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Hotel Matschner, Ramsau

Steiermark - the quiet face of Austria
 
The 4-star Hotel Matschner lies in a tranquil village in a culturally rich and highly scenic part of Austria. Guests have a wide choice of winter activities – including cross-country skiing, winter walking and horse-drawn sleigh rides – and the hotel also offers free access to the village’s extensive leisure complex and swimming pool.
Price from
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Hotel Matschner, Ramsau. 7 nights
Price from
tbc
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Price from
tbc
Hotel Matschner, Ramsau. 7 nights
Price from
tbc
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A winter holiday in Ramsau, Steiermark,

for skiers and non-skiers
Beneath the imposing crags of the Dachstein Mountains and Glacier, the village of Ramsau Ort nestles on a high plateau in the north-west corner of Steiermark. This unspoiled region is one of Austria’s most traditional – rich in history and folklore, and with a wide choice of cultural attractions.
It is also a superb place to embrace the beauty of winter. The terrain is ideal for cross-country skiing, with delightful trails for all abilities meandering across the snowy meadows, as well as for winter walking, with the excellent network of paths supported by an equally fine selection of refreshment stops. Horse-drawn sleighs are also a frequent sight on the trails, and make a wonderfully relaxing way to explore.

Our chosen base for the week, the 4-star Hotel Matschner, continues to earn consistently high praise from guests, who appreciate the delicious cuisine, the tranquil location at the heart of the plateau, the direct access to the cross-country skiing and winter walking, and the attentive service provided by the Knaus family that own the hotel.
 

Winter 23/24

The hotel is closed throughout the upcoming 2023/24 winter season for refurbishment.

Other hotels which offer a similar experience and range of activities are Hotel Wiesenhof in Pertisau and Hotel Kristall in Weidach.
 

Our expert says

"What I love most about Ramsau and the Hotel Matschner is the spectacular scenery of the Dachstein peaks, which makes the cross-country skiing and winter walking here all the more enjoyable. To top it all off, the Knaus family looks after Inntravel guests wonderfully. You couldn’t ask for more."
Rebecca Bruce, Inntravel snow holiday expert
 
Gallery

 

Winter activities

There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of the activities as the mood takes you.
  • 220km of trails in the Schladming-Dachstein region; suited to all levels
    Ramsau is located in the heart of the Schladming-Dachstein cross-country ski region, an area with an excellent snow record. A trail pass is required to access the trails, which begin from the village’s cross-country ski centre – situated just behind the hotel – and lead in both directions along the plateau, criss-crossing the meadows that surround both Ramsau and the neighbouring settlements.

    The terrain immediately surrounding the village is reasonably gentle, with a good choice of undulating routes – ideal for finding your ‘ski legs’. More accomplished skiers will find suitably challenging options in the valleys nearby, and there are even some trails on the Dachstein Glacier, at a height of 2,700 metres. Of the many routes available, these are some of our favourites:

    Sonnenloipe: 14.5km
    Sonnenloipe translates as ‘sunny trail’, and this route certainly enjoys its fair share of sunshine on bright days. The trail comprises a full loop of the Ramsau Plateau, where there is a good selection of refreshment stops – meaning you are never too far away from a coffee or a slice of cake! Locals recommend approaching the trail in a clockwise order, though it is also possible to complete it in stages, making use of the local bus network to access the various sections of the route. 

    Kulmloipe: 12.5km
    This second option is a scenic route which leads through the trees and behind the ski-jumping hill that you can see from the hotel.

    Rössingloipe via Lodenwalker: 7.5km
    Beginning in the neighbouring village of Mühle, this challenging trail takes you close to the Lodenwalker factory – home to the oldest business in the Steiermark region. The factory has been producing traditional clothing since 1434, using the wool of the local mountain sheep to create a durable and water-resistant fabric known as ‘Loden’. The factory is most famous for its distinctive, dark-green jackets, but today a wide range of items are produced here, including blankets, scarfs and slippers. There is a small museum where you can watch how the cloth is made, although much of the information is in German. The shop and tavern are both well worth a visit, however – we can highly recommend the tavern’s goulash soup!
    Excellent cross-country trails ©Steiermark Tourismus/Peter Burgstaller
  • 70km around Ramsau
    There’s a great variety of maintained walking trails around Ramsau, and whether you choose the routes that strike out across the plateau or those that lead into the surrounding valleys, you can be assured of magnificent views toward those mighty, ever-present Dachstein peaks. This area is also very well supplied with mountain inns, giving you plenty of opportunities to pause mid-walk for that all-important Kaffee und Kuchen. Access to the trails is right behind the hotel, with further options accessible via the local bus network (enjoy discounted travel with your included visitor’s card).

