For our trip to Schladming, we covered a distance of almost 600 kilometers from Aschaffenburg. We chose this destination because the ski resort enjoys World Cup status, which is generally a sign of quality. We were traveling as a group of four. Some of us already knew Schladming from positive reports about night skiing. For the rest of the group, the central question was: does the famous 4-mountain ski area also offer a worthwhile experience for recreational skiers who are not World Cup athletes or après-ski enthusiasts? Our stay included three full days of skiing. The entire region – Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm – was explored. The focus was on answering the question of whether the 3-day ski pass with a price of 235 euros really justifies its value across the entire chain from logistics (accommodation) to the last turn. You can find all the important places and useful links in this PDF document.
Accommodation and organization on site
We chose the Aparthotel Ferienalm* as our logistical base. The cost for four people and four nights including breakfast was around 1680 euros. In our opinion, the price-performance ratio of the accommodation was excellent. The apartment had an open kitchen, two separate bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony with an appealing view of the ski area and the town of Schladming. The included breakfast was of good quality and the ski cellar offered sufficient space. A decisive advantage was the easy accessibility of the ski bus within a few minutes, which ensured a relaxed start to every skiing day.
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Infrastructure and piste check
We invested 235 euros for the 3-day ski pass, but in return we had access to almost 50 lifts, most of which are very modern. During our entire stay, we were only able to use gondolas and chairlifts, as no drag lifts were required. Waiting times were minimal, which indicates an efficiently managed ski resort. The 130 kilometers of slopes distribute the visitors very well, so there was always enough space to ski. The routes are optimally mixed: 69 km of red slopes (medium difficulty), 46 km of blue slopes (easy) and 8 km of black slopes (difficult). All slopes were excellently groomed and still offered good conditions in the afternoon. Another positive aspect is the possibility to park your car for free and almost directly next to the slopes and start skiing immediately.
The terrain and special features
At 2015 meters, Hauser Kaibling is the highest point of the ski area and offers an impressive 360-degree panorama (all-round view) of the Enns Valley and the majestic Dachstein massif. The fact that the slopes are mostly north-facing is an advantage, as this protects the snow better from direct sunlight. In combination with the powerful snow-making machines, this guarantees a high level of snow reliability until late spring. The Fun Cross course serves as an entertaining diversion. This is a groomed area with elements such as bumps, rings and tunnels that does not require any special equipment or professional skills. This course loosens up everyday skiing and underlines the fact that Schladming also offers plenty of skiing fun for non-professionals.
Culinary delights: The hut overview
Our assessment of the catering options on the mountains fortunately revealed that an impersonal canteen atmosphere was a rarity. Our top recommendations for refreshments are the Reiteralmhütte, which impresses with its beer garden right next to the piste and serves the best Kaiserschmarrn. We should also mention the Hochwurzen Alm, which we also visited during night skiing. Here we highly recommend the goulash, the Kaspressknödel soup or the Schmalzbrot. Finally, the Du & I Alm, whose yeast dumplings are particularly delicious, deserves a special mention.
The highlight: skiing at night
Skiing on the Hochwurzen after dark was an extraordinary experience for all of us. The floodlit slopes can be used from 19:00 to 21:30 for an additional charge. The slopes that you use during the day take on a completely different atmosphere at night. As our group prefers the sporting aspect of skiing to après-ski (socializing after skiing), this was the ideal extension of the skiing day. We think night skiing is an absolute must when visiting this region.
Food in the valley and après-ski scene
For an authentic culinary experience in the valley, we recommend the Stadtbräu restaurant in Schladming. The ambience is cozy and traditional. We were so impressed by the quality of the food that we visited the restaurant twice. It is important to note that reservations are essential. Our recommendations include the garlic cream soup, the cheese dumpling soup, the roast onion with bacon beans and croquettes, the Wiener schnitzel, the pork fillets and, as a sweet finish, the ice cream pancake. Schladming is also the place to be if you are looking for an exuberant party: The Hohenhaus Tenne is considered Europe’s largest après-ski disco. Even away from the main party mile, there is a lively atmosphere in the various umbrella bars at lunchtime.
Conclusion and recommendation
The cost of three days of skiing is 235 euros, which is not cheap. Nevertheless, the fun and recreational value was very high. The ski area is sufficiently large to ensure a good distribution of winter sports enthusiasts. The lifts are state of the art and long waiting times are rare here. Night skiing is an additional offer that is definitely worthwhile in our opinion. Although we wouldn’t describe Schladming as the best ski resort we have ever visited, it offers plenty of variety and has a very well-developed tourist infrastructure. We therefore give this region a clear recommendation.