Naturhotel Forsthofgut Explores Better Ways To Enjoy Winter

For a magical winter holiday look no further than Naturhotel Forsthofgut, a blissful Austrian retreat in Leogang (SalzburgerLand), easily reached by taxi or train in an hour from Salzburg Airport. The world’s first nature hotel and pioneering wellness retreat is no less celebrated for exceptional family facilities, cuisine and ski-in/ski-out access to Leogang’s mountain playground. 

For skiers, 270km of immaculate pistes offer fun and challenge to everyone from beginner to expert, with the Ski Alpin lift pass extending that to 408km (includes Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn, and Zell am See-Kaprun). To make things easy, Forsthofgut has its own ski equipment hire shop. Staff are ready to organise lift passes, ski school, guides and offer well-informed advice.

This year sees the opening of Hüttengaudi Leogang, a cool new restaurant and bar near the Asitzbahn lift and Leo’s Kinderland - ideal for lunch or an après ski rendezvous, especially for parents picking up little ones from the snow kindergarten. Sixty family-run mountain huts offer warmth and sustenance on cosy pit stops. Skiing is even more fun this winter with a new video piste (Fisherman’s Friend SkiMovie) and a Funslope accessible to all abilities. 

Forsthofgut’s early season package Looking Forward to Christmas, bookable from 29 November to 19 December, is especially for families. The price is from €1030 per person for three nights (two sharing a nature room, half-board, afternoon snack, homebaked cookies in the room), one spa treatment, an alpaca trek. Discounted price for children sharing their parents’ room: up to 9 yrs, €90 per night; 10-15 yrs, €130 per night.

Alternatively, Winter Joy at Forsthofgut, available 11-30 January and 8-27 March 2026, is priced from €1465 per person for four nights (two sharing a nature room, half-board/afternoon snack) including Salzburg airport transfers and in-house ski equipment hire.

These are two of many packages available at: https://www.forsthofgut.at/en/offers/ for skiers and non-skiers alike. Or, simply book a room and tailor your own package making the most of the many daily activities detailed in the weekly itineraries, designed for children and grown-ups, skiers and non-skiers.

Naturhotel Forsthofgut is an oasis in nature where wellbeing of every guest is paramount. The resort’s waldSPA facilities include a dedicated Family & Kids zone, and a separate area reserved for adults only offering a floating Finnish Sauna, enlarged roof-top whirlpool with mountain views and infinity pool extending out to the piste. Recently launched, waldSPA Health is the hotel’s exclusive longevity and wellness centre.

Dining takes ski food to another level. Half-board guests choose between three mouth watering menus – vegan, Alpine-Mediterranean, and R50 (uses only ingredients from within a 50km radius of the kitchen) – each changing daily. All ingredients are organic with many coming from Forsthofgut’s organic farm. There is also a choice of three a la carte restaurants: silva, acclaimed for its forest-inspired menus; Mizūmi, the Japanese restaurant on every skiing gourmet’s tick list; and Restaurant 1617 where classic Austrian dishes are served in a traditional ambience.

Non-skiers find so much to enjoy. Spa facilities and dining aside, there are miles of winter walking trails and snow-shoeing opportunities. The Forsthofgut stables has ponies available for riding out in the snow.

From the moment you enter Naturhotel Forsthofgut, you know you are in for an experience to remember and return to.

Flying in to Salzburg City, book a hotel taxi transfer or take advantage of the SalzburgerLand Region’s new Guest Mobility Ticket (https://www.guestmobilityticket.at/en - free use of public transport for the duration of your stay - arriving at Leogang station from where Forsthofgut offers complimentary taxi transfers.

Naturhotel Forsthofgut is a 5* family-run, family-friendly luxury hotel situated beneath the Asitz mountain in Leogang, SalzburgerLand, Austria. Surrounded by nature, the nearest lift is 200m for easy access to the magnificent outdoor playground of Saalfelden-Leogang’s high pastures and forests. Dating back to 1617, the hotel has evolved from a forestry business and guest house into a trend-setting destination resort. Exquisite dining – sustainable, organic, vegan and Japanese menus; speciality cocktail bar; wine tastings; dedicated Lake House Spa for adults, world’s first forest Spa (waldSPA), waldSPA Health (exclusive holistic longevity programme), extensive water features, multiple pools, saunas, treatment rooms; Onsen bathing, infinity pool, natural swimming lake, floating Finnish sauna and natural plunge pool; riding stables with instruction; mini-zoo and teens’ studio; organic farm and animal feeding visits; in-hotel ski shop; daily childcare (9am to 9pm) includes meals and entertainment; year-round weekly excursions.