Saalbach

Sarah Fox - Sales Director "New to SkiWeekends for 2022/23 Saalbach sits as the capital of the Skicircus - a 270km ski area that is the third largest in Austria. You'll be spoilt for choice amongst the vast and varied terrain and excellently prepared wide pistes. Away from the slopes, there is a vibrant apres scene, and a host of adventures await amidst a breathtaking winter scene, from tobogganing to horse-drawn sleigh rides."

Saalbach

Situated at an elevation of roughly 1000m, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is one of Austria's largest and most impressive ski areas. Offering an endless collection of pistes, strung together totalling 270km, Saalbach holds the title for ninth biggest ski area in the world. It's no wonder Saalbach ski holidays have become so popular over the years.

It's not just the blues and blacks that draw in the crowds however, the village of Saalbach has a well-known reputation for its rambunctious and entertaining apres-ski scene. Its low altitude base helps to keep a traditional alpine feel, with no high-rise buildings to be found. Saalbach contains a variety of accommodation options, primarily in the form of chalets and hotels.

When travelling from the UK, it's best to fly into Salzburg airport, giving you a very simple 1.5 hour transfer to the slopes. The Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area is definitely better suited for intermediate to advanced skiers. There are many steep runs to be found here - some with 1000m worth of descent. When the snow fall is good, Saalbach can give fantastic opportunities for groups of skiers looking to get high mileage under their belts and do a lot of exploring. You're able to visit many different small villages, dotted around the valley, and every day feels like a new adventure. 

Our top hotel picks in Saalbach: Alpinresort Sport & Spa, Hotel Art & Kristiana

ski area overview

When viewing the ski area as a whole, the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn offers four huge resorts for the price of one area lift pass. Extending on both sides of the valley over the mountains of the Glemmtal, the area offers a wide variety of terrain and some noteworthy off-piste action to boot. Connected to Fieberbrunn by one of the world's most advanced lift systems, skiing here is able to suit both families and experts. Fieberbrunn in particular is a welcome addition, as not only does it contain some low-angle beginner friendly riding, it also suits the powder hungry. It's even home to a Freeride World Tour stop, hosted here in March.

A lot of the runs are north facing here, which helps combat Saalbach's low altitude. This place is an intermediate to advanced skiers paradise, offering plenty of steep pistes to level up your abilities on. The fast-paced lifts in the Saalbach area (70 of them in total) are well connected - ensuring you get exactly to where you want to go.

Those interested in freestyle have a choice of two different terrain parks, one above Hinterglemm and a second above Leogang. There's beginner friendly terrain available in each of the four resorts, and some fabulous freeriding in the Fieberbrunn peaks. All in all, Saalbach is home to some fantastic skiing and boarding, suiting just about everyone that's looking for a bit of adventure. 

Book your flexible ski holiday to Saalbach with SkiWeekends today.