The Official 2012 Snow Calendar

Visitor reviews for Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Resort

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• January 01, 2012
  Brian from United Kingdom
  

  My wife and I visited Saalbach Jan 2011.
  There was enough snow - just - but the temperatures were usually too high for the snow cannons. However, we had a very good time - just be careful towards the end of the day if you are not too good at water-skiiing!!
  Hotel etc - excellent.
  Time from hotel to hitting the snow - 5 mins max - excellent
  Ski hire and support - (we broke a ski) - excellent
  Our skiing ability - reds no problem, easy blacks - just our age - shh, older than you might think!!

  We are coming back in 2012 so we must have enjoyed it!!

• Saalbach Hinterglemm Ratings

  Based on 6 votes. Vote

  Access: 4.5 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Saalbach Hinterglemm.	Public Transport: 4.3 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 4.5 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 4.8 (1) No places to stay in/near Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 4.0 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 5.0 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
  Ski in/Ski out: 4.8 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 4.7 (1) There are no child care facilities at Saalbach Hinterglemm, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 4.0 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Saalbach Hinterglemm is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 4.8 (1) Saalbach Hinterglemm relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 4.8 (1) There are no snow groomers at Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Saalbach Hinterglemm are groomed daily.	Shelter: 4.5 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Saalbach Hinterglemm is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 3.7 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Saalbach Hinterglemm, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.2 (1) Saalbach Hinterglemm usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 5.0 (1) The staff at Saalbach Hinterglemm are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Saalbach Hinterglemm are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 4.3 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 4.8 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 4.8 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 4.5 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Saalbach Hinterglemm has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 4.2 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 4.8 (1) No intermediate terrain at Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 4.3 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 4.3 (1) Not even a kicker at Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 3.5 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 4.0 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Saalbach Hinterglemm, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 4.2 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Saalbach Hinterglemm has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 4.8 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 4.8 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 5.0 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 4.3 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 4.6 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 4.0 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 4.7 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 4.5 (1) Overall, Saalbach Hinterglemm is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 4.5 (1) Overall, Saalbach Hinterglemm is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Based on 6 votes. Vote

• November 30, 2011
  lee from United Kingdom
  

  Went to Saalbach this year in March. It's a nice resort but it hadn't snowed for a few weeks and the days were warm and sunny. So most days the snow was knackered by dinner time. So if you're going later in season make sure you're up early.

• February 06, 2011
  Brom from United Kingdom
  

  I like Saalbach/Hinterglemm, don't get me wrong, but it is not a great snowboarding resort. The sunny pistes don't hold the powder for long, and the groomers bash the life out of the snow that is there, leading to hard pack and ice only a few days after a big dump. The few black runs are mainly north facing and don't hold the snow well and also end up very icy and gnarly.
  I would say that about 90 percent of S-H visitors are skiers and they are not very snowboard aware, regularly skiing close into your blind side leading to a number of accidents that I witnessed.
  The lift system is very good and access to the mountain is quick and easy. The ski bus is good too.
  Enjoyed my trip but would not visit again.
  

• November 02, 2010
  Jackie from Westerham from United Kingdom
  

  We are a family of 4 and have been to Hinterglemm (Saalbach Hinterglemm) for the past 3 years running, usually in February but this year we are going at Christmas and can't wait, hopefully slightly less busy than half-term. The skiing here is absolutely fantastic, the higher runs are wide and treeless and as you ski down you're skiing beautiful tree lined runs. There are mountain restaurants dotted all over the mountains so you're never far away from drinks, food and toilets! The Austrians know how to party so come 3.30 the apres-ski bars at the bottom of the runs in both Hinterglemm and Saalbach are pumping out the music and once the gluhwein and beers start kicking in everyone is dancing inside the bars and outside in the snow. Nothing beats skiing down at the end of the day, stopping in a bar with a hot gluhwein in hand whilst standing outside dancing with the snow falling! The runs are mostly long and wide but I would say not for complete beginners - go to Neiderau to learn for a couple of years and then hit Hinterglemm. Not too expensive either - you can get a huge pizza, big enough to share for about £5 in the centre of Hinterglemm village or you can eat expensive too - it's up to you. The lifts and runs all link nicely - the only queue we're ever in is the T-bar in the centre of Hinterglemm in the morning. You need to get there before the ski schools start and you'll be fine, no queueing anywhere else and anyway they have replaced that T-bar with a gondola; new for this season 2010/11 so now no queuing at all. Also there is a floodlit run with massive fun park and this is lit every night 'til 9.30 with a bar by the lift so you can go in there while the kids are on the fun park - perfect. Go to Hinterglemm - you won't be disappointed.

