Obertauern in Austria – a skiing region rich in history
The development of Obertauern to a modern ski-area in the Salzburg Region of Austria
In 1905 Senior Lieutenant Bilgeri, a pioneer of military skiing and inventor of the Bilgeri skiing binding published his essay: “Skiing instruction for the K&K-armee” and started in 1907 with the first large military skiing exercises of the era of skiing at the Rastadt Tauern Mountains. The name of Obertauern became official in 1962. The first skiing pioneers discovered approximately 100 years ago the Radstadt Tauern for themselves and therefore started the development of one of the most famous and popular winter sports regions in the Alps.
After World War 1, around 1920, the first skiers came to Obertauern on foot. Their luggage was still transported by horse sleigh back then. From 1925 until 1927 the first Tauern races with cars and motorcycles were held, which lured a large number of visitors into the region. The “touristy birthday” of Obertauern is dated on December 8th 1929, since on that this day the first winter transport schedule via the Tauern pass started. 1948 the first facility to ascend the mountain was installed at the Seekarhaus, with a rope and knots to hold on tight, the first ever ski-lift was started. From 1948 until 1960 the pistes were trampled hard from skiers themselves, for one hour of trampling the slopes, 3 free rides were handed out. Street and avalanche protection constructions were extended for the first time in 1950 and the first tow-lifts were also constructed. Finally between 1952 and 1961 a number of modern cable cars and tow-lifts were installed in the Salzburg region of Obertauern. In 1969 an early form of what is nowadays known as the Tauern Loop Ski trail was created, through the connection of various lift facilities, which was later extended in 1985. Everything that came afterwards is history.
The Obertauern skiing region in Austria’s Salzburger Land is one of the most famous and most snow reliable ski areas in the Austrian Alps, which is extremely popular with big and small, locals as well as international guests. In 1985 the first artificial snowmaking machine was used, which was an important milestone in guaranteeing snow reliability for approximately 160 days per year. From 1991 – 1998 a number of modernizing extension works lead to the creation of a flood light station, which created international furor and brought night-time skiing to Austria. With the implementation of the touch-less ski pass system another milestone on the road to becoming one of the most successful Austrian Ski areas.
