Hallstatt in winter

Hi,

I'm planning on spending 2-3 nights in Hallstatt in December and would like to know if there are any good nature-like things to do at this time like a day walk somewhere. Are there specific tours that do day walks in Hallstatt?

Also, are there any hostel-type/budget accommodations in Hallstatt?

Thanks.

There are decent hostel-style dorms above the Zur Muehle restaurant in a very good location just off the town centre...also a HI hostel in Obertraun on the far side of the lake...

You won't be stuck for places to explore...eg, you could spend the best part of a day just walking around the lake, stopping off here and there...also there is a funicular which takes you up the mountain directly behind the village where you can have a drink or a meal at Rudolf's tower and then head off on one of the trails...or take the boat across the lake and then head up to the Dachstein ice-caves and afterwards ascend to the summit of Krippenstein mountain where there is a very good hut/restaurant and walks in several directions...

The tourist office in town can supply you with info and maps for walks etc...

I'd think you'll need snowshoes (I did in March) but there are some trails starting basically right in Hallstatt.