Where the best skiers in the world competed for precious metal at the World Ski Championships in 2013, recreational athletes can do the same today: The Schladming-Dachstein ski area in Styria is one of the largest ski areas in the Austrian Alps. Thanks to the 4-mountain ski area Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling and Reiteralm, daily variety is guaranteed !

• a total of 125 slopes and 89 lifts in eleven ski areas
• 4-mountain ski area Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm
• Guaranteed snow until late spring on the Dachstein Glacier
• Part of the Ski amadé ski association

The Schladming-Dachstein ski area, together with Hochkönig, Gastein, Grossarltal and the Salzburger Sportwelt, is part of the Austrian Ski Amadé ski association with a total of 760 kilometers of slopes.

It is located in Styria between the famous Dachstein massif and the Schladminger Tauern and includes eight winter sports centers. Overall, the Schladming-Dachstein ski area extends from the main town of Schladming at 745 m to the Dachstein summit at an altitude of 2,700 m.

230 kilometers of slopes offer skiing fun for every visitor, from novices to experienced piste cracks. Beginners can look forward to 98 km of easy blue slopes, while experienced skiers can choose from 115 km of red slopes.

The 17 black pistes with inclines of up to 80 percent are a challenge even for the cracks. 89 lifts ensure smooth transport.

The 4-mountain ski area connects the Hauser Kaibling (2,015 m), Schladming’s local mountain Planai (1,906 m), the Hochwurzen (1,850 m) and the Reiteralm (1,860 m). No wonder that this extensive range has been rated with the full five stars by our experts. Snow reliability is also given five stars, because skiing fun is guaranteed on the Dachstein Glacier until late spring.

At 149 days, the season in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area is exceptionally long, because the Austrian average is 118 days.

The seasonal average snow depth is 98 cm in the mountains and 56 cm in the valley. In the snowiest and sunniest month of March, snow depths of 128 cm are measured on the mountain. The sun then shines for 18 days. Over the season, winter sports enthusiasts can expect an average of 74 sunny days.

2) Schladming-Dachstein piste map

3) Skiing in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area

The Schladming-Dachstein ski area offers a varied and diverse program for winter sports enthusiasts due to its size. In the center of the ski area is the 4-mountain ski area, which connects the Hauser Kaibling, the Planai, the Hochwurzen and the Reiteralm.

It is framed by the Galsterbergalm and the Fageralm, while the family-friendly, quiet ski area on the Stoderzinken and the Dachstein Glacier, with guaranteed snow well into spring, await on the south side of the Ennstal.

The 2013 World Ski Championships were held on the slopes of the Planai, and some of the most beautiful routes in the ski area can be found here. If you want to compete with the professionals, you can ski the 5 km long FIS descent from the summit of the Planai down to the valley. The annual World Cup night slalom is held on the finish slope, attracting up to 40,000 onlookers to Schladming.

A demarcated quick-shot route with speed measurement allows even small competitions to be held. The Planai sound slope offers an unusual skiing experience: at 600 m, skiers are accompanied by alternating musical sounds. Evening skiing with floodlights is possible on the illuminated slope on the Hochwurzen until 11 p.m.

The extensive offer for families with children also receives four stars: The manageable family ski areas on the Stoderzinken and Galsterberg allow children to practice their swing far away from the hustle and bustle.

In the Gallic ski village on Galsterberg, children meet Asterix, Obelix and their Roman opponents. The youngsters are also in good hands on the Regenbogenalm on the Reiteralm and in Hopsis Kinderland on the Planai with a fairy tale meadow, child-friendly fun slope and ski school. Here the new “Hopsi-Express” creates a connection between Hopsis Kinderland and the mountain station of the Plainai cable car.

The offer for snowboarders and freestylers in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area is unbeatable: two snow parks await you on the Planai and Dachstein and three other fun slopes on the Hochwurzen, the Reiteralm and the Galsterbergalm.

The Superpark Planai in particular has developed into the Mecca of the snowboarding scene since it opened in 2008/2009, but the Superpark Dachstein has a no less extensive range of offers – even ten months a year. No wonder that the offer for snowboarders has earned the top rating of five stars from our experts!

The Dachstein Glacier with its extensive deep snow areas offers peace and quiet away from the slopes. Tourers set out from here on the Austrian national ski tour to Obertraun. Crossing the Dachstein through the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful routes in the Alps with incomparable views.

