Spots in this article:
Wallersee
Mondsee
Wolfgangsee
Lake Traunsee
Lake Attersee
Grundlsee
Thermal winds, cold front, warm front.... If you want to find your way around the lakes of the Salzkammergut, you should be a trained meteorologist or have a good connection to the local surfing scene. In contrast to many spots by the sea, each lake has its own wind laws, which in turn depend on the general weather conditions in Europe. Too complicated for the windsurfing tourist. In the following spot guide, we have collected the best-known surf spots on the Salzburg lakes and described the corresponding wind directions and wind types for a relaxed gliding feeling.
So it was the locals on site who started keeping a record of the particularly good windy days a few years ago to see the laws behind this complicated natural phenomenon. One of the first was Horst Spreitzer from Salzburg, now a veteran of the surfing scene and co-founder of Lakesurfers Salzburg, an association that is supported by many local windsurfers and aims to revitalise the scene in the region. The club website ( www.lakesurfers.at ) publishes wind reports almost daily from spring to autumn and also communicates the conditions on site almost live. Social media makes it possible!
The locals have an above-average surfing level
It was all a bit more complicated 20 years ago. Thanks to mobile phones, which at the time were still XL-sized and had no internet access, the locals kept each other informed about the wind speeds on the lakes, which resulted in a considerable number of surfing days during the season. This was also reflected in the above-average surfing level. Around the turn of the millennium, names such as Bernie Seidl, Ossi Krupitz, Horst Spreitzer and Michael Kalensky were known far beyond Austria's borders and also achieved top positions in the Freestyle World Cup.
A lot has happened since then. The "Lakesurfers" have survived the kitesurfing boom unscathed and a lot is happening again with the next generation. After all, the old guard is getting on in years, which doesn't detract from their passion for windsurfing, but the next generation is now waiting in the wings.
Where there's Horstl, there's wind
As different as the wind systems are, so are the types of people who take to the water in the Salzkammergut. The repertoire of surf freaks ranges from bankers and bon vivants to students. However, everyone knows "Horstl", who has been a firm favourite among Salzkammergut surfers for years. He is always there where there is wind. Whether it's a three Beaufort easterly wind on Lake Wallersee or a gale force eight on Lake Wolfgangsee. When it comes to surfing, his eyes light up and he can no longer be kept on the shore.
He was one of the first to bring freestyle to the Salzkammergut. In recent years, however, he has dedicated himself more to raceboarding. Thanks to his job, he packs up his surfing gear in the early afternoon and sets off for the lakes, but never without checking the wind first and, just like windsurfing, at a high level.
The strength of the surface wind in the lowlands, fronts moving across the border from Germany or even foehn windows breaking onto the lakes - Horstl is always in the know and is the weatherman of the scene. The good thing is that he (and of course others) pass on his findings in the Lakesurfers forum, providing other windsurfers with an invaluable service.
Shapers, worldcuppers, regatta legends - they all come to the Salzburg lakes
While Horstl provides the scene with wind information, Gerhard "Scharli" Scharl is the "house shaper" in the scene. Yes, you read that right, Scharli has made it his passion to shape boards hundreds of kilometres from the nearest beach. Initially only as a hobby and mostly for the Lakesurfers, Scharl launched his own brand "We One" in 2023. His boards have always been well received in the scene. So of course Horstl rides his boards and is impressed by the speed of his slalom racer. "Scharli's boards are 'killer rockets' and really fast," Horstl summarises. He has already reached an impressive 70 km/h on the water. On his home lake Wolfgangsee, of course, and with his 90-litre custom-made plane. This makes him one of the fastest in the scene.
Only ex-worldcupper and Duotone developer Marco Lang stands out in terms of speed. The Upper Austrian naturally took advantage of his proximity to the Salzkammergut region and spent many hours surfing here. Even today, he still regularly tests the latest Duotone prototypes at his home spots - often together with PWA racer Jordy Vonk, who also lives in the area.
More beautiful than Hawaii and Mauritius
For Salzburg native Leo Schraml, the days of hard racing are already a few years in the past. He has been sailing on the local lakes since 1974 and successfully competed in regattas even before the PWA Tour came into being. Six Austrian champions and a European Championship runner-up title are testament to his surfing skills, which he now prefers to show off on Lake Wolfgangsee and Lake Mondsee. Together with his wife Magdalena, he enjoys weekends on the lakes and thinks it's simply the most beautiful place to be - with or without a surfboard. He should know, after all, he has already surfed the best waves in the world, from Hawaii to Mauritius and Jamaica.
There are many more interesting people to write about who have dedicated their lives to surfing on their doorstep. The addiction to windsurfing has united them and so you can meet them on the shores of the Salzkammergut lakes. At least when there is wind.
