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| Beginners |
**** |
| Easy: |
***** |
| Intermediates |
***** |
| Advanced |
**** |
| Expert |
**** |
| Non-skiers |
**** |
| Apres ski |
**** |
| Snowboarding |
**** |
| Village height: |
1003m |
| Top Lift : |
2096m |
| Marked runs: |
200km |
| Longest run: |
7.5km |
| Slopes face: |
N,S |
| Snowmaking: |
20%
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| Glacier: |
No |
| Lifts: |
60 |
| Cable car: |
1 |
| Gondola: |
8 |
| Chair lifts: |
14 |
| Drag lifts: |
37 |
| Lift Pass
Inc: |
all
areas on piste map |
| Photo needed: |
No |
| Extension areas: |
n/a |
| Ski bus: |
Yes |
| Mountain restaurants: |
40 |
| Kindergarten: |
no |
| Creche: |
No |
| Transfer time: |
1.5hrs from Salzburg
14 hrs from Calais
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OUR SUMMARY
An enormous, linked "Ski Circus",
modern lift system, a beautiful village and great
après ski. The lot!
With its massive linked ski circus, traditional
Austrian charm and plentiful après ski,
Saalbach is arguably the ideal ski resort. This
is easily the biggest linked ski area in Austria
and it has fantastic variety for every ability.
Unlike most Austrian ski systems, this is a
"circus", and with thighs of steel
you can ski around the whole valley without
any walking or bussing. At over 200km however
it's a tall order. The modern lift system, as
good as any you will find in France, develops
every year and a state-of-the-art gondola replaced
the big Schattberg cable car in 2003. The powerful
snowmaking helps conditions generally but many
slopes are north facing so skiing on this circuit
is reliable from the beginning to the end of
the season.
Despite the modernity of the lifts, there's
a great sense of ski tradition, and a definite
'feel-good factor' is always at work. The skiing
is adventurous, varied and fun. Each village
has its own appeal: Saalbach has sunshine and
good cruising on vast blues; Hinterglemm has
great variety, superb snow, and is slightly
steeper. Vorderglemm has a bit of both and good
links to Leogang, where there are some glorious,
long runs through trees - typically Austrian.
There are interesting ski tours, easy moguls
and great snowboarding too. Both Saalbach and
Hinterglemm have beginners slopes in the resort
and at the top.
There's a fantastic array of mountain restaurants:
big ones, booming with bonhomie and loud music;
twee little log cabins with traditional costume;
and some that simply serve terrific food. Quite
a few are accessible to non-skiers.
Saalbach is big and lively, but still great
charm, a safe, car-free centre, plenty of après
ski and all the traditional Austrian attractions.
All in all, we would say Saalbach has a good
claim to being the premier ski resort in Austria.
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A wonderful area with lots to do, tremendous
non-ski facilities and lively après ski.
Typically Austrian. Saalbach is big, well equipped
and bustling, with plenty of shops and bars, but
still retains its traditional tyrolean charm.
•
bowling •
squash •
sports centre with swimming pool and tennis
hall •
sleigh rides •
floodlit skating rink with curling •
good selection of shops •
many bars, cafes, restaurants, discos
•
banks •
art gallery
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EQUITY-RUN
HOTEL RIEGLER 3star (cap 70)
Recently refurbished by Equity and located close to the
new gondola and village centre. Spacious rooms, good sauna
and new bar.
This
is currently our second very successful season in the Riegler
and the changes we have made are certainly bearing fruit.
The customer questionnaires are gratifyingly (and uniformly)
excellent. It's a wonderful addition to our programme. The
Riegler's location is good, only 5mins from central Saalbach
and seconds on the ski bus to the huge new Schattberg gondola.
The ski bus stop is right outside the hotel or you can walk
in 7mins. There is also the option of a ski deposit close
to the lifts, (at a small charge) so it's an easy walk in
shoes. The hotel faces a blue run, which starts as a moderate
black, and good skiers can take this down to within 2mins
of the hotel. There are great views of the north-facing slopes
from the front of the hotel.
The Riegler is fairly modern and has been totally refurbished
to our specification. On the ground floor, the modern ski
store has heated boot holders and exits onto the hotel terrace
where a short access road (fairly steep) joins the main road
and the ski bus stop. There's also a sauna next to the ski
room, and a large reception with Internet access point and
a few sofas.
Most of the public areas are up on the first floor. The bar
is brand new, very welcoming and well designed, with a pleasant
ambience. The adjacent lounge has TV and a relaxing, quiet
area, away from the main bar, which is next to the smart restaurant.
Most of the bedrooms have balcony and all have private facilities.
They are spacious, nicely decorated and comfortable. We recommend
this excellent Equity-run hotel, which operate with our customary
attention to detail, superb personal service and good food.
•
Sauna •
modern ski store •
lift •
bar •
TV lounge •
Internet access
BUDGET
COACH
GASTHAUS SALITERWIRT 2star (cap 90)
A traditional family gasthof that works well for schools.
Only 10mins from the Leogang gondola and 20mins to a Saalbach
gondola.
A traditional country gasthof with real Austrian hospitality
and bags of charm. It's on the outskirts of Saalfelden, in
a quiet area, 10mins walk to the centre, and only 10mins by
coach to the Leogang gondola.
All rooms have shower and WC and half have balcony. Some of
the rooms are quite large and contain 8 beds including some
bunks. The Saliterwirt always works well with schools because
the friendly family take pride in their warm welcome and excellent
kitchen. There is buffet breakfast and 3 course self-service
at dinner.
BUDGET COACH
GASTHOF UNTERWIRT (cap106)
Traditional family-run gasthof ideally placed for coach
groups in the safe and quiet town of Maishofen 15mins from
the lifts.
A family run pension ideally placed in a quiet safe area for
coach groups wishing to ski Saalbach. The Unterwirt is typically
Austrian, friendly, spacious and well attuned to school groups.
The dining room serves buffet breakfast and has a stage for
evening entertainment. School groups prepare their own packed
lunch at breakfast. There is a public restaurant, bar and
a ground floor bowling facility, which is also used by the
public. About half the bedrooms have private facilities. These
are conventional Austrian twins. Then there are larger rooms
that share plentiful corridor facilities.
•
bowling alley on premises •
small bar •
public restaurant •
good entertainment facilities
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