Winter Adventures in Salzburger Land: Discover Ski Resorts and Exciting Highlights
Salzburger Land is one of Austria’s top ski destinations. Salzburg boasts over 2,000 kilometers of groomed slopes across more than 20 different ski resorts, including renowned locations like Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Obertauern, Flachau, and Kaprun.
Aside from skiing, Salzburger Land draws visitors with winter activities such as tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and winter hikes. Those seeking relaxation after a full day out on the slopes will find just what they have been looking for at various spa resorts, including TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun, Erlebnistherme Amadé in Altenmarkt, and spas in the Gastein Valley.
Ski Areas in Salzburger Land: Variety, Reliable Snow Conditions, Modern Lifts
Big and action-packed or peaceful and laid-back? Salzburger Land has the right ski resort in store for everyone. Thanks to the Ski Amadé lift alliance (760 kilometers of slopes) and the Ski Alpin Card (408 kilometers of slopes), visitors can enjoy a vast selection of pistes and state-of-the-art lift systems. Salzburg’s ski regions also host major sporting events, including the Night Slalom in Flachau, the FIS World Cup races in Zauchensee, and the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2025 in Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.
Families and beginners, in particular, appreciate the uncrowded, easily navigable slopes of the Rauris ski area. Leisure skiers will feel right at home in Dachstein West, where the 44 km Dachstein Runde promises stunning panoramic views.
And just how reliable are the snow conditions? The Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area extends up to 3,029 meters above sea level, ensuring an ultra-long ski season from October until spring.
ALPS RESORTS welcomes you in these Salzburg ski areas
An apartment hotel with a spacious wellness area right next to the valley station, cozy holiday homes on the slopes, dog-friendly apartments next to the cross-country ski trails, or perhaps a holiday home with private sauna? ALPS RESORTS offers a selection of accommodations in these Salzburger ski resorts that has to be seen to be believed:
Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn Ski Area
- Location: Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn extends from Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Leogang in Salzburg to neighboring Fieberbrunn in Tyrol; 840 m to 2,096 m above sea level
- Piste kilometers: 270 km (140 rated blue /112 red /18 black), 90% snow-making coverage
- Lifts: 70 cableways and ski lifts
- Highlights: In addition to hosting top events such as the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships 2025, the Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn, BERGFESTival, and Rave on Snow, the Skicircus is renowned for its top-notch infrastructure and great opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. These include excellent pistes, state-of-the-art lifts, around 60 mountain huts, plus freeride parks, fun parks, floodlit pistes, and race hills.
- Dates: November 29, 2024, to April 21, 2025
Ski Alpin Card: “The Best of the Alps”
The Ski Alpin Card gives you access to 408 kilometers of pistes spanning three of the top ski areas in Salzburger Land: the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier Ski Area in Kaprun, the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See, and Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The glacier on the Kitzsteinhorn opens as early as October and offers skiing well into late spring.
Rauris Ski Area: Rauriser Hochalmbahnen
- Location: Rauris in Salzburger Pinzgau region, about 28 km from Zell am See, 90 km from Salzburg; approximately 1,000 to 2,175 m above sea level
- Piste kilometers: 32 km
- Lifts: 10 cableways and ski lifts
- Highlights: This uncrowded, family-friendly ski resort impresses with its wide pistes and commitment to eco-friendly practices – in fact, around 70% of its energy needs are met by their very own hydroelectric power plant. Family highlights include a fun slope, a race track, and the Nugget Park.
- Dates: December 13, 2024, to March 30, 2025
KitzSki
- Location: This ski area encompasses Mittersill in Salzburger Pinzgau and Pass Thurn along with Kitzbühel and Kirchberg in Tyrol; 811 m to 1,950 m above sea level.
- Piste kilometers: 220 km
- Lifts: 57 cableways and ski lifts
- Highlights: The gateway to the "World’s Best Ski Resort 2023," as recognized by Skiresort.de, is approximately 500 meters from Bergresort Tauernblick on Pass Thurn/Mittersill (mid-station of the Panoramabahn/Breitmoos).
