Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) is a high-altitude glacier plateau snowkiting spot in the Dachstein region, accessed by cable car to reach the riding area. The terrain is described as vast and open, which supports freeride-style snowkiting and long, unobstructed sessions when conditions are right. Wind is typically characterized as a gradient-style flow at altitude. Reported wind speeds range roughly from 10 to 30 knots, and winds are described as generally reliable due to the height—though still dependent on clear visibility and stable mountain weather. Gustiness is noted as heavy, and turbulence can develop around the Dachstein summits and near the cable car stations. The biggest safety factor is glacier-specific risk. Crevasse zones, steep plateau edges, and sudden mountain weather changes are repeatedly emphasized. Additional hazards include extreme cold and whiteout conditions, and there can be restricted areas near ski run zones and near cable car installations—so riders should plan to stay inside designated safe zones and follow local guidance on access and boundaries. Overall, the spot is viewed as a bucket-list-style destination for experienced snowkiters seeking a long season and powder-focused riding on a massive glacier. Rescue is described as limited, so carrying appropriate glacier safety equipment and verifying live conditions before launch is strongly advised.
- Massive high-altitude glacier plateau for snowkiting above the surrounding clouds
- Powder snow conditions reported
- Cable-car access to the glacier plateau
- Very large, open glacier plateau for long riding runs
- Powder snow conditions are commonly reported
- Wind reliability is described as high due to altitude
- Advanced glacier hazards including crevasse zones and steep edges
- Heavy gustiness and strong weather sensitivity at altitude
- Restricted riding areas near installations
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, N, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — High-altitude gradient/katabatic-style flow described for the glacier plateau; winds are often good at altitude.
- Reliability
- High reliability due to altitude, but highly dependent on clear visibility and stable mountain weather.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Reported as heavy gusting on the glacier plateau.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence behind the Dachstein summits and the cable car stations.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/rock outcrop environment referenced for the approach/terrain.
- Launch
- Big — Vast open terrain on the glacier plateau.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Reported as difficult due to crevasse zones and steep drops; another source notes moderate launch difficulty on the plateau.
- Bottom Type
- Rock — Glacier/rocky plateau surfaces with crevasse zones.
- Obstacles
- Crevasses, glacier monitoring equipment, cable car wires, and rocky outcrops (plus occasional mud and slippery rocks on approach).
Through the year
High during sunny winter weekends; low on weekdays.
High alpine storms can occur year-round; conditions can change suddenly in the mountains.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Vast high-altitude glacier plateau suitable for snowkiting, with powder snow reported and wind often described as good at altitude.
- Snow Conditions
- Powder
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) in the full forecast view.
Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–15 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- WNW284°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- -10–3 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Crevasses
- Whiteout conditions
- Extreme cold
- Thin air at high altitude
- Sudden weather changes
- Steep cliffs at plateau edges
- Mud
- Slippery rocks
- Glacier monitoring equipment
- Cable car wires
- Rocky outcrops
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Mountain Rescue (Bergrettung) serves the glacier areas; rescue availability is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Bergrettung (Mountain Rescue) - 140
Rules of the spot
Stay within designated safe zones to avoid crevasse areas; check local conditions with the glacier/snowkite operators before riding. Do not kite in restricted areas near ski runs and near cable car installations.
- No kiting in ski run areas.
- Restricted near cable car installations.
- Always check the wind forecast for the mountain top, as it can differ significantly from the valley.
- Not much snow may remain on approach trails, and muddy/slippery rocks can be present.
- Cable-car access is used to reach the plateau, so be mindful around installations.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Salzburg
- Nearest Town
- Obertraun
- Parking
- Large parking lots available at the valley stations of the cable cars.
- Access
- Access is typically via the Dachstein Südwandbahn to the glacier plateau; the cable car approach is used from Ramsau am Dachstein or Obertraun (including via the Krippenstein cable cars and a traverse).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available in Ramsau am Dachstein or Obertraun; limited high-altitude options are mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- A restaurant is available at the top/cable-car station area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through specialized snowkite schools and via base/cable-car area access points.
- Gear Storage
- Ski and sports lockers are available at cable car stations and some accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services are described as available through local ski/outdoor shops; specialized kite repair may require travel.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun)?
The best overall months at Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun)?
Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) works with S, N, NW winds.
What skill level is Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) suitable for?
Dachstein Glacier (Obertraun) suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Intermediate to Advanced.