Saalbach-Hinterglemm in the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria is best known as a winter sports resort. This is not surprising, because the alpine ski area there is one of the largest in all of Austria with around 270 kilometres of slopes. In addition, the cracks of alpine skiing meet in Saalbach-Hinterglemm every winter and compete in World Cup downhill races and other ski races. But even in summer, the village, located at an altitude of 1,003 metres, is an excellent starting point for sporting activities in the midst of an enchanting mountain landscape. Then the mountain lovers come to Saalbach-Hinterglemm for hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, or just to relax.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm as a winter dream
Whether you visit Saalbach-Hinterglemm as a sporty solo traveller, as a couple or with the whole family: the community of about 2,800 inhabitants has the right offer for every tourist. The 70 cable cars and lifts of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area transport snowboarders, alpine skiers, snowshoe hikers, walkers and tobogganers to the more than 2,000-metre-high Schattenberg and all the surrounding mountain peaks of the Kitzbühel Alps. In the snow parks of the ski region, you can ski and toboggan under floodlights during the day and also at night. The Funslopes are especially popular with children and young people. These are ski slopes that lead through snow tunnels. In the Familypark, children, and more and more seniors, learn how to freestyle safely.
If you want to take it easy, head to the cross-country ski trails, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride past the picturesque mountain scenery, practice curling or ice skating, or explore the 140-kilometre-long network of winter hiking trails. Saalbach-Hinterglemm is known for the fact that all hiking trails are illuminated by the winter sun almost all day long. Shady hiking routes are almost non-existent. Furthermore, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is an Eldorado for friends of après-ski and culinary delights. Both in the village itself and in the more than 60 surrounding mountain huts, you can enjoy excellent food and drinks of all kinds. The focus is not only on the local cuisine with Kaiserschmarrn, Jagertee and Kässpatzen. There are also vegan and vegetarian dishes, Italian, Chinese, Thai or Oriental dishes to try. On bad weather days, there are several thermal baths and spas with saunas and massage studios as well as a wide range of relaxation and wellness options. In winter, when there is a thick blanket of snow, the most daring in particular can try out what it feels like to drive a snowmobile themselves or ride in a snow groomer.
The ski slopes of Saalbach Hinterglemm
Endless slopes, snow-covered slopes and a fascinating landscape. The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn offers skiing fun at the highest level and, with 270 kilometres of slopes, is considered one of the largest and most beautiful ski areas in Austria. For beginners, families and experts, there are 140 km of blue, 112 km of red and 18 km of black slopes available, so that varied turns are guaranteed and a few downhill kilometres can be collected quickly. With 70 cable cars and lifts, over 60 cosy ski huts, numerous snow parks, a freeride park, floodlit slopes and toboggan runs, the popular Salzburg ski region is one of the most varied ski areas in Austria.
Here you can download the piste map of Saalbach-Hinterglemm:
Countless leisure activities in summer
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is also worth a visit in summer. Then you hike here mainly through beautiful nature. There are various themed hikes, such as a medicinal herb hike, which bring visitors closer to the regionally growing plants and herbs. A special highlight is also the sunrise hike to the Hochalmspitze. For this guided hike, the participants set off at four o’clock in the morning to arrive at the Hochalmspitze in time. From there, spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks spread.
If you walk the Wildlife Trail, you will meet members of the local wildlife along the way, which is populated by chamois, deer, foxes or golden eagles, for example. Information boards explain interesting details about the individual animal species and their coexistence in the mountains around Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The Kitzbühel Alps can also be explored via well-marked mountain bike trails and motorcycle routes. If you need even more action, you can book a paragliding course or a parachute jump, chase along canyoning routes or prove your driving skills on the Saalbach go-kart track. Mini-golf and archery as well as fishing in designated fishing ponds with mountain views are then more contemplative again. Saalbach-Hinterglemm has countless leisure activities in the fresh air for people of all ages and requirements.