Cross-country skiers meet in Ramsau am Dachstein, where around 150 km of groomed trails in all levels of difficulty await. This is no coincidence, because the Nordic World Ski Championships are held regularly in Ramsau.

4) Expert evaluation

With an overall rating of 4.6 possible stars, the Schladming-Dachstein ski area is one of the best-rated ski areas in Austria. The experts at SnowTrex particularly appreciate the extensive range of lifts and cable cars and the guaranteed snow, as well as the diverse gastronomy and the lively après-ski scene.

5) Off-piste activities

The gastronomic offer in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area is impressive, because the region is not called Austria’s delicatessen for nothing. From cozy Styrian mountain huts to lively après-ski bars in the holiday resorts, there is the right place to stop for a break at any time of the day.

The gastronomy and the après-ski offer then each receive the best rating of five stars. The Hochwurzenalm at the summit of the Hochwurzen directly on the ski slope, the toboggan run and on the winter hiking trail is one of the most beautiful destinations for a snack in between. The glacier restaurant at the mountain station of the Dachstein glacier cable car is unique: Here, guests dine right on the border between Upper Austria and Styria, which runs through the restaurant.

Other beautiful huts for the lunch break are the Hochalm on the Reiteralm, the “Knapplhütte” on the Hauser Kaibling and “Onkel Willy’s Hütte” on the Planai with their unique wood carvings.

In the evenings, the restaurants in the winter sports resorts in the valley open their doors. “Johann – the Styrian Restaurant” in Schladming impresses not only with its excellent dishes, but also with its unusual ambience. “Die Tischlerei” in Roseggerstrasse offers fine delicacies.

In the late afternoon, the après-ski party begins at the umbrellas and huts in the valley. The hustle and bustle is at the “Hohenhaus Tenne” in the Planai Stadium at the end of the downhill run of the same name.

A highlight for night owls is the “Tauernalm” at the end of the illuminated Hochwurzen natural toboggan run. In the spotlight, skiing and snowboarding is possible until late in the evening – accompanied by live music, entertainment and delicious Styrian specialties. At a late hour, the nightlife moves inside, for example to the “Scenario” and the “Cult Club” in Schladming, the “Sport Alm” in Ramsau and the “Erlebniswelt” in Rohrmoos.

Away from the slopes, there are always enough offers in the Schladming-Dachstein ski area: How about a ride in a dog sled or on a fat bike through the snow? The 7 km long toboggan run on the Hochwurzen is popular with adults and children alike. Night tobogganing on the illuminated route in the evening is particularly romantic. Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls is a real challenge. Introductory courses in the Talbachklamm are offered several times a week in Schladming.

With tandem paragliding you can experience the beautiful Dachstein region from a bird’s eye view. The 70 km of winter hiking trails in the ski area promise restful tranquility in the midst of the untouched winter landscape.

A must is a cable car ride up the Dachstein: the suspension Bridge offer breathtaking views down into the depths. The magical ice palace inside the glacier takes you into a unique world of ice and snow.

6) Places in the ski area

In the heart of the ski area lies the winter sports resort Schladming, known for its annual World Cup races . A perfect tourist infrastructure with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops leaves nothing to be desired. In the Schladming adventure pool, adults can find peace and relaxation in the sauna area, while the children let off steam on the slides in the fun pool.

The neighboring town of Ramsau and Dachstein is well known thanks to the Nordic World Ski Championships. TV viewers also know it as the location for the ZDF series “Die Bergretter”. Here and in the small communities like Pichl at the foot of the Reiteralm and in Haus at the foot of the Hauser Kaibling, things are a little more leisurely. A visit to the winter sports museum in Haus-Aich-Gössenberg is like traveling back in time. From the early beginnings of mankind to move through the snow on skis to today’s high-tech skiing pleasure, the entire history of winter sports is presented.

7) The journey to the Schladming-Dachstein ski area

The central location in the heart of Austria and the good transport connections make the Schladming-Dachstein ski area an easily accessible destination. Coming from Germany, the route leads from Munich via Salzburg onto the A10 Tauern motorway in a southerly direction. At exit 63 (Graz / Slovenia) take the A320 (E651) and follow it to Schladming.

Traveling by train is also child’s play: from Munich there is a direct EuroCity connection to Graz with a stop in Schladming. Many other connections only require a single change in Salzburg or Bischofshofen. Many hotels in Schladming and Ramsau offer a pick-up service from the train station.

The nearest airport is in Salzburg, 90 km away. From here you can continue your journey by train or conveniently with a private taxi airport transfer.