As well as making a fun change on a skiing holiday, tobogganing in Upper Austria is also a popular way of spending quality time with friends or colleagues. As soon as winter has tucked the toboggan runs under a blanket of snow, the season can begin.

In the heights of the Mühlviertel region in the north as well as in state's southern mountains. Bad Goisern, for example, is the Mecca for sled sports in the Salzkammergut and has hosted the daredevils participating in the World Luge Natural Track Championships. The Trockentann toboggan run, which is partially illuminated at night, is a highlight for sledders. Tobogganing is also available in the holiday region of Pyhrn-Priel in the south east of Upper Austria. Here, the Zottensberg natural toboggan run - stretching over a kilometre - can be enjoyed in Rosenau am Hengstpass. Thanks to floodlighting, sledding can continue well into the night.

Ice stock sport (also known as German curling) and ice skating are slippery, but above all fun activities.

It's not just little skaters who are drawn to explore the frozen lakes and rivers of Upper Austria in the winter. Getting out and about in the fresh air and performing a balancing act on the polished ice are great ways of letting your hair down for a few hours.

A relaxed ice stock game with friends, family or colleagues is also great entertainment - and there's usually a glass or two of warming mulled wine.