Top News for Winter in 2026/27

Looking for a newsy story to pitch, a surprising angle for your next press trip or a new under-the-radar place in Austria that your audience needs to hear about? Here are Austria’s most important winter news for 2026/27 in a nutshell.

New lifts in Austria’s top skiing resorts

Austria’s resorts have once again topped up their game: In Zell am See-Kaprun, the new 8-seater Kapellenbahn chairlift will take skiers and snowboarders up the Schmittenhöhe from December. Over in Serfaus-Fiss Ladis, the Plansegg lift is being replaced by a modern 8-seater chairlift. St. Johann in Tirol has a new 10-person Jodlalmbahn gondola up the Harschbichl, replacing the existing 2-person chairlift. The new Höllkarbahn C2 in the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun, an 8-seater chairlift, replaces the existing lift. In the Kopssee area of Silvapark Galtür, a detachable 6-seater chairlift replaces the existing drag lifts. Carinthia adds the new 10-person Kanzelbahn II gondola at the Gerlitzen, and the Tressdorfer Albahn 6-seater chairlift to its portfolio.

Hotel openings in Tirol and SalzburgerLand

 Three new hotels will open in December 2026: The Green in Uderns, Zillertal features 75 rooms, suites and Water Suites and Lodges (with direct access to their water world), a 3,300 m2 wellness area, a kids’ club, and several restaurants. The resort uses timber construction, photovoltaic systems, geothermal probes, and wood-chip heating. Guests in Flachau, SalzburgerLand, can check into 28 suites and chalets at the new family-run Schiefergut Family Resort. The hosts have been running an on-site farm for generations and most of the dishes in the hotel restaurant are made from their own produce. Also new is design hotel das glockna in Fusch on the Großglockner High Alpine Road, which combines minimalist architecture with an authentic alpine lifestyle.

New family attractions in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

Families heading to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis will appreciate the newly designed play area at the Fiss ski depot and Murmli’s Family Slope, running from the Gampen slope, through the forest, to the Komperdellbahn mid-station - Murmli and his friends accompany the little ones along the way. The popular Sun Park in Fiss is expanding to a total of four lines with a new rail line and a funslope line, offering even more action for both freestyle beginners and pros. There are also two new photo spots in the region: one at the Wonnealm and one at the mountain station of the Alpkopfbahn lift.

Schladming celebrates the 30th Nightrace

Since 1997, the World Cup Nightrace on the Planai has been a highlight of the alpine skiing calendar, attracting thousands of fans every year. The flood-lit men’s giant slalom will take place on 26 January 2027, followed by the men’s slalom on 27 January. The traditional Nightrace experience also includes the World Cup Mile, live music, and parties.

75 years of Four Hills Tournament in Innsbruck

From 2 to 4 January 2007, the legendary Four Hills Tournament will make its 75th appearance at the Bergisel in Innsbruck. The Bergisel is one of four ski jumping hills in Germany and Austria that host the prestigious competition. What makes it particularly special is its location: when the ski jumpers take off, they appear to soar right over the rooftops of Innsbruck, cheered on by tens of thousands of fans. To mark the anniversary, there will also be a women’s competition for the very first time.

A Solar Power Plant on the Glacier in Sölden

The Tiefenbach Glacier is getting a new photovoltaic system from October 2026. Developed by manufacturer Helioplant and used for the first time in Austra, it was specially designed to meet the requirements of alpine terrain. The power plant consists of 800 Helioplant units and will help secure the energy supply at the mountain site. The operators expect that during the summer months, solar energy will cover up to 100% of the ski lift company’s own electricity needs.

Carinthia offers e-powered winter hiking from this year

The Dreiländereck in the Villach region has opened its first Hypershell test center earlier this year, offering electric exoskeletons designed to make hiking easier. The wearable device supports movement and reduces physical strain. From this winter season, holidaymakers will be able to rent the exoskeletons for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and ski touring.

Nauders is going big on freeriding

Freeriders can look forward to six new routes in Nauders, Tirol: Gipfellinie (800 vertical metres), Cannonrun (790 vertical metres), Piengtraum (370 vertical metres), Bergkastelride (350 vertical metres), Almlinie (500 vertical metres), and the Valdafur variant (800 vertical metres). Each route has its own unique character. There are now a total of ten routes and one variant, further establishing Nauders as a leading destination for powder enthusiasts.

The Sisi Museum in Vienna is expanding  

From November 19, 2026, the Sisi Museum in Vienna welcomes visitors with a newly designed tour and twelve additional rooms to explore. The aim is to present the world of Empress Elisabeth in a more nuanced way, while also highlighting the connection to the Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection. A central element of the new tour are the five so-called White Gold Rooms dating from the Rococo period. These rooms, which have never been open to the public before, served as private retreats for the imperial family and their court.

80 years of Salzburg Advent Singing & 30 years of Ice Nativity Scene Graz

Founded in 1946 as a small festive celebration, the Salzburg Advent Singing has grown into a major event at the Great Festival Hall, attracting approx. 32,000 visitors from 45 countries every year. To mark its 80th anniversary, the oratorio “The Big Secret” is being performed over the first three Advent weekends (starting on 27 November). City breakers can combine their concert experience with a visit of the Hellbrunn Advent Magic, a Christmas market and fairytale forest featuring more than 700 decorated fir trees in front of Hellbrunn Palace, which takes place for the 25th time this year.

Over in Graz, the Ice Nativity Scene in the Landhaus courtyard (created from around 35 tonnes of ice every year!) celebrates its 30th anniversary.