In the beginning, there wasn’t much here. But not even long ago, there was already a Roman road – an important north–south route. Around 110 years ago, the first skiers arrived, mostly from military circles, as Obertauern was used for training purposes. At that time, there were already a few accommodations as well as simple shelters.
It wasn’t until the interwar period that summer visitors began to discover Obertauern. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, skiing had become the main focus. The sport was booming – and Obertauern was right at the heart of it.
From that point on, Obertauern began its remarkable rise. What was once just a handful of accommodations gradually developed over the decades into one of Austria’s most diverse winter sports destinations. It’s no coincidence that the chronicle describing this development is titled “Ein Ort entstand aus dem Nichts.”
And today, Obertauern is anything but “nothing.” In fact, it offers a bit of everything – and plenty of it. Above all, it stands for variety: families, freeriders, beginners, and party lovers alike all find exactly what they’re looking for in Obertauern.
The Beatles and the unique "Kugelpanorama" for the film HELP!
In 1965, the Beatles came to Obertauern to film the winter and skiing scenes for their movie HELP!. While the musicians had already mastered many things at that time, skiing was definitely not one of their talents. For the filming, they were therefore supported by local ski doubles. The choice of Obertauern as the filming location was no coincidence: its unique location and exceptional snow reliability made it the perfect setting for the winter scenes. While other ski areas were already struggling with snow-free slopes, Obertauern offered excellent conditions for skiing on snow even back then.
The Beatles clearly enjoyed their time in Obertauern so much that they even held a more or less secret private concert at a hotel in the village. Their visit sparked another skiing boom and made Obertauern even more famous internationally. More and more guests wanted to experience this unique winter wonderland for themselves and come to Obertauern for skiing.
Thanks to its exceptional location, Obertauern continued to develop beautifully in the years that followed. And this location remains unique to this day: surrounded by ski slopes on both the southern and northern sides, the village is rightly known as the “snow bowl”.
A snow bowl where you find yourself right in the middle of a winter mountain paradise – surrounded by snow, perfectly groomed slopes, and breathtaking panoramic views. When arriving in Obertauern, the panoramic view quickly provides a perfect overview of the area. One look around is enough to realise: everything is close by.
Short distances, easy accessibility, and the immediate proximity to the slopes make Obertauern an exceptionally convenient ski resort. But the development of the destination is far from complete. While there were only a few accommodations in the past, Obertauern today offers a diverse range of hotels and lodging options to suit different preferences and needs.
Obertauern is also now one of Austria’s most diverse ski areas when it comes to its variety of slopes. With a wide range of runs, modern lift facilities, and the unique experience of skiing around the entire village, it continues to inspire winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.
Nostalgia Book - 100 Years of Winter Sports in Obertauern
>> Order online now <<
This picture book tells the story of Obertauern back then.
From the Romans, through the first lifts and skiers, to the first road and the development of the town.
The Roman Road
The Roman Road over the Radstädter Tauern is one of the oldest historical traffic routes in the Alpine region and is a special cultural highlight in Obertauern. Already in Roman times, an important trade and military route led here over the Alpine main ridge and connected the provinces in the south with today's Salzburg region.
Even today, the so-called Roman stones in Obertauern bear witness to this eventful past. The well-preserved milestone and memorial stones are impressive relics from antiquity and provide exciting insights into the history of the Radstädter Tauern. (Currently under restoration)
Visitors to Obertauern don’t just experience a modern ski and hiking destination – they also walk in the footsteps of history. The Roman road at the Radstädter Tauern connects nature, history and culture, making it a special excursion for anyone who wants to discover Obertauern from a more historical perspective.
FAQ
The Roman road over the Radstädter Tauern is one of the oldest transport routes in the Alpine region. Even in ancient times, it connected important regions and made the Tauern Pass a key trade route.
The name “Obertauern” was only officially introduced in 1962. Before that, the region was mostly known as the Radstädter Tauern.
For centuries, the Tauern Pass was an important link between north and south. Merchants, travellers, and later even postal services used this route regularly.
Yes, mining also played a role in the past. Silver and copper, among other things, were mined in the region before tourism became more important.
As early as Celtic times, and later during the Roman era, the region around the Tauern Pass was used and partly settled. However, permanent settlement only developed much later.
Yes, simple accommodations and rest stops developed early along the Tauern Pass. They provided travellers and merchants with shelter from the weather and a place to rest and resupply.
The high altitude and challenging conditions made early tourism development difficult. It was only with the expansion of roads and infrastructure in the 20th century that Obertauern became easier to reach and developed into a holiday destination.
