Schladming-Dachstein Winter Highlights 2025/26: Three New Lifts, Free Skiing For Children, And A Superlative Ski Opening

The Schladming-Dachstein tourism region is kicking off the 2025/26 winter season with a bang and some big stars. Three new mountain lifts will provide even more comfort and quality this year. Pop history will be made at the ski opening in early December. The Backstreet Boys will open the season with three concerts in Schladming. In addition, there will be new culinary experiences in rustic mountain huts, special family offers, and plenty of opportunities for activity – from the slopes to the cross-country ski trails.

When the lights go on at the Planai Stadium on December 5, 2025, Schladming-Dachstein will launch into winter with a real bang: The legendary Backstreet Boys will perform three times in a row from December 5 to 7, celebrating their only European tour this season. They're bringing their new album "Millennium 2.0" with them, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their mega-hit album. A perfect start to a winter full of highlights. "For years, Schladming-Dachstein has stood for quality, diversity, and genuine hospitality," says Mathias Schattleitner, Managing Director of the Styrian tourism region. "With a spectacular ski opening, new mountain lift projects, and attractive family offers, we are making targeted investments in the further development of our region.

Together with our strong partners, we are consistently focusing on offering our guests high-quality experiences." Even faster and more comfortable access to the slopes: Three new lifts for greater comfort

Starting this winter season, three new, modern mountain lifts in the Schladming-Dachstein region offer even greater comfort. On the Planai, the new 8-seater chairlift "Mitterhausalm I" provides a comfortable connection to the ski area. This modern lift, equipped with heated seats and weather protection hoods, can transport up to 3,000 people per hour and reduces the travel time to approximately three minutes. On the Hauser Kaibling, the new 10-person gondola lift "Senderbahn" replaces the previous 4-seater chairlift.

“With the new Mitterhausalm I chairlift and the simultaneously constructed Hauser Kaibling gondola lift, we are creating a true ‘Super Connection’ between Planai and Hauser Kaibling. It stands for maximum comfort, state-of-the-art technology—from heated seats and weather protection hoods to aerodynamic cabins—as well as a noticeable increase in quality and speed throughout the entire ski area. From the 2025/26 season, we will take the connection to a new level,” says Georg Bliem, Managing Director of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen.

“With the new 10-person ‘Senderbahn’ gondola lift, we are reducing the travel time between Hauser Kaibling and Planai to under five minutes—and, with a capacity of 2,800 people per hour, ensuring a completely new level of quality on the Schladming 4-mountain ski circuit,” adds Klaus Hofstätter, Managing Director of Hauser Kaibling Bergbahnen.

Also new is the 8-person gondola lift on the Fageralm in Forstau, which replaces two existing double chairlifts and elevates the popular family ski area to a new level of comfort. The Fageralm lift has 55 gondola cabins and transports up to 1,160 people per hour. Particularly noteworthy is the sustainable concept behind the project: The system was built using resource-efficient methods – many components come from the former Großarl Hochbrand lift and were professionally refurbished. Stations, gondolas, pylons, and roller assemblies were reused and supplemented with new key components such as the control system, motor, gearbox, and additional gondolas. This makes the Fageralm lift a true showcase project in upcycling.

"With the new Fageralm lift, we are making a targeted investment in the quality and future of the Fageralm as a children's and family ski paradise," emphasizes Daniel Berchthaller, Managing Director of Reiteralm Bergbahnen. "We are combining comfort and environmental awareness – and creating an experience that demonstrates that modern technology and resource conservation can go hand in hand."

More family-friendly than ever: Free skiing for children up to 6 years old

A strong signal to families: Starting this winter season, all children up to six years old (born in 2020 and later) ski for free – on all the mountains of the Schladming 4-mountain ski area (Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm) as well as on the smaller ski areas of Galsterberg, Fageralm, and Rittisberg, including free rides to the Dachstein Glacier . This makes winter sports even more attractive for families – with over 160 kilometers of slopes, modern lifts, and special children's areas.

Other ski areas for all ages:

Galsterberg and Rittisberg in Ramsau am Dachstein also present themselves as ideal ski areas for the whole family. At Riesneralm in Donnersbachwald, young winter sports enthusiasts can expect a particularly spacious children's area this winter – the children's ski area has been significantly expanded and complemented by a new ski school center. Planneralm, the highest ski village in the region, focuses on unspoiled nature, excellent snow quality, and particularly child-friendly lifts.

Cross-country skiing, culinary delights, and experiences off the slopes:

Away from the ski slopes, the region reveals its tranquil yet active side, offering numerous ways to explore the snow-covered landscape. Enjoy cross-country skiing on 220 kilometers of trails in the cross-country skiing paradise of Ramsau am Dachstein, 300 kilometers of winter and snowshoe hikes, horse-drawn sleigh rides, fat biking, tobogganing, or ski touring.

The Dachstein Run in Ramsau am Dachstein ( January 9-11 , 2026) will once again be all about cross-country skiing. This traditional event is one of Austria's largest cross-country skiing events and attracts both professionals and amateur athletes every year. Participants can choose from various races ranging from 10 to 40 kilometers, as well as the popular fun run with culinary stations along the route, the Kids Race, and the new Business Run for teams.

And for those who prefer a more leisurely experience, 16 mountain huts offer winter cuisine called "Alpine Cuisine by Richard Rauch"—creative dishes with a regional focus, developed in collaboration with the hut owners of the region.
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