Reiteralm Schladming Ski Resort

The Reiteralm ski area is the perfect destination for advanced skiers and snowboarders. There are some 23 km of red-marked runs to explore here. As all the runs are completely covered by snow-making, you don’t have to worry about snow quality on the slopes if conditions overhead haven’t been ideal. The clear highlights of the ski area include the state-of-the-art 8-person cable cars, such as the Silver Jet gondola – the most efficient cable car in all of Styria.

In the area around the Jagastüberl there are numerous blue-marked runs, which are an ideal stomping ground for newcomers to Alpine sports: Trail no. 4 leads to the red-marked valley run and should therefore only be ridden if you are ready to take on intermediate terrain. The other blue-marked runs around Jagastüberl (Märchenpiste, Haseckpiste and Übungswiese) can be unreservedly tackled by beginners.

Advanced skiers can explore just about all corners of this entire ski area. The runs down from the top-out point at 1,860 metres are particularly worthwhile. This is, for instance, the starting point for the red-marked Gasselhöhe world cup course. It runs down via the Eiskarhütte to Jagastüberl. The Holzerabfahrt, which also starts up at 1,860 metres, is a really impressive run leading down to the Bankwirt, as is the Reiteralmabfahrt down to the Panoramastüberl. The Gleiming and Finale Grande valley runs extend all the way down to the base of the mountain. Experts and ambitious skiers will also love Reiteralm. The black-marked Hahn’l Piste starts at the top-out point at 1,860 metres and leads down to the Gasslhöhe Hütte. The latter is also where the black-marked Gasselhöhe-Abfahrt starts before weaving down to the Jagastüberl via the red-marked Muldenliftabfahrt. There are another two black-rated sections down from the Schnepf’n Alm – the Finale Grande and the steep Rauner run.

The children’s area by the Jagastüberl is the place to be for youngsters looking for fun in the snow. The park includes a magic carpet lift, carousel, practice lifts and ski routes for kids to explore. It’s a great place for youngsters to learn skiing in a playful way and to gain confidence on the snow.

The Reiteralm is part of the 4 mountain “Skischaukel” Reiteralm-Hochwurzen-Planai-Hauser Kaibling. As a result, skiers and snowboarders can look forward to exploring no less than 125 kilometres of groomers.

The Reiteralm is also home to cosy ski lodges as well as mountain restaurants and umbrella bars. Notable spots for a nice lunch are the Almrestaurant Edelweiß and Gasselhöh’-Hütte. The latter is accessible from the red-rated Holzerabfahrt or the black-marked Hahn’l Piste.

The Jaga Stüberl is also well worth a visit and it’s just a stone’s throw from the 8-person Silver Jet gondola. The focus here is on using regional produce from the Dachstein-Tauern region to create delicious dishes.

The Steireralm nestles a little further up the mountain from the Jaga Stüberl. Come here for a hearty brunch, homemade sweetmeats or even a proper 3-course meal – all made using quality local produce.

One notable highlight is without doubt the red-marked Gasselhöhe world cup course. It starts at the highest point in the ski area at 1,860 metres. From there, the run sweeps past the Eiskarhütte down to the Jaga Stüberl. The red-marked Reiteralmabfahrt is no less impressive. This run starts at the Gasslhöhe Hütte and runs to the Panoramastüberl and then via the Reiteralm-Talabfahrt and Schnepf’n run down to the Schnepf’n Alm.

To get back to the valley from the Jagastüberl and Schnepf’n Alm, take the Finale Grande Valley run or the Gleiming valley run.

There is also plenty to do away from the corduroy in the Schladming Dachstein region. Numerous idyllic ski tours, snowshoe tours and winter hiking paths are just waiting to be discovered here.

There is a sled run over 6 km long on Hochwurzen, which is a real favourite with families. In Pichl there’s also a snowtubing run which is incredibly popular with both young and old alike, while the roughly 5 km sled run on Galsterberg is even open for sledding after dark. One unique experience is the sleigh ride at Schaupphof, though please bear in mind that this requires prior registration.

If you are looking for something with a bit more of an adrenaline kick, then head for the Stoderzinken zip line near Gröbming. It’s the largest zip line of its kind in all of Europe. The zip line sees guests race on four parallel cables 120 metres above the ground for a descent of around 1,600 metres. The 2.5 km route from the Stoderzinken can see guests clock up speeds of up to 115 km/h. Not for the weak-hearted!

There are also plenty of après-ski options on Reiteralm. Andi’s Schirmbar at the Reiteralm/Hochwurzen base station offers plenty of fun until well after the lifts close. If you fancy something more laid-back, the sundeck is an ideal place for slurping a cocktail.

The Sautrogalm claims to be the “smallest and most rustic lodge in Reiteralm” and the party gets started from 3 pm every day here.

Traditional Styrian cuisine is available from Gasthof Brunner in Pichl/Enns. Come here to enjoy regional treats like Kasnock’n, Tafelspitz with Erdäpflgröstl and Wurzelfleisch.

By car: From the west, take the Tauernautobahn A10 and leave the motorway at the Knoten Ennstal exit. From there, drive around 18 km towards Schladming until you reach the Reiteralm ski area.

From the east, drive via Liezen and the Ennstal Bundesstraße until you reach the ski area. From Liezen it’s around 70 km to Reiteralm.