Unforgettable adventures in Salzburg’s winter wonderland
Your Winter Bucket List for Salzburg
12/2022 - Barbara Keller
Ask anyone and they’ll all say the same thing: “I don’t really like winter... too cold, too dark, and no outdoor life”. Wait a minute. While the first two things might be true, the third definitely isn’t, at least not in Salzburg. If you’ve ever experienced the forests, frozen lakes, and picturesque mountains that surround the city, you’ll never waste wintertime on your sofa again. Born and raised in Austria, I know how to have fun during the coldest months of the year, even when the temperatures drop far below zero. Today’s your lucky day, I’ll let you in on the secret.
#1 Skiing and snowboarding at Untersberg
A winter holiday in Austria that doesn’t involve skiing or snowboarding just isn’t the real deal. If you want to experience the mountains without having to go far from the city, grab your skis or snowboards, get on a bus and take the cable car up to the Untersberg. Once you reach the mountain top, you’ll find yourself immersed in a stunning winter wonderland. When you’re done taking in the amazing view, get ready for a rather adventurous descent.
#2 Sledding
Salzburg is the perfect place for winter lovers—you can go sledding right in the middle of the city, on Krauthügel, Pallottinerwiese, or Mönchsberg. Alternatively, you can take a bus towards Judenbergweg and then walk up Gaisberg. The way up is quite exhausting, but it’s worth it! Coming back down at top speed is something everyone should try out at least once.
#3 Ice-skating
If you’re not quite comfortable skating on Salzburg’s frozen lakes, I don’t blame you. Fortunately, there’s an alternative: artificial ice, which is just as much fun. My personal recommendation is to spend an afternoon at the Eiszauber im Volksgarten. This 330-metre-long ice rink connects two ice surfaces—that’s a total of 1,700 m². The open-air part runs through the Volksgarten pool area. Bring a date, exchange some kisses on the ice and enjoy the wonderfully cheesy atmosphere.
#4 Cross-country skiing
Are mountainous slopes not really your thing? I think you may enjoy cross-country skiing then. It’s cheaper and way more relaxed than skiing or snowboarding, but still, a great way to move your body during wintertime. Anyone who has ever floated over crunching cross-country ski trails through the vast fields knows exactly what I’m talking about. If you’re located in Salzburg, you can easily reach many cross-country trails in less than one hour. If there’s enough snow, you can even do your rounds at Hellbrunn—which is just a few steps away from our numa property Ivy.
#5 Wellness day
Winter is the perfect time for wellness—and Salzburg definitely doesn’t lack spa facilities. I just love relaxing dips in the therapeutic waters of a steaming hot outdoor pool. And they are even better when you’re surrounded by breathtaking snow-covered scenery. It’s perfect for soothing your achy muscles after many hours on the slopes and taking in some much-needed warmth. My personal favourite is Genussdorf Gmachl, located in Bergheim, just outside the city border. It offers day spa tickets that give you access to a wide range of pools, saunas, steam caves, a grotto of saline baths, a fitness room, as well as a breakfast and afternoon buffet.
#6 A cosy day at home
Every now and then, it’s totally okay to just stay in all day, being cosy and feeling homey—especially if you’re staying in one of our beautifully designed numa properties in Salzburg. Just find a spot and fill it with blankets and pillows, pick a relaxing activity like reading, watching a show, or listening to music, pour yourself a hot drink, light up some candles, and I guess that’s a wrap.
If these winter activities sound as tempting to you as they do to me, check out our numa properties in Salzburg. All of them are as delightful as the Austrian winters. See you there!
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