Ski Areas for Early-Morning-Skiing in Austria

Is there anything more beautiful than watching the sun rise on the ski slopes? Here we go with early-morning-skiing!

Wake up, Early Birds! The most beautiful slopes for early risers

While others are still asleep, the early birds among skiers and snowboarders are already carving towards the morning winter sun. Early birds are the first to make their tracks in the snow and experience peace and freedom. To make early morning skiing possible, some winter resorts in Austria open their lifts before regular operating hours. An unforgettable experience that is definitely worth leaving your cosy hotel bed for.

SalzburgerLand

Early-morning-skiing in Gastein

Early mornings on the slopes in Gastein. Glide over freshly groomed snow, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and soak up the stillness of a new day. Perfect for early birds who love the magic of that first track.

Key facts

  • Period: January and February, on selected dates

  • Start: from 7:30 a.m.

  • Included: a gourmet breakfast at a ski hut

  • Reservation: registration required

  • Cost: not included in the ski pass

Gastein
SalzburgerLand

Early birds in the Skicircus Saalbach

Spring skiing on empty slopes? You can do that in Saalbach too! Spectacular sunrises, perfect snow – what a treat.

Key facts

  • Period: all season long

  • Start: In Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang, selected lifts start daily from 8:00 a.m. In Fieberbrunn, the Streubödenbahn starts daily from 8:15 a.m.

  • Cost: included in the ski pass

Skicircus Saalbach
SalzburgerLand

Morning skiing in the Großarltal

Skikeriki in Großarltal: Early-morning skiing at sunrise on freshly groomed slopes and empty runs – that’s Skikeriki.

Key facts

  • Period: all season, every Wednesday

  • Start: from 7:15 a.m.

  • Requirement: confident skiing on red slopes

  • Included: ski guide and hearty breakfast

  • Reservation: registration required

  • Cost: not included in the ski pass

Großarltal
SalzburgerLand

Early-bird-skiing in Obertauern

In Obertauern, there are two ways to enjoy the fresh mountain air and watch the day begin in the high Alps.

Good morning, Obertauern

  • Period: all season, every Wednesday

  • Start: Gamsleitenbahn I, Achenrainbahn and Zehnerkarbahn open from 8:30 a.m.

  • Cost: included in the ski pass

First.Track

  • Period: on selected dates

  • Start: from 7:30 a.m.

  • Included: local ski guide, alpine brunch and a goodie bag

  • Reservation: required

  • Cost: available as a combo ticket with ski pass

Obertauern
Tirol

Sunrise powder fun in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

The beauty of early mornings in Serfaus and Fiss is unmatched. Join a small group and be among the first to ski untouched slopes on the high plateau. It’s worth the early start for moments like these.

Key facts

  • Period: mid-December to April, on selected dates

  • Start: from 7:30 a.m.

  • Requirement: confident skiing on red slopes

  • Included: ski guide and hearty mountain breakfast

  • Reservation: registration required

  • Cost: not included in the ski pass

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Good Morning Skiing in the Zillertal Arena

For all early birds in the Zillertal Arena – the largest ski area in the Zillertal. There’s nothing like the thrill of carving your first tracks in fresh snow.

Key facts

  • Period: in March, every Thursday and Sunday

  • Start: selected lifts in Zell, Gerlos and Königsleiten open as early as 6:55 a.m.

  • Cost: included in the ski pass

Zillertal Arena
Tirol

Early-Bird-Skiing in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental

Early-bird skiing in Brixen and Westendorf: Catch the first lift and enjoy early-morning turns on selected slopes.

Key facts

  • Period: February to April, every Friday and Saturday

  • Start: from 7:30 a.m. on the SkiWelt lift, Choralmbahn, Alpenrosenbahn I + II, Sonnenlift and Talkaserlift

  • Cost: included in the ski pass

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental
Tirol

First Line in Gurgl in the Ötztal valley

Wake up Gurgl – and have the slopes almost to yourself. Enjoy the magic of early morning skiing on the Festkogl and Hohe Mut runs before the day begins.

Key facts

  • Period: from February onwards on the Festkogl and Hohe Mut slopes

  • Start: from 7:30 a.m.

  • Requirement: confident skiing on red slopes

  • Included: ski guide and hearty breakfast

  • Reservation: registration required

  • Cost: not included in the ski pass

Gurgl in the Ötztal valley
Vorarlberg

Nova Exklusiv in the Silvretta-Montafon region

Morning exercise on the mountain is the perfect start to the day – especially with a sunrise to match. In Gaschurn, carve your first tracks on freshly groomed slopes in peaceful early-morning light.

Key facts

  • Period: every Friday from late December to late March

  • Start: from 7:20 a.m.

  • Requirement: confident skiing on red slopes

  • Included: ski guide and mountain breakfast at Nova Stoba

  • Reservation: registration required

  • Cost: not included in the ski pass

Silvretta-Montafon

FAQs

It means hitting the slopes before regular lift operations begin. The first gondolas head up the mountain while the rest of the resort is still asleep.

Perfectly groomed pistes, crisp mountain air, and a peaceful silence broken only by the sound of your skis carving the first tracks into fresh snow. Early birds experience winter in its purest form – often with a magical sunrise as a reward.

Depending on the resort, the first lifts usually start rolling between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. If you manage to rise early, you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable and peaceful start to your ski day.

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