Top-notch lifts
Let’s first focus on the lift infrastructure, an important factor for advanced skiers. The total of 70 lifts throughout the ski area transport over 130,000 people up the mountain every hour (correct as of January 2016). As a result, visitors should only expect to wait for lifts in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn during absolute peak periods. Notably, the chairlifts between Spieleckkogel and Bernkogel are among the most state-of-the-art lifts around. It goes without saying that the 8-person Hasenauer Lift, the Bernkogel 6-person lift and several other lifts are fitted with under-seat heating.
Circular ski tours for skiers who love to eat up the kilometres
Saalbach Hinterglemm has no less than three circular ski tours available for anyone who wants to explore the entire area without skiing the same piste twice. All three tours are outlined in the images accompanying this test category:
1.) Skicircus tour:
You can explore the entire ski area between Leogang and Hinterglemm in just one day on largely blue-rated trails (the new sub-area of Fieberbrunn is not included in this tour). The whole tour takes around five hours, not including breaks. It measures around 40 km in length, encompassing some 7,240 vertical metres.
2.) Hinterglemm tour:
The Hinterglemm tour is considerably shorter than the Skicircus tour at around three hours, though its descents are substantially longer and more demanding. This 23 km tour is therefore our recommended itinerary for advanced skiers.
3.) Saalbach tour:
The Saalbach tour is another ideal route for less experienced skiers. The highlight of this 16 km tour is the World Cup descent on Kohlmais. The tour takes some 2 1/2 hours, excluding breaks.
The best trails for advanced skiers
- World Championships course 13/13a on Zwölferkogel with picturesque views over Hinterglemm
- The black-rated Nordabfahrt (1) on the Schattberg Express and Zwölferkogel Nordabfahrt (14) are sure to get your thighs burning. However, it is worth noting that both trails tend to be icy if there hasn’t been any fresh snow.
- Not challenging, but a dream for fans of carving: The broad Bernkogelabfahrt (46)
270 km of runs – One of the world’s largest ski areas
Given all of the factors named above, we haven’t hesitated to award the ski area 10 points in the advanced skier category – the offering from Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is truly that good. Even after a week’s skiing holiday, you won’t get bored any time soon and will always discover new trails.