• March 21, 2010
  Natasha & Martin from United Kingdom
  

  Hi,
  We were in Saalbach (Saalbach Hinterglemm) mid March this year. We were lucky with the snow, it absolutely dumped a massive amount for 2 days, followed by glorious sunshine. We were able to play in powder through the trees and off-piste for those 2 days of snow and the following day of sunshine. After that the sun was too strong, and at such a low altitude by the end of the first day of sunshine, the snow was heavy, and slushy. The rest of the week was lovely weather but the snow was just slowly melting away.
  The slopes around the resort are good: long distances, fun and are quite steep with some challanging parts. The skipass tracks your journey and lets you know your distance travelled in a day/week and vertical metres overcome, quite a cool gadget and keeps you entertained. The resort also has snapshot places where you can have a photo taken on the top of a mountain, then download it and send as an e-card.
  Apres-ski was very good, loud Austrian music bringing a good atmosphere and everyone is always in a happy mood. I could not say a bad word about the Austrians: good skiers, always in a good mood and ready to party.

  In all, Saalbach Hinterglemm is a good resort but you need to ensure you have the snow, so we would suggest going in Jan/Feb time.

  Regards, N&M

• March 12, 2010
  Jay from Netherlands
  

  Saalbach Hinterglemm has great skiing, even greater aprés-ski. I love it.

• March 25, 2009
  Nicholas Jones from Austria
  

  I live at Saalbach Hinterglemm and Hinterglemm is the best. It is the greatest ski resort with the best slopes. The snow is amazing with some perfect late March skiing. I travel and have experienced skiing all over the world and nothing compares to Saalbach Hinterglemm. If you are planning on visiting Saalbach Hinterglemm soon or next year, winter or summer, please mail me for advice and help.
  Regards, Nick.

• January 18, 2009
  Megan from Austria
  

  Hi, my name is Megan and I live in Hinterglemm, just by the Hochalm gondola. My husband and I moved here 5 years ago and cannot believe how lucky we are to be living in such a beautiful part of the Alps. Our daughter also lives here and owns and runs her own small hotel in Saalbach. The winter is a fairytale wonderland with excellent skiing and boarding. The summer too is beautiful with the grass covered Pinzgau Mountains adorned with wild flowers and the ever present sound of a cow bell somewhere in the distance. The many hill walkers and mountain bikers return every year to the warm welcome from the local village people. Described by the German and Austrian Automobile Associations as one of the best ski resorts and the number one apres-ski resort in the whole of Austria. The many new lifts and gondolas installed over the past 3 years makes this a skiers paradise. Future planned installations are the new gondola from Jausern to the top of the Schattberg and the old Bergokel 3-man chair and T-bar being replaced by a modern fast gondola. This will greatly improve the ski circus making it skiable in both directions. It just keeps getting better. For more info on accommodation and the resort please feel free to e-mail me meganbusby@hotmail.co.uk

• October 17, 2008
  Geoff from United Kingdom
  

  We stayed at Hinterglemm in February 2008 and will return next year. We found the facilities at this resort excellent and the local people friendly and very helpful. The infrastructure of the resort was superb and the skiing first class. The ski school instructors all spoke good English and catered for all levels. Some of the slopes were a little challenging but there is plenty for all in the area. Due to the layout of the ski lifts one could follow different routes each day. We would recommend this resort for beginners and intermediate skiers

• September 04, 2008
  Gary from United Kingdom
  

  We stayed in Saalbach for our first winter Christmas and it was amazing. This was my second trip to the resort and it did not let me down. This was my girlfriends first ski holiday and she was not looking forward to it as she did not know what to expect. We stayed at the Reiterhof in the centre of Saalbach which made the whole trip a little easier. The hotel is right next to the ski school so for my girlfriend wearing ski boots for the first time did feel to uncomfortable. The snow was fantastic and by mid week she was flying down the blue runs. The night life and ski instructors were brilliant. we were never let down by the free shuttle buses once. This truly was a magical Christmas and can't wait to go there again soon.

