After a good snowfall, there’ll be no holding you back – you will simply have to head out of your cozy home-away-from-home. Into the wintertime fun that awaits you. In our case, here in Styria, that means walking the few steps from your apartment to the valley lift station of WM Berg Kreischberg and floating up the mountain on the gondola. Or all bundled up, setting out on an extended winter walk. Or, simply stay right in front of your chalet engaged in a high-spirited snowball fight, until your noses and cheeks are as red as can be…

Winter holidays in Styria

There are many opportunities to enjoy the snow. If you spend your winter holidays at one of our ALPS resorts in the Murtal-Murau region of Austria, you have simultaneously booked variety-packed days in the snow. Ferienpark Kreischberg, Kreischberg Residences (which opened in winter 2020/21) and the exclusive Kreischberg Chalets are just a few meters from the valley station of the Kreischberg gondola and the Schopfart quad chairlift. There, incidentally, you will also discover the World Championships area as well as black-rated World Cup pistes. The Kreischberg has previously hosted world championships in various winter sports: in 2015, the FIS Freestyle Ski & Snowboard World Championships, in 2003 the FIS Snowboard World Championships and, in 2009, the FIS Telemark World Championships. Furthermore, this ski area in Styria regularly hosts snowboard World Cup races.

Ski holidays on the Kreischberg

With 40 km of wide and relatively flat pistes, the Kreischberg is virtually ideal for snowboarders, returning skiers and families. It isn’t only the pistes of this Styrian mountain that are family-friendly, but also the ski pass prices. In fact, children up to 15 years of age accompanied by a parent during early and late season ride for free (offer valid for multi-day passes). The ski area has lots to offer children: Dinosaur Forest, Yabba-Dabba-Doo-Land and the ghost train, for example, make your day of skiing in Styria more exciting than you could possibly imagine. Located right next to the mountain terminal is also a 200 m long tubing hill – great fun, not only for the kids!

NEW: In 2021, after a construction period of barely one year, the old gondola lift will be replaced by the ultra-modern "Kreischberg 10er", which is expected to go into operation in winter 21/22. The construction project also includes new valley (868 m), mid- (1441 m) and mountain (1771 m) stations. This new 3.8 km long lift manufactured by Doppelmayr will almost double the previous passenger capacity.

Winter hiking and cross-country skiing in Murau

If you prefer to hear the crunch of snow under your winter boots rather than carve down the piste, you will definitely want to set out on foot or on snowshoes through the winter countryside. For example, through the pine forest: The winter hiking path begins at the gondola mountain terminal and leads you on a walk lasting about one hour to the valley station of the Rosenkranz lifts. The “Kreischberg See Runde” takes you from the mountain terminal to the reservoir.

Cross-country skiers can glide along the perfectly maintained trails, such as the Höhenloipe on the Kreischberg (2 km, always snowy thanks to its location at almost 1800 m above sea level). Or on the beautiful double-tracked Murtalloipe, which leads skiers along the Murtal Bike Path to Stadl an der Mur. The 15 km Murtalloipe starts at the Lutzmannsdorf bridge in St. Georgen, with a number of small loops possible along the way. In Stadl an der Mur, in a peaceful setting, you will discover yet another ALPS resort: das Almdorf Stadl, with its nine comfortable holiday homes (some with private wellness area and outdoor whirlpool). Here, children have plenty of space to play, build snowmen and have snowball fights.

Chalet holiday close to the Frauenalpe, a paradise of natural snow

The modern chalets of Feriendorf Murau, located halfway between the Kreischberg valley station and the “beer town” of Murau, are also very spacious. Thanks to the Murtalbahn railway, our guests have a car-free means to travel to the valley station of the Kreischberg gondola. In the opposite direction, you are roughly a 15-minute drive from the Frauenalpe. The lift here was taken out of operation in 2017. Since then, the Frauenalpe has been a true paradise for fans of alternative winter sports. Snowshoers and ski tourers are able to make their personal winter dreams come true and enjoy the peace & quiet away from the popular pistes of the Kreischberg.    

Your offer for a winter holiday in the Murau-Murtal region

After a decent snowfall, it will be almost impossible to hold you back. Are you looking for a cozy home-away-from-home for your winter holiday, a holiday apartment or chalet for your winter getaway in Styria? Our local ALPS Team will be happy to assist – and looks forward to receiving your enquiry!

(c) Photo materials: Kreischberg-Ikarus, TVB Murau