Lofer Ski Information
The cable car is just 8 minutes walk from the house where you can gain access to the mulit award winning Lofer Almenwelt

Skiing information in Lofer, Austria


The village ski lift is just 8 minute walk from the house and then it's a short ride up to the mountain restaurants and slopes where you can ski on the 46km of pisted slopes in the winter and in summer access to the beautiful mountain pastures where you can explore the scenic and waterfall strewn paths. Over the last four years Lofer has invested over €26 million in state of the art lifts and one of the longest "magic carpet" ( a 140m long covered conveyor belt lift for beginners) in Austria - no more painful learning how to master a drag lift before you even get started skiing!. Lofer's new resevoir, one of Salzbugerlands largest, ensures the ability, when and if required, to produce artificial snow for up to 36km of the pisted runs.
Equipment Hire

There are four ski hire operators in Lofer but we recommend the closest, the most cost effective and by far the friendliest; Sport Stockklauser. The shop and depot is run by the wonderful Gerti and Herbert Stockklauser. Apart from their ski services, which are impeccable, Gerti is an incredible source of help and knowledge and has helped and supported our guests in many ways over the years.
Because the depot is not located directly on the ski slopes (as are two of the biggest operators) the shop is not as busy as the others which results in less used equipment and an attitude of welcome and friendliness rather than one of just another ski hire client.
What does it cost?
A set of mid range skis, poles and boots costs €120 for a 6 or 7 day hire whilst an adults snowboard set would cost €128. Ski helmets are supplied free of charge by Sport Stockklauser. Insurance against breakage or damage, but not loss, are included in the hire prices.
For families there are special offers eg if 2 adults hire ski sets (VIP or economy) the children upto 10 years will get their equipment for free.
Sport Stocklauser, as do the others, offer 3 levels or ski hire. First and most expensive are the brand new (this season) "VIP" premium skis, next level are the "intermediates" or economy equipment, often the VIP's from the previous season, and finally the basic level.
All the equipment is serviced prior to hire so they will be waxed and the edges will be sharp and ready for carving!.
If you want to ski ahead of your friends during your holiday or are bringing your own skis you can get a ski service at the shop where €6 will get you a hot wax or €8 resharpened edges
Day or Night time tobbogan
Prior to being skiing specialists the Stockklauser family were Wainrights and renowned for their handmade sledges which you can still enjoy today. If you have some energy left after a day on the slopes you can hire one from Gerti for the evening for €4 and return it the next morning.or day hire is €6. Check out our "News in Lofer" tab for an alternative night time tobbogan idea!
Ice Skating
The village's newly constructed outdoor ice skating rink (for the 2016 season) is a 2 minutes walk from the house, only open when the outside temperature keeps everything frozen of course. Gerti has skates for hire - not sure how much though, please let us know and we will update this section!
Ski Lessons
Sport Stockklauser have an arrangement with one of the local ski lesson suppliers and receieve a trade discount meaning they can organise lessons for you at the same price as if you went direct. Ask at the shop when you hire your equipment or to pre-book drop Gerti an email info@skiverleih-lofer.at
For all the service and rental prices
You can view the Sport Stockklauser prices here
http://www.skiverleih-lofer.at/top-prices-ski-rental 
Ski lift tips and prices

The ski lift is an 8 minute walk from the house. If you think that is too far you can catch a lift on the village "ski train" The "train" is a series of carriages pulled by a tractor and does its rounds through Lofer collecting the lazy skiiers. The nearest collection point to the house is a 2 minutes walk up to Hotel Lintner (opposite the new ice skating rink)
If you elect to walk to the lift and do not want to walk in your ski boots or carry your skis there is an alternative. There are two ski depots by the lift where you can hire a heated locker where you can leave 2 pairs of skis and boots overnight. The lockers are heated and will dry your boots overnight. So you walk to and from the depot in your comfortable shoes and change at the depot. The lockers cost €8 per day at Sturm or if you have ski lessons the lockers are free at Herbst.
There is a 20 pair heated boot rack at the house which is the cheapest option!
Lofer lift pass prices - single tickets.
In Lofer there are many price option and special offers for set hours, after 12.00, family discounts etc. A lift pass cost also reduces throughout the day depending on when you buy your ticket. A full 1 day adult pass is €37 reducing to €34.50 if bought after 11.00..Youth prices (15 - 18 years) are €29.50 reducing to €27.50 whilst child prices 5 - 10 are €18.50 reducing to  €17.50 if bought after 11.00. Children 5 and under, when accompanied by their fee paying parents, are free.
Family lift pass prices.
Lofer prides itself on being a family friendly resort and it truly is. To help young families there are a number of "family tickets" you can purchase. Although week tickets are cheaper per day than a day ticket just a one day no ski/ bad weather day will, by fa,r make purchasing a day ticket the better option. A 1 day ticket for 2 adults and 2 children (under 15 years) would cost €97 reducing to €90 after 11.00, 2 adults 1 youth and 1 child would cost €107 reducing to €99 after 11.00 and finally 2 adults and 2 youths would cost €117 reducing to €108 after 11.00.
For a full list of the Lofer ski passes see
http://www.skialm-lofer.com/preise/skipasspreise
Salzbuger Super Ski pass
In addition to the excellent skiing in Lofer the house is located in the best and most extensicve skiing area in Austria. Some of our more experienced ski guests choose to take a day or so to ski in some of  the, very, nearby ski resorts. If that is your intention rather than buying a Lofer Almenwelt pass you can either buy day tickets at the resort or purchase a 3 day (or more) Salzbuger Super Ski pass from the lift bureau in Lofer. An adult 3 day Super Ski pass costs €139. There are no sliding scale time discounts on this pass.