• April 06, 2008
  Joseph from United Kingdom
  

  Terrible public transport. I stayed in one of the further away villages from most pistes: Vorderglemm. It took at least two hours to get to the centre of Hinterglemm by skiing, and this was in good snow conditions. The free shuttle bus let me down on many occasions and I missed early morning powder starts because I simply couldn't get high enough, quick enough. The taxi's were far too expensive, 30 Euros from centre of Hinterglemm to where I stayed.
  The runs are good, the snow was good, and nightlife was good, but if you go you HAVE to stay as close to lifts as possible.

• January 13, 2008
  Jenny from Austria
  

  We have just spent our 3rd Christmas in Hinterglemm as a family of 4 and will return again this year. The skiing is great for intermediates, as is the snowboarding and the apres-ski suits all ages. Nothing could beat Christmas Day apres-ski in the Goatstall, watching the sun go down.

• December 11, 2007
  Rob from United Kingdom
  

  No problems whatsoever. Book without worry. Great skiing for all levels (except maybe absolute experts). Good lifts, nightlife, shops.
  One of my favourites. Definately better than anywhere in France !

• March 26, 2007
  MJ from United Kingdom
  

  Good and bad points at Saalbach:
  Good points – despite the lack of snow, the pistes were maintained to a tremendous standard, giving us great skiing above the midstations in warm sunny weather. The food and drink were a good standard on and off the mountain, and good value. Fairly large ski area to explore.

  Bad points – not much for expert skiers (very limited number of black runs, and no double diamond type runs, that I could see). Transport not good; free ski buses were almost too unreliable to use, but unfortunately the alternative (taxis) tended to rip you off. Also, we were ripped off by a guy in the ski rental shop in the centre of Saalbach. This guy (who sported a sort of Krusty the clown haircut) gave us ski poles and when we returned them said they weren't his and demanded 20 euros. He had us over a barrel, so we had to pay. Never been treated like this over poles! He said someone must have swapped them; why would anyone swap their poles for ski rental poles?! My advice; take a picture of the guy with the equipment when you pick it up.

• January 13, 2007
  Megan from Austria
  

  Hi, my name is Megan and I live in Hinterglemm, just by the Hochalm Gondola. My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and cannot believe how lucky we are to be living in such a beautiful part of the Alps. Our daughter also lives here and owns and runs her own small hotel in Saalbach. The winter is a fairytale wonderland with excellent skiing and boarding. The summer too is beautiful with the grass covered Pinzgau Mountains adorned with wild flowers and the ever present sound of a cow bell somewhere in the distance. The many hill walkers and mountain bikers return every year to the warm welcome from the local village people. Described by the German and Austrian Automobile Associations as one of the best ski resorts and the Number ONE apres ski resort in the whole of Austria. The many new lifts and gondolas installed over the past 3 years makes this a skiers paradise. Future planned installations are the new gondola from Jausern to the top of the Schattberg and the old Bergokel 3-man chair and T-bar being replaced by a modern fast gondola. This will greatly improve the ski circus making it skiable in both directions. It just keeps getting better. For more info on accommodation and the resort please feel free to e-mail me meganbusby@aol.com

• October 04, 2006
  Samuel from United Kingdom
  

  I went to Saalbach when I was 15 years old on a school trip. We all had a fantastic time and although I didn't know the first thing about how to ski I quickly picked it up and, once on the slopes, I couldn't get off! A friendly village bustling at night creates a great atmosphere. Enjoyed myself so much that now I'm 18 I am going back there with some friends. Wonderfall time and some great memories!

• March 21, 2006
  Jonathan Rodger from
  

  You've got to try this resort, if you've only ever skied in France you probably don't realise how beautiful Austria is. I went twice in January and I've never seen so much snow, it was amazing. Apparently the climate is colder in the Austrian Alps so you get more snowfall per metre of altitude than in France. The snow is great here from mid-December until late March. The resort is so friendly, and very lively but understated at the same time. And I never saw one lift queue in 2 weeks, the system here is very modern. We booked through www.chalet-saalbach.com which was really special.

