Saalbach-Hinterglemm Information

Apres-ski

Classic Austrian après-ski hedonism is on offer in Saalbach-Hinterglemm with beer, schnapps and dancing in ski boots common themes within the variety of bars and nightclubs.

As the lifts shut, The Goasstall (tel: +43 6541 8705; www.goasstall.com) above Hinterglemm is one of the most popular on-slope spots with live music and plenty of special offers on drinks. Alternatives include the bustling Hinterhagalm (tel: +43 6541 7212; www.hinterhag.at) or Bauer's Schialm (tel: +43 6541 621 3405; www.bauers-schialm.at) at the bottom of the slopes.

There are also plenty of late night venues, including the Kuhstall bar in Saalbach (Dorfstrasse 212) with its live music, while over in Hinterglemm, there's the Harley Davidson-themed Road King (tel: +43 6541 7408).

Eating out

There are about 50 restaurants in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, many with excellent Austrian specialities involving dumplings, noodles and game.

One of the most atmospheric is Pfefferalm (tel: +43 664 504 0647; www.pfefferalm.at), which serves up sublime traditional cuisine on piste 32A. The Maisalm (tel: +43 6541 7409; www.maisalm.com) on blue run number 52 is another popular choice with fresh oven cooked pizza and amazing strudel.

The resort's culinary star is the Hotel Theresia (tel: +43 6541 74140; www.hotel-theresia.com) with its modern take on cuisine in an eclectic setting, but many other restaurants in Saalbach-Hinterglemm are also of a high quality. Peter's Restaurant (tel: +43 6541 6236; www.hotel-peter.at) on Saalbach's main street, for example, is famed for its steak cooked on scalding stones.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Saalbach-Hinterglemm is not the best resort for non-skiers, with limited off-slope activities.

There are, however, the usual ski town options of tobogganing and sleigh rides to keep all ages entertained, while many of the bigger hotels have pools and spas.

Other indoor options include bowling at Bobby's (tel: +43 6541 6389; www.bobbys-pub.at) or tennis on the indoor courts at the Tennis Hall Hinterglemm (tel: +43 6541 7403; www.sportzentrum-hinterglemm.at), which is open from 0930 to 2200 daily.

The resort also hosts an annual calendar of events ranging from winter sports competitions to live music, during which time off-slope activity offerings dramatically increase. Among the most famous of these is Rave on the Snow, a yearly electronic music festival every December featuring DJs and live bands.

Family fun

Saalbach does not target families in the way that many Austrian ski resorts do, but there are plenty of services to cater to skiers with children.

Nine ski schools operate here, with lessons offered to children aged four and above. Crèches are limited to hotels, but can be excellent – such as the one at the Hotel Theresia (tel: +43 6541 74140; www.hotel-theresia.com). Many of the larger hotels have pools and playrooms to help young guests burn off any excess energy.

Fun activities besides skiing include a choice of toboggan runs. The Reiterkogel run is particularly popular and is open day or night thanks to floodlighting; the ride up to the top is included in the lift pass.

Retail therapy

This is not a place for all-out shopping. There are a handful of boutiques and ski shops in Saalbach along its pedestrianised high street, but prices tend to be more appealing in less-busy Hinterglemm. Those looking for local products will find purveyors of handmade chocolates, knitwear and wood carvings in both villages.

Splashing out

Spend an evening on the mountain. One option involves being taken on a snowcat, which growls through the forest to the Spielberghaus (tel: +43 6541 7253; www.spielberghaus.at). Another is a relaxed sleigh ride through the wilderness up to the Lindlingalm (tel: +43 6541 7190; www.lindlingalm.at). Both restaurants serve up hearty, traditional Austrian specialities in cosy settings. Afterwards, snowcat customers toboggan down the slopes, while those who arrived on sleighs will return back to the resort by the same means.

Hotels

There are a number of upmarket hotels in Saalbach-Hinterglemm with great facilities and peaceful surroundings, the majority of which are located in Saalbach itself. Hinterglemm has a broader collection of hotels and apartments, which tend to be more moderately priced.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap