 Poster: A snowHead
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The new Saalbach/Ski Circus thread for 2025/26 is hereby opened: let discussions commence!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I’m currently in Saalbach, and will be here for another few weeks. It’s a lively and popular summer tourist season as usual, with some idyllic swimming in lakes, and hiking and biking. Highlights have been the annual Hinterglemm Farmer’s Market (basically a three day street party), the weekly Wednesday street party at Zell am See, and the Thursday evening “all you can eat” barbecue party at the incomparable Hecherhütte at Viehhofen.
The ski season is scheduled to start on 28/11/25 and end on 06/04/26. Season passes cost only slightly more than the cost of two weekly lift passes, so well worth considering for anyone who may be contemplating repeated visits. And there’s a substantial discount for buying season passes during the pre-season sale period, which ends around the end of the first week of December. They can be ordered online.
Season pass holders will of course be able to ski on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier at Kaprun until the end of April. (Incidentally I have in the past timed my journey from my apartments in Saalbach to the Gletscherjet gondola station at Kaprun at a fairly insignificant 25 minutes.)
I’m not currently aware of any new developments for next season, and, after last season’s mammoth investments (the new Zwölfer Nord and Streuböden gondolas, and of course the World Cup), it wouldn’t be surprising if the lift company is focused on replenishing its coffers - but watch this space.
And, as I mentioned in my last post on the previous season’s thread, bear in mind that there are a few British owners amongst my circle, who have good, well-located rental apartments available in Saalbach, and who (for some unknown reason) tend not to use Snowheads. So it’s always worth messaging me.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Wohoo, the winter is coming!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I need to update the how to get to Saalbach as there has been a change this year with public transport in Salzburgland 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Great stuff, visiting for the first time over New year so will be watching this thread with interest
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@tatmanstours, 25 minutes for the 35km drive from Saalbach to the Gletscherjet is very impressive. Google maps gives a best journey time of 47 minutes.
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let the pointless study of long range weather forecasts and live webcams begin...
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@Austrian Seagull, yes, it rather looks as if there’s something wrong somewhere with those figures. I’ve just googled “Saalbach to Gletscherjet” on my phone, and it’s giving me 37 mins/33.1 km.
I don’t normally bother timing it, but on the occasion when I did, I remember noting that it had taken 25 minutes. It was probably a clear run, using the tunnel that bypasses Zell am See, and on roads with an 80 kph limit.
No doubt a time estimate of 30-40 minutes is sensible. Of course it’s unnecessary to drive as far as the Gletscherjet lifts beyond Kaprun. The 3K Konnection gondola is a few km nearer, before you get to Kaprun - but for some inexplicable reason Google says it’s further! (53 mins/34.9 km).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@tatmanstours, The 3K Konnection runs from virtually the top of the Maiskogel mountain, across to the Kitzsteinhorn. The first gondola, before getting on the 3K Konnection, is the Maiskogelbahn. Maybe you looked up the road distance to the 3K Konnection, rather than to the Maiskogelbahn?
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@Austrian Seagull, yes, silly me, exactly! Google says 28 mins/26.9 km from Saalbach to the Maiskogelbahn.
I’ll certainly time it again in future, but at least it can said that, according to Google, it’s less than half an hour’s drive from Saalbach to the first gondola that takes you up to the glacier.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The GB ski club Freshtracks are doing a development week in Saalbach (this is in addition to the Rep service) on 7 March 3 days coaching and 3 days social skiing, staying at the Jufa hotel, group size 16, might be someone cup of tea.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Booked in to saalbach for first week of jan snowboarding. Will keep an eye on here. Am keen for any info on wide cruisy blues for daughter to spend time on.
Ta
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A shame that on the SCGB Freshtracks website one of the photos on the resort description page is at least 25 years old (those Coke-can gondolas changed from that livery in the 1990s) and the other photo also still shows the old gondolas and Kohlmais chair lift that were replaced almost a decade ago.
For anyone thinking of joining the Freshtracks week the good news is that the Jufa hotel is right in the middle of Saalbach and the instruction is going to be provided by Reini's excellent team from Penhab ski school.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Super. Just what i was looking for.
Thanks
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Poster: A snowHead
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@quinton, I didn't look! you think they might have got better photo's, having Penhab is a bonus!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Rje66, I had a similar question last year, not thought Snowheads, I've updated it to take into account that the bust stop in Hinterglemm was moved, a World Cup benefit, and is now a lot closer to the Reiterkogelbahn.
It was for a mixed ability group, the less exprencd had been skiing for a couple of weeks.
