family travel guide
Salzburgerland, or the Salzburg Sports World, is a region where winter and sports are inseparable. If you are wondering where to go on a family holiday so the children can learn to ski quickly, this is the place to look.
There are 25 ski schools in the SalzburgerLand, and the children's lessons are held so that the children run to the lessons before their parents. In our article, you can learn more about the other advantages of a holiday with children in the SalzburgerLand.
Salzburgerland is a ski resort in central Austria, in the state of Salzburg, in the district of St. Johann im Pongau. The distance from the resort to Salzburg is 72 km, to Innsbruck — 240 km, to Klagenfurt — 153 km, to St. Johann im Pongau — 19 km, and to Munich (Germany) — 200 km.
In the part of the Alps where Salzburgerland is located, there are several other major winter resorts: Gastein, Schladming-Dachstein, Hochkönig and Grossarl Valley. They all form part of the Ski amadé ski area, which has 760 pistes. A single ski pass is valid for all five resorts.
The SalzburgerLand ski resort can be described as powerful, modern and solid. But the most accurate definition is comfortable. And here's why. Firstly, all the towns and villages in the resort have a complete tourist infrastructure.
Even if you don't want to leave the village, you'll find everything you need for a relaxing winter break: ski lifts, slopes, ski schools, playgrounds, rentals, restaurants, shops and pharmacies.
Secondly, the main ski areas suit beginners and advanced skiers. If you are an experienced skier travelling to the SalzburgerLand with children to teach them, we recommend skiing together on the slopes of Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann and Zauchensee. And if your family are all beginners, the smaller ski resorts of Radstadt, Eben and Filzmoos will suit you.
Thirdly, Salzburgerland has plenty of activities for children, and the children's activities will also interest parents. In addition, a holiday in the SalzburgerLand can be supplemented with excursions: a trip to the museum-rich city of Salzburg takes less than an hour.
Fourthly, the resort knows what families need to have a good holiday with a child. Family hotels in all the villages offer all the comforts for young tourists. A special service for parents with an infant — some hotels offer everything you need to care for your baby.
In addition, the SalzburgerLand offers a wide range of inexpensive accommodations: comfortable guesthouses and apartments for a relatively low price will be a real boon for those on a limited budget.
More good news for travellers: it's easy to get around Salzburgerland, even if you don't have a car. You can take the bus or train to other resorts in the Ski Amadé area, Salzburg or Hallstatt.
The skiing season in the SalzburgerLand is always good. There is snow and frost from December to March, so the slopes are in excellent condition. Problems with snow cover can only occur at the beginning of winter and in April.
When is the best time to go skiing in the SalzburgerLand? SalzburgerLand is very popular in winter, but there are vast numbers of skiers at Christmas, New Year and in February — the first half of March.
January and the second half of March are relatively quiet. If skiing is not your priority, you can arrive in time for the season's opening in Salzburgerland.
A great reason to come to the resort in January is the Filzmoos Balloon Festival. Three dozen teams compete to fly the balloons, and fans are treated to folk festivities, refreshments and fireworks.
In summer, there are far fewer tourists in the SalzburgerLand, and you can count on a peaceful holiday with a child. Summer is also an excellent time to plan a holiday with a toddler in the SalzburgerLand. As the region alternates between sunny and rainy days, planning outdoor activities and excursions is advisable. In winter, the Alps are very frosty, making walking difficult.
The climate of the SalzburgerLand is ideal for those who love skiing and are not afraid of the cold. Almost half the year is winter in the resort - real, snowy, and frosty. However, modern equipment ensures that skiers do not freeze to death.
As early as October, the weather in the SalzburgerLand is similar to winter. The daytime temperature is +5-15°C, but at night it's -5°C. In November, the air cools down to +3-15°C. In November, it's +3°C during the day and -4-12°C at night. Sometimes it snows, but the skiing season is still early.
A good snow cover in December — the sky over the resort is often clear rather than cloudy. Early winter temperatures are -4-8°C during the day and -9-13°C at night. Frost can drop to -20-25°C at night, which is soon replaced by warmth.
The snowiest months in the SalzburgerLand are January and February. The weather at this time is similar to December but with fewer sunny days.
March is the best time to go on holiday with children in the SalzburgerLand. It is still freezing at night, but the temperature rises above freezing during the day, and the sun shines more often than in winter.
In April, the daytime temperature rises to +4-12°C; at night, it falls to -2-12°C. The snow melts at the end of the month.
