Annaberg im Lammertal is a small, unspoilt village in the Salzburg region of Austria that sits beneath some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Austrian Alps. This is the birthplace of Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time World Cup overall champion and double Olympic gold medallist, who made his first turns on these very slopes. Annaberg is part of the wider Dachstein West ski region, connecting with Russbach and Gosau across 142km of pistes, though the local Annaberg pass covers 13km of runs accessed by the Donnerkogelbahn gondola and Kopfbergbahn. It's a quiet, welcoming resort with an intimate scale that suits those looking for an authentic Austrian mountain village rather than a big-name destination.

The local skiing stretches from 745m to around 1,600m, with wide, well-groomed runs winding through dense winter forest beneath the backdrop of the Dachstein glacier and the jagged limestone peaks beyond. Terrain suits beginners and intermediates well, with gentle blues and flowing reds making up the majority of the skiing, and the Marcel Hirscher Rennstrecke provides a timed giant slalom course for those wanting to test themselves. Snowmaking covers the key runs, and the season runs from early December to early April. Ski buses connect the three Dachstein West villages for anyone wanting to explore the wider area.

Beyond the slopes, Annaberg's Lammertal valley has a charm that rewards slowing down. Horse-drawn sleigh rides through snow-covered meadows and frozen streams are a highlight, and several mountain huts host candlelit evenings with traditional dishes like Kasnocken and Germknödel served by the fireplace. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ski touring provide active alternatives, and bus and train travel is accessible throughout the region, including into Salzburg city itself for a rest-day trip.