Guaranteed snow
in Obertauern.
The snow wonder Obertauern.
The legendary snow guarantee in Obertauern from November to May is not just a claim, but a scientifically proven fact.
Every year, lift operators look to the heavens from November onwards to see if and when the snow god will shower his blessing on them. And every year, when the snow starts to fall too late, the media raises the question of whether winter sports still have a future at all. Because one thing is clear: without the white "gold of winter", skiing will be difficult.
Highest situated winter sports resort Obertauern.
Experience the highest snow depths in Austria.
The good news is: Obertauern is and remains snow-sure! Because although the question of snow reliability may be relevant for many ski resorts in the Alps in the medium term, it doesn't even arise for Obertauern. While the highest winter sports resort in Salzburger Land has already advertised its proverbial snow reliability, a study carried out by ski tourism researcher Günther Aigner now proves that Obertauern is indeed the winter sports resort with the highest snow depths in Austria! At 1,740 meters, Obertauern is the highest winter sports resort in Salzburger Land and has always been considered a "snow hole"! Now this has been given an official and scientifically proven seal of approval. According to a study by well-known ski tourism researcher Günther Aigner, Obertauern is the winter sports resort with the highest snow depths in Austria.
The study is based on the snow depth measurements of the Austrian Hydrographic Services, most of which have been in existence for more than a hundred years. Obertauern leads the ranking as the resort with the most snow with an average maximum snow depth of 264 cm. It is interesting to note that there has been no downward trend in snow depth over the last 108 years. So good news for future powder fun!
A comparison of Austria's snow giants.
A look at the winter sports destinations.
In Austria, the Hydrographic Provincial Services and their predecessor institutions have been recording the snow volumes of numerous locations for over a hundred years, thus making it possible to compare the snow volumes of many winter sports destinations over a long period of time. The long time series is also necessary in order to statistically smooth out inevitable fluctuations in the amount of snow and thus provide an average value that allows a statement to be made about the actual amount of snow in a place. In his study, Günther Aigner included the seven Austrian federal states in which winter sports are possible at all. From these provinces, he selected the places with the most snow according to the records, i.e. also seven, in order to compare them with each other. The snow depth values that were officially measured over the last 30 years, from the winter of 1985/86 to the winter of 2014/15, were taken into account.
The top spot!
Obertauern leads by a wide margin.
From a scientific point of view, there are two parameters that can be used to objectively determine the frequent occurrence of large amounts of snow. These are, on the one hand, the annual new snowfall totals and, on the other, the annual maximum snow depths. As new snowfall totals have not been recorded with the same reliability everywhere in the last two decades, Aigner has analyzed the annual maximum snow depths. With an average maximum snow depth of 264 centimetres, Obertauern leads the ranking of the seven Austrian snow giants by a large margin. The second-placed resort, located on the Arlberg, has 197 centimetres, which is a good 25% less than Obertauern.
Snow depths statistically unchanged.
Obertauern's snow is not getting any less.
There are some interesting figures that came to light in the study on the snow situation in Obertauern carried out by ski tourism researcher Günther Aigner. The greatest snow depth ever measured in Obertauern was recorded in the winter of 1966/67 at 470 centimetres. The lowest value was measured in the winter of 1938/39 at 66 centimeters. The scientific comparison also comes to the final conclusion that the snow depths in Obertauern have remained statistically unchanged over the last 108 years. The data therefore shows no evidence that there is a trend towards decreasing snow depths in Obertauern. In other words: Obertauern's snow reliability is not just an advertising claim, but a scientifically proven fact.
Unforgettable winter vacation days.
Be part of it!
Join us and enjoy unforgettable winter vacation days in Obertauern, at the Glöcknerin apartment hotel.