Schladming, Dachstein, Ramsau

All kinds of tales and legends swirl about the highest mountain in Styria. Enchanted alpine pastures and the devil himself have left their traces here.

Popular local legends report, for example, that the devil once forged horseshoes onto the feet of wanton girls – iron found in the glacial ice is said to attest to that fact... No girl was ever punished that way in Schladming, of course. Instead, they host their “Autumn of the Farmers’ Wives”, during which rural products are featured as part of many special events. Neither should we forget the celebrations associated with the return of cattle from summer grazing or Harvest Festival, traditional customs with a close connection to the farming community. Guests with sporting ambitions should definitely enter the Fassdauben races: the staves of old barrels are used in this event as skis. Genussregion Gröbminger Land promises a variety of regional specialties – hearty and light, something for every course. The Ramsau region lies on a sunny plateau, and is not just an El Dorado for winter sports enthusiasts. The Austriahütte Alpine Museum documents the early days of tourism in the Alps, and the life of mountaineers, whilst Rittisberg mountain is ideal for a fun- and variety-filled day with the whole family. Ramsau is very conscious of its old traditions, a fact reflected both in its wintertime Perchten processions, as well as in its folk theater and, most importantly of all, its folk music.  And an essential element of any community gathering is the diatonic button accordion.