While France and Italy get more than their fair share of (well-deserved) attention when it comes to a classic winter holiday, there’s another country in Europe that, while not exactly a secret, perhaps sits a little further down the wishlist – but only for those who’ve never visited! Because for those who have, Austria is right up there with the aforementioned power couple when it comes to fabulous food, accessible and interesting culture, and superb ski resorts.
There are plenty of great resorts where you can pop over and enjoy a weekend (or a week) skiing in Austria, but one of the perennial favourites is Flachau, about an hour outside of Salzburg.
Flachau: Variety is the Spice of Ski Life
Located in one of the country’s five largest ski areas, Flachau is part of the high-altitude Snow Space Salzburg region, which encompasses more than 210 km of slopes, across five valleys and 12 peaks. Linked with St. Johann, Wagrain, and Flachauwinkl/Zauchensee, Flachau gives access to an incredibly varied range of slopes, as well as some excellent, world-class facilities, both on the snow and off.
So, you can rest assured the quality and range of the on-piste skiing here is outstanding, but for those seeking some variety, Flachau is somewhere that has a lot more to offer than the slopes that decorate the doorstep…
Cross-Country Skiing
For cross-country ski aficionados, Flachau is a dream, with 180 km of freshly groomed tracks at your disposal. From the easy-peasey Reitdorf loop to the 60 km, high-energy Tauern loop, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re an old hand at this Nordic style sport or just want to give it a go. Be warned, it’s highly addictive, particularly with the fabulous and very picturesque trails available here.
Telemarking
Telemark is another version of skiing – and a very unique one. Originating in Norway (in the region that gives it the name) it combines aspects of Alpine and Nordic skiing to create a method that’s very effective in getting you across the snow. Your foot is attached to the skis only by toe bindings, with the back of the foot free. Basically, the theory is that you push and turn with the front of your foot and balance with the back – and it’s certainly a work-out! If you’re an experienced skier, Telemark is a superb way to push your skills, and if you’re a beginner, why not try something different? You can book a two-hour guided experience out of the resort.
Ski Touring
If you love getting out into nature and are looking for a challenge, ski-touring around Flachau is for you! The resort has some great trails, and a guided tour (with a certified guide) is the best way to ensure safety and the most memorable experience. You’ll join a small group and traverse the stunning landscape around the resort, with the adrenaline of ascending summits, skiing through forested areas and whizzing down powdery deserted slopes. Simply spectacular! (Both on-piste and off-piste tours are available.)
Hiking in a Winter Wonderland
If you want to ditch the skis for a day, but still want the invigoration of the great outdoors, hiking is the perfect activity to fill your heart and lungs. There’s more than 40 km of cleared, well-marked paths and, as long as you have a decent pair of boots, and rug up well, you can set out for a truly invigorating few hours of spectacular scenery and crisp, clean mountain air. Some of the trails even have traditional huts dotted along the way, where you can stop for a rest if you need to warm up. Pick a sunny day and a suitable trail and hiking this gorgeous terrain could be one of the highlights of your holiday.
As you can see, there’s more than one way to enjoy getting out into the snow in Flachau. So, even if you’re lucky enough to have an extended stay, every day can be a new adventure!
Where to Stay
Alpine Wellness Hotel: Just a short distance from the slopes, and looking like a picture postcard itself, this superb hotel is the ideal base from which to enjoy the many delights of Flachau. Cosy, modern rooms, with stylish decor and quality appointments, free Wifi, a spa centre with saunas and steam bath, and fantastic access to excellent skiing – it’s the perfect winter escape!
Hotel Vierjahreszeiten: With the luxury of ski-in, ski-out access, and an onsite spa and wellness centre with saunas and infrared cabin, you’ll be skiing all day and luxuriating all evening! The spacious, well-appointed rooms look out over the sunny slopes and feature comfortable, modern furnishings and free Wi-Fi. There’s a restaurant for evening meals, as well as a delicious breakfast buffet, and you can take advantage of the indoor and outdoor pools!
Hotel Forellenhof: Set in a prime location in the middle of town, this quality hotel offers all the mod-cons, stunning views, and contemporary rooms and appointments throughout. Most rooms feature a balcony from which to enjoy the vista, along with very stylish interiors. As well as a restaurant, there’s an onsite spa equipped with an indoor pool, sauna and infrared cabin. If you tire of skiing and relaxing, there’s even billiards and table tennis!
How to Get There
Heading off to your winter getaway in Flachau is simple! You’ll need to book a flight into Salzburg Airport (SZG), which is around 2 hours flying time from the UK. A range of good carriers service the route, including easyJet, Jet2, BA Cityflyer and Ryanair, among others. You can choose from around 80 flights a week, so there’ll be a departure time and place to suit your needs. Flights start from just £29 one way.
Once you land in Austria, the most convenient way of getting from Salzburg Airport to Flachau is on a pre-booked transfer with Shuttle Direct. A driver will meet you at the airport and then take you the rest of the way safely, comfortably, and without annoying delays.
Overview
UK to SZG Flight Time: 1 hour 57 minutes
SZG to Flachau Distance: 76 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 60-90 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
When you need to get from Salzburg Airport to Flachau, Shuttle Direct can get you there in a way that suits your style and budget. We have a range of different airport transfers that you can pre-book, to ensure you arrive at your final destination refreshed and ready to start your holiday.
If you’re keen to save money for other things on your holiday, one of our shared shuttle buses is the perfect solution. You’ll meet at a designated point at the airport and travel to a central drop-off at the destination with other passengers. Our safe, comfortable vehicles mean you can rest assured you won’t have to compromise anything even though it’s budget-friendly.
A pre-booked taxi is a great way to enjoy the luxury of travelling alone but not having to stand in a queue and wait for your ride along with all the other travellers. Pre-book your airport taxi from Salzburg to Flachau and you’ll get to the door of your accommodation quickly and without delay.
If you’re happy to outlay a bit extra for the journey to your accommodation, our luxury private Flachau transfers offer the ultimate door-to-door service. A professional, friendly driver will be waiting to meet you inside the terminal when you land, then he or she will drive you to your accommodation without any stress or waiting around.
For those travelling with a large group of friends or extended family, pre-booking a minibus is the ideal onward transport from the airport at Salzburg. It allows for the entire party to travel in the same vehicle, which makes logistics easier, the budget friendlier, and has plenty of space for everyone’s luggage.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Everyone who travels has a different budget, not to mention different requirements, so only you can decide which is the best Flachau transfer for you. At the end of the day, though, your decision will need to be based on two factors: cost and convenience.
Cost: If budget is a priority and you’re keen to save money on your airport transfers, then an economical shared shuttle is a good option. While you won’t have the door-to-door convenience, it’s a lot cheaper than a private transfer and is still a highly effective way to get from the airport to a central location at your destination.
Convenience: But if getting delivered right to the door and travelling in luxury and privacy are key for you, then one of our private transfers or a pre-booked taxi will be your best bet to get from the airport at Salzburg to Flachau. You’ll pay a little more, but you can rest assured the logistics and stressful details are taken care of!
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is renowned among travellers as one of the most trusted providers of onward airport transfers on the market. With friendly, professional drivers, and safe, comfortable vehicles, we offer everything from luxury private services to budget-beating shared shuttles, to a huge range of destinations all over the world. Pre-book with us and we’ll get you wherever you need to go!
