Winter fun in the fresh evening snow
Sun off, lights on. Up and down the mountains we go. For Lower Austria's night owls, the ski slopes and cross-country trails shine brightly by both day and night, and the snow glistens in the floodlights or the light of the full moon.
When the sun goes to bed, we like to stay awake. The perfectly groomed slopes and snow-covered slopes in the Lower Austrian Alps are a night-time winter wonderland for families, skiers, tobogganists, ski tour hikers and cross-country skiers.
Semmering – watch night turn to day
With 13 kilometres of illuminated pistes on 6 different slopes, the Semmering ski resort is Europe’s brightest night-time skiing area. With its “World Cup-compatible” lighting – including on the toboggan run and in the Split Park – the Zauberberg Semmering resort is a dream come true for every tobogganist and skiing enthusiast. The superlative day and night winter sports experience on Semmering.
See the Wechsel in a different light: St Corona am Wechsel Fun Park
Not your average weekend outing! Easily switch between skis, snowboards and toboggans at St Corona am Wechsel Fun Park, a family ski resort. Every Friday and Saturday from 4 pm, the lights go on, and young and old alike have free rein over the sparkly snowy slopes of the fun park, which span 70,000 m². For the super spontaneous: free toboggan rental on-site (reservation required!).
Off the beaten track: Annaberg ski resort
Hear your own heartbeat, breathe in the cold and fresh air, and hear the snow crunch under your touring skis. You can do that all day every Thursday, as well as every evening until 8:30, on three different pistes with varying levels of difficulty at the Annaberg ski resort. It really is an extraordinary highlight for all ski tourers. Saturdays are for floodlit tobogganing! There is a ski lift.
The Ötscher: see the Vaterberg in all its glory
Head into the sunset on Tuesdays and Fridays, and watch as the fireball starts to sink behind the mountains. Take to the slopes in Lackenhof am Ötscher, with only the moon lighting the way. The wintry landscape shimmers with a unique glow... A truly beautiful natural winter spectacle. If the moon is nowhere to be seen, we recommend taking a head torch with you.
The Ötscher-Törmäuer Nature Park hosts “Winter Night Experience” events on selected dates. Chestnuts roast on an open fire, and guests are served hot drinks to go, before setting off on a starlit tour of the nature park with an expert guide.
Beautiful, glowing winter moments: Göstling an der Ybbs
Are you looking for the ultimate skiing paradise or a romantic, idyllic cross-country skiing route, which is not just for during the day? In the Hochkar ski resort in the Ybbstaler Alps, the cross-country skiing trails shine brightly by day, as well as during an evening on the slopes. Carpe noctem – seize the night – and chill out in the Alpine pastures. You can also enjoy the ambience by looking up at the stars, with a hot mug of Jagatee (tea with rum) in your hand.
The late bird catches the worm: Gemeindealpe Mitterbach
Wednesday evening is the best time to go touring in the Gemeindealpe Mitterbach. Depending on your fitness level, there are two routes with different degrees of difficulty. Both lead from the lower cable car station to the summit, which is at an altitude of approx. 800 metres. After a comfortable refreshment stop, you can head downhill on the groomed slope until 7 pm. Any novice ski tourers will be able to hire equipment.
Where the night owls stay out even later: the Jauerling
On the Jauerling, the local mountain of Waldviertel and Wachau, the lights go out at 9:00 pm. This late closing time means that four nights a week, you can have some evening skiing fun by whizzing down the snowy slopes, which are illuminated by floodlights. Sensational fun in the snow, and a great after-work life balance, guaranteed!
Better late than never: St Aegyd am Neuwalde
The only light on a snowy winter’s night comes from the beautiful full moon. Put one foot in front of the other, and the sky’s the limit! Snowshoeing at about 1,000 metres above sea level in St. Aegyd am Gscheid is a wonderful way to ring in the New Year, and to enjoy the light of the full moon on the nights that follow. With a distant view of the surrounding mountain silhouettes at night and a stop for some hearty refreshments, it literally is a dream in white.