Tour 1: Dachstein ski crossing to Obertraun at Lake Hallstatt

The Austrian National Ski Tour is one of the largest, most classic ski crossings in the Alps. The run takes your over 25 km from the summit region of Dachstein, over Simonyhütte and Gjaidalm, down to the 2,000 m deep Lake Hallstatt. Austria’s National Ski Tour is the most spectacular way to experience “Dachstein”, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Note: Although the crossing may be deemed easy by experienced skiers, one should not forget that one is in a high-alpine area with all of its potential dangers. Those skiing on their own should therefore join a group. Test your powder snow skills at the edge of the glacier slopes! 
Tour description: From the mountain station, one follows the broad track past the Schladming Lifts mountain station, and down to Dirndlkolk. Now go approximately 100 meters up in the direction of Dachsteinwarte. 
From this point on, take the branch off into the direction of Simonyhütte. From Simonyhütte to Gjaidalm, follow the ski run of the skiing and hiking trail 650. Here one will pass through the crossing from the high mountains in the high alpine region. The Schilcherhaus (1,739 m) on the Gjaidalm is a popular rest stop with tour members. A quick lift (free of charge for tour members) facilitates one’s access to the slopes running to Obertraun at Lake Hallstatt. A groomed slope leads one to the base station of the Dachstein cable cars in Obertraun over Krippenbrunn.   

Alternative: An alternative would be to ski from Dirndlkolk down to the lower tip of the ice stone. From the ice stone, take the middle tongue of the Hallstatt glacier directly down to the upper ice lake. From this point on, one has to climb approx. 200 meters up to Simonyhütte. Free, gentle glacier slopes lead down to Simonyhütte (2,203 m). Alternative runs to Obertraun: Imisel run and Krippenstein-North from Berghotel (mountain inn) Krippenstein (cable car).  

Tour 1b: Dachstein crossing directly to Hallstadt
This run is more difficult than the run to Obertraun! It leads through the lower part of rock mountain forests and requires a good sense of orientation.
Tour description: Up to Simonyhütte identical with the run 1. From this point on, northwest over Wiesberghaus and Tiergartenhütte, down through wildly romantic Echerntal (forest trail), along the lake to Hallstadt-Lahn.



Tour 1c: Taster tour Hunerkogel-Dachsteinwarte
A high-alpine taster tour awaits you atop the Hunerkogel-Dachsteinwarte. First, along the bar markings, and then a short run to the deepest point at the edge of the prominent Dirndlkolk. Now, around 100 m in height up to the Seethallerhütte, 2,741 m; partially opened in the winter. There is a magnificent view of the southern walls of Dachstein from the Dachsteinwarte. Run and way back identical to ascent.

Tour 1d: Hunerkogel - Hoher Dachstein
The classic tour for ski mountaineers. A mountain guide is recommended for this tour. With the aid of the Sündwandbahn (rail), it is the quickest access from the mountain station, in the direction of the Dachsteinwarte (Tour 1c) and the bluff, uphill towards the edge of the chasm, approx. 2,870 m; ski storage. Depending on the snow, it is a more or less delicate crossing to the cliff; steel clamps serve as safety devices. During good conditions, one can ascend at the left gorge, approximately in the fall line of the summit cross. Descent, run and return are identical to ascent.     