Saalbach blues
Ski Areas
Up the valley, take the bus to Hochalm, then the Hochalmbhann C1 then Spieleck 6er, which will be to your left as you get off the gondola, blue 50 is nice a cruisey blue, there is red 52 for the others, then go over the Hochalm 6 er, you cut behind the restaurant Die Alm 1350 and go up the Hochalm6er take blue 56 once you go beyond about 150 meters the blue gets a bit challenging for a short while , it splits you can either go back to the chair you came up or carry on towards Saalbach none of the blues in this area are to challenging apart from the bottom bit on 50a the last 100 meters is quite steep, could be a red.
If you take the bus to the Zwolferkogel and go up the 12erKogel take 31 or 30 on to 31a to the bottom of the Zehner6er B5, make sure you take the blue when skiing along the chair, it goes off to the right, good easy warm up go back to the top of the chair do blue 30 to mid station, you can carry on blue 37 try and keep to the right to avoid quite steep bit good all the way to the bottom. The other group can do blue 37 onto red 37a.
Going to Saalbach
The bus will take you the Schattberg Xpress
You can walk up to the Bernkgogelbhan, go through the ScahttbergXpress lift staion up the escalator and walk out the back , up the alley way and turn right then left up the hill.
Take the Bernkogelbhann up then a short ski to the Bernkogel 6er, then do 146 which is the learning slope and really gentle, beyond the top of the lift station is best skied in the morning, it gets churned up a bit after lunch when all the ski lessons have finished.
You can use this route to ski over to Hinterglemm, don’t take them down red 125 this is a challenging red !
Following the same route from the bus, when you get to the Eva alm (on the corner) turn right and head for the car park go into it and there is a lift up to the slopes, ski over to the chair H3 go up , ski down to the Kohlmainsbahn H1 at go all the way to the top, exit to the left the right is a steep slope all the blues here are nice and wide an good. You could take 155 onto 151, if you do stay to the left one you have gone round teh right hand bend, it’s also a good way of getting back to Saalbach avoiding 152, which beyond the Maisalm can be interesting
Another option is to go up the Schattberg Xpress and then take blue 4 onto blue 2a, do this in the morning when it’s at it’s best the last part to the Schonleitenbahn I1 , looks challenging but it’s nice and wide, later in the day it becomes a real challenge. Go up the gondola at the top take blue 162 the more advanced can take red 162a, they meet at the Polten 8er chair , go up and head to Leogang, taking 222 and 222a, the blue is to the right and it cuts into red 222a partway down. This is the most challenging bit then head over to the Muldenbahn 8er L6 go up then take 215 you now have a choice 206 and 212 these are great runs on 206 the more advanced can take red 201 from mid station or stay on the blue until black 202 which is more red than black, the other carry on with the blue or go back up the chair and get on the gondola L2 at mid station.
Don’t go over to Fieberbrunn , red 125 is quite a challenging red then red 121 is in the same category. You can avoid them by using the lifts.
Going to Hinterglemm, now that the bus stop has been moved, its now a modern Bus station and mini golf, it's an easy walk to the Reiterkogelbahn, there you have blue 70, 76 , 80. 87 going back to Saalbach can be a challenge in the afternoon
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Radar.
Thanks for the detailed information. So lots of options and runs in different areas. Roll on jan
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Is the bus to Hochalm frequent??
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Rje66,yes, it’s the turnaround point for the ski bus, download the Salzburg Verkehr app , it will give you live bus timings.
You can download the bus map here, https://www.saalbach.com/en/service/info/skibus , You want bus 2,3 & 5,6 depending on direction
PS, if you want to @ anyone tap on their name on the left, one of the quirks of SnowHeads
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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FWIW I have in the past found it useful to take the ski bus from Hochalm to the Schönleitenbahn. It takes about 20 minutes and is a quick way of getting from one end of the valley to the other. This can be useful when wanting to take the Schönleitenbahn (which closes at 4.00pm) in the late afternoon, in order to finish the skiing day on the Kohlmais. It’s basically a short cut that avoids having to take the long way to the Schönleitenbahn - up and down the Zwölferkogel, and up and down Schattberg - although other short cuts are possible - taking the bus as far as the Zwölferkogelbahn or Schattberg Xpress lift stations.
It’s perfectly possible to spend a holiday in Saalbach without ever resorting to taking a ski bus, but the buses are certainly useful when a short cut is desirable.
