Hochwurzen Schladming Ski Resort

The Hochwurzen ski area is located in the heart of Styria – a place now known to winter sports fans worldwide since then Skiing World Cup visited in 2013. Wide groomers, efficient snowmaking systems and the state-of-the-art Planet Planai valley station have been a real hit with scores of skiers ever since. Hochwurzen is joined with the slopes of Planai, Hauser Kaibling and Reiteralm to make up the 4-Berge-Skischaukel ski region, offering no less than 123 kilometres of trails to explore. 

Hochwurzen clocks in with 22 kilometres of runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. 15 kilometres are designated red, offering plenty of challenging terrain for a great day on the mountain, while 6 kilometres of blue slopes offer a gentler option for cutting some laid-back turns. There are wide and long groomers spread across the mountain, such as Golden Line (no. 38) and Pichl (no. 40) which allow some mellow carving and relaxing turns.  

In addition, freestyle skiers should check out the funslope with 18 different obstacles spread along a 500-metre course.

There are also plenty of good options for food and drink on the slopes of Hochwurzen, with several cosy lodges flanking the slopes. The Hochwurzenalm, located directly next to the slopes, is the first port-of-call for people looking for good food in cosy surroundings. Next to the Gipfelbahn, the Tauernalm offers a unique atmosphere and is built entirely of local spruce.

Skiers can wind their way down to Schladming on the red-marked run no. 37 or soak up the breath-taking landscape on the laid-back Primpsabfahrt. And if you want to follow in the footsteps of a bona fide ski star, then look no further than the Sepp Walcher-Abfahrt.

One highlight is the 7-kilometre sled run on Hochwurzen. It is one of the longest sled runs in the entire Alps, and it sweeps all the way down into the valley from the 1860-metre mountain lift station. It’s a particularly memorable experience in the evening when the floodlights are switched on and you can take to the mountain under starry skies. If you prefer to explore on foot, take the Gipfelbahn up to Hochwurzen before walking through the winter wonderland on a well-maintained winter walking path back down to the base.

For night owls, Andi’s Schirmbar and the Celtic-Bar at the Seiterhütte are low-key après-ski options.

If you visit the Schladming-Dachstein region, don’t miss the delicious local cuisine. Specialities like Steirerkas, Nockerl or Bauernkrapfen are available at establishments like Alpengasthof Tetter in Rohrmoos-Untertal or at Arx Genusswerkstatt.

By car: Travelling from the west from the Munich-Salzburg motorway, take the Tauernautobahn to the Ennstal intersection. From there, follow the B320 for approx. 25 kilometres to Schladming. From the East, take the Südautobahn and Semmering to the St. Michael intersection. From there, follow the Pyhrnautobahn to Liezen and then the B 320.

By train: As Schladming is well connected to public transport networks, it is also possible to travel to the ski area by train. The nearest airports are in Salzburg (90 km), Linz and Graz (both approx. 184 km).