Nestled in the scenic Wildschönau valley of Austria, Niederau enchants visitors with its authentic Tyrolean charm and its access to the expansive Ski Juwel region, featuring 109 km of pistes. Known for its family-friendly vibe and excellent beginner slopes, Niederau offers a relaxed skiing experience against the picturesque backdrop of the Kitzbühel Alps.
As one of the best Austrian ski resorts for beginners and families, Niederau promises a serene and welcoming winter getaway. This guide is your key to easily planning the perfect Niederau ski holiday. It covers everything you need—from Niederau's prime location and expansive ski terrain to its historical snow patterns and top dining and après-ski venues. But that's not all. By the end of this guide, you'll find all the essential contact details and useful links you'll need.
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Niederau, Austria - overview
- Where is Niederau?
- Niederau the resort
- Niederau ski area
- Skiing in Niederau
- Niederau ski season dates
- Niederau snow history
- Restaurants in Niederau
- Things to do in Niederau
- Niederau après-ski, and nightlife
- Niederau resort map
- Practical information
Where is Niederau?
Niederau is situated in the Wildschönau, a picturesque side valley just above Wörgl in the Austrian Tyrol, approximately 75 kilometers east of Innsbruck.
For a detailed view of Niederau's location, you can explore it on Google Maps.
Nearest airport
Transfer time
Niederau the resort
- Resort altitude: 828 m
- Resort permanent residents: 1106
Niederau embodies the quintessence of a classic Austrian village, where architecture and lifestyle seamlessly blend with the mountain landscape to create a deeply personal and immersive holiday experience. Traditional wood-clad chalets and a striking Gothic spire atop its parish church give this compact village a distinctive character. Accommodations integrate effortlessly into the natural surroundings, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere. The village’s pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with local boutiques displaying crafts and regional products, alongside ski rental outlets, sports stores, and small supermarkets. Additionally, essential services such as a bank, a post office, and a pharmacy ensure convenience for all visitors.
Pros | Cons |
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One of the best resorts for families | Small ski area of its own |
Classic Austrian village atmosphere | Nightlife is a little limited |
Accommodations are close to the lifts | Limited options for expert skiers |
Highly rated ski school | N/A |
Here is how Niederau looks like
Watch Niederau on YouTube .
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Niederau ski area
- Highest lift: 2025 m
- Kilometres of pistes: 29 km (109 km - Ski Juwel
- Vertical drop: 1209 m
- Ski lifts: 7 (45 - Ski Juwel)
Niederau, situated within the Wildschönau and Alpbachtal ski area, known as Ski Juwel, provides access to one of the more diverse skiing networks in Austria. The Ski Juwel area collectively boasts 109 km of pistes, with varied terrain across two distinct skiing valleys. Locally, Niederau presents a family-friendly ski environment, featuring primarily beginner and intermediate runs, making it an ideal destination for those new to skiing or looking for a relaxed skiing experience. The resort itself offers 26 km of pistes, including 15 km of blue runs, 9 km of red, and 2 km of black, all connected efficiently by 7 lifts. This configuration ensures minimal wait times and quick access to the slopes, with the highest lift reaching 2025 meters.
Skiing in Niederau
Beginners
Niederau is an excellent choice for beginners. The beginner zone, right on the edge of the village, features magic carpets and gentle draglifts. Beginners can practice on easy blue runs that offer beautiful summit views, although it's worth noting that the return to the village is via red or black runs, necessitating a gondola ride down initially.
Intermediates
Niederau provides excellent opportunities for intermediate skiers with its tree-lined runs directly above the village, perfect for both fun and technique improvement. For more extensive skiing, a short bus ride to Auffach grants access to the broader Ski Juwel area. Here, intermediates can explore a network of linked blue and red runs, especially around the Schatzberg peak and down the long, sweeping pistes from the Böglalm gondola.
Advanced
While Niederau primarily caters to beginner and intermediate levels, advanced skiers can still find challenges, including four decent black runs and some exciting off-piste options.
Snowboarding
Niederau offers great conditions for snowboarding, especially for beginners and intermediates. The wide open, gentle slopes are perfect for those starting out or looking to improve their skills. More experienced boarders can enjoy the three funparks in the area, and the Race n' Boarder Arena in Niederau, which features a permanent race track and professional training opportunities.
Niederau ski season dates
The ski season in Niederau for 2024/25 is expected to start on December 6th and run until March 30th, though dates may vary depending on snow conditions.
Niederau snow history
Niederau offers optimal snow conditions from December through April, each month presenting unique opportunities for skiers. December and January consistently bring about 16 cm and 21 cm of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 2.7 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly decreases to 16 cm but occurs more frequently, averaging 2.9 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the second week of January, traditionally the snowiest week in Niederau, with an impressive 25 cm of snow over 2.9 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days—when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 10 cm of snow over 1.7 days.
Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
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December | 16 cm | 2.7 days |
January | 21 cm | 3.1 days |
February | 16 cm | 2.9 days |
March | 14 cm | 2.7 days |
April | 10 cm | 1.7 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
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Restaurants in Niederau
Mountain restaurants
- Bichlwirt: located on the slopes, this restaurant offers a charming alpine dining experience with a menu that celebrates local Tyrolean specialties.
- Hexenhausl: nestled near the ski runs, Hexenhausl offers a magical dining experience with a menu that includes both traditional and contemporary dishes.
- Kropfraderjochalm: this restaurant provides a secluded getaway, offering a range of Tyrolean dishes that cater to those looking for a genuine taste of the region.
- Norderberg Alm: Here you can enjoy traditional meals with a modern twist while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding peaks
Resort restaurants
- Glennie’s: located in the heart of the resort, Glennie’s offers a fusion of international and local cuisines in a modern, stylish setting. It's a great choice for diners looking for a sophisticated evening out with a variety of flavorful dishes.
- Cafe Bar Haltestelle: Here is a cozy spot for coffee lovers and casual diners. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, it serves a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, and light meals, making it perfect for a leisurely break.
- Pizzeria Ferrari: Known for its authentic wood-fired pizzas, this pizzeria is a favorite among those craving Italian classics in a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
Things to do in Niederau
- Cross-country skiing
- Sledging
- Snow tubing
- Snowshoe walking
- Winter hiking
- Tobogganing
- Paragliding
Niederau après-ski, and nightlife
- O'Malley's Bar: a lively spot known for its friendly atmosphere, themed party nights and extensive selection of beers and spirits.
- Dorfstub'n Bar: a great place to mingle with locals and fellow travelers, offering a range of local and international beverages.
- Cave Bar: famous for its vibrant après-ski scene, and with its unique cave-like interior, this bar provides an exciting backdrop for evening entertainment, including live DJs and dancing.
- Dorfstub'n: a versatile venue known for its hearty Alpine dishes during the day and transforming into a bustling bar at night.
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Niederau resort map
Download Niederau resort map here