- Dates: November 16, 2024 (Resterkogel Training Center, open to the general public on weekends) to April 21, 2025
Salzburger Sportwelt - Part of the Ski Amadé Network
- Location: Flachau, Wagrain-Kleinarl, St. Johann, Radstadt, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Eben and Filzmoos
- Piste kilometers: 210 km
- Lifts: 70 cableways and ski lifts
- Highlights: Experienced skiers can take on the exciting challenges of the aptly named 12 Peaks Trophy, encompassing 46 km of pistes and 21 different runs. Meanwhile, families and children are able to enjoy the fun slopes, kid-friendly ski areas, and adventure courses – offering something for everyone!
- Dates: November 29, 2024, to March 29, 2025
Ski Amadé: 760 Piste Kilometers Across 5 Ski Regions
Salzburger Sportwelt is part of the Ski Amadé network, which encompasses a total of 5 ski regions and 25 ski resorts in Salzburg and Styria:
- Salzburg: Salzburger Sportwelt, Hochkönig, Grossarl, Gastein
- Styria: Schladming-Dachstein
With 760 kilometers of pistes and 270 lifts, Ski Amadé is one of the largest winter sports regions in all of Europe.
Dachstein West Ski Area
Location: Salzburg and Upper Austria; 720 to 1,620 m above sea level
Piste kilometers: 160 km (Gosau-Russbach-Annaberg 51 km)
Lifts: 70 cableways and ski lifts
Highlights: The Dachstein Runde greets you with 44 kilometers of pistes and stunning mountain views. Leisure skiers and families will feel right at home in the Dachstein West ski area.
Dates: December 6, 2024, to April 6, 2025
Culinary Highlights in Salzburg’s Ski Areas
A refreshment stop at a mountain hut or restaurant is an essential element of any successful day of skiing in Salzburg. Kaiserschmarrn with plum compote, apple strudel with creamy vanilla sauce, or a hearty bowl of soup are popular menu staples.
For those craving something a little more savory, we suggest Pinzgauer Kasnocken –delicious cheese dumplings made with Pinzgauer Bierkäse, browned butter, and fresh chives. Or perhaps go with Pinzgauer Kaspressknödel instead, which are served in a hearty broth or on a salad.
Our 5 Highlights for Your Holiday in Salzburg’s Ski Areas
- #1: Autumn skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun: This glacier ski resort in Kaprun kicks off ski season as early as October. For those who can’t wait for winter, it’s the perfect opportunity to strap on your skis and enjoy some early autumn skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn.
- #2: Top Events in Saalbach-Hinterglemm: Legendary events like the BERGFESTival, Rave on Snow, and White Pearl Mountain Days attract music-loving winter sports enthusiasts to Glemmtal. 2025 Highlight: The FIS Alpine Ski World Championships will take place in Saalbach from February 4 to 16, 2025.
- #3: Audi FIS Ski World Cup Night Slalom in Flachau: Each January, the world’s best female skiers compete in the Night Slalom in Flachau. This exciting race is complemented by a lively side program that includes World Cup parties and live acts.
- #4: Skiing on the Schmittenhöhe with views of Lake Zell: Deep-blue Zeller See glistens in the valley far below as you ski down the slopes of the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See, taking in the unparalleled panoramic views.
- #5: KitzSki – from Mittersill to Kitzbühel: Ski across the border from Salzburg to Tyrol and back again at the KitzSki resort. In Kitzbühel, daring skiers can even tackle the famous Streif via a family run.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Salzburg’s Ski Resorts
Dachstein West and the Rauris Valley are especially family-friendly, offering wide, gentle slopes ideal for beginners, children, and those returning to skiing after an extended hiatus.
The main ski season runs from December to March. For the best snow conditions, January and February are ideal, while March often offers sunnier and milder weather, perfect for what’s known as sun-skiing.
Yes, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area in Zell am See-Kaprun allows skiing even during the official off-season (October, November, April, and May).
Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn and Ski Amadé each boast hundreds of kilometers of pistes and a variety of runs, making them perfect for experienced skiers and those seeking non-stop variety.
Yes, most ski resorts have several rental centers located at valley stations and in sports shops, offering modern ski equipment for all ability levels.