The best windsurfing spots on the Salzburg lakes
Wallersee
The Wallersee is a year-round spot for die-hards, which works well in both westerly and easterly wind directions. In spring, it is one of the lakes that warms up the fastest and guarantees good weather in easterly winds. In westerly winds, the wind blows over the hills of Seekirchen into the basin and can reach up to seven Beaufort. If it is too northerly, it can become gusty, in which case the better spot is on the Henndorf side. Then you can surf well from the Fenninger Spitz towards Henndorf. The wind on Lake Wallersee can be very gusty, regardless of whether it is westerly or easterly. The west wind in particular is very inconsistent when it turns slightly to the north or south. If there is no wind, there are plenty of alternatives at Lake Wallersee, such as SUP excursions or a tour around the lake on a mountain bike. The main wind seasons are spring and autumn. However, easterly winds of six Beaufort are not impossible even in summer. During the rest of the year, the lake is ideal for autumn storms. However, the Wolfgangsee is the better choice in the event of a very strong cooling front.
1) Zell am Wallersee
The spot works well in all wind directions, only if the wind is too northerly a hill shields the spot. There is a charge for the car park, but a large sunbathing area awaits windsurfers, although it can be very crowded in high summer. The spot works equally well in westerly and easterly winds. However, it can be a little gusty on the shore. The entry is very flat with a short standing area.
2) Seekirchen bathing beach
The spot is right next to the beach in Seekirchen. Caution: In high summer, the beach is very crowded and should be avoided. In the low season, however, there is plenty of space and the beach is the ideal spot in an easterly wind. Kiters have also discovered the spot for themselves. The start is at a large jetty, the first few metres have to be crossed out of the bay into the wind, after which you have the whole width of the lake at your disposal. The restaurant right next to the beach is a great place to warm up or recharge your batteries.
3) Fenninger Spitz
The Fenninger Spitz is actually a large campsite, the surf spot can be reached by going through the campsite (entrance fee) onto a kind of peninsula that is well ventilated. In a NW direction, this is the ideal spot, unless there is a marked cooling, in which case Lake Wolfgangsee is the better choice. Here, too, the westerly wind is often gusty, but there have also been days with seven Beaufort winds when a storm front passes over the lake.
Mondsee
Lake Mondsee is a very special lake for windsurfers. Although it also works with normal north-westerly and sometimes southerly winds, there are no official entrances for these wind directions. The time for good Mondsee days comes in autumn, when the temperature fluctuations between day and night are high and a fog bank forms between Mondsee and Attersee. If there is also a light easterly current and a light southerly wind on the Feuerkogel (information on the Upper Austria weather page of ORF.at), then the "fog wind" can reach a good six Beaufort. The best time of day is around midday, when the fog disappears, the wind also recedes and the spook is over again. The fog wind can last until November, when it is usually warm and sunny due to the Föhn wind.
4) Gallery/Scharfling
From Mondsee, drive along the south side of the lake in the direction of the tunnel, shortly before you reach the spot. The car park can be used for a small fee. From here you surf towards the centre of the lake and are at the best spot on the lake. The wind is sometimes stronger at the gallery.
5) Dax Lueg
From the village of Mondsee, the route heads north towards Attersee. After Loibichl, the road leaves the lake and returns to the lake after a hill. There are several car parks by the lake. You should not drive to the spot too late, otherwise all the spaces will be taken. Rig up on the narrow and stony shore, then head towards the centre of the lake for the first few metres in a mostly gusty wind. Caution: When the wind dies down, the last few metres back to the shore can be a bit of a struggle.
6) Fish farming
If the basic wind comes more from the east, then this spot is the best choice.
Wolfgangsee
Lake Wolfgangsee is the "favourite spot" for many locals from the Salzkammergut. The reason for this is the many days of strong winds during cold fronts. When a cold front approaches the region, the car park at Gamsjaga is packed. The sun often shines in summery temperatures until the front approaches from the north with dark clouds. Then everything happens very quickly. Within a few minutes, Dr Jekyll turns into Mr Hyde, usually with wind forces of up to nine Beaufort, a good wave and a chill of over ten degrees.
Lake Wolfgangsee is just as good and popular when the foehn is strong. As the foehn is unpredictable and often gusty, surfers need to be lucky to catch one of the "Epic Days". The Brunnwind is ideal for freeriders. It is created in summer by a light NW current supported by thermals and reaches an average of three to four Beaufort.
7) Gamsjaga surfing spot
The surf spot is the most popular spot on Lake Wolfgangsee. Firstly, it is free of charge and secondly, it offers good parking facilities directly on the main road. That's why you shouldn't drive to the lake too late, otherwise everything will already be full of surf buses and camper vans. When there is a cold front, the entire surfing scene in the region gathers here. Then they rig up in the sunshine and wait until the front pushes over the mountains from the north. Then everything happens quickly and suddenly the colourful sails fly over the turquoise blue water. When the wind is blowing in summer, the spot is also ideal for boarding. Caution: There are a lot of divers here, so be careful when entering.