• March 14, 2006
  jc from United Kingdom
  

  On the face of it Saalbach-Hinterglemm should be a great spot, a large varied ski area set above cosy alpine villages but for some reason it doesn't quite work for me. The way the lift network is set up means that everyone skis around the circuit which leads to queues. As others have mentioned the black down fron the Zwolferkögel is not for the inexperienced but if you want to ski the circus in a clockwise fashion there is no alternative, many of the lower slope are south facing and often have poor snow. There are some good long reds and some nice restaurants but nothing outstanding.

• March 08, 2006
  Phil from United Kingdom
  

  Very good conditions, very expansive ski area with nice scenery, good food, great nightlife and nice people. Plus, no French so why go to 'le trois valleys'?

• March 06, 2006
  Adrian Drewett from United Kingdom
  

  Currently out here and the snow hasn't stopped. Powder conditions are great. Off-piste you're riding in 30cm+ of fresh powder. Slopes in the morning once groomed are awesome.
  It's a great area, with runs and conditions for everyone. Hinterglemm is definitely the best for night life.

• February 16, 2006
  julia from United Kingdom
  

  We were in Saalbach in Jan 2003 and had a great time.
  It's good for doorstop skiing and has a good flow of runs.
  The mountain restaurants are very nice, particularly the Berger Alm.
  The apres-ski is great but I feel the village, although pretty, lacks some charm. There are not many shops, just lots of hotels.
  Recommended for groups of intermediates and beginners and those who like lively nightlife. It's a short transfer from Salzburg airport.

• January 28, 2006
  Nick from United Kingdom
  

  Saalbach has everything any skier or family requires. From excellent snow conditions to well maintained pistes, this dainty village bursts with character and aesthetic value. A booming apres-ski should encourage the party animal in all.
  I recently took a school group there for a week long trip. The group experience was varied, however, the resort more than catered for everyone. Reliable snow, excellent facilities and a short transfer time from Salzburg makes this resort worth visiting. Highly recommended and a more traditional ski experience than the one you'll find in purpose built resorts in France.

• November 16, 2005
  louise from United Kingdom
  

  Saalbach has no words! i've been there once and i am returning in feb 2006 great runs for all types of skiers easy ones for beginners and immense hard ones for the experienced. The runs take you though little forests and there are great moguls. I highly recomend it to anyone wanting to ski anytime - it's fantastic +++

• February 11, 2004
  peter diffner from Sweden
  

  Saalbach is heaven! Very nice sloopes and modern lifts. DO NOT go black the sloope fropm Zw?lferkogel, if not expert ! Other sloopes from Z is just fantastic, and so are most of the sloopes down to Leogang.
  Saalbach means high quality ON pist, off-pist not much choice. A paradise for all but not beginners.

• January 27, 2004
  Peter Byrne from United Kingdom
  

  A tremendous resort for intermediates and above. The skiing in Saalbach and Hinterglemm varied from wide and steep blues and reds to gentle trails through the trees.
  The run from the top of Bernkogel to the T bar is great for building confidence until you're ready to go the whole way down under the chairlift - about 6km in total.
  On the other side of the valley, the run to Vorderglemm from Schattberg is well worth doing, and then reclimbing the valley to ski back to Saalbach on Blue 52 stopping at the mountain restaurant Masalm on the way down. Alternatively, the run from the top of Kohlmais is a challenging red, being the former World Cup run.
  For the more intrepid, the black from the top of the Schattberg express feels never ending, but gave a real sense of achievement.
  At the other end of the valley, once you've beaten the queue for the Reiterkogel gondola, head down run 28 to Hochalm, go up the chair and ski 25 - the steepest blue that I've ever been on!!
  I never made it over to Zwolferkogel - I'll save that for next time.
  The Apres-ski in Saalbach is superb and the prices in resort and on the mountain are very reasonable.
  I'd recommend the resort to anyone except a complete beginner - I will certainly be going back next year!