 people, pet-friendly on request

Book directly at lungau-apartment.at — without OTA platform commissions.

Questions or feedback? Contact me directly — I'm local and can answer specific questions about resorts, roads, and weather.