Culture and museums in and around Saalbach-Hinterglemm
If you would like to use your holiday in Saalbach-Hinterglemm to learn something about the local culture and way of life, you are in good hands at the local history and ski museum. It is housed in an old farmhouse. For example, you can see an originally furnished alpine farmhouse parlour along with a farmer’s kitchen, old tools, traditional clothing and sacred objects. In the Ski Museum, guests learn how Saalbach-Hinterglemm rose to become an internationally renowned winter sports resort. If you want to learn more about the way of life of the local population, you can watch sourdough bread baking in the traditional wood-fired oven on the Panoramaalm.
In the nearby Ritzen Castle Museum, the history of Pinzgau, i.e. the region to which Saalbach-Hinterglemm belongs, is brought to life from prehistory and early history to the present day. There you can see archaeological finds, paintings, sculptures and drawings by local artists, as well as votive paintings. Saalbach-Hinterglemm, like the whole of Pinzgau, looks back on a deeply Christian tradition. In the rural life of the population, it was therefore always important to have a representative nativity scene. The most beautiful specimens are exhibited in the Ritzen Castle Museum.
Nature and life in the mountains
If you want to know more about the Pinzgau mountains, the Hohe Tauern National Park Centre is the right place for you. Here, interested parties can learn everything about the mountain and glacier world of the Kitzbühel Alps. The coexistence of humans and animals in the harsh nature of the Pinzgau mountains is also made tangible. In the Freileiten Wildlife and Adventure Park, the animal mountain dwellers can be observed under natural living conditions on a fenced area. More than 200 different native animal species live in the wildlife park.
Facts about the ski resort Saalbach-Hinterglemm
1. Location and accessibility
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm is located in the Austrian province of Salzburg, about 90 km from Salzburg.
- The ski area is part of the Glemm Valley in the Kitzbühel Alps and is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport is Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart.
2. Slopes and terrain
- The ski area offers 270 km of groomed slopes and is part of the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn, one of the largest ski regions in Austria.
- The slopes range from 840 m to 2,096 m above sea level.
- There are 140 departures, including:
- 58 km blue (easy)
- 95 km red (medium)
- 17 km black (difficult)
- The Saalbach circuit and the Hinterglemm circuit are popular ski routes for day trips.
3. Lifts
- The ski resort has 70 modern lifts, including gondola lifts, chairlifts and drag lifts, which allow quick connections between the different areas.
4. Season and snow reliability
- The main season lasts from the end of November to mid-April.
- Snow is guaranteed by modern snowmaking technology , which can cover around 90% of the slopes .
5. Freestyle and snow parks
- The Nitro Snowpark in Leogang and the Freestyle Park Hinterglemm offer excellent conditions for snowboarders and freestylers.
- Features such as halfpipes, rails and kickers attract freestyle fans from all over the world.
6. Off-piste activities
- The ski resort offers numerous alternatives to skiing:
- Snowshoe hikes and winter hiking on marked trails.
- Toboggan runs, including the toboggan run on the Reiterkogel.
- Cross-country ski trails for beginners and advanced skiers.
- Ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
- Zipline adventure on the “Flying Fox XXL”.
7. Family-friendliness
- The ski area is particularly family-friendly, with ski schools, children’s slopes and ski kindergartens.
- Special practice areas such as Montelino’s Kinderland offer child-friendly entertainment.
8. Après-ski and nightlife
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm is known for its legendary après-ski, with a variety of huts, bars and clubs.
- Popular locations are:
- Goaßstall in Hinterglemm.
- Hinterhag Alm in Saalbach.
- For night owls, there are numerous clubs such as the Castello Club.
9. Gastronomy and huts
- Around 60 huts and restaurants provide a wide variety of dishes. From regional specialties such as Kasnocken and Schlutzkrapfen to international cuisine, everything is offered.
10. Highlights and Events
- The ski area plays host to top-class events such as the Freeride World Tour Stop in Fieberbrunn.
- Other highlights:
- Rave on Snow: A well-known winter music festival.
- Mountain Attack: A ski mountaineering race.
- The treetop path and the Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps are popular sights for non-skiers.
11. Connection with other ski resorts
- The Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn is connected to Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn by the Ski ALPIN CARD . A total of 408 kilometres of slopes are available.
12. Sustainability
- The ski resort is increasingly investing in sustainable technologies, including environmentally friendly snowmaking systems and the use of renewable energies.