And the benefits of finishing by skiing down the Kohlmais (particularly for anyone staying in the upper part of the village) include:
1. being able to call for happy hour and après-ski at the Bergeralm (3.30-5.30pm)
2. Visiting the Hinterhag Alm for its daily après-ski party (4.30-7.30pm)
3. Skiing down to the après-ski bars lining Schiliftstrasse: Bauers Schialm, Spitzbub, Burgi’s Bar, the Off-Piste Bar.
4. For anyone staying in the upper part of the village, being able to ski to (or virtually to) their accommodation, rather than having to walk uphill through the village from the bus stop at the Schattberg Xpress lift station.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sun 24-08-25 10:08; edited 1 time in total
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@tatmanstours, on 2 has she stopped singing 
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@radar, I very much doubt it. Very generous of you to describe it as “singing” 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@radar, damn you, I'm now having flashbacks 
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EasyJet to fly from Southend to Salzburg this winter from 6 December to 21 March, Saturday only
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@radar, surprised that they’re finishing that service before the Easter holidays
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@tatmanstours, it does seem a bit early, given how long they have been flying into Salzburg they will have enough data to see when demand drops off, they still have Luton & Gatwick.
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Here is the annual how to get to Saalbach from Salzburg Airport post, bit longer this year!
The big change this season is that public transport to Saalbach (and Salzburgland) is free with the “Guest Mobility Ticket” if you have booked overnight accommodation, bus, train, trolleybus.
How to get your Guest Mobility Ticket:
Book accommodation, then your hotel, guesthouse, or rental property will provide you with the Guest Mobility Ticket, either as a physical card or a digital version through a local app. Double check with your accommodation what they are doing as some are taking a different approach.
There is a small overnight fee around €0.50 per person. https://www.guestmobilityticket.at/en/
Public Postbus (260) from Salzburg airport, is the cheapest way to get to Saalbach, if you don’t have the Guest Mobility Ticket, the fare is €16.80 each way, there is also a family fare see below, change at Maishofen (680) the stop is just down from where you get off less than 100 meters walk between bus stops
Freizeit-Ticket Salzburg, this is a one day family ticket for travel within Salzburgland, the cost is €19.00 for 2 adults and up to 4 children under 15, you can buy it from the bus driver, for 2 adults it's cheaper than buying two standard singles, https://salzburg-verkehr.at/tickets-preise/einzelfahrkarten/freizeit-ticket-salzburg/
The public bus has five connections on Saturday, you can check the times at https://salzburg-verkehr.at/en/ it has a map of the walk between bus stops at Maishofen.
Public transport alternative Take the train to Maishofen ( or Zell am See) and then the 680 bus to Saalbach. This would be to take Bus 2 (trolley bus) to Salzburg Aiglhof Bahnhst then the S3 train. Download the OBB and Sbg Verkehr Apps
You can also take the bus from the airport to the main station and then train to Zell am See or Maishofen, options in both apps.
Austrian Transfer run a shuttle bus service 8 times a day https://www.austriatransfer.com/en it is 160 return per person if more than two travelling , however if you are a solo traveller it is 280 euro! if there are four or more then a private shuttle is more cost effective €520 return, check the Saalbach local taxis below for prices.
This is the timetable https://www.austriatransfer.com/downloads/fahrplaene2024/airport-shuttle-saalbach.pdf
Andy Rose of Snow Camps Europe started offering a shuttle type service a couple of seasons ago, he will be starting again from 13 December onwards, €66.50 each way https://www.snowcampseu.com/airport-transfers/. I’ve had feedback that this works well.
Private transfers, Taxi companies based in Saalbach, Taxi Rainer https://www.taxirainer.at/en/ , Taxi6620 https://www.taxi6620.at/en/ , both are the same cost at €220 each way, suggested and used by ribblevalleyblue https://taxisalzburg24.eu/ €199 one way double it up for return.
If you arrive after the last bus connection and are going via Zell am See the taxi is around €60, if you plan to go to Maishofen it's best to book in advance with on one of the Saalbach taxi companies and it’s about €45
If you don’t have the Guest Mobility Ticket, you can buy bus or train tickets through the Salzburg Verkehr or the OBB app, the Sbg Verkehr app also has live ski bus times, handy for when you are in resort.
NB: the Postbus from Salzburg to Saalbach is not included in your ski pass.
Ski Bus The ski bus in Saalbach stops at 17.00, “from 17:00 the 680 bus takes skiers, but only if they are still in ski clothing and are coming from skiing, you can travel for free with the card” from the tourist office.
In addition, you can use the 680 as a free ski shuttle from/to Zell am See every 60 minutes.
