[Resort Insider] Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn

“Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn” may not be the catchiest name for a ski area (it can just be referred to as “The Ski Circus” if you prefer), but when the first three villages, already inter-connected in Salzburgerland, made a new connection this winter to Fieberbrunn in Austria, that’s what the full title became. And as well as being a bit of a mouthful to say, it’  as it’s currently Austria’s largest ski area with 270km of piste.

Best Run

You could spend more than a week here and never ski the same run twice, and if you do want to set yourself the challenge of covering all 270km, the fast lift network makes that possible. I love all the runs, but my favourite is the Zwölferkogel, which was the downhill course for the 1991 World Championships: a lovely wide slope, graded red, with plenty of space for a relaxed and challenging ski.

Best For Freeriders

Thanks to the new TirolS link between the Skicircus (Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang) and Fieberbrunn, we now have a Freeride-Eldorado , with deep powder skiing through natural freeride parks, ungroomed ski routes for all levels and mountain safety posts including a freeride lounge and educational trail. It’s no wonder at all that it’s the chosen venue for the Freeride World Tour in March.

Best for Hiking

Hiking = boring? No way! The Tree Top Path – the “Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps” – is the highest of its kind in Europe and guaranteed to excite even the youngest hiker. The trail starts at the head of the Glemmtal and has been sympathetically created to blend into its natural surroundings. Snowshoes are not required, and it’s open all year round.

Best For Après

If carousing is as important as skiing on your holiday, this is the resort to choose. The fun starts on the mountain and the resort is a non-stop party until the small hours. Keen après-skiers head for the “Goaßstall” in Hinterglemm with its live show, and also the Hinterhag Alm in Saalbach, which is as popular with locals as guests. I love the Pfefferalm in Hinterglemm, for a great atmosphere and tobogganing. For an unforgettable mountain dinner, take the Reiterkogelbahn to the Wieseralm.

Best For Adrenalin Junkies

Use the Unterschwarzachbahn for snow tubing on a rubber tyre, or for an even faster slide try the quad or ice-cart. If you can’t get enough thrills on the piste, Snowmobile City is the answer; overlooking Saalbach-Hinterglem, it’s Europe’s first floodlit ski-doo circuit. Fulfil your childhood dreams in the passenger or driver’s seat of a piste-basher. And if that sounds a bit tame? Try jumping on a snowmobile and throw the machine through some tight corners.

Best For Movie Stars

By using Skiline, you can keep track of the altitude profile of all your skiing, star in your personal video from the Nightpark at Hinterglemm and download it to send to friends and relatives. Simply enter your ski-pass number online (or get a printout at any one of the Skiline terminals throughout the resort).