Lesser-known ski resort loved by the Beatles nearly always guarantees good snow
A ski resort made famous by The Beatles is one of the few remaining in Europe with a near-guarantee of snow.
Just 90km from Salzburg lies the ski area of Obertauern, a modern resort with one of the best snow records in the Alps. Several years ago ski tourism researcher Günther Aigner published a study showing that it is the best resort in Austria for predictable snowfall and, therefore, one of the most solid bets when choosing a skiing holiday.
Back in 2016 it had an average maximum snow depth of 264cm, which means its many excellent slopes will be covered in a solid blanketing, even with temperatures having risen a little over the past seven years.
The reason for its reliable snow is Obertauern’s unique position in the Tauern mountains at a height of 1,740m, with some pistes which run out from the centre reaching 2,313m. That is far higher than most Austrian resorts which tend to be quite low lying.
The resort has some of the most reliable snow on the European skiing scene (Bloomberg via Getty Images)Snow clouds arrive in Obertauern from the north and south for maximum snowfall. The first snow often falls in October and stays way into May, meaning it has a ski resort that can last seven months. The year has gotten off to a flyer so far, with temperatures of around -9C keeping the snow fresh and regular falls ensuring that there is plenty of powder, according to Snow Forecast. The depth ranges from 140cm to 200cm at the moment.
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It is this excellent reputation for snow which saw The Beatles rock up at Obertauern in 1965. The Fab Four filmed winter and ski scenes at the resort for their film Help!, with some of the locals standing in as stunt-doubles.
"The Beatles obviously liked Obertauern. They even got a bit carried away and performed a more or less secret, private concert in a hotel in Obertauern," an account of the episode on the resort's website reads. "The Beatles launched another skiing boom and the whole world wanted to go skiing in Obertauern. Obertauern continued to bloom splendidly due to its exceptional location."
Behind the scenes footage from the shoot shows members of the band enjoying a cigarette on the snowy slopes and taking part in a slightly chaotic game of curling.
Often the cheapest way to get from London to Obertauern is on bus which can cost as little as £80 return, but does take a whole day. Ryanair and easyJet both run flights to Salzburg - the nearest airport to the resort - from a number of different UK travel hubs. A return flight at the end of January is currently on sale for just £45.
A handy airport shuttle whisks you straight off from Salzburg Airport to the centre of Obertauern. If you have your own skis it is often cheaper to travel on the coach as the cost of flying ski equipment is usually significant.
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