TRAVEL : Skiing in Austria
Are you a skiier or a sit by the fire and drink hot chocolate-er? Which ever you are, the snowy slopes of Austria has something for everyone.
This winter will see important changes to the classic Austrian ski holiday, with this reassuring continuity: SalzburgerLand’s Alpine resorts remain as diverse, beautiful and welcoming as ever. All 22 primary resorts open late December to Easter with some of the higher villages staying open into May, subject to prevailing snow conditions. Each is easily reached from Salzburg or Munich airports. For a resort overview visit: www.salzburgerland.com
TRAVEL- A WINTER HOLIDAY IN AUSTRIA
With safety paramount, additional in-resort measures build on the Government directives* to provide thorough protection for staff and visitors. In spite of this year’s unprecedented challenges, SalzburgerLand has continued to invest in infrastructure, technology and facilities for a more fulfilling holiday in every way.
New lifts include the Panorama Link (Flachau-Wagrain to Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl) and the Zwölferhorn Cable Car (St Gilgen to Zwölferhorn). A new ski route replaces the walk between Bernkogel and Schattberg) and a handful of new restaurants, including at the top of the Zwölferhorn lift, will be open in December.
Lifts and links:
The Panorama Link, an 8-minute/3.2km transfer between Griessenkareck in Flachau-Wagrain and Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl. The 10-seat gondolas have full glass fronts to showcase the breathtaking views; capacity is up to 2400 people per hour and fully links the Snow Space region (www.snow-space.com) across Flachau, Wagrain, St Johann.
The Zwölferhorn Cable Car launches at the end of October to enable direct access to St Gilgen’s boutique ski area at Zwölferhorn. The 8-man gondolas, in the bright yellow and red livery of the original rail carriages, carry up to 655 passengers per hour and provide beautiful views over St Wolfgang Lake. www.zwoelferhorn.at
From December 2020, a short and most welcome 300m ski route replaces the previously cumbersome walk connecting Bernkogel and the Schattberg X-press in Saalbach-Hinterglem (Skicircus) www.saalbach.com
Technology:
Smart technological innovations make the SalzburgerLand ski experience better every year. New apps, mobile ticketing and digital equipment hire facilities have been introduced across the Skicircus (Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn) and Ski amadé areas.
The Alpin Card Navigator App will ensure skiers never get lost on the pistes. This first in visual and audio navigation on the slopes is free to download at www.alpincard.at. The user-friendly system covers all 408km of pistes under the Alpin Card lift pass – Skicircus (Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn), Zell am See (Schmittenhöhe) and Kaprun (Kitzsteinhorn Glacier).
The Ski amadé marketing collaboration – representing 760km of groomed pistes under one lift pass – celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion a range of offers and experiences for visitors to the consortia’s resorts has been introduced: www.skiamade.com. Members of My Ski amadé Friends Club (join free of charge at www.skiamade.com/my) benefit from discounts, value-for-money deals, and a free piste rescue service (excludes helicopter rescue):
The alliance with the area’s 31 Intersport shops is adding Schöffel branded ski clothing hire (disinfected after every use) to equipment hire at preferential rates. The cost-effective idea enables visitors to reduce luggage size and weight, while offering state-of-the-art equipment and the latest fashions each season.
A new pick-up function offers skiers contactless lift pass collection from ticket machines to eliminate queuing (ticket office collection is also available).
Made My Day Single Packages add a thrilling wow-factor to a day on the slopes. Paragliding, sunrise skiing and a summit breakfast, exclusive gondola dinners are a few on the list – www.skiamade.com/mademyday
Pleasure ski routes bring gourmet highlights to skiers who like to plan their day’s skiing around lunch. Find the best local ingredients, fine-dining menus or rustic huts to enjoy.
Ski amadé brings 4 prime SalzburgerLand ski areas - Salzburger Sportwelt, Gastein, Grossarltal, Hochkönig – and neighbouring Schladming-Dachstein (Styria) under one marketing cooperative. The result is a choice of 760km of pistes and 260 restaurants in 25 resorts under one lift pass.
Hotels & Restaurants:
Mauterndorf in Lungau (local ski resorts and 15 minutes to Obertauern), launches accommodation at gourmet Mesnerhaus for the first time: 6 rooms and one suite next to the internationally acclaimed 4-toque restaurant will thrill skiing foodies www.mesnerhaus.at
Grossarltal unveils a new multi-storey Spa, a revamped restaurant – See Stub’n, and an in- and outdoor nature kindergarten including a cinema in 5* Hotel Moar Gut. The hotel also opens a new extension with 10 luxurious suites in time for Christmas. www.moargut.com
Bad Hofgastein launches its first Hotel Blü in December. It replaces the Hofgsteiner Salzburger Hof. Space and freedom are the priority: a new Tree House wing, roof-top spa and panoramic yoga room (also on the top floor) complement the library and fitness rooms. www.hotelb lue.at
Oberndorf has opened Stadthotel in the former town hall, 10 minutes’ walk beside the River Salzach from the famous ‘Silent Night’ chapel. The luxury B&B offers 20 contemporary designer rooms with wellness baths, and a sumptuous regional breakfast www.stadthotel-oberndorf.at
Zwölferhorn unveils a new restaurant Das Zwölfer in the new mountain station to complement the launch of the new lift. Simple brasserie style dishes, stunning panoramic views and a covered terrace www.daszwoelfer.at
Pristine snow fields, sparkling mountain pistes, the latest technology, delicious gastronomy …. healthy and uplifting winter escapes in SalzburgerLand. www.salzburgerLand.com