Club cross country ski trip to Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria

Saturday 9 - Saturday 16 January 2027

+ optional Dachsteinlauf races on 16 & 17/1

Photo: A KenyonJoin us for a week of coaching to kick start your season and maybe try one of the Dachsteinlauf races - there's a choice of competitions plus a 5km culinary fun run for foodies! 

We've run this trip for several years and it's become a firm favourite amongst Club members for the chance to develop skiing skills, enjoy the popular Ramsau trail network, and the warm welcome we receive from Thomas and his staff at the Ferienhotel Knollhof.

Who is this trip for? 

Photo: G NeilSkiers who want to work on their cross country skiing skills.

Applications are open to all LRNSC members, and those wishing to join the club or who are members of another Snowsport England Club.  The trip is suitable for skiers from Novice to Intermediate Plus levels (but it is not suitable for complete beginners to cross country skiing). The Intermediate Plus group is suitable for advanced skiers who wish to polish their technique.

it's ideal for those who've been learning to roller ski on our courses and want to transfer their skills to snow - rolling to Ramsau is what it's all about!

The coaching week leads into the weekend Dachsteinlauf ski races although participation in these events is entirely optional and the trip can be enjoyed without racing.  The competitions are suitable for both experienced racers and anyone wanting to have a go for the first time.

Coaching

This will cover classic and skate style in small groups using the excellent facilities around the main ski arena as well as exploring the area's picturesque trails with tuition on the go.

Six full days of coaching will be offered during the week.  You do not have to ski this whole time, it’s up to you if you want to go swimming, take a sleigh ride, or take an afternoon off during the week.

Dagmar Junghanns will be the head coach leading the team of experienced LRNSC coaches comprising Glennis Dore, Mary Wray and Adam Pinney.

Here’s a guide to the group levels 

Novice
•   have had some cross country ski lessons, learned the basic technique and can ski on flat terrain;
•   want to develop your skiing skills and confidence, and learn how to control your speed better;
•   may have attended an LRNSC beginner roller ski course and want to transfer your skills to snow;
•   must have a reasonable level of fitness as tuition is typically 4-5 hours a day with a break for lunch. 

Improver
•   have the basic techniques and can ski comfortably in easy terrain, controlling your speed on gentle descents;
•   want to improve and expand your skills so you can tackle varied terrain more efficiently and confidently;
•   may have previously skied in our novice group at Ramsau;
•   must have a reasonable level of fitness as tuition is typically 4-5 hours a day with a break for lunch. 

Intermediate
•   understand and can ski most classic and skate techniques confidently with effective downhill control;
•   want to become a more competent and efficient skier so you can ski varying terrain without undue hesitation;
•   can ski at a steady pace on half or whole day tours.

Intermediate Plus
•  understand and can ski the range of skate and classic techniques over varying terrain;
•  want to polish your technique; 
•  can ski consistently at a steady pace in varying terrain, on half and whole day tours.

Trip length

It runs from Saturday 9 to Saturday 16 January 2027.  There is the option of extending your trip to cover the Dachsteinlauf races or if you simply want to stay longer, in which case you would need to make your own transport arrangements, possibly collaborating with others who are also staying.  Please choose your dates on the application form.

Key points

Everyone on the trip is recommended to have their own travel health insurance policy that covers Covid. Rules are changing all the time, so please be aware of what is required at the time of travel.

The GIC (Global Health Insurance Card) issued by Gov.uk is also recommended in case of emergencies.

Please also be aware of the entry requirements for Austria/the Schengen area.

About Ramsau am Dachstein

There are up to 220 km of cross-country skiing trails between 1,100 m and 2,700 m above sea level with varying degrees of difficulty for all levels of skier. There is a cross country skiing stadium with a night trail, testing centre and children's cross country skiing park. The village is spread along the main valley and there is good access to the main ski stadium area and ski trails. A free ski bus also runs along the valley many times a day, which can assist in extending ski routes.
 

The Dachsteinlauf - Euroloppet Races

https://www.dachsteinlauf.at/enThe 10km race is especially suitable as a first race as the route is not technical and trip participants will be able to ski the course during the coaching week with the support of their coach. 

There is also the opportunity to enter an LRNSC team (any level) in the 10km Saturday race (individual skiers add together their total times).

The new 5km Genusslauf 'Culinary Run'is on Saturday afternoon where the emphasis is not on time and competition, but a focus on tasting local foods at refreshment stations.

