Tomáš — owner of the Stay Lungau apartment in Tamsweg. 120–150 ski days in the region over the past few years.
Last updated: August 2026.
A serious ski holiday in Lungau is for winter sports travellers who understand alpine economics. While the crowded mega-resorts of Tyrol now demand day-pass prices above €80 — only to have you queue for thirty minutes at the lifts — Lungau offers a high-quality alternative.
Guaranteed snow reliability thanks to extreme altitude, four fully developed ski areas, and modern infrastructure — delivering real, substantial skiing at genuinely reasonable prices. The LUNGO Ski Pass unites all four main resorts on a single ticket — 250 verified pisted kilometres, 59 lifts, no surcharge for switching between resorts.
If you want to know more about the region itself — why Lungau is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with pristine nature — see our separate article.
Why ski Lungau instead of Tyrol
What sets Lungau apart is the absence of the manufactured party-tourism circus. Sport comes first here:
- Perfectly groomed slopes with wide pistes built for sport carving
- Shorter lift queues — even during Christmas holidays or February half-term, waits at main lifts rarely exceed 5–10 minutes
- Seamless free ski bus network connecting all four main resorts — included with the guest card
- Significantly lower accommodation prices than comparable Tyrolean destinations
The 4 Lungau ski resorts — quick overview
| Resort | Piste kilometres | Altitude | Drive from Tamsweg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grosseck-Speiereck | 50 km | 1,100 – 2,400 m | 15 minutes |
| Fanningberg | 25 km | 1,500 – 2,150 m | 20 minutes |
| Katschberg-Aineck | 80 km | 1,066 – 2,220 m | 20 minutes |
| Obertauern | 100 km | 1,640 – 2,313 m | 30 minutes |
All four resorts are covered by a single LUNGO Ski Pass — no ticket switching, no surcharge. For a detailed comparison of which resort fits which type of holiday (family, freeride, après-ski, first-time skiers), see our comparison of the 4 Lungau ski resorts.
Obertauern — the snow guarantee
100 piste kilometres · 1,640–2,313 m · 30 minutes from Tamsweg
The undisputed snow reserve of the region and one of the most snow-reliable resorts in the entire Eastern Alps. Thanks to its unique high-basin location, the lifts are laid out so that the famous Tauernrunde circuit can be ridden in either direction without a single break.
The season is exceptionally long — typically from late November to early May. Obertauern also offers the most vibrant après-ski scene in the region.
Katschberg-Aineck — families and the new Almbahn gondola
80 piste kilometres · 1,066–2,220 m · 20 minutes from Tamsweg
This resort connects the Salzburg region directly with Carinthia. The Aineck slopes are sporty and demanding, while the Katschberg side is a hotspot for families.
New this season: the Almbahn 8-seater gondola
The old 3-seat chairlift has been replaced by the modern 8-person „Almbahn“ gondola — substantially higher capacity, shorter waits at the valley station. Snow reliability is further secured by a large network of automated snow-making guns.
Grosseck-Speiereck — the 8.5 km valley run
50 piste kilometres · 1,100–2,400 m · 15 minutes from Tamsweg
The absolute home resort for guests based in Tamsweg. The highlight: the spectacular 8.5-kilometre valley descent from the Speiereck summit down to St. Michael — one of the longest and most physically demanding runs in the entire province.
Twice a week there is also professional night skiing under floodlights. Guests staying at the Stay Lungau apartment in winter even have a direct view of this ski area.
Fanningberg — the family ski area
25 piste kilometres · 1,500–2,150 m · 20 minutes from Tamsweg
Fanningberg stands out for its wind-sheltered basin location and its extremely wide, sun-blessed slopes. Ideal terrain for cruising carvers, returning skiers and families.
The compact layout means children cannot get lost, and two spacious practice areas directly at the valley station provide the perfect first entry into the sport.
The LUNGO Ski Pass — one ticket for everything
With the official LUNGO WinterCard, the days of choosing between separate partial tickets are finally over. The LUNGO Ski Pass unites the entire alpine potential of the area at a highly competitive price.
250 km
verified pisted kilometres, all difficulty levels
59
modern cable cars and lifts
4
main resorts on one pass
Verified LUNGO Ski Pass facts:
- 250 kilometres of officially verified pistes across all difficulty levels (marketing brochures sometimes claim 300 km including connecting tracks)
- 59 modern cable cars and lift installations
- Unrestricted access to Obertauern, Katschberg-Aineck, Grosseck-Speiereck and Fanningberg
- Includes access to smaller local lifts in Lessach, Zederhaus, Schönfeld and Krakau — excellent conditions away from the crowds for absolute beginners
Family bonus:
When the two oldest children in a family buy a ski pass, all younger siblings (born 2007 or later) receive their ski pass for the same period completely free.
Current pricing and daily tariff tables are transparently listed at lungo.at.
Why Lungau works better for families than Zillertal
Anyone planning a ski holiday with children in Lungau benefits from tangible structural advantages over the Tyrolean mega-destinations like Zillertal or Ötztal.
1. Shorter lift queues
Even during Christmas holidays or February half-term, waits at main lifts rarely exceed 5–10 minutes. More real skiing time for the children, significantly less stress for the parents.
