Salzburger Land, or rather the brand name “SalzburgerLand”, is one of the top destinations for a skiing holiday in Austria. Many well-known ski resorts are located here, such as Zell am See-Kaprun, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Obertauern. SnowTrex has put together 10 good reasons why “SalzburgerLand” is worth a ski holiday for every winter sports enthusiast.
1. Slopes for every taste
With over 20 ski regions, “SalzburgerLand” offers perfect opportunities for every level of ability! If you prefer small and family-friendly slopes, the ski areas of the Salzburger Lungau, the Almenwelt Lofer or the Wildkogel Arena are the perfect choice. The Hochkönig region, the Salzburger Sportwelt or the Gastein Valley offer more kilometres of pistes and therefore more downhill options. The largest and now probably best-known ski areas include the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Zell am See-Kaprun, Obertauern and not forgetting Snow Space Salzburg.
Ski legend Marcel Hirscher comes from Salzburger Land and knows exactly what makes his home region so special in winter:
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In addition to local ski passes, there are also various network tickets that allow you to explore a different ski area or ski region every day. In addition to the already established Ski amadé multi-day passes (which include five major ski areas), the Ski Alpin Card has been a new addition since 2019. It allows winter sports enthusiasts to explore three large ski areas (Zell am See, Kaprun, Skicircus). Probably the best-known card is the Super Ski Card, which is valid for all 22 ski regions and ski areas in Salzburger Land.
2. Guaranteed snow? Of course!
The ski destinations in “SalzburgerLand” invest heavily in the expansion of snow safety every year. Around 90 % of all ski slopes can already be covered with snow, and in some ski regions snow coverage is even 100 % of the slopes. Ski resorts at higher altitudes also offer a long season. In Obertauern, for example, you can ski from the end of November to the beginning of May and Sportgastein also extends the winter season until the end of April. In Salzburg’s Kitzsteinhorn-Kaprun glacier ski area, the cable cars operate all year round and skiing usually continues until the end of June.
3. Families are welcome in “SalzburgerLand”
Numerous family-friendly ski areas with child-friendly slopes and particularly child-friendly lifts (magic carpet, special safety bar on chairlifts for children) make “SalzburgerLand” the perfect destination for a family holiday. Attractive ski course offers are available throughout the winter season, not just during the holiday periods. Even the little ones (from 2-3 years) can experience their first fun in the snow. Ski courses are offered by certified ski instructors for every age and ability level. Whether as a one-day or weekly course, as a half-day or full-day course, whether exclusive or including lunch – whatever you want and need.
St. Johann is one of the ski resorts that is particularly popular with families:
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St. Johann is one of the absolute family meccas in Salzburger Land. To make their very first turns in the snow, families head to St. Johann’s local mountain, where a platter lift can be used completely free of charge. The village also offers the perfect gateway to the Snow Space Salzburg ski area in the heart of Salzburger Land, which covers 210 kilometres of pistes and reaches up to almost 2,000 metres: With ski hire, 4 ski schools, the Snowpark Alpendorf and children’s safety bars on all chairlifts, the ski area is ideally equipped to provide young and old with unforgettable fun on the slopes and to teach the next generation of skiers the correct skiing technique. While the children are learning, their parents can let off steam on the more challenging pistes, visit a ski school or relax in one of the many mountain huts such as the Oberforsthofalm or the Buchau Hütte.
St. Johann also offers numerous activities away from the snow slopes, such as tobogganing fun on the natural toboggan run on the Hahnbaum, romantic horse-drawn carriage rides or ice skating in the centre of St. Johann. There are also winter hikes together on the Stefflmoos circular trail, spa offers and countless shopping opportunities to make a winter holiday unforgettable for every member of the family.
4. Many well-known winter sports resorts
Saalbach, Zell am See-Kaprun, Gastein, Maria Alm, Obertauern, Flachau and so on and so forth – the list of well-known winter sports resorts in “SalzburgerLand” is long. Each resort has its own unique flair. All of them together cater to the most diverse demands of winter holidaymakers: from a dignified relaxing holiday in health regions such as Gastein to a more “hustle and bustle” holiday in Saalbach – there is no shortage of variety on offer in “SalzburgerLand”.
