The two Austrian ski resorts of Saalbach and Hinterglemm have experienced a complete revamp over the past couple of years, meaning that they now vaunt a total of 270 kilometres of mainly intermediate pistes. These combine with a prominent partying atmosphere to make Saalbach-Hinterglemm one of the best European resorts for exciting ski opportunities during the day and a wild nightlife.
Thus, if despite being attracted to its hyped up après ski scene, you are unsure of whether Saalbach-Hinterglemm can offer you the thrilling, sporty holiday you are after, I can assure you that these resorts won’t let you down in the daylight: they are a true gem for intermediate-level skiers looking to brush up their skills.
Can’t get enough of skiing in Austria? Also check out Ischgl: a Lifestyle Mecca for Winter Athletes.
An Amazing Lift System
Since the 2014/2015 season, skiers at Saalbach-Hinterglemm have been riding nothing but fast chairlifts and gondolas, some of which are handily designed to closely link both Saalbach’s and Hinterglemm’s village centres with various sectors of the slopes. This means you won’t have to compromise between ski- and après ski-convenient accommodation – one of the biggest drawbacks of other Austrian resorts for young people looking for the perfect mixture of sports and fun.
Nevertheless, for quick access to the much-loved north-facing slopes, Hinterglemm is a bit more convenient, as its town centre has lifts and runs very nearby that offer fast access to the resort’s more exciting slopes.
A Very Visitor-Friendly Circuit
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is wonderful for adventurous intermediates who want to get their adrenaline pumping. Indeed, you will be happy to learn that, if you travel anticlockwise, you can actually make a full circuit of Saalbach-Hinterglemm’s valley on skis – and you can even ski down blue runs most of the way, for those days when you want to give your body a break from some previous intense skiing sessions.
On the other hand, if you want to challenge yourself a bit more, you can also do a shorter circuit clockwise that consists of mostly great red runs. And if you get tired at any point and want to jump onto a different activity, you can easily descend to the valley floor and hop on a free ski-bus home.
Want to add some glitz and glam to your ski adventure? Consider setting base at Courchevel 1850!
Intermediate Paradise: Saalbach-Hinterglemm’s Sunny Side
This chunk of valley is ideal for intermediates looking to ramp up their mileage on the pistes, with even the blue runs proving quite testing at times. There are some long, relentlessly exciting red runs too, especially on the north-facing area of Schattberg West, which is accessible thanks to superfast gondolas from Hinterglemm.
Head to Zwölferkogel instead – also via gondola from Hinterglemm – and you will find some striking open slopes where you can explore the terrain, as well as a black run that is still accessible to intermediates (unless it’s icy) and a long blue lined by the beautiful landscape that is more stimulating than meets the eye.
Also good-looking is the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel – the most beautiful ski town in Europe!
Our Favourite Runs for Adventurous Intermediates
I know that it can be hard picking which runs to tackle, especially when it comes to such a vast resort as Saalbach-Hinterglemm. This is why I have chosen three runs which I think are best for intermediates who want to take their skiing adventures to the next level. In no particular order, they are:
The World Cup downhill run from Zwölferkogel:
A great option for confident intermediates, it is divided into an upper black-run part and a lower red-run part. Both sections are very enjoyable and the vertical drop of 919 metres makes for an exciting race to the bottom.
The Schattberg West-Hinterglemm red run:
Another excellent and challenging slope. It is five kilometres long, steeper than you would expect, and very consistently sunny, making for some lovely views on your way down.
The Nordabfahrt black run:
Spanning from the top of the 2020 Schattberg Ost back into Saalbach itself, this exhilarating black run drops through 1000 metres and has great, fresh snow most of the time, due to its north-facing position. Moreover, it is the perfect run to really test yourself and how far you have come at the end of the holiday.
Top It All Off with Some Fantastic Après Ski
Like I mentioned at the beginning, Saalbach-Hinterglemm’s amazing ski opportunities are more than met by the opportunity to party the night away for as long as you want to. From the late afternoon, things start winding up at Hinterhag Alm, just above Saalbach, and from there you descend to Bauer’s Schi-Alm, which has four different bars open late.
If you want to stay up partying way past most people’s bedtime, don’t fret: there is still plenty of choice. From the raunchy, rock ‘n roll-loving The Alibi Bar to the more rustic, barn-based Kuhstall Bar, music and drinks are guaranteed to flow free until the wee hours of the morning. Thus, if you are looking for a sporty holiday that will have you dancing the nights away, don’t look further than Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Looking for somewhere quieter? Try Sauze d’Oulx!
How to Get to Saalbach-Hinterglemm
It is quite tricky to get to the resort other than by airplane. Luckily, there are three different airports close enough to Saalbach-Hinterglemm, so you won’t be lost for choice.
Salzburg airport definitely offers the easiest transfer options, as it is just one hour and a half away by car from Saalbach-Hinterglemm and has a good amount of budget-friendly flights flying to and from the airport year-round. Another option is Innsbruck airport, which is just under two and a half hours away from the resort. The journey, however, can prove longer in the wintertime as heavy snow on the roads will force you to take a longer route. Finally, Munich airport is also a two-and-a-half hour’s drive away. You can have a pre-booked Shuttle Direct airport transfer service pick you up from any of these three airports.
Where to Stay:
Ski Pension Spöttl – Barely five minutes away from the Schattberg Express lift and others, the wallet-friendly Ski Pension Spöttl is not only super convenient to get to the slopes, it also offers comfortable, spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and is really close to plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Saalbach’s town centre.
Pension Hager – Reachable on skis from the pistes if the snow conditions are good – which they are the majority of the time – Pension Hager is also just a five-minute walk away from the Schattberg Express and the Bernkogel ski lifts. It is super close to the town centre too, making it great for enjoying the resort’s après ski.
Pension Enzian – With great rooms as well as a bar and a sauna onsite, Pension Enzian is great for young people looking to have fun. Located right next to the Schattberg lift in Saalbach, this hotel is just 200 yards away from the town’s restaurants and nightclubs, making it perfectly easy to stumble back home after a fun night.
About Shuttle Direct
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