Mountains of summer experiences for the whole family

Power Duo: Sommercard & Summer Lifts
With more than 100 free holiday experiences and over 100 bonus services, the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard is one of the biggest all-inclusive cards in the Alps. And it’s automatically issued to guests who stay as little as one night between 21 May and 18 October 2020 – at any one of over 1000 participating accommodation providers. During your stay, the card includes use of mountain lifts, swimming lakes and pools, museums and public transportation in the region. If you hear mention of lifts in the Schladming-Dachstein Region, what generally first comes to mind is skiing in winter. That said, eight of our regional lifts continue to run in the warmer months. The popular ski resorts of wintertime are transformed in summer into attractive mountains filled with unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Sommercard holders can enjoy one round-trip ride on the lift of their choosing for free every day. For hikers, that means avoiding long, sometimes strenuous climbs. The mountain terminals of the lifts are ideal starting points for summit hikes in the alpine regions. In addition to enjoyable hikes, our summer mountains are also home to a whole series of unique attractions:

Riesneralm: original, with new avalanche[GALLERY] and many attractions
The Riesneralm lifts are some of the best and most innovative summer lifts in Austria, operating Friday through Monday. Setting out from the mountain terminal, you have many different tours to choose from in an extensive hiking area very popular with nature lovers. In addition, the Riesneralm lifts offer a wide selection of summertime attractions for the whole family: the Summit Pool, the Universum special exhibition, Krispini’s treasure hunt for kids, a herb theme path, the HochSEEsitz, TierHOLZpark, Summit Barefoot Path, JAGAsteig. Beginning this summer, the Avalanche[GALLERY] takes art to a whole new level, with the avalanche safety galleries on the Riesner Krispen transformed into a walkable exhibition. A winding pathway leads from the Hochsitz through the Avalanche[GALLERY] up to the summit cross on top of the 1950 m high mountain.

Hauser Kaibling: sheep path, E-trials and disc golf
The “Schafsinn-Rundweg” circles the summit of the Hauser Kaibling. It is a theme path that provides intriguing insights into the lives led by approximately 800 sheep grazing here, tended by a professional shepherd and his sheepdogs. Other hiking paths lead from the Hauser Kaibling to the idyllic Moaralmsee, up the Bärfallspitze or to the top of the striking Höchstein. In addition to the Schladminger Tauern-Seilbahn, the 8-passenger gondola and the connecting Quattralpina quad chairlift will also be operating in summer 2020. With an E-trials park, disc golf course, interactive children’s trail, big playground as well as a petting zoo with sheep and small lambs, the Hauser Kaibling has all kinds of opportunities in store for families.

Planai: jam-packed with variety, for families and summiteers
The Planai, with its ultra-modern 10-passenger gondola completed in 2019, makes all of your summertime wishes come true: hiking, mountain biking, exploring Hopsiland with your children, relaxing, or giving yourself a well-deserved culinary treat. If you are looking for a leisurely hike, the Panorama Path – which circles the summit – is the way to go and is even suitable for prams. Ambitious hikers may wish to conquer the Krahbergzinken, a neighboring mountain. This year, the always-popular Hopsiland has expanded its water attractions significantly. Also new: the Kasalm at the bottom of the Hopsi-Express, with an indoor ball track and climbing opportunities.

Hochwurzen: total enjoyment including the Höhenweg, Bankerlweg or mountain go-karting
Gipfelbahn Hochwurzen is a modern 10-person gondola, which brings passengers to a popular starting point for enjoyable hikes. Neighboring Rossfeld mountain is less than an hour away, while another hour will get you to the Guschen. If you are a “summit collector”, the Höhenweg will lead you via the Hochfeld and Schiedeck to the Giglachseen. Opened in summer 2019, the Bankerlweg takes you on a pleasant family hike with opportunities for a break as needed thanks to 25 original benches along the way. If you prefer to hurtle down the hillside instead, we suggest renting out a mountain go-kart. This fun vehicle with good disc brakes and wide tires promises a once-in-a-lifetime ride down the Hochwurzenstrasse.

Reiteralm: “reflective” excursion, including the Three Summits Tour
Every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Preunegg Jet lifts on the Reiteralm are in operation. From the mountain terminal, a very nicely maintained trail leads out to the famous “Mirror Lake”: On days when the wind is calm, an image of the imposing Dachstein massif is reflected on its surface. If you opt for a full hiking tour, your visit to Mirror Lake can also incorporate three Alpine peaks: the Gasselhöhe, Rippeteck and Schober. One interesting alternative for hikers is the “Silent Waters” theme path, which branches off the main Mirror Lake path. At the lovingly designed Summer Snow Playground close to the Preunegg Jet mountain terminal, kids are in for a true treat as they get to play in real snow.

Rittisberg: adventurous, family-friendly
The Rittisberg in Ramsau am Dachstein truly is one of the most adventurous mountains in Styria. A hugely popular excursion destination, it brings together a variety of attractions for the whole family: the Flyline, a forest high-ropes course, a mountain playground, archery, Segway course and barefoot path, as well as the all-weather Rittisberg Alpine Coaster. The hiking opportunities are also very family-friendly: If you have floated up to the summit plateau on the Rittisbergbahn, you have several options for continuing your hiking expedition. The Fairytale Path is especially popular with children, with 30 different stations along the way guaranteed to add excitement to their hike.

Dachstein: magnificent, caressing the sky
Standing there on its own and towering above the surrounding countryside, the Dachstein is one of the most beautiful and most scenic mountains in the Alps. Even the lift ride to the top on the glass-walled Dachstein Glacier Lift promises extraordinary panoramas, rising a total of 1000 vertical meters along the way. Just a few minutes from the mountain terminal are an array of attractions including the Ice Palace, a suspension footbridge, the “Stairway to Nothingness” and the “Sky Walk”. Ambitious hikers have various tours to choose from, including routes to the new Seethalerhütte or the Guttenberghaus.