Grundlsee in Winter
Grundlsee is the largest lake in Styria and lies in the Ausseerland region. Although it is mainly known as a summer destination, we believe that Grundlsee will also win you over in winter. The advantage is the combination of accessible trails by the lake, a quiet environment, and the proximity of several ski resorts. Winter here is not based on one activity, but on several options that can be combined according to the weather and suitable conditions.
Below, we have prepared specific tips and ideas for what to do at Grundlsee in winter. If you are already planning a summer vacation in Austria, you can also be inspired by our tips at Grundlsee for the summer:
- Circular trail around Grundlsee for the summer season
- 3 tips for nice accommodation near Grundlsee
- Grundlsee: boat trip to 3 lakes
Accommodation at Grundlsee
Find accommodation near Grundlsee according to your preferences on the map:
Our recommended accommodations near Grundlsee:
MONDI Appartements am Grundlsee
- Rooms and larger family apartments, swimming pool and sauna available, parking directly at the hotel
MONDI Appartements am Grundlsee
JUFA Hotel Grundlsee
- Accommodation on the other side of the lake in Gössl
- Possibility to rent cross-country skis and snowshoes
Jufa Hotel Grundlsee
Grundlsee in Winter – What to Do Here?
1. Walks around the lake
The path along the shores of Grundlsee is usually passable in winter and suitable for less able-bodied walkers. It is not one continuous circuit around the entire lake, but several modified sections that can be combined according to the weather and time. The advantage is minimal elevation and good accessibility directly from the villages of Grundlsee and Gössl.
2. Cross-country ski trails around the lake
The area around Grundlsee in winter offers groomed cross-country ski trails suitable primarily for recreational cross-country skiing. The routes lead mainly through flat terrain or gentle undulations, often with views of the mountains and the lake. It is not a sports center with a high concentration of people, but quiet trails suitable for beginners.
Those more demanding can go cross-country skiing on the Tauplitzalm
3. Winter hiking and snowshoeing / Grundlsee in winter
There are marked winter trails in the surrounding forests and on the gentle slopes above the lake. With enough snow, snowshoes are also suitable, especially off the main roads. The routes are mostly not technically demanding and serve more for exploring the landscape than for performance tourism.
4. Ice skating on natural ice or in stadiums / Grundlsee in winter
If you are lucky enough to find a frozen Grundlsee in winter, then, subject to safety conditions, it is possible to skate directly on the ice surface. The condition of the ice must always be checked on site! Do not risk it if the lake is not frozen enough. If the natural ice is not solid, there are also artificial ice surfaces in the Ausseerland region, which are normally in operation in winter.
5. Sledding and bob-sleighing
In Grundlsee and its surroundings, there are smaller slopes suitable for sledding or bob-sleighing, used by locals and visitors. These are not official toboggan runs with infrastructure, but simple hills suitable especially for families with children.
6. Smaller ski resorts in the area
There are no extensive slopes directly at Grundlsee, but there are several ski resorts within a short driving distance. The resorts in Altaussee and Tauplitzalm are most often used. Thanks to this, a stay by the lake can be combined with skiing without having to live directly in a busy resort.
We recommend, for example, these nearby ski resorts:
- Loser ski resort (you know from our summer tip for a hike around Lake Augstsee)
- Tauplitzalm Ski Resort
Tauplitzalm in winter
7. Wellness and relaxation – Grundlsee in winter
The winter season is suitable for stays focused not only on sports but also on relaxation. There are hotels with wellness facilities, saunas, and indoor swimming pools around the lake. Outside the main season, the environment is quieter, and the availability of services is often better than in summer.
8. Gastronomy of the Ausseerland region / Grundlsee in winter
In winter, a number of restaurants and inns focused on regional cuisine remain open. The offer is more traditional than touristy, with an emphasis on local ingredients. We like to book dinners in local restaurants outside the summer season for a traditional dining experience.
9. Grundlsee in winter as a starting point for trips around the region
Grundlsee is a good starting point for winter trips around Ausseerland. Altaussee, which you can walk around even in the winter months, Bad Aussee, or the aforementioned Tauplitzalm, which you can also go for winter walks without skis, are within a short driving distance. Thanks to accommodation near Grundlsee, you can combine a stay by the lake with exploring the wider region without having to move frequently.
Altaussee in Winter
