Top ski resorts in the Salzburg region
In this article I would like to share my experiences with the ski resorts around the city of Salzburg. Maybe it will help you to find the right ski resort for your level of skiing and your preferences.
Mühlbach am Hochkönig is one of my favourite ski regions. Mühlbach Lifts are connected with the nearby resorts of Dienten and Maria Alm, which offer a variety of excellent routes, providing a full day of intense skiing without ever skiing the same slope twice. The trails cater to a wide range of skill levels. The total length of the pistes is 120 kilometres. Of these, 60 kilometres are blue (easy) level, offering a wide and safe skiing experience. Additionally, there are approximately 40 kilometres of red pistes and 20 kilometres of black pistes. Of the three villages, Maria Alm is the largest. The town of Saalfelden, located in close proximity, offers a diverse range of retail and leisure options. The village of Mühlbach is small and the buildings are situated on steep slopes, which makes it challenging to navigate on foot. The closest rail connection to Mühlbach is in the town of Bischofshofen, which is accessible from Salzburg in 50 minutes. Bischofshofen boasts a renowned ski jumping stadium, a plethora of leisure facilities and a vibrant shopping scene.
Should you consider taking your children skiing, I would recommend a smaller resort, such as Lofer. The slopes at Lofer are predominantly designed for beginners, rendering it an excellent destination for families with young children. At the base of the cable car, there is a complimentary rope lift, which is ideal for practice before purchasing a ski pass and proceeding to the main skiing area. At the summit, one can find "magic carpets" and tow lifts, which are particularly suitable for novice skiers. Additionally, several fun parks are available with slides and images of fairytale characters. However, it is worth noting that Lofer may not present sufficient challenges for experienced skiers. The total length of the slopes is 46 kilometers, with 31 kilometers classified as blue runs. A significant advantage of Lofer is that the cost of ski passes is lower compared to larger resorts. Lofer is conveniently located only 50 kilometers from Salzburg; however, accessing the resort via public transport is somewhat inconvenient. Bus services from Salzburg to Lofer operate infrequently, thus driving or arranging a transfer would be preferable. It is also crucial to consider that the journey entails passing through Germany, where document checks may occur. In close proximity to Lofer is the Bavarian town of Bad Reichenhall, which boasts a charming town center and an exceptional spa complex known as Rupertusthermen, making it a splendid destination to visit with your children.
Another great resort for teaching children to ski is Werfenweng. The resort offers flexible and affordable rates, making it an excellent choice for families with children. The beginners' ski area includes a fun park with fairytale characters, small slides, slalom poles, an indoor ribbon lift and three buggies that move at a moderate speed. The resort is close to Salzburg and can be reached in 45 minutes by car. The only downside, in my opinion, is that the primary ski area is relatively small for experienced skiers. However, the pistes are moderate and challenging and the runs are straight and fast. I highly recommend it to ski enthusiasts looking for high-speed skiing!
If you're looking for a ski resort that offers more than just skiing, or if you have someone in your group who doesn't ski, consider the Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein. These resorts have a lot to offer including thermal springs, wellness radon tunnels and a suspension bridge with amazing views. There are also plenty of options for those looking for family-friendly hotels and apartments at reasonable prices, many of which are connected to the thermal springs.
The skiing area is quite large, covering about 100 kilometres, with a good mix of red and blue trails. However, some of the family pistes are quite narrow, which can be uncomfortable for experienced skiers. Nevertheless, the resort is a great option for families with children and older relatives. The area has excellent cross-country skiing trails either. For a change of scenery, I would recommend a day of skiing at the nearby Dorfgastein resort, which is just 20 minutes away by bus, train or taxi.
Between the two resorts, I think Bad Hofgastein is the more convenient option. It's a larger town with a pedestrian precinct and plenty of shops and restaurants. The Alpentherme Gastein spa complex is also much larger than the Felsenthermen in Bad Gastein. However, if you prefer more modern facilities, you may prefer the Felsenthermen as it is newer.
Bad Gastein is a charming historic town with a waterfall in the centre and beautiful 19th century architecture. The town sits at the foot of a mountain, so the hotels have picturesque views of the valley and the Alps. However, if you're looking for a more leisurely walk, you'll have to cope with the difference in altitude.
