Schladming (Austria) has been a ski resort for about 130 years. The offer to make your own fresh tracks in the snow across 230 perfectly groomed kilometers still attracts tourists. From simple “family” hills to challenging black-rated trails for experts, everyone can find their own “signature” trail.
Schladming-resort in Austria
It is called the “Schladming Ski Area with Four Mountains”, including Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm. This arrangement of mountains allows you to conquer snowy slopes without any interruptions. For those who enjoy a special high-altitude atmosphere, there is skiing and cross-country skiing at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level.
Schladming in Austria was originally a small local settlement with a traditionally Austrian way of life. Today, it is a modern resort town in the federal state of Styria with a population of over 6,500 people, according to the latest data. The town covers a relatively small area of 10 square kilometers and is primarily focused on mountain tourism.
The main feature of the resort is the Dachstein Glacier near Ramsau. Dachstein, at an altitude of 3,004 m, is not only a “namesake” but also a symbol of the Schladming-Dachstein ski region. The main massif lies on the border between Styria and Upper Austria. Below is the Dachstein Glacier, which has a small but very snowy ski area. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the “to nowhere” suspension bridge. A specially organized ski tour with several trails, totaling over 20 km, covers the unique natural and cultural landscape of Dachstein, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Skiing in Schladming: High, Cool, and Varied
The wide range of altitude differences in Schladming (from 726 to 2700 m above sea level) provides plenty of opportunities to try your hand at different levels of difficulty, train, and hold high-quality competitions. There are a total of 9 ski areas.
According to reviews, the main advantages of Schladming in Austria include:
- stable snow cover due to the glacier;
- very diverse ski area;
- a well-organized area for cross-country skiing;
- Planai soundtrack: more than 10,000 music tracks are available while riding on the 600-meter track;
- eight permanent race tracks;
- the so-called “Black Quartet Slopes”: four slopes with an incline of up to 80%;
- 100% natural snow cover on the slopes of Stoderzinken and Planneralm.
The Schladming-Dachstein ski region in Austria is recognized as an ideal destination for those who enjoy a variety of winter sports. The ski area includes four main mountains and several additional ones, such as the Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm, Fageralm, and Galsterbergalm in the Ramsau-Dachstein ski region, which is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
Trails, slopes, and ski lifts
The selection of slopes, lifts and ski huts is huge and, thanks to the Dachstein Glacier, the ski area is almost always very snowy. The winter season of the mountain railways starts already in autumn and ends in late spring, which provides tourists with one of the five best ski resorts in Austria. The main event here is the annual World Cup Night Race: the night race in Schladming is a popular event with up to 40,000 spectators.
The slopes in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area are spread across several mountains in Austria and have a total length of over 200 km. The center is a ski resort on all four mountains, with slopes of approximately 120 km. The most attractive slope for skiers is the Planai World Cup slope (1906 m) in the Schladming area, as well as the beautiful valley up to 8 km long in Hochwurzen (1850 m) in the Rormoos area. Families with children usually explore the slopes near the village on Galsterbergalm (1986 m) and on the Zip Line on Stoderzinken (2045 m). Cross-country skiers will enjoy the 170 km network of trails, which is particularly dense here. There are also about 70 km of hiking trails at the Schladming ski resort.
Trails and ski lifts in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area
| Types of trails | km | Ski lifts | units. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 96,5 | Tow bars | 40 |
| Red | 126 | Chair seats | 29 |
| Black ones | 16,5 | Gondolas | 10 |
| Total | 239 | Efficiency | 4500 people/hour |
There are many red zones, and many slopes that are suitable for snowboarders. Thanks to the 2013 World Ski Championships, some of the lifts and slopes have been upgraded. There are also lifts that are specifically designed for children.
Prices for ski passes
| 6-day period | childlike | adult | free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | 123,5€ | 247,5€ | from the age of 6 |
| High season | 133€ | 266€ |
A 0.5-day ski pass costs from 37€. There is also a special evening ski pass that allows you to ski on a 3-km slope (No. 33), for example.
What to see and where to visit
The resort has three snow parks. The slopes regularly host master classes and other similar events, and event tourism is widespread, mainly of a sporting nature. Schladming is not only the center of one of the largest winter sports areas in Europe, thanks to its location in the heart of Annstal. The city regularly hosts the popular Planai World Cup for skiing.
In addition, Schladming itself is considered a unique Austrian settlement with its own authenticity. Walking through its streets is an interesting experience, as you can admire the snow-capped mountains surrounding the city. The old city wall still features a medieval symbol of the place. The original city gates lead to the compact city center, which is home to unique hotels, shops, and a tree-filled market. The city is also crossed by the picturesque local river, the Enns, which flows into the Danube.