    All trails are well signed, and the snow specially flattened to facilitate walking. In the detailed documentation we provide, we give an overview of our five favourite options, including the following three routes:

    Panorama Loop: 16km
    This – the region’s main walking trail – is an excellent way to discover all that is so special about Steiermark: enjoy breathtaking views of the Dachstein massif as you stroll along the plateau; visit the area’s traditional, unspoiled villages; and call into a welcoming café for a warming drink and tasty, homemade snack… If you don’t want to commit to the full circuit, it is possible to complete the loop in stages – there are frequent short cuts to return back to the hotel.

    Kulmberg Loop: 10km
    A very pretty route which leads you around the Kulmberg – the hill that is visible from the hotel and which is home to the area’s ski jumps. Once behind the Kulmberg, there’s an especially scenic section through the trees.

    Halser Trail: 5km
    This loop explores the area to the south-west of Ramsau and is a favourite of Inntravel guests – which can perhaps be attributed to the Halseralm, a 400-year-old mountain hut that makes a wonderfully atmospheric place to stop for refreshments. Its speciality – flaming Kaiserschmarrn (a sweet, shredded pancake) – is particularly delicious.
    A good choice of routes ©Steiermark Tourismus
    Plenty of mountain inns for refreshments ©Steiermark Tourismus/Ikarus
  • Horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing & more

    Horse-drawn sleigh rides
    A horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow is always a lovely experience, but in Ramsau it is particularly special. For one thing, there are 40 kilometres of prepared routes in the region, offering great scope to explore; for another; your sleigh is pulled by the elegant Haflinger horses – a breed that was developed in Austria and northern Italy in the late 19th century and which is known for its gentle temperament, golden chestnut coat and striking flaxen mane.

    Snowshoeing
    Requiring no special technique, snowshoeing is a fantastic way of exploring this picturesque high plateau, and the hotel has a resident guide who leads up to three snowshoe hikes each week. These excursions are free to hotel guests, and equipment is provided. We also recommend a couple of additional trails – including an easy, 4-kilometre route through a beautiful larch forest – should you wish to head out independently. (Please note equipment is only included when with the hotel guide; snowshoes and poles for your personal use can be hired from the sports shop next to the hotel.)

    Tobogganing
    There are various options for those keen to try their hand at tobogganing: take the bus to the nearby Hunerkogel restaurant, located at 1,700 metres above sea level, and enjoy the run from here; or travel the short distance to Rittisberg, where there is a floodlit, 3.5-kilometre run open three evenings a week. Sledges can be hired from both locations.

    Downhill skiing
    Downhill skiers can access a couple of gentle pistes in the village itself, and there is a small domain at Rittisberg – just a short bus ride from your hotel. Alternatively, the huge Ski Amadé area, including the renowned resort of Schladming, is only 15 minutes away by bus, and there is further skiing on the Dachstein Glacier.
    Horse-drawn sleigh rides ©Steiermark Tourismus/Tom Lamm
    Exploring on snowshoes ©Steiermark Tourismus
  • The Dachstein Glacier
    No visit to Ramsau is complete without a trip to the Dachstein Glacier, which looms high above the village and is accessible by bus and cable car. The journey itself is quite an experience – when the cable car was first built, it was the longest single-stretch cable car in the world; today, the cabins are constructed entirely from glass and have roof-top balconies to better appreciate the incredible views. The Glacier itself is well-known for its year-round skiing possibilities, but there is also much to interest the non-skier: the Sky Walk viewing platform is a must – you can see as far as Slovenia’s Triglav Mountains on a clear day; while another spectacular viewpoint can be reached by crossing what is Austria’s highest suspension bridge and descending the Stairway to Nothingness – 14 steps extending from the cliff face. Those without a head for heights may like to visit the Ice Palace, where a local fairy tale is told via intricately carved ice sculptures, or simply enjoy lunch at the highest restaurant in Steiermark.
  • Special events
    At Christmas, there are traditional celebrations with music and songs around the Christmas tree, plus a special dinner. New Year’s Eve features a gala dinner and live music.
 

