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1000 m |
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2096 m |
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1096 m |
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200 km |
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40 Mountain Restaurants |
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10 km |
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Salzburg 1.5 hours |
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RESORT PROFILE
Saalbach and the neighbouring village of Hinterglemm lie in the Glemm Valley and the linked Saalbach-Hinterglemm ‘Ski Circus’ offers fantastic skiing and snowboarding on over 200 kilometres of well-groomed piste. The area boasts a modern lift system that efficiently handles the number of skiers and snowboarders this resort attracts and both Saalbach and Hinterglemm offer lively après-ski at the bottom of the slopes.
The area is best suited to strong intermediates who will relish skiing the circuit in both directions (our favourite is clockwise) clocking up some serious miles as they go. The slopes of Leogang, on the other side of the mountain from Saalbach are not to be missed for the range of slopes and good, long valley runs; the Alte Schmiede Hut (Old Smithy) at the top of Leogang is a gem of a mountain restaurant.
Saalbach’s resort centre is compact and traffic free with the bulk of its hotels located here with easy walking access to the lifts. There are plenty of lively bars, restaurants, cafés and shops.
LIFTS AND SLOPES
With over 200 kilometres of piste to choose from, there is something for everyone here. New lifts are built every summer (including heated chairs) and the lift system copes admirably with the large number of holidaymakers.
The resort lies at over 1000 metres and there is extensive snow-making ensuring great skiing until early April. There are 9 access points along the valley and a free ski bus services the entire length of the valley connecting Vorderglemm, Saalbach and Hinterglemm.
There are some wonderful mountain huts with a number of different character themes (goats, horses?!) and the level of competition keeps the quality high and the prices refreshingly low. Most of the huts have extensive sun terraces, all of which offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valley below.
 SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
For beginners, the nursery slopes are directly above the resort centre convenient for both the central hotels and host of ice and umbrella bars at the bottom of the slopes.
For second week skiers through to advanced skiers, you quite simply could not ask for more and whilst true expert skiers may find the overall area less appealing, there are some steep black runs including the World Cup downhill run off the top of Zwölferkogel. There is also some great tree skiing and good lift-accessible off-piste to be explored particularly at the end of the valley.
Snowboarders are well catered for both on piste and also in the half pipe and fun parks.
Ski Line is an innovative new scheme allowing you to measure your daily vertical metres by logging on and registering your lift pass number. You can also compete for monthly prizes - visit skiline.cc for more details.
OFF THE SLOPES
As the skiing day draws to a close, the mountain huts and bars swing into action in true Austrian fashion. Just above Saalbach’s centre, the Fageralm pulsates from 3pm whilst Saalbach’s centre has a great choice of lively après-ski haunts.
Aside from the great skiing, snowboarding and après ski, holidaymakers can also enjoy sleigh rides, floodlit skiing, ski shows and the swimming and sauna centre in Hinterglemm.
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