The 15th Styrian Alpine Lamb Festival Returned to the Hauser Kaibling

Three years after the last event, the Styrian Alpine Lamb Festival took place once again on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Styrian Alpine Lamb Festival took place once again at Hauser Kaibling. Regional cuisine, living traditions, and a varied family program made for a wonderful day of celebration in the mountains.

The festival began with a prayer service. One of the highlights of the day followed with the traditional procession of the sheep herd, accompanied by the shepherds and the herding dog. In the International Year of Grasslands and Shepherd Culture 2026, the handing over of the shepherd’s staff also sent a special message: Master Shepherd Martin Winz from Halle an der Saale, who in 2008 became the first mountain shepherd to work at Hauser Kaibling, presented it to the current shepherd, Johannes Flazt. Sheep grazing on the alpine pastures and slopes contributes significantly to the preservation of the cultural landscape. A glance beyond the region also shows that grazing landscapes play a significant role worldwide: More than half of the Earth’s land area is covered by pasture.

Sheep shearing, a sheep’s wool guessing game, local exhibitors, and regional lamb dishes were among the highlights of the festival, as was the musical entertainment provided by d’Hoabuachan. The exhibition of snow groomers, snow cannons, and Ski-Doos was also very well received. 

Families also took advantage of the diverse offerings. A petting zoo, craft and face-painting stations, and the interactive activities in Wollis Berg Welt provided plenty of variety throughout the day. “The Almlammfest has once again impressively demonstrated how regional tradition and mountain adventures can be combined for the whole family. Events like this enrich our summer offerings and make Hauser Kaibling even more attractive as a vacation and day-trip destination,” said Klaus Hofstätter, managing director of Hauser Kaibling.

“We’re very pleased that we were able to host an Almlammfest again after a three-year hiatus. This festival vividly demonstrates the great importance that sheep farming holds for our entire region and for the preservation of our landscape,” said Josef Promok, chairman of the Schaferlebnis am Hauser Kaibling association.

The 15th Styrian Alpine Lamb Festival was organized by the “Schaferlebnis am Hauser Kaibling” association.

About the Hauser Kaibling

In the summer, the Hauser Kaibling invites visitors to explore the Schladming-Dachstein vacation region with its diverse hiking trails, biking opportunities, regional cuisine, and unique nature experiences. At Wollis Berg Welt, families can enjoy a wide range of activities—from a petting zoo and the SCHAFsprungTurm to water zorbing and many other highlights. The Hauser Kaibling is the highest mountain in the Schladming 4-Mountain Ski Area and part of Ski amadé. As one of Austria’s most snow-reliable ski mountains, guests can look forward to 123 kilometers of slopes in winter, the spectacular FIS World Cup downhill run, state-of-the-art cable cars, and a 24,000 m² children’s ski area at the valley station. Through ongoing investments in infrastructure, quality, and recreational offerings, the Hauser Kaibling is continuously strengthening its position as a year-round destination. The Hauser Kaibling employs up to 100 local staff members.

Photo credit: Franz Gruber-Veit

Caption: Together with shepherds, guests of honor, and numerous participants, the 15th Styrian Alpine Lamb Festival at Hauser Kaibling was officially opened on Sunday, July 27. Against the impressive backdrop of the large flock of sheep, the focus was on celebrating the value of regional alpine farming.

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