Tour 2: Run through Edelgrieß in Ramsau
Can it be a bit steeper?
1,600 meters in height of deep powder snow pleasure in a magnificent, rocky landscape. Toward the south, in the direction of Ramsau, the Dachstein Mountains form steep rock barriers. Between powerful lime walls, one will find cirques, gorges and firn flanks, which will entice the tour members. 
The “Edelgries”, a broad cirque between Türlspitz and Gamsfeldspitz, is the most popular ski run from the glacier into Ramsau. Sweeping and swerving in the snow – kilometre for kilometre! The surrounding rocky landscape will ensure that each break will be filled with revered amazement:
Requirements: Secure skiing, even in steeper areas of up to 45 degrees. Depending on the condition of the snow, the difficulty levels will vary. Although ideal firns may be a breeze, breakable crusts may be a tough challenge even for expert skiers. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to obtain information before you set out on the tour. Newcomers should find a guide! 
Tour description: From the mountain station, take the highest slope of the Schladming glacier down over the piste to the base station of the Hungerkogel Lifts. From this point, it is a short ascent to Koppen-Stollen. This trail was specially created for tour members and mountain climbers, in order to aid them in the dangerous crossing over the Austriascharte. A cleared trail traverses across steep plates over to Edelgriess. The entry to Edelgries is limited toward the west by an often bizarre snow overhang (great jumps for free-stylers) after snow storms. In the area of the upper Edelgriess glacier, everyone can select their own line. The further one moves to the right (behind Türlspitz), the steeper the slopes. Due to a cirque, which spans kilometres, one can freely sweep and swerve in the snow. The surrounding rocky landscape will ensure that each break will be filled with revered amazement. Caution is required when exiting Edelgries! Regardless how high the temptation is, it is absolutely forbidden to continue straight on because a rock cliff blocks the way. Thus, the trail leads one along the eastern walls (Gamsfeld). Be careful when crossing deep gorges! At the so-called Burgstall-Leiten, one can subsequently decide:
Another 500 meters in height over Lahn up to Ramsau. Subsequently, one crosses a few hundred meters until one reaches Höhenrücken of Sunniwendner (1,902 m). From this point, one goes down over endless areas of Kraml-Lahn to Ghf. Edelbrunn, and then further over the piste of Gamsfeld Lifts to Ghf: Brückenhof. There is a regular bus connection back to the base station here.   
Tour 2a: West, over the broad slopes of Burgstall down to Karboden. Short crossing to Türlwandhütte and back to the base station of the glacier railway.

Tour 3: Ski run via Gutenberghaus down to the foreside of Ramsau
The classic tour over "Stein". Popular crossing tour with the locals. Leads one over the Schaldming glacier and the isolated Karsthoch area, “Am Stein”, to Gutenberghaus. It is a great firn run to the sun plateau of Ramsau from here. Technically, it is relatively simple but experience in the mountains and a good sense of orientation is required!
Tour description: From the mountain station over the white parquet of the Schladming glacier down to the base station of the Mitterstein chair lifts. On the marked Alpine Club Trail 674, over truncated terrain to Feisterscharte (2,193 m). Short run down to Gutenberghaus (not operated in the winter). The most beautiful part of the run now lies in front of you; the broad slopes down to Tiefkar. At the bottom left part of the cirque, gorges stretch out to a small cliff wall (Fischermauer). Over the steep, mountain pine slopes down to Feistergraben (Rift). An approx. 2 km long canyon, which the Feisterbach (Stream) has dug out. A gigantic half-pipe with various obstacles, such as enormous stones, mountain pines, or root systems. At the point where the Hüttenweg crosses the rift, one follows to the right down to Feisterer Lifts. Over rolling meadows, one will reach the Landesstrasse (bus station). Alternative: If the Feistergraben (Rift) appears too adventurous, then the following is advised: Starting from the Fischmauer, ski along the left slope to Salzofen and to Lärchboden – Alm. From this point, take the Hüttenweg (narrow plow passageways) down to Feisterer Lifts. 

Tour 4: Over Edelgrieshöhe and Gruberscharte to Ramsau
This tour offers marvellous landscapes, and takes you through the lonely Landsfriedtal (Valley) and 1,200 meters in height of firn runs.
Tour description: From the mountain station over Koppenstollen to the entry of Edelgries. Go up the Edelgries glacier and cross left to the marked crest, which confines the eastern part of the Edelgries cirque. Over the ridge, rising softly to Edelgrieshöhe (2,505 m). A high, hidden valley spreads out before you. Exultingly beautiful and tranquil – this is the Landsfriedtal (Valley). Over the Höhenkamm (Ridge), north of the basin, to the striking furrow of Gruberscharte (2,353 m, short ascent). The southern flanks of the broad Gruberkars, which stretches for kilometres, offers endless track variations for those who thoroughly enjoy skiing. From this point, keeping to the left, one can reach the Gutenberg run and cross to Tiefkar. The more scenic ski run, however, leads to the right from Mitterstein (Inselberg) down in the direction of Feistergraben, where you reach the Gutenberghaus run once again.    