The rainy month of May sets the tone for the whole summer, with rain continuing until the end of August. However, clear days are not uncommon, and a holiday in the SalzburgerLand is sure to be enjoyable. Summer temperatures range from +16-24°C, with evenings between +4-9°C. September is often an extension of summer, the only difference being that it can get cold at night (-3-8°C).
The ski bus is the primary public transport in Salzburgerland, with a large area consisting of several villages. Some run within a single ski area, while others connect several regions.
Ski-basses are free with a valid ski pass. The timetable is published on the resort's website. Buses run between the villages in the summer. Tickets start at €2.60, about the price of a ride between Radstadt and Altenmarkt. There is a 50% discount on tickets for children.
The most convenient way to get around the SalzburgerLand is by train. The largest station in the region is at St. Johann im Pongau, from where direct trains run to Salzburg and Vienna.
You can also get around the SalzburgerLand by car. All ski resorts have car parks, some of which are free. Almost all hotels also provide parking for their guests.
A family holiday in the SalzburgerLand is unlikely to be boring, even if you are not planning to ski from morning till night. There are plenty of activities for children and adults: depending on the weather, you can spend your time outdoors or in indoor entertainment centres.
On a fine day, we recommend tobogganing on one of the trails in Filzmoos, Radstadt-Altenmarkt, Flachau and St. Johann. The longest toboggan run in Kleinarl is 6.5 km long.
In winter and spring, there are ice rinks in Wagrain, St. Johann, Radstadt and Zauchensee. As well as skating, your child may be interested in curling.
If you want an unusual experience, you can take your child snowshoeing in the mountains. The routes around Salzburgerland are designed for a 3-4 hour walk, so this entertainment is unsuitable for children.
However, children will enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage (especially as the driver is a master at telling stories and legends along the way).
If the weather in the SalzburgerLand is too cold, you can move the holiday to the Freizeitpark, the Wasserwelt or the Therme Amadé.
Part of the problem of what to do with a child in the SalzburgerLand can be left to the hotels. Family hotels usually have a children's playroom; in some places, there is a children's entertainment programme (usually in the summer).
The SalzburgerLand is one of the largest Ski amadé regions. It includes the ski resorts of Flachau, Wagrain-Kleinarl, St. Johann-Alpendorf, Radstadt-Altenmarkt, Zauchensee, Eben and Filzmoos.
Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann-Alpendorf and Zauchensee are the largest sectors of the resort. Their slopes are equal parts easy and complicated, so you can spend time there with children, even if you have different levels of training.
Alpendorf has a modern, well-equipped snowpark, and Wagrain has freeride areas. Radstadt - Altenmarkt, Eben and Filzmoos are small areas for family skiing away from the main area.
Wagrain and Eben are particularly suitable for a holiday with a child in the SalzburgerLand (there are children's parks there). They have the most exciting activities for children.
The instructors at all 25 ski schools in the SalzburgerLand know how to organise children's lessons so that the little skiers have fun and enjoy themselves. In addition to alpine skiing, you can also learn to snowboard in the SalzburgerLand. However, if you can put a 3-4-year-old on skis, a child should be at least 6-8 years old to learn snowboarding.
| General season | December — Early April |
| Elevation difference | 650 m-2188 m |
| Ski slopes |
2553 km — total |
| Ski lifts |
85 total, including |
| Ski routes | 260 km |
| Toboggan runs | 17 |
| The longest ski run | 10440 m (Flachau) |
| Interactive scheme of ski slopes and lifts | https://affiliate.skiamade.com/de/winter/skiregionen/3d-panorama/salzburger-sportwelt |
The cost of a ski pass depends on the season. During the high season, i.e. from 22 December to 4 January and from 26 January to 15 March, the approximate price of a 2-6 day ski pass for adults is €140-352, for teenagers 16-18 years old €104-260 and children 6-15 years old €69-172. Until 21 December and 16 March, the ski pass standard price is reduced to 129€-324€.
Ski hire in the SalzburgerLand can be found in all the resorts. Equipment ranges from budget skis for beginners to top-of-the-range equipment for professionals.
A day's ski or snowboard hire costs around €21-35 for adults and €8-16 for children, depending on the class (some shops offer a 20-50% discount on children's equipment). Boots cost around €7-10 per day, helmets €4-5, toboggans €6-7 and snowshoes €12. Some shops offer discounts of up to 15% if you book online.
