Adventourus Active Vacations

Saalbach Hinterglemm

    Saalbach and Hinterglemm, the two charming Tyrolean-style villages that anchor Austria 's "Ski Circus" in the Glemm Valley , are second only to Vienna as tourist destinations. North Americans should think Mammoth Mountain but with Aspen and Vail nightlife. Europeans could compare the skiing and nightlife with Courchevel.

    Saalbach is at the low end of the Glemm Valley surrounded by peaks 3,000 meters/9,867 feet higher and is the traditional upscale choice, with four-star and a mass of three-star hotels, quality restaurants, a nice downtown square, and the kind of ambiance that suggests that Heidi could appear skipping along the snow-covered, pedestrian-only streets at any moment.

     Hinterglemm is a bit more rustic, slightly less expensive, and perhaps better situated to reach the best red and black runs, This isn't critical, as the lifts at the "Ski Circus" allow skiers to circumnavigate the valley both ways with minimal waits and maximal vertical.

Best of all, help on the slopes, in the restaurants, and in the hotels is actually helpful. Clerks who, in other countries, might pass the buck, here take personal responsibility and solve the problem with a smile. It's rather an odd combination really. Teutonic efficiency and alpine charm, but what else can you expect from a country where Mozart wrote the national anthem and lived just down the road in Salzburg?

    The cold weather and 45 percent snowmaking along the banks of the Saalbach River combine to ensure a season that starts on the first of December and runs through April. Even better, the valley's orientation means you can ski on sunny, southern-facing slopes to warm up in the mornings and switch to good powder and packed powder on northern slopes after lunch.

High speed lifts including one cable car, five gondolas, and a six pack combine with 39 drag lifts and 14 chairs (singles, doubles, triples, and the odd quad) to lift over 75,000 skiers an hour up into the Ski Circus . Factor in 30 restaurants and cafés and there's no need to come down the hill for lunch. 

      Special lifts for beginners, the boarder's funpark, and the boarders-only pistes make the Ski Circus even more attractive.

PRICE

Hotel packages from $1995 (low season)

LODGING

Pension Bohmerwald 2** (Saalbach - Hotels)

   Cosy, family-run geusthouse in a beautiful, sunny location at the entrance of Hinterglemm, just 100m to the Mitteregglift.

    Newly built breakfast room, day room, parking, ski cellar with heated ski-boot room, and sauna.

    Cosy rooms with shower/toilet, cable TV, some with balcony.

    Breakfast buffet included.

Clubhotel Sonnalp 4**** (Saalbach - Hotels)

    Excellent hotel 8 minutes walk to the centre of Hinterglemm, overlooking the Zwolfer ski run, and 200m to the lift station.

    Has 70 rooms, an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, gym, billiards, bar and TV lounge for guests.

    Buffet breakfast and 4-course dinners with various theme buffets included.

Hotel Panther 4**** (Saalbach - Hotels)

    A fine hotel right at the base of the lifts in Saalbach. Ski in/ski out convenience!

   55 rooms, lounge, bar, disco, heated outdoor pool, sauna, steambath, solarium, and spa treatment centre for guests. Buffet breakfast and 4-course dinner included daily.

Apartment Vorderlengau 3*** (Saalbach - Condos)

    Located 4 km from the centre of Hinterglemm, outside the resort. In house lounge with TV, sauna (extra) table-tennis, telephone, central heating, laundry (for shared use, extra). Bread roll service. . Ski bus stop 200 m., ski lift 400 m, cross-country ski trail 200 m.

   The apartment house comprises 9 apartments, sleeping from 2 to 6 persons, all with a complete kitchen and balcony. It is situated in an unspoilt area with a marvelous view of the western end of the Glemmtal valley.

GrandAlpes Chalet Landhaus Andrea 4**** (Saalbach - Condos)

   Beautiful 4 star chalet with 10 superbly furnished apartments of different sizes, accommodating from 2 to 20 persons. Facilities include small reception with sitting area, sauna, ski room, laundry room (fee) and 8 covered parking spaces next to the chalet.

   Located 200m from the centre, 150m from the Kohlmais cable car station, and near the ‘Bauerskialm’, the après ski meeting point of Saalbach.

   Yes, you can ski right to the door!

   This 300 year old farmhouse is one of the oldest houses in Kitzbuehel. The arches and partially original floors and furniture lend the house a special charm.

    2-room apartment on the ground floor, with cosy furnishings: living/dining room with 1 double sofa bed, dining table and satellite-TV. Sleeps 3 comfortably. Small kitchen (2 hotplates, mini-oven, oven). Shower/WC.