8) Lueg
The spot is located south of St. Gilgen and is a very popular entry point in autumn when there is a foehn wind. Surfers are tolerated here, please ask the neighbours and owners, if present, in a friendly manner. The south wind blows sideshore from the right and is very unpredictable and gusty. It can be as strong as nine Beaufort, but can also gust and weaken at the glide limit.
Lake Traunsee
Lake Traunsee is the thermal spot in the region. Two winds play a decisive role here. The low wind and the upper wind. The latter blows in the second half of the night and stops at around 9 o'clock. The low wind blows in the afternoon and usually reaches three to four Beaufort. Fair weather is a prerequisite for both winds and both are subject to special wind conditions. The upper wind is ideal for early risers. You should check the wind values on the Feuerkogel and in the city of Salzburg from around 3 o'clock in the morning. If a W-NW wind is blowing on the Feuerkogel and a strong southerly in the city, then it's worth setting off towards Lake Traunsee. The stronger the two winds are on the Feuerkogel and in Salzburg, the stronger the upper wind blows. Six Beaufort is then not uncommon. However, it usually reaches between four and five Beaufort. The low wind is a thermal wind that works well with good weather and a north-easterly current. However, it rarely gets stronger than four to five Beaufort.
9) Traunkirchen
Traunkirchen is the spot near Oberwind. You can park in the town centre and then carry your equipment a few metres to the beach. You should be careful in the early morning, as the wind can quickly die down. Then swimming is the order of the day.
10) Ebensee/Rindbach
There is a surfing and kitesurfing beach in Rindbach when the wind is low. The wind blows onshore here and usually reaches three to four Beaufort. Ideal for large slalom equipment.
11) Surf meadow at the Gmunden surf club
The spot works on a few days a year when there is a good easterly wind. When it's calm, the wakeboard school next door provides action.
Lake Attersee
Lake Attersee is ideal for freeriders and slalom skiers. Only the many private beaches and access points to the lake limit the fun a little. With a good easterly wind and a south-westerly wind, you can still find good conditions.
12) Weyregg
The access is directly on the road, parking spaces are often in short supply, especially in high summer. Lake Attersee usually has a light breeze just at the glide limit. However, with a strong westerly current, the lake can also show its stormy side.
Grundlsee
Grundlsee is not one of the best surfing lakes in the Salzkammergut, but when the wind blows, the lake offers surfing fun against a unique mountain backdrop in Ausseerland. The lake works in spring with W-NW currents. It is particularly good when there is a cold front. In summer, thermal winds prevail. In the morning, a light easterly wind blows from the "Totes Gebirge", in the afternoon the wind shifts to the west and can reach three to four Beaufort.
13) East bank
There are several car parks on the eastern shore. The best ones are at the Bräuhof/Bettlumkehr and at the Grundlsee surfing area.
Territory info Salzkammergut
Journey
It is around 180 kilometres from Munich to the Salzkammergut. Take the A8 motorway to Rosenheim and continue to the Austrian border. From here, take the A1 motorway (note: toll) towards Vienna and, depending on the lake, take the Wallersee exit or the Attersee exit. The lakes are all within an hour's drive.
Shops
Seidl Board & Fashion , Gnigler Straße 35, A-5020 Salzburg, Tel. +43/662/871578, www.boardshop.at
Accommodation
Information on accommodation in the region at www.salzkammergut.at
Wind and weather
West windThe westerly wind usually develops with or before a low-pressure disturbance that moves from the Atlantic over Central Europe to Austria. A distinction must be made between warm and cold fronts. The strongest winds often occur with cold fronts, although these are often accompanied by NW winds. Warm fronts with winds from the west to south-west are more moderate, but can also last longer. Once the front has passed through, the wind is gone again.
East wind:The easterly wind is created by a strong high in Russia and an area of low pressure over the Aegean and Mediterranean. Central Europe lies between the two systems and is ventilated by the easterly wind. The easterly wind usually blows in spring and late summer and brings fresh air to the region, especially in spring.
South wind/Foehn:The Föhn is a warm downslope wind that is created by a low-pressure system in the south of the Alps. It works best in valleys with a north-south orientation. The foehn is often unpredictable and can vary from a gentle breeze to a strong storm. In autumn, the foehn usually brings warm temperatures with it, which makes windsurfing more pleasant in the colder months of the year.
Thermals:Thermals work from spring to autumn and are strongest when the temperature difference between day and night is at its highest. The weather has to be fine for this and currents from different directions can also support the thermals. Due to the many mountains around the lakes, thermals play a major role on the lakes in the Salzkammergut.
Weather/wind information: The best site for wind forecasts is the Lakesurfers forum, which posts wind information almost daily. There are also links to the well-known weather sites and wind forecasts.
By the way, the usual pages www.wetteronline.de , www.windfinder.com and www.windguru.cz recommended.
For local wind information www.orf.at ideal. The current wind values are shown here. You should definitely look at several forecasts and then decide whether to pack your surf gear in the car and set off.
Webcams: The Lakesurfers forum contains links to the various webcams in the region. The developments of the last few hours are also displayed here, which can be helpful for forecasting.