2. Dedicated kids' zones
Every one of the four main resorts has a modern, enclosed area with magic carpets, ski carousels and playful courses — such as Katschi's Kinderland at Katschberg or Bobo's Kinderwelt at Fanningberg.
3. Significantly lower prices
Away from the slope-side hotels, accommodation in centres like Tamsweg is 30–50 % cheaper than comparable stays in Tyrol — without any compromise on skiing quality.
Winter sports beyond the piste
Lungau is by no means limited to alpine skiing in winter. The UNESCO Biosphere region invests heavily in soft-adventure winter infrastructure.
Cross-country skiing
More than 150 kilometres of groomed cross-country tracks (both classic and skating). A special feature: five snow-reliable high-altitude loipes, including the Fanningberg-Prebersee track and the Gnadenalm loipe at Obertauern — cross-country skiing well into spring.
Winter hiking
Over 200 kilometres of prepared winter walking trails away from the roads, through deeply snowed forests. One of the loveliest routes circles the Prebersee nature reserve.
Tobogganing — the 4.2 km queen
The undisputed queen is the 4.2-kilometre natural toboggan run down the Aineck at Katschberg, fully floodlit and with regular night tobogganing.
Wellness recovery
Modern wellness and indoor pool complexes in Sankt Michael, or the historic BadeSchloss in Mauterndorf.
Your ski base: the Stay Lungau apartment in Tamsweg
For the serious winter sports traveller, the Stay Lungau apartment at Sauerfeld 44 in Tamsweg is the logical base. 60 m² on the 2nd floor, space for 2–3 people, with a direct view of the Grosseck-Speiereck ski area.
Covered parking
Your car parks under a covered carport on private ground — no ice-scraping in the morning. Protected from snow and frost.
Lockable ski depot
A separate, lockable shed in front of the house — skis, snowboards and gear stay safely stored between ski days.
EV Wallbox at the parking space
Charging station from AG Salzburg, credit-card billing, 15 kW — your electric car charges reliably overnight while you relax on the couch.
Fully equipped kitchen
A complete kitchen for cost-efficient self-catering — cook after the ski day, breakfast before hitting the slopes, no waiting on hotel restaurant hours.
Washer-dryer for wet ski gear
Combined washer + dryer unit — after a powder day your gear isn't hanging damp in the room; it's dry by morning.
Fast WiFi & Smart TV
Fast WiFi and a Smart TV with access to your own streaming accounts — for cosy winter evenings after skiing.
Location: Tamsweg sits at the centre of Lungau — Grosseck-Speiereck 15 min., Fanningberg and Katschberg-Aineck 20 min. each, Obertauern 30 min. by car. Pet-friendly on request.
Frequently asked questions
How many piste kilometres does the LUNGO Ski Pass cover?
The LUNGO Ski Pass covers 250 verified piste kilometres across four main resorts: Obertauern, Katschberg-Aineck, Grosseck-Speiereck and Fanningberg. Marketing brochures sometimes claim 300 km including connecting tracks — we stick with the verified figure.
How long is the drive from Tamsweg to each ski area?
Grosseck-Speiereck is 15 minutes away (the home resort), Fanningberg 20 minutes, Katschberg-Aineck also 20 minutes and Obertauern 30 minutes by car. All four are additionally reachable by the free ski bus.
When is Obertauern open?
Obertauern is one of the most snow-reliable resorts in the Eastern Alps and is typically open from late November to early May — one of the longest seasons in Austria. Current dates at lungo.at.
Which Lungau ski area is best for families?
Fanningberg is the classic family ski area with wide, sunny slopes and open terrain. Katschberg is also a family hotspot with Katschi's Kinderland and the new Almbahn gondola. For a detailed comparison, see our guide to the 4 Lungau ski resorts.
Is there a family discount on the LUNGO Ski Pass?
Yes — when the two oldest children in a family buy a ski pass, all younger siblings (born 2007 or later) receive their ski pass for the same period free of charge.
Where do I store my ski gear at the apartment?
The Stay Lungau apartment has a separate, lockable shed in front of the house — skis, snowboards and gear stay safely stored between ski days, without needing to carry them into the apartment.
Is a ski holiday in Lungau cheaper than in Tyrol?
Yes — both on the ski pass and on accommodation. The LUNGO Ski Pass is significantly cheaper than comparable Tyrolean combined tickets. Accommodation in centres like Tamsweg is 30–50 % lower than comparable stays in Tyrol, without compromising on skiing quality.
Secure your winter dates now
If you're skiing in Lungau this winter and looking for a well-equipped base in Tamsweg, the Stay Lungau apartment is the right choice:
- Direct view of the Grosseck-Speiereck ski area
- All four ski resorts reachable in 15–30 minutes by car
- Covered parking + lockable ski depot
- Washer-dryer for wet ski gear
- EV Wallbox from AG Salzburg at the parking space
Book directly at lungau-apartment.at — without OTA platform commissions.
Questions about your winter dates or the ski holiday? Contact me directly.
Official sources:
- LUNGO WinterCard pricing portal — lungo.at
- Salzburg Lungau Tourism Board — lungau.at