 
Rules and etiquette

In case of injury
The cost to be brought down from the mountain by the Lofer rescue services in case of injury or inability is €70.
Ski pass refund
A refund is only available for unused multi day tickets and only paid out to an accident victim. To claim the refund you must supply a medical certificate. No-one except the injured person is eligible for a refund. Refunds are not available for illness its a physical accident only. No refunds are given for loss of pass, In the event of bad weather, danger of avalanches, unforeseen departure, breakdown of single lifts, operational interruptions, weather limited operation adjustment or closing of ski slopes do not qualify for refunds.
Anyone found in the control zone of a lift without a valid ticket has to pay the controller double the price of a day ticket. All the lifts (except the "magic carpet" beginners lift) have control gates with turnstyles.
Safety and etiquette
All children 15 and younger must wear protective helments. Skiing outside the marked slopes and in the woods is strictly forbidden. Carrying children on backpacks at all lifts is not allowed.
You are expected to observe the FIS's (The International Ski Federation) 10 rules for the conduct of skiers and snowboarders, which are:
Rule 1: Respect for others
A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger or prejudice others.
Rule 2: Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding
A skier or snowboarder must move in control. He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.
Rule 3: Choice of route
A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.
Rule 4: Overtaking
A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the lef t provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.
Rule 5: Entering, starting and moving upwards
A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.
Rule 6: Stopping on the piste
Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. Af ter a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.
Rule 7: Climbing and descending on foot
A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the piste.
Rule 8: Respect for signs and markings
A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.
Rule 9: Assistance
At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.
Rule 10: Identification
Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.


 
Planning your ski or walking trips in the map room

In the basement area the map room (that's it above) is bedecked with pieste and walking maps of Lofer and many, but by no means all, of the abundant nearby skiing and walking areas. The Lofer Alm offers fantastic skiing and walking experiences and is accessed via the local ski lift, which is 8 minutes walk from the house. If you fancy a change of scenery during your holiday the house is situated on the border of the Tirol and Salzbugerland offering a wealth of destination choices. Some of the nearby resorts are
The Steinplatte at Waidring. 6.25 miles. 8 minutes drive.
The closest resort to Lofer just over the border into the Tirol. The ski area is also linked to the Bavarian Winklmoosalm at Reit im Winkl. In pre EU days you had to take your passport and present it at the border crossing which is still there today. The only requirement to cross into Balvaria nowadays is to have a valid lift pass.There is 50kms of skiing on the Steinplatte and Winklmoos with a lovely long run down into the picturesque Bavarian town of Reit im Winkl. This ski area is great for all abilities with the added benefit of an abundance of blue runs for people who are not ready to be thrown off the deep end on their first day trip away from Lofer.
Kitzbhuel. 22 miles. 35 minutes drive
This famous resort does not need much of a write up. The Streif is the most famous ski-run in the world. The Hahnenkamm downhill is the slope that every skier wants to tackle.and it certainly lives up to its fierce reputation.
Ellmau. 21 miles 33 minutes drive
Ellmau is the place to aim for to access the extensive Skiwelt - the biggest ski area in Austria. It has 90 cable cars and 280kms of ski runs connecting to Going, Scheffau, Soll, Itter, Hopfgarten, Westendorf, Brixen im Thale and Kirchberg
Leogang. 18 miles 26 minutes drive
From Leogang you can ski over the mountain to Saalbach and Hinterglen. The drive to Saalbach is 29 miles so this is a great shortcut! There is fabulous skiing in this area and the number 1 black in Saalbach is affectionally known as "the widow maker" by our group!
The Hochkonig ski area.18 miles 26 minutes drive
This is where the Austrian ski team train and very beautiful scenery. Rather than accessing the area at the closest point at Maria Alm we recommend you drive on to Dienton and catch the lift there. We have found this area to be light on easy runs so better for the more experienced skiiers.
Zell am See. 23 miles 34 minutes drive
The main ski lift is in the town just above the lake. You can ski down into the town and lunch in one of its many restaurants or, of course, eat on the mountain. Its a good place to go for groups with non skiiers where you can meet up at lunchtimes without the need of non skiiers having to purchase a lift pass. A Zell lift pass also covers Kaprun and there are regular free buses between the two resorts.
Kaprun. 27 miles 42 minutes drive
This glacier resort offers 360 days skiing. It is the place to go if the snow is thin everywhere else and people get coached in from Kitzbhuel etc if there is a emergency no or low snow scenario.The Kitzsteinhorn at 3029m always has the best snow conditions but being above the tree line its runs can seem to appear to be a bit samey.The lift pass is also valid in Zell am See as are the free ski buses linking both areas.