Anyone who has booked a ski holiday in the Schladming-Dachstein region can look forward to a wide range of on and off-piste activities for young and old. SnowTrex shows 10 reasons to increase the anticipation of a skiing holiday in Schladming-Dachstein even more.
1. 230 kilometres of pistes for every level
The Schladming-Dachstein region boasts a total of 230 kilometres of pistes and 81 modern lifts, including the most powerful chairlift in Styria, which are spread across the 4-mountain ski area and the Dachstein glacier, Fageralm, Ramsau am Dachstein ski region, Ski Galsterberg, Riesneralm and Planeralm ski areas. In the “4-Berge-Skischaukel” ski area alone, which connects the four mountains Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm, winter sports enthusiasts will find 123 carefully groomed kilometres of pistes and 44 ascent options. While children and beginners can try out their first turns on 46 kilometres of blue pistes, advanced skiers and snowboarders have the opportunity to put their technique to the test on 68 kilometres of red and 9 kilometres of black pistes. The 4-mountain ski area stretches from 728 metres to 2,015 metres above sea level.
Winter sports enthusiasts who want to go really high will get their money’s worth on the Dachstein glacier. The mountain station on the glacier is located at an altitude of 2,700 metres. If you dare, you can take a walk across the Dachstein suspension bridge or the Sky Walk. However, the view 400 metres below your feet is not for the faint-hearted. The same applies to climbing the “Stairway to Nothingness”. A visit to the “Ice Palace” requires considerably less adrenalin.
The 10 ski mountains in the Schladming-Dachstein region also boast children’s areas, funslopes – including the XXL Funslope Hauser Kaibling with a whopping 1,460 metres in length. There are also numerous restaurants, speed runs, fabulous ski routes and much more, so that winter sports enthusiasts with a wide range of interests and skill levels will get their money’s worth.
2. High snow reliability thanks to the glacier
Winter sports enthusiasts who spend their winter holiday in the Schladming-Dachstein region don’t need to worry about snow reliability. The Dachstein glacier ski area is usually open from mid-September to the beginning of May, so skiers and snowboarders can make their turns on perfectly groomed pistes on the glacier even in winters with little snow.
The mountain station on the Dachstein is also the starting point for the legendary Austrian national ski tour. The ski tour, also known as the “Dachstein Crossing”, is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region. The tour ends at the Krippenstein cable car valley station, where the Planai buses and the Ramsau transport company offer a shuttle service back to the Dachstein valley station. Depending on the snow conditions, different variants of the tour are possible.
3. Families welcome
The Schladming-Dachstein ski region is a particularly good choice for families on their upcoming winter holiday. There is a wide range of blue pistes on which the pros of tomorrow can learn their first turns. There is also a comprehensive range of ski schools, ski kindergartens and children’s areas. Here, optimally trained staff teach knowledge and technique in a fun way. The Hopsi Winterkinderland is a highlight for little skiers. Under the motto “Hopsi’s journey around the world”, children are accompanied by the World Cup mascot through Europe to China and Australia.
In addition to the children’s lands, there are other attractions that will make children’s hearts beat faster. Several funslopes, a speed track with speed measurement, a sound piste and the legendary Planai Superpark ensure skiing fun of a special kind.
Families with children who are already exploring the slopes on their own can choose one of the smaller ski areas in the Schladming-Dachstein ski region, such as the Rittisberg ski area with a manageable 30 kilometres of slopes. A small ski area has the advantage that children can find their way around more easily and meeting points are easier to organise and find for the little ones.
Last but not least, the region’s accommodation is also geared towards families, which is most evident in the numerous family-run accommodation establishments. Many of these accommodations are also located directly on the piste and provide quick and easy access to the mountains.
4. Professional air on the legendary Planai downhill run
It is one of the most famous ski runs in the world and not without reason – the Planai downhill run in Schladming. The first ski lift was built on the local mountain of the ski resort of Schladming in 1953 and the first World Cup race took place here in 1973. Professionals from all over the world have competed for the gold medal twice during the Alpine Ski World Championships, most recently in 2013. The 3.5 km long piste has a gradient of 52% at its steepest point. Accordingly, winter sports enthusiasts need not only good technique but also a good dose of courage. The extremely steep finishing slope in particular represents a serious challenge even for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Incidentally, in 1973, the winner of the World Cup race conquered the Planai at an average speed of no less than 111.22 kilometres per hour. So have a good trip!
5. Ski movie, race and speed courses for stokers
On your marks – get set – go! The Schladming-Dachstein ski region has plenty to offer winter sports enthusiasts. In addition to numerous race courses, there are two speed courses equipped with permanent speed measurement. The personal best time is displayed on the timing board at the end of the descent.
Another highlight in the Schladming-Dachstein ski region are the Ski Movie routes on the Planai and Reiteralm mountains. The slopes are equipped with numerous cameras so that ambitious winter sports enthusiasts can analyse their technique using video analysis. The video can then be downloaded from the internet so that the creator can present it to their friends at home.
