Travel Eye on Saalbach (Austria)

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Overview:

Saalbach is a fairly large village with a compact centre, running for around ½ ml along the main road and spreading in a westerly direction towards Hinterglemm, so much so that the two virtually merge and so are marketed as a single resort destination.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm, like Ischgl, is one of the biggest lift-linked resorts in Austria, with 200km of runs. It combines an attractive Austrian village with the convenience (excellent lift links and good piste maintenance) of French resorts. There is skiing/boarding for all abilities, particularly better intermediates. For advanced skiers, there is slightly less appeal, with limited expert-only terrain (the Glemm Valley is an exception).

There is an excellent ski school and good nursery slopes for beginners. But, as with many of the pistes, they are south-facing - receiving a lot of sun and marginally poorer snow conditions. The other runs favour second weekers rather than absolute beginners. Boarders are spoilt, with 13km of boarders-only pistes, as well as a specialist park and half-pipe. For kids, facilities are better at Hinterglemm.

There are more than 125 miles (200km) of ski trails linked by lifts, mainly suited to intermediate level skiers. There is, however, a two-mile long (3km) expert mogul descent on the north facing Zwolferkogel, and more than 60 miles (97km) of off-piste terrain. The pretty Tyrolean style villages are fairly new, but the ambience is traditional with chalets and sleigh bells adding to the charm.

Slightly more expensive than Hinterglemm but still boasting a broad selection suiting most pockets. Top-notch hotels to venerable family-owned and operated pensions (B&Bs) with self-catering apartments farther afield. Prices at some 4-star hotels are quite high compared to the UK; however, they are usually offered on a half-board basis and food is generally of a high standard.

Overall, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a top Austrian destination that has good skiing, a traditional village and fun après-ski.

Locality:

Saalbach is situated in central Austria, near the border between the Tyrol and the Salzburg regions, at the E end of the country's panhandle. It is 10 mls NW of Zell am See, 56 mls SW of Salzburg and its airport and 138 mls SE of Munich (Germany) and its airport. Saalbach is positioned in the dramatic Glemm Valley, which runs E to W and ends just beyond its sister village of Hinterglemm, 2 mls away. Flanked on both sides by mountains. The River Saalach runs the length of the valley.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Apart from skiing and snowboarding at all levels, the twin resort villages offer all the expected winter sports activities. Choose from snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, ice-skating, tobogganing, ice-climbing and snow-hiking to name just a few. Children are exceptionally well catered for.

The historic Austrian city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, is just an easy hour's journey away and makes for a great excursion. The valley also boasts a host of activities that are on offer all year round, like archery, fishing, horse riding, paragliding and golf on a nine-hole course.

Folk evenings, brass band concerts and street painting are scheduled in the summer months when more than 249 miles (400km) of walking trails open up in and around the valley.

Rustic Alpine inns serving up filling, warming local fare dot the slopes, while the valley towns bristle with restaurants, cafes, ice bars and delicatessens (for those who enjoy a 'do-it-yourself' meal). Most of the inns open from breakfast time, tempting skiers with delicious Austrian pastries and coffee.

Snowboarding - Snowparks: 1, Halfpipes: 1, Boarding on all pistes,

Other Snow Sports - Cross country: 11km ( Cross country equipment available), Sleigh rides.

So hectic is the après-ski in the Glemmtal Valley that it is surprising anyone can muster the strength to hit the ski slopes in the morning! Copious amounts of excellent beer and schnapps flow in the mountainside inns and village ice bars, along with some rollicking music and good-natured 'gemuchtlikheid'.

Dancing on the tables is expected and drinking anthems with cries of 'prost!' echo everywhere. Most parties get going even before the ski lifts close at 4pm, in the chalets above the villages.

Several convenient eateries are available though pricey mountain restaurants along with a whole host of cafes are dotted around. In the evening, a wide choice of hotel restaurants provide international and local cuisine.