Situated at 2,350m above sea level, Obertauern ski resort is an Alpine paradise at the top of the Radstadter Tauern Pass, a vertical study of Austria's more diverse mountains. Popular with skiers of all abilities, Obertauern is surrounded by quality pistes offering the opportunity to ski the north side and return via the south side, or vice versa.

Obertauern village itself is at 1,740m, and is a laid-back resort town, ideal for those with families who are looking for a quieter and unhurried skiing holiday. Accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes, with 118 hotels and guesthouses, pensions, apartments and hostels. Slope-side hotels are also available.

There is a well balanced level of ski runs across Obertauern's 120kms of pistes, including: 20 per cent suitable for beginners; 30 per cent intermediate; 30 per cent advanced; and 20 per cent expert. Twenty-six lifts are on hand, moving over 34,000 skiers per hour. In addition to the pistes, there are 10kms of cross-country trails, and ski touring.

Other activities at Obertauern include: snowboarding, with a terrain park and a half-pipe; winter hiking; ice-skating; mono-skiing; a bobsled school; curling; horse-drawn sleigh riding; a tennis hall; squash; a fitness centre; indoor golf and a sauna and solarium. There are many cafés, restaurants, bars and discos available for après-ski.

The ski season usually lasts for over five months, with the best conditions from mid-February to mid-March and the cheapest times two weeks before Christmas, the last three weeks of January and the end of the season.

If you're not on a package holiday, the best option for getting to Obertauern ski resort is to fly into Salzburg and take a shuttle to the resort, or take a bus to Salzburg train station and a train and bus combination from here.