The XXL Funslope Hauser Kaibling with a length of no less than 1,460 metres impresses with numerous obstacles, jumps and speed bumps. The speedy descent is guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of children and the young at heart alike:
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6. Alpine cuisine by Richard Rauch
Gourmets can enjoy culinary delights of the very finest kind as part of the “Almkulinarik by Richard Rauch” project. The Styrian 4-toque chef creates creative Alpine dishes based on down-to-earth and regional products together with several mountain hut owners in the region. Whether you are skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or enjoying another winter activity – very special Alpine dishes await you at the Almkulinarik huts:
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7. Cross-country skiing on 220 kilometres
The Schladming-Dachstein region is well-known and extremely popular with cross-country skiers even beyond Austria’s borders. The cross-country skiing area near Ramsau am Dachstein is located on a sunny plateau and is considered the Eldorado of cross-country skiing. 220 kilometres of perfectly groomed trails attract not only holidaymakers but also the international elite of Nordic skiing. 150 kilometres of trails are prepared for the classic style, 70 km for the sporty skating style. There are a total of 59 refreshment stops along the partly snow-covered trails. The glacier trails are particularly popular alongside the almost 30 km long Dachstein circuit. At an altitude of 2,700 metres, cross-country skiing enthusiasts will find the longest glacier trail in the world – the Panorama Trail, with a length of up to 18 km. The trail impresses with a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and is suitable for beginners and advanced cross-country skiers. Incidentally, the best cross-country teams usually train here from as early as September.
8. Versatile winter activities away from the piste
In addition to skiing, there are also numerous alternative activities for young and old in the Schladming-Dachstein region, so there is no risk of boredom. A highlight of the region, especially for families with children, is a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered winter landscape. This very special experience is offered in Ramsau am Dachstein.
Fat biking is also fun for young and old. Thanks to tyres up to 12 cm thick, the region can be explored on mountain bikes even in the snowy winter. The standardised fatbike routes run along groomed hiking and toboggan trails as well as ski and toboggan runs. In addition to conventional fat bikes, e-fat bikes can also be hired so that winter sports enthusiasts no longer have to rely solely on their muscle power for ascents:
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Ski yoga, on the other hand, is more relaxed. On selected dates, winter sports enthusiasts on the Hochwurzen have the opportunity to try out half an hour of ski yoga free of charge. What could be nicer than pausing for a moment after a strenuous day of skiing, breathing in the clear mountain air and surrendering to the calming effect of yoga exercises for a few moments?
Other popular off-piste activities include tandem paragliding, curling and guided winter hikes.
9. Tobogganing and skiing even at night
In Schladming-Dachstein, winter sports enthusiasts who still haven’t had enough after a varied day on the piste have the opportunity to strap on their skis again after dark. On the 3 km long piste on the Hochwurzen, night is turned into day. The piste is specially prepared for night skiing and the modern floodlight system ensures excellent visibility. Food and drink are also provided. Four huts along the piste are still open late at night.
Toboggan lovers also get their money’s worth in the evening, as the 7 km long toboggan run on the Hochwurzen is also floodlit. Whether on skis, snowboard or toboggan – whizzing down the floodlit piste in the dark is an experience that winter sports enthusiasts will not soon forget.
10. Shopping and culture in the charming town of Schladming
In the centre of the Schladming-Dachstein region, at the foot of the impressive Dachstein massif, lies the popular ski resort of Schladming, which hosted the World Ski Championships in 2013. The charming town has numerous shopping streets for shopping and strolling. Numerous street cafés and restaurants invite you to linger in a cosy atmosphere. Local Styrian-style dishes are served in the traditional inns and restaurants. Gourmets and foodies are guaranteed to get their money’s worth in the award-winning restaurant “Johann – das steirische Restaurant” or the “Almkulinarik by Richard Rauch” project: Styrian 4-toque chef Richard Rauch creates creative alpine dishes based on down-to-earth and regional products together with several mountain hut owners in the region.
Culture lovers should plan a visit to the town museum. The foundation walls of the museum were built in 1661 and were initially used to house the sick and surviving dependants of miners who had suffered accidents. Today, the museum mainly houses exhibits on the region’s mining past and the Peasants’ Wars. Schladming’s town hall with its imposing tower and unmistakable hunting lodge character is also definitely worth a visit.
Fancy a skiing holiday in Schladming-Dachstein?
FAQ
How many kilometres of pistes are there in Schladming-Dachstein?
The Schladming-Dachstein ski region offers a total of 230 kilometres of pistes spread over ten ski mountains, including the famous “4-Berge-Skischaukel” ski area with 123 km of slopes.
Which ski areas belong to the Schladming-Dachstein ski region?
The ten ski mountains include the 4-mountain ski area (Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, Reiteralm), the Dachstein glacier, the Fageralm, the Ramsau am Dachstein ski area, Ski Galsterberg, the Riesneralm and the Planneralm.
Are there special offers for families in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area?
Yes, Schladming-Dachstein is particularly family-friendly. There are many blue pistes for beginners, ski schools, ski kindergartens and special children’s areas such as the Hopsi-Winterkinderland.
What can you shop and visit in Schladming-Dachstein?
Numerous shops, restaurants and cafés in Schladming invite you to take a stroll. Cultural highlights include the town museum with its mining history and the historic town hall.
How many cross-country ski trails are there in Schladming-Dachstein?
There are a total of 220 km of perfectly groomed trails in the region, including the popular Dachstein Panorama trail at 2,700 metres above sea level.