Live ski bus timings as well as those for the 680 are available on the Salzburg Verkehr app
Another change that happened last season is that Hinterglemm Ost bus stop has closed, there’s a new stop which is a lot closer to the Reiterkogel lift and is called Hinterglemm Bus Terminal.
I'll update this post as we go through the season
Edit: 21 December, Austrian Transfer price increase.
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much  on Mon 22-12-25 12:08; edited 11 times in total
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You know it makes sense.
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@tatmanstours, hi that’s info on Zell am See was very interesting, do you know if they offer a concession on OAP lift passes
That’s Gran dad
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Gran dad, what info? Unfortunately OAPs don’t get any concessionary lift pass prices.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ill be travelling from Munich on a Sunday, is there still a fairly regular service on Sundays?? Or would I be better arriving on a Saturday???
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Rje66, have you booked your accommodation, the reason for asking Saturday to Saturday is the norm in Saalbach
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@radar, and @Rje66, although arriving on a Sunday isn’t a bad idea, to avoid all the congestion on Saturdays. I often have guests who arrive (feeling relaxed and well rested) on Sunday morning, after staying the night in Munich.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi all, we are coming to Saalbach in Feb - second time for us, but this time with friends and a couple of extra kids. Very excited to be back I have a few questions for those of you in the know...
Firstly, best ski school? We are staying in the centre of Saalbach, at Neuhaus so near there preferred! Used Furstauer last time but that was at least nine years ago, and all I remember is a penguin, and going up and down (and up and down) the orange chair lift in fading light as my eldest got the skiing bug! We are a very mixed bag, experience wise. Our adult friends are timid blue skiers (one much better than the other) and want a few days in group lessons; kids confident slowploughers and will go to ski school for pretty much the whole week - need to start skiing parallel. My daughter and I are happy red skiers but could do with better confidence (me), control (her), and technique (both) when conditions aren't tip top - we may prefer a few hours with a private instructor rather than group ski school. Happy to go to different places, especially if we can be more flexible starting a private lesson.
Night skiing - in Hinterglemm as I understand it. Looks like we will need to get the 680 bus back to Saalbach afterwards, do they run more frequently on night skiing evenings (looks to be only once an hour after 5pm)?
And finially (for now!), best bars for apres? I definitely remember Bauer's skialm last time: my eldest remembers being given a light-up Desperados ring  . Two of the three kids and all of the grown ups loved the Nederhutte in Obergurgl (if you know...), but we do also like a freshen up and a pre-dinner drink/card games/chat.
Thanks 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ChatEnOeuf, Ski School Furstauer is still going and some people I know used them and were happy, the meeting point will probably be where the orange chairs are or the Bernkogel, development lessons Penhab have a very good reputation you could do a private session with them, they will come to Saalbach.
Night skiing, yes you will be reeling on the 680, the bust stop has moved in Hinterglemm and is closer to the village centre, https://salzburg-verkehr.at for bus times, download the app to get live timings of both the 680 and the ski bus. a cab back to Saalbach is around €25 and taxes 6 with skis.
Bauer is still going, the is the Hinteragalm for a good sing along don't go on a Saturday it can be quite, there is Spitzbub opposite Bauer go along when Spacey is there, the off piste bar is also good live music, nail game and lively, Burgi's by the Kholmais lift station is also good.
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@ChatEnOeuf, I will P.M. you with details and contact numbers of ski instructors.
Just to add to radar’s après-ski recommendations: the Soul House, with its resident Swedish band led by singer/guitarist Peter Thederan, puts on an impressive show and on the right evening can rate as the best après-ski entertainment in Saalbach.
New for this season (or at least under new management - the guys from the now defunct Ötzi Bar) is the Post Bar in the village centre. I would be surprised if they don’t get something going at après-ski time.
Later on in the evening the Underbar will probably be the best après-après-ski venue.
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@tatmanstours, how could I forget the Soul House! I would recommend that you pay for drinks when you get a round in
@ChatEnOeuf,
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I have to add OFF PISTE BAR near Bar Napoli (great Pizza). The Off Piste Bar had live music in the cramped basement space makes for a great lively atmosphere. Go upstairs for some nails/Stump/Hammerschlagen.
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@ChatEnOeuf, furstauer seem to be the only option for full day group lessons. have put two kids through this a couple of times recently and they have enjoyed and progressed. while private lessons may well be ideal for the adults, the ski school seems well run for youngsters (enthusiastic young teachers, lots of going on fun tracks/parks, race at the end of the week etc).
Night skiing is fun, but does get a bit samey. If you can ski over or get the bus to get there then taxis seem to congregate in the carpark to the skiers left of the bottom of the run to get you home when legs are tired!
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FAQ