Summer holidays in the SalzburgerLand are no less beautiful than in winter. Picturesque landscapes, clean air, natural products and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities attract thousands of tourists with children during the summer holidays.
There are special children's programmes with games, hikes and quests for the resort's younger guests. Check out the Bärtl Bear Kid's Club in Filzmoos! Various workshops are offered to young tourists, including cooking classes, archery, pony rides, competitions, treasure hunts and many other fun surprises.
Another area that could be more interesting for the whole family is Wagrain's Grafenberg, situated at an altitude of 1700 metres.
There is lots of fun to be had at Gaisterberg Park in Alpendorf. You can get here by taking the lift right into town. At the top are 30 play stations, themed trails and a lake. Kids will love the water playground and the adventure trail. If you like hiking over several days, there are 1000 km of hiking trails. Cyclists can choose from 500 km of paved cycle paths. Ten ski lifts are in operation during the summer.
Ski resorts in Austria are usually low in tourist attractions. The Salzburger Sportwelt is an exception: each village has something worth visiting with children.
Radstadt, for example, has preserved Lerchen Castle, which now houses a historical museum. Flachau is proud of its Höch Castle, which has been at the centre of history since the XIth century. From Eben, you can go to Hüttau to visit old copper mines. And Kirchboden has a museum dedicated to the Christmas carol "Silent Night".
One of the arguments for a holiday in the SalzburgerLand with children is the possibility of a trip to Salzburg. The journey takes only about an hour, and there are enough attractions in the city for more than one day.
Here are just some of the most interesting places for children in Salzburg:
What else can you see in and around Salzburg? If you're travelling by car, we recommend visiting to the tiny town of Hallstatt at the foot of the Dachstein. Hallstatt's main attractions are the salt mines and the Dachstein Caves.
Another place of interest is Mauterndorf Castle. It offers interactive theatrical tours, and the castle restaurant serves medieval cuisine.
Where to stay with children in the SalzburgerLand? The choice depends on the purpose of your trip and whether you are travelling by car or public transport. Regarding infrastructure, there are supermarkets, pharmacies, shops and accommodations to suit all tastes in all areas of Salzburgerland.
If you plan to do some active skiing, it is worth looking for a hotel in Wagrain, Flachau, St. Johann or Zauchensee. Note that the first three are easily reached by train or bus, while Zauchensee is only accessible by car.
For the little ones who are just learning to ski, it is better to stay in Radstadt, Altenmarkt, Eben and Filtzmoos. The ski areas there are small, but plenty of other entertainment for the whole family. Note that Filtzmoos is off the bus routes.
There is no definite answer to where it is better to take children, simply because there are family hotels in all the villages in the resort.
Family hotels have playrooms and mini-clubs, summer entertainment programmes, and a range of baby accessories, cots and high chairs. Sometimes there is a ready-made meal in a jar for the youngest guests and a children's menu for older children.
The most common meal plan is half board. Breakfast is usually a buffet where it is easy to choose dishes for the child.
Independent travellers with children often rent apartments in the SalzburgerLand. Choosing accommodation close to the ski lift or ski bus stop is advisable. Many apartment complexes have playrooms and playgrounds for children.
Cheap hotels and apartments can be found in the villages near Salzburgerland. This option is more suitable for summer holidays when you do not need to take the ski lift daily.
Near Salzburgerland, 10 km from Radstadt, are the Reiteralm Ski Area Schladming-Dachstein ski lifts.
The nearest international airports to Salzburgerland are Salzburg (70km) and Munich (238km).
How to get to Salzburgerland from the airport:
There are train stations in Altenmarkt, Radstadt and Eben. From Salzburg, there is a direct train, or with one or two changes. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to the resort.
There are also direct trains from Salzburg to St. Johann im Pongau. The train timetable can be found on the ÖBB website: https://www.oebb.at/.
The villages of Salzburgerland are connected by bus. Bus number 530 goes from St. Johann to Wagrain, bus number 520 from Wagrain to Altenmarkt and Radstadt, bus number 522 from Radstadt to Flachau and bus number 521 from Radstadt to Eben. You can buy tickets at https://salzburg-verkehr.at/.
How to get to Salzburgerland
It would help if you bought a vignette to use the motorways and highways in Austria. These vignettes are valid for ten days, two months or one year and can be purchased at petrol stations and tobacconists.
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