The race options - the longer races are classed as difficult, the shorter races as moderate -
you register and pay for your own entry:

Saturday 16 January
•  10:00 skate races - 10 km including a team competition, and 40 km;
•  15:00 'Culinary Run' 5km in classic or skate styles, or on foot on the winter hiking trail.

Sunday 17 January
•  10:00 classic races - 10 km and 40 km.

NB If you are participating in the races, you will need to state on our booking form so that we can extend your stay at the hotel. The transfer back to the airport is your responsibility, but you can arrange with other racers.

Travel

Here are the suggested flights to Salzburg which arrive at similar times to be able to arrange group transport to the hotel. Train travel from the UK is also an option - see Seat 61 for more information.

If you are racing do check to make sure you can fly back on a Monday or Tuesday – you can always take the train and fly from Munich for a greater choice of flights.

There are also flights with other airlines and departure airports.

Transfer

A group transfer will be arranged to coincide with the flights given sufficient interest, or you can make your own arrangements. Salzburg to Ramsau is approximately 90 km (1.5 hours) to drive. 

It would appear from these flights that we could leave Salzburg by about 2.30pm in one coach, so your flight would need to arrive by 13:45 on 9 January and leave no earlier than 14.35 on 16 January if you want to use the group transport.  More information will be available in a few month’s time and I will send a separate email on this once the bookings are complete. The cost of the group transport per journey is currently estimated to be around €35 a head.

Accommodation - Hotel Ferienhotel Knollhof 

The Knollhof is right on the cross country ski tracks with easy access to the stadium where some coaching is held and the races start. On this interactive map its location is just under the Bergkristalift. The village centre is a 15 minute walk away.

The accommodation available to book is one single, some doubles for single occupancy, doubles and triples (Austrian beds apart from the single). We can pair you up with a roommate if you have no one to share with.

The buffet breakfast runs from 7.30 am to 10 am and the evening meal from 6 pm to 8 pm offering soup, buffet salad, main course and dessert. Lunch is usually taken at a cafe near the løipe, the hotel has a lunchtime café for those back near base, plus there's another small café behind the hotel.

The hotel has a wellness centre with sauna, hot-steam-bath, infrared cabin, massage (fee) und sun bed (fee). There is a swimming pool near the ski stadium.

There is a ski store behind the hotel with heated boot rack and a profile for ski waxing.

On Wednesday night there will be a drinks reception before an indoor Buffet BBQ, and we usually dress in something colourful for a bit of fun (Hawaiian shirts etc). 

Costs

Coaching fee - £280 per person.

Hotel

• €95.40 per person per night for half board in a single, double or twin room
• €108.90 per person per night for half board in a double for single occupancy room
• A reduction for the 3rd person staying in a triple room.
• Plus the tourist tax of € 3,50 per person per day

You will be responsible for paying your total hotel bill on checkout.

There are several other local hotels and apartment options if you prefer other accommodation, or if all rooms are taken at the Ferienhotel Knollhof – see www.booking.com, AirBNB or local tourist office). Dinner can be arranged at the Knollhof at €18.50pp per night.

If you want to stay elsewhere see map for some options within an easy walk of the hotel.

A    Knollhof Hotel  - our group hotel
B    Feldlhof – a farmhouse with 9 rooms (B on map)
C    Haus Mayhofer – a farmhouse with 5 rooms (C on map)
D    Pension Pilz – family run apartments (D on map)
E    Gasthaus Harma – Family run apartments and Bee Keepers with their own honey dispenser.

NB Supermarkets are closed all day Sundays. The Spar in Ramsau Ort may be open until 7pm on Saturday, but check Google for current opening times.

Other Expenses to budget for:

• €55 (approx) for a 7 days løipe pass, which is included in the Winter card that also gives discounts at local attractions and travel.  This will be added to your hotel bill.
• Lunch est €10-€18.
• Ski hire – approximately €130 if switching between skate/classic skis. Classic only would be about €110 and skate only €160. We use the local hire at Ski Willy near the stadium and we will collect hire equipment on Sunday morning as one group.

What to do next

Stage 1
Complete the online booking form. This is a very popular trip so bookings will close as soon as the trip is full, and we will then hold a reserve list.
Stage 2

1. Your place on the trip and accommodation choice will be confirmed. A coaching deposit of £50 is then required which is non-refundable, except for extenuating circumstances.
2. Once your fee is received, and accommodation confirmed, you can book flights and races.
3. The final coaching fee should be paid by the end of November, but you will be sent a reminder in due course. The transfer cost will also be added to this amount if you are taking that option.

Any questions?

Contact Pauline the organiser