Where you stay

Quiet Ramsau Ort (altitude: 1150m), where your hotel is situated, is the main village on the plateau. It has a bank with an ATM, sports and tourist shops, and a number of cafés and restaurants. Behind the hotel there are also two ski jumps; you can watch people practising from the comfort of the hotel’s lounge! In the past, the area’s inhabitants made a living selling cheese and wool products – you can find out more at the Lodenwalker factory or the local history museum in the village. 

Please note: most beds in Austrian hotels are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. We refer to these as 'Austrian Twins' and they are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.
Hotel Matschner

Bedrooms

 

Extend your stay

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • afternoon snacks
  • detailed information about the area
  • rail travel or flights from London (regional flights available)
  • transfers from/to Salzburg Airport (if flying)
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 9 reviews
  • Mrs C Dallas-Goncalves
    King's Lynn
    25 February 2023

    Research Austrian sauna etiquette before attempting to try it out! The quality and quantity of the meals were outstanding, consistently.

     

  • Miss H Fouweather
    Kendal
    25 February 2023

    Excellent snow shoeing guide provided by the hotel for 3 days.  This will be the reason for returning at a future date

  • Anon
    04 February 2023

    Snow shoe walk is a must - but a level of fitness is required
    Good afternoon coffee/cakes
    Sorry - we very underwhelmed with the hotel & did not consider it good value for money - would like our concerns further

  • Mrs S Fielding
    Weymouth
    28 January 2023

    The hotel was very comfortable but very warm and we should definitely have taken some cooler items of clothing. The sauna was a wonderful facility and it is useful to have light sandals or flip-flops for the trip through the tunnel. The walk to the Hasleralm was very pleasant and there were lots of horse-drawn sleighs coming past. However, the hut is EXTREMELY busy at lunch time and it wasn't possible to get served either there or at the previous one (Rosterstube). The Dachstein Glacier cable car was not open until the 5th Feb (might be worth mentioning in the notes to check before planning to go there).

  • Ian D, Stockport
    23 January 2023

    The food provided by the hotel was  fabulous.  The cakes provided in the afternoon were both works of art and delicious.  Definitely the best hotel for food we have ever stayed in but not one to go to if you are on a diet.

  • Mr P Hagger
    Droitwich
    16 January 2023

    The staff at both Hotel Maschner and in Salzburg were extremely friendly and helpful. A particular highlight was the snow-shoeing; the guide Kali was outstanding and extremely enthusiastic. The spa facilities were an ideal way to relax late in the afternoon.

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our snow holiday at Hotel Matschner, Ramsau with our Salzburg City add-on

  • Anon
    14 January 2023

    This is our second time using Inntravel for a snow walking holiday and the service we received was excellent. We had a wonderful week staying at the Hotel Matschner in Ramsau and the area was just breathtaking, with plenty of trails and very traditional and pretty huts for refreshments along the way! The three snowshoe walks were the highlight of the week but I must say you do need a fair level of fitness to enjoy it! Ramsau has a couple of nice coffee shops and a very good Italian Restaurant, if you fancy a change of scenery for the evening meal. We booked a horse-drawn sleigh ride which was wonderful and would wholly recommend. 

  • Geof
    07 January 2023

    Hotel staff and food excellent. Great access to the cross country start track and swimming pool. Afternoon coffee and cake very nice.

  • J A McEwan
    06 January 2023

    The winter walking / snow shoeing guide was excellent.  Allowed for different levels in the group and took time to explain the area and some wildlife, including animal tracks.  Also took us to some good and interesting mountain huts and I enjoyed a great Applestrudel in each.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • They are two mattresses (each with separate bedding) on one large base. They are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.
  • In the Alps, most hotels have a vegetarian menu. Please contact us for specific information about this particular hotel.
  • Living far from the capital ourselves, we know better than most that flying from London can be a bind, so we are very flexible with our travel arrangements. Call or email us, and one of the team will be happy to list the different options available to you, and any price implications.
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Austria, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Austrian) German is the most commonly spoken language. The currency is the Euro. Austrian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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