In Bad Gastein, it’s not just the charm of the town itself that impresses, but also the surrounding mountains:
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5. Attractive alternatives to skiing
If you’re not so keen on skiing, there are numerous options in “SalzburgerLand”. For example, the Wildkogel Arena has the longest floodlit toboggan run (14 km). The Salzburger Sportwelt and Grossarltal also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides. Six thermal spas throughout “SalzburgerLand” also provide relaxation, such as the Felsentherme in Bad Gastein and the Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein.
For those who prefer a sporty holiday without skis, there are countless winter hiking trails – at altitude or in the valley – where you can enjoy the scenery, head out on one of the Nordic sports trails or enjoy the ascent instead of the descent on a ski tour.
6. Freeride Mecca
Those who love deep snow and powder are in good hands in the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. With its varied freeride routes, Fieberbrunn in particular has blossomed into an absolute freeride Mecca and also boasts a number of scene events: both the Freeride World Tour and the FreerideTestival usually make a stop here every year to bring together deep snow freaks and those who want to become one and conquer the powder of the Kitzbühel Alps.
These spectacular shots show why the Salzburger Land region is not just a true freeride Mecca for professionals:
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7. Lounge atmosphere, après-ski and ski festivals
If you want to celebrate legendary après-ski after a day on the piste, there’s no getting round Saalbach Hinterglemm in “SalzburgerLand”. On the scale of the most popular après-ski destinations, the region always ranks at the top of the list throughout Austria. There are also legendary ski opening events to which thousands of dance-loving ski fans travel every year to Saalbach or Zell am See-Kaprun, for example, to take part in the “Rave on Snow” festival or the “WOW Glacier Love Festival” and let the night turn into day to the beats of countless DJs and live acts. However, winter sports enthusiasts who are not into the dance floor can also head to cosy bars and restaurants. There you can enjoy a schnapps in a relaxed atmosphere. An alternative, but also nice “après-ski” end to a day on the piste!
8. Get a taste of professional skiing
Sporting highlights in “SalzburgerLand” include the annual ski jumping competition finals at the Four Hills Tournament in Bischofshofen as well as the FIS World Cup events in Flachau and Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, among others. Freeriders are particularly recommended to visit the aforementioned freeride Mecca of Fieberbrunn, where the Freeride World Tour usually makes a stop every year.
The home of skiing legend Hermann Maier regularly hosts the Alpine Ski World Cup:
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9. Varied cultural events
There are also various cultural events in the snow throughout “SalzburgerLand”, such as the art festival “Art on Snow” in Gastein or the music festival “Snow Jazz Gastein”, which is also based there. And let’s not forget the variety of events in Salzburg itself (Mozart Week, Easter Festival etc.).
Art made of snow and ice fascinates visitors to Bad Gastein:
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The gourmets among winter sports fans are in good hands in “SalzburgerLand”, especially during the various culinary events: for example, the “Ski and Wine Enjoyment Week” takes place every year in the Ski amadé or the “Craft Beer Festival” in the Hochkönig region.
10. Insider tip: Saalbach tree-top trail
A very special attraction and still largely an insider tip is the Baumzipfelweg near Saalbach. Away from the hustle and bustle, visitors hike along an exciting themed hiking trail built high up and leading along the treetops. Why Baumzipfelweg and not Baumwipfelweg? Because every visitor receives a green pointed cap as a souvenir at the entrance to the trail. It takes around 45 minutes for young and old to reach the Lindlingalm, where you can enjoy hot chocolate, hunting tea and local specialities. After regaining your strength, you can return by toboggan or horse-drawn sleigh.
Sporting thrills in Salzburger Land are not only provided by fast descents, but also by other attractions:
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Fancy a skiing holiday in Salzburger Land?
