Winter (December to March) is the primary season. January is usually the snowiest and coldest month, and the World Cup Night Slalom — held on a Tuesday evening in mid-January — is the high point of the social calendar. Snow cover on the four main mountains is reliable from late November through March, with snow-making filling any gaps. The Dachstein Glacier above Ramsau offers skiing in summer and early autumn.
Summer (June to September) has become genuinely worth considering. The gondolas run for hikers and mountain bikers, the Dachstein views are spectacular, and the town is peaceful. Accommodation is cheaper and the roads quiet. The Enns Valley in summer is very green, and the contrast between the forested valley floor and the limestone peaks above is striking.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the off-season: ski lifts closed, hiking season not yet open or just ending. Most restaurants and hotels stay open, but the energy is low. Only worth it if you want the town to yourself.