Korbersee lake by snowshoe: reaching the Austrian Alps' winter wonderland

A guide's journal, part 3 of 3

By now, our group has found its stride in the Austrian Alps. We've mastered the snowshoeing technique, grown comfortable with the alpine terrain, and learned to trust our capabilities. Which makes today's destination feel even more special. Taking our group to Korbersee is always a real highlight of this tour, and I can sense the anticipation as we set off. 

It's a stunning walking destination at any time of year, but in winter, it becomes something truly extraordinary. The lake and surrounding mountains with their spectacular rock formations are lovely, and there's something about reaching this place on snowshoes that makes the experience feel genuinely privileged. 

We snowshoe for a couple of hours to reach Korbersee, following good tracks through the winter landscape. Along the way, we also have the option to indulge in some wonderfully fun tumbling through snowy meadows. There's something liberating about being adults who aren't afraid to play in the snow, and the laughter that accompanies these moments often breaks down any remaining reserve within the group.

Once we reach Korbersee, with its friendly hotel overlooking the lake, we're rewarded with hot chocolate on the terrace. The backdrop is simply spectacular. Mountains rise on all sides, their peaks sharp against the winter sky, and the frozen lake stretches before us in pristine silence. These are the moments that define why we lead walking tours, why we choose to share these special places with others. 

It's a very special place, this. Not crowded, not overrun, just beautifully preserved and accessible to those willing to make the snowshoeing journey to reach it.

This winter tour stands apart from my usual European leading in so many ways. The silence here is profound. When we pause during our snowshoeing, the quiet can feel almost tangible. The hillsides stretch white as far as we can see, with the snow muffling any sounds, creating a landscape that feels pristine and deeply calm. 

Watching the progression of our colourfully-clad Ramble Worldwide clients as they wind their way across the white landscape or through the woods captures perfectly what this tour represents. It's a different experience even for those clients who usually ski. When we're snowshoeing, we truly go off-piste, accessing terrain and views that would be impossible otherwise.

Our hotel throughout the week exemplifies everything wonderful about Austrian hospitality. It's family-run, genuinely cosy, and the meals are hearty and delicious. Apfelstrudel with vanilla sauce appears regularly on the menu at the mountain huttes we visit for lunch, and it becomes a firm favourite with every group. 

There's something about the combination of physical exertion, stunning winter scenery, warm huttes, and this level of genuine hospitality that creates the perfect winter holiday. Clients leave feeling they've truly experienced the Austrian Alps in winter, not as observers but as active participants in this beautiful white world.

If you're considering this tour but haven't snowshoed before or experienced an active winter holiday, please don't worry. The techniques are straightforward, the guides are excellent, and the rewards are fabulous. Yes, it's a great workout, but you'll be amazed at how quickly you adapt and how much you can achieve. 

The winter wonderland of the Lechtal Valley feels both calm and exhilarating. It's pristine in a way that's increasingly rare, and being able to explore it on snowshoes, to venture properly off the beaten track, makes this tour genuinely special. What a remarkable corner of Austria this is.