What to do after skiing in Schladming
The best place to spend time at the resort, according to reviews, is Planai, which many locals call the Party Mountain. The variety is provided by winter entertainment programs throughout the season. These include torchlight walks, carriage rides, curling, and ice climbing, as well as spectacular multi-level descents with music.
The basic recommendation for guests is a nighttime sports race
An important sporting event in the Schladming-Dachstein ski region is the annual World Cup race, The Nightrace, which takes place in January. Here, the best skiers race down a steep, colorfully illuminated, specially prepared slope. During this time, all the ski stars flock to the resort, and thousands of fans fill the party tents and numerous bars, enjoying the town’s nightlife. In 2013, the World Alpine Skiing Championships were held, where the best German ski racer, Felix Neureuther, won silver in the slalom and bronze with the team.
Official websites of the resort and region
The official website of the resort www.schladming-dachstein.at/ is multilingual. The website is rich in photo galleries, informative, and easily redirects to the necessary articles, online cameras, weather reports, and a map of the area. It offers the option to choose and book accommodation directly from the main page. The website is entirely designed for tourists.
Another official website listed in Wikipedia: www.schladming.at/ – German and English. It contains more information about the city, its infrastructure, the city administration center, city news, dates, events, and cultural activities.
Schladming’s resort infrastructure
The Schladming ski center offers a wide range of leisure activities, including cultural events.
In the resort area:
- 44 restaurants;
- 10 bars and cafes;
- 5 clubs and discos;
- 6 supermarkets;
- children’s playground;
- theatre;
- concert hall.
Local service includes a spa, massage, sauna, solarium, swimming pool, indoor tennis, curling. And also for tourists are provided paragliding, sleighing, and also special offers! There are ski schools and ski lessons: in total in Schladming 5 ski schools with 150 instructors. Here will hold private lessons for 72€, three-day courses of skiing for 215€, five-day courses of snowboarding for 184€. There is a separate offer for ski lessons in Dutch. Apparently, tourists from the Netherlands are traditionally numerous in the mountain resorts of Austria, including Schladming, and such an offer is relevant.
Where to stay
Schladmung hotels in Austria are numerous – in total, there are 119 hotels in the town, designed for 12.5 thousand beds. From two stars “without frills” to five – “first-class service”. The average price tag is 300€ per night in a three-star hotel. But you can find half board for 300-360€ in a 4* hotel or a place without meals in a campsite with a price from 33€. Huts in the mountains cost the same as apartments, from 50€. A country house, a cottage in Schladming also from 55€ for a private room with breakfast. The largest number of hotel offers in Ramsau am Dachstein.
How to get to Schladming
The nearest airport is in Salzburg (85-90 km), from where you can take a bus. Then, it’s a 20-kilometer or 20-minute walk from the highway to the village. Other airports are much further away, in the cities of Linz (185 km), Graz (almost 200 km), Munich (almost 300 km), Vienna (300 km), and Innsbruck (320 km).
From Munich, you can take a train to the train station near Schladming. The train from Salzburg costs less than 20€, the train from Vienna takes 3.5-4 hours and costs up to 75€, and the train from Munich takes 7-8 hours and costs 50-60€. Trains run approximately 5 times a day. You can buy tickets online here: tickets.oebb.at/en/
Most convenient – transfer service
A transfer from Salzburg to Schladming takes more than an hour, and the price ranges from 174€ (with discounts) to 270€ for a comfortable option for several people. Minivans for groups of 10-16 passengers cost 480-530€. A transfer from Vienna takes more than 3 hours, and the price starts at 270€ for four people with a discount or 370€ for up to 7 passengers. A transfer from Munich Airport can also be arranged in 3 hours, at a price of 270€ for three people to 790€ for a 19-person bus.
Useful tips
- Beginners should choose Mount Fageralm for skiing, as it has flatter slopes and fewer visitors.
- The highest ski area, Dachstein, has the most tourists on weekends, so the slopes are crowded. The middle of the week is a good time for a beautiful and trouble-free descent.
- It is advisable to leave your own vehicle in a parking lot and use local buses or taxis to get around, as it is easy to get stuck in the snow or take a long time to get to your destination.
- Don’t expect to enjoy shopping, as stores close early and many don’t operate on Sundays.
Schladming Austria ski resort positions itself as a country of champions. World cups are held here, world records are set, and there are unsurpassed ones to this day. The natural mountain conditions and the level of organization contribute to mass visits, including family vacations, as well as professional training. And the carefully preserved cultural traditions over the centuries allow us to say that Schladming will retain its status as a unique ski resort in Austria and continue to increase its popularity.