Tour 5: Ski crossing through Notgasse to Gröbming
Over “Stein”, past 4,000 years old alpine pastures, through legendary ravines of Notgasse and Öfen to Ennstal (Valley). Although this crossing is only a few years old, it is very popular with the locals of Ennstal. The tour encompasses a total length of 26 km, and is the second longest in the Dachstein Mountains.  This tour takes you through the isolation of “Stein’s” magical landscape, the largest karst plateau in Austria. Smaller runs interchange with longer crossings – Nature and its beauty is the attraction here, and not the run.  
Tour description: From the base station of the Mitterstein chair left to the east, over the huge plateaus of “Stein”. The summit of Stoder serves as a general orientation guide. Below the Schiltenwang – Alm is the crux of the run; the one and one half kilometre long canyon of “Notgasse”, which is partially covered with historical petroglyphs. Over Brandalm and the Seewiese (forest trail) down through the spectacular Öfen to Gröbming-Winkl.   
Caution! This tour requires an excellent sense of orientation, and should only be undertaken when the tracks have been laid. Furthermore, this tour should only be undertaken together with a local guide. Since the doline landscape on “Stein” continually leads to smaller rises, a good condition is an absolute necessity. There are no operated lodges along this tour – so bring enough refreshments!

Tour 6: Ski crossing to the Gosau Lakes
High alpine! A classic ski tour for alpinists. Connoisseurs are able to admire this ski tour from Dachstein to Gosau as one of the most beautiful tours in the Alps. 
Tour description: From the mountain station, one follows the broad routs, which leads over the upper part of the Hallstatt glacier to Dachsteinwarte (Seethalerhütte 2,748 m) and crosses from here on the same height to the north flank of the lower Dachstein to Steinerscharte. Over a secured but suspended, steep rock track, one is able to reach the large Gosau glacier. 
Swerving on the slopes, one is surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape in the direction of the Adamekhütte (2,196 m). Broad slopes eventually lead to narrow mountain pine gorges, and subsequently, to the rear part of Lake Gosau. Caution! The entry to the gorges is very difficult to find without tracks and wrong trails end at insurmountable cliffs! If the lakes are still frozen, then one trails straight over the ice to the parking lot at the front of Lake Gosau. Only for alpinists in company of a guide! High alpine ski tour with steep runs and descents and arduous ascents.    

Tour 7: Crossing to Filzmoos via Windlegerscharte
High alpine ski tour with steep runs and descents and arduous ascents.
Tour description: Steinerscharte to Adamekhütte see Tour 6. From here, ascent to Windlegerscharte (2,601 m). The Windlegerkar between the powerful Torstein and the Windlegerspitze present steep slopes. At the point where the cirque crosses over, there are 3 possibilities.
a) To the south behind the Bachlalm and Dachsteinruhe (provincial border)
b) To the right, crossing over to Sulzenhals (1,821 m) and from thereon over broad alpine slopes down to Hofalm (1,288 m) and further on to Filzmoos.
c) To the east, through the “Gate”, crossing to the Südwandhütte
and back to the base station of the Dachstein cable cars (»Dachstein Circle«)
Only for alpinists in great shape, and accompanied by guides!

Tour 8: The maximum crossing to Bad Aussee
30 km of isolation between the glacier and Ödensee (Lake Öden). Extremely long tour – only for the toughest under the sun! Furs are required! The tour has also been done with cross country skis. Only for extremists!