Family holiday in Schladming-Dachstein: the complete guide (summer & winter 2026/2027)

A family holiday in the Austrian Alps sounds wonderful, but organising it can feel like an expedition into the wilderness. What does it cost? What can the children do? Does it work in bad weather? And where can you stay without breaking the bank?

This guide answers all of that, with a focus on the Schladming-Dachstein region and concrete tips from our team at Mountain Hostel, who have been hosting families with children of all ages for years.

Why Schladming-Dachstein is ideal for families

The Schladming-Dachstein region in Styria is one of the most family-friendly holiday regions in Austria, for good reasons:

Variety: hiking, climbing, cycling, rafting and swimming in summer; skiing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing and ice skating in winter – the region offers activities 365 days a year.

Infrastructure: well-maintained paths, child-friendly cable cars, numerous alpine restaurants with children's portions and tourist infrastructure throughout make your holiday more relaxed.

Value for money: compared with Tyrol or Salzburg, accommodation and activities in Styria are often noticeably cheaper, without compromising on quality or experience.

Bad-weather options: the Dachstein Ice Cave, the Mammoth Cave, Freizeit Arena Schladming and indoor play areas make sure rainy days are unforgettable too.

Summer family holiday: the best activities for children

Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard – the all-inclusive package

The Sommercard is a game-changer for family holidays in the region. If you book the main house of Mountain Hostel in summer, the Sommercard is included – and that changes everything.

What the Sommercard includes (selection):

• Free cable car rides (Planai, Dachstein glacier cable car, Hauser Kaibling and more)

• Free entry to the Dachstein Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave

• Discounts on rafting on the Enns

• Discounted rides on the OCT Xraycer summer toboggan run

• Free use of lidos and outdoor pools

• Discounts on e-bike rental and guided tours

• More than 100 partner attractions with free entry or discounts

For a family with two children, this easily means savings of several hundred euros per week – on the cable cars alone.

Top 5 family activities in summer

1. OCT Xraycer summer toboggan run on the Planai: the Xraycer summer toboggan run is the absolute favourite with children (and, honestly, with adults too). The track is long, the ride is exciting and the mood is great. The Sommercard gives you discounts. The start is at the Planai valley station in Schladming, a short drive from Mountain Hostel.

2. Rafting on the Enns: depending on the section, the Enns offers rafting for families with children aged 6 and up. Guided tours (discounted with the Sommercard) ensure safety and maximum fun – an experience children will talk about for years.

3. Dachstein Ice Cave & Mammoth Cave: two of Austria's most impressive show caves are right in the region. The Ice Cave with its gigantic ice formations is a natural wonder and at the same time a perfect plan for hot summer days (the temperature in the cave is constantly around 0 degrees, so bring a jacket!). Entry is included with the Sommercard.

4. E-bike tour through the Enns valley: e-bikes can be rented at a discount with the Sommercard. The signposted family routes in the Enns valley are flat, well surfaced and fun for children aged 8 and up. Mountain Hostel has storage for bikes.

5. Hikes on the Planai and to the Dachstein: the Planai (a short drive from the hostel) offers easy family trails from the mountain station, while the Dachstein region provides more dramatic scenery. For children there are specially signposted themed trails with information stations and play elements.

Winter family holiday: snow, skiing and more

The Schladming-Planai ski area

Schladming is home to the legendary Nightrace, one of the most spectacular slalom races in the Ski World Cup. The four-mountain ski area (Planai, Hochwurzen, Reiteralm, Hauser Kaibling) offers more than 120 kilometres of slopes for beginners, intermediates and experts.

Particularly relevant for families:

• Children's ski school at the Planai

• Practice areas with conveyor belts and magic carpets for the youngest

• Wide, well-groomed blue and red slopes

From Mountain Hostel you can quickly reach the Planai, the Rittisberg and the Dachstein by bus or car – the cross-country ski trails start right outside the door.

Cross-country skiing in Ramsau am Dachstein – a special experience

Ramsau is one of the most renowned cross-country skiing centres in Europe. The trail network covers more than 200 kilometres of groomed trails, from flat family trails right next to the hostel to demanding marathon routes. The Ramsau Wintercard offers discounted trail tickets.

For children, cross-country skiing is a special alternative to downhill skiing – calmer, closer to nature and often an unforgettable experience in powder snow.

Fatbiking, night tobogganing & more

Away from the slopes, winter offers:

• Night tobogganing: on selected runs in the region, tobogganing is possible into the evening – an unforgettable experience.

• Fatbiking: guided fatbike tours through the winter forest, for children aged around 12 and up.

• Snowshoe hikes: guided tours through Ramsau's winter landscape, also suitable for families with children.

Bad weather? No problem.

Rain and bad weather are part of an Alpine holiday – and with the right planning, these days become experiences too:

At Mountain Hostel itself:

• Barn with a digital soccer court for sports and games

• Indoor play area for children

• Billiards, table football, activity room

• Private sauna (bookable on request)

In the region:

• Dachstein caves (an experience even in the rain)

• Freizeit Arena Schladming (indoor pool, climbing wall, fitness)

• Schladming Museum (history of the region)

• Ice skating at the Schladming ice rink

Accommodation for families: why Mountain Hostel is the right choice

A family holiday doesn't have to be expensive – but it should still be comfortable. Mountain Hostel combines both:

What families find with us:

• Multi-bed rooms (3–8 beds) for families with several children

• Fully equipped apartments (30 m²) with kitchenette, fridge and microwave

• Breakfast buffet with regional products

• Spacious outdoor grounds with playground, artificial turf pitch and campfire area

• Free parking

• Sommercard included in summer (main house)

The location: in Ramsau am Dachstein with views of the Planai and the Dachstein – you can hardly get closer to the mountains.

The price: as an affordable hostel with hotel comfort, we transparently offer the best direct rates, without platform booking fees.

Checklist: family holiday in Schladming-Dachstein

Book early (summer and Christmas holidays fill up quickly) Check Sommercard benefits when booking Reserve children's ski school in advance in winter Pack hiking boots & rain gear Sun protection for glacier tours (UV index very high) Backpack with snacks for half-day hikes Check the mountain weather forecast daily