The resort of Radstadt is a popular destination thanks to one of the longest toboggan runs in Austria. The track is separate from the piste, wide enough for overtaking and illuminated at night. Sledges can be hired on site for €10, with an additional €10 deposit. During the day, the lift costs €20 for adults and €10 for children, or is included in a multi-day ski pass for Ski Amade. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the toboggan run is open until 21:00, with a slightly more expensive evening rate. However, there are only 17 kilometres of slopes for skiing in Radstadt, so it may not be the best choice for those looking for variety.
A village called Zauchensee, just 15 minutes from Radstadt, is one of my favourite ski resorts. It offers extensive, varied and well groomed pistes. The lifts are modern and the snow is usually good all day long. Zauchensee has a total of 45 kilometres of slopes, but if you want more you can take the free ski bus to the neighbouring valley in just one minute and explore the Flachauwinkl - Kleinarl - Flachau - Wagrain - Sankt Johann Im Pongau region for even more skiing.
Kleinarl is a charming village situated in the Alpine valley of the Arles River. It has many hotels that offer spa treatments, traditional restaurants, hiking trails, and cross-country ski trails. The skiing area is vast, with lifts connecting Kleinarl to Flachau, Zauhensee, Wagrain and St. Johan in Pongau. Here, skiers of all levels can find a trail that suits their taste and skill.
Saalbach and Hinterglemm are beautiful villages that offer the best entertainment and nightlife. They frequently host open-air festivals featuring various types of music, making it ideal for young people. You can easily locate information about the Events program in Saalbach-Hinterglemm online. The two villages are partner resorts of the SkiCircus skiing region, which includes two further villages, Leogang and Fieberbrunn. This makes the skiing area one of the largest in the Alps.
Obertauern is a decent ski resort that sits at an astonishing 1,100 metres above sea level. Although the lifts are a bit old, the pistes are exciting and varied. I usually ski around the resort twice after 5-6 hours of intensive skiing, including lunch. The total length of the trails is 100km, of which 60km are blue. For those who love cross-country skiing, there is a 20 km track at an altitude of about 1400 metres, where the snow is excellent until the end of April, even when the lifts close. Obertauern also offers touring skiing until mid-June, when the snow tongues in the valleys melt. The town itself has plenty of bars and good restaurants. The resort is of average price and the ski pass is cheaper than other larger resorts. It is about 1,20 hour drive from Salzburg. Be aware that the road to Obertauern (Katschberg) runs at high altitude between the mountains and closed to traffic when there is heavy snow. Obertauern famous as the filming location of the 1965 Beatles film "Help!". In addition, there are several iconic places with memorials of the group, where it is necessary to take a photo! 
The Zillertal Arena in Zell am Ziller, near Mayrhofen in Tyrol, has some beautiful pistes. You can feel the unprecedented size of the trails and the quality of the grooming and lifts. I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you're interested in skiing in the warmer months, you can go to the Hintertux Glacier. It's about 170 kilometres from Salzburg to Mayrhofen. For skiing there, it makes sense to fly into Innsbruck.
Kitzbühel, about 80 kilometres from Salzburg, is an exclusive, top-of-the-range resort. It offers a wide variety of pistes of roughly equal difficulty. One of the highlights is the chance to test yourself on the orange slope, which hosts the annual alpine skiing events - the Super G slalom and the Streif downhill. The total length of the slopes is around 180 kilometres. The cost of ski passes, food and accommodation is among the highest in Austria and discounts are rare. The town centre is very pretty and has a uniform historic style. There are many fine restaurants and expensive boutiques, so it's definitely the place to go if you're looking for luxury.
I am often asked about reliable resorts where snow is guaranteed during the winter. In Salzburg, January usually starts with the heaviest snowfall and temperatures drop to -10 - 15 degrees Celsius. February is also a cold and snowy month. The thaw begins in March, but there is still excellent snow in the mountains. So you don't have to worry about snow in Austria's winter ski resorts. Read more: Climate and Weather in Austria.
Another common question is: what is the best month to go skiing in Austria? Based on my experience, I recommend the following periods: from 15 December before the Christmas holidays begin. The second half of January to the beginning of February. From the second week of February until the end of the month, there are semester and school holidays, which increases the number of skiers on the slopes and makes it difficult to book hotels. March is an excellent time for skiing. By the beginning of April, it's already warming up and you'll have to climb higher and higher to find regular snow.
If you visit during the off-season, you can practice on the Kitzsteinhorn, Dachstein (cross-country), Hintertux and Stubai glaciers all year round. However, bear in mind that during the summer months the snow on the glaciers can become wet and less slippery as the day progresses. So it's a good idea to hit the slopes early in the morning.
