Schladming

Schladming is an authentic Austrian market town, nestled in the Schladming-Dachstein region. It offers a blend of historical charm, with cobbled streets and a medieval square, and direct access to extensive skiing.

The Planai gondola departs from the town centre, providing a gateway to the 4-Berge-Skischaukel, a circuit linking four mountains, Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm. This interconnected area boasts 123km of pistes, served by 81 lifts, ensuring a seamless ski experience without removing your boots.

The resort benefits from 100% snowmaking coverage, guaranteeing reliable conditions from late November to mid-April. Planai hosts the renowned Night Slalom, a key event on the World Cup calendar. Hochwurzen offers evening skiing on a 3km floodlit run until 21:30, while freestyle enthusiasts can visit the Superpark on Planai and the Crosspark on Reiteralm. Over 80 mountain huts provide numerous opportunities for refreshments and local Styrian cuisine.

Schladming provides a comprehensive Alpine experience. Each of the four connected mountains has its distinct character, ranging from Planai's challenging race-ready terrain to Reiteralm's gentler, sunnier slopes. This variety ensures an engaging experience, with well-groomed pistes and an efficient lift system across the entire area.

The resort caters well to intermediates, with a predominance of blue and red runs. The World Cup course on Planai offers a significant challenge for advanced skiers. Terrain parks on Planai and Hochwurzen are available for freestylers, and accessible off-piste areas allow for exploration beyond the marked trails. Consistent snow cover is generally expected from late November, supported by extensive snowmaking facilities.

Schladming is a welcoming destination for beginners. Dedicated nursery slopes at the base of Planai are gentle and well-maintained, facilitating a natural progression to longer green and easy blue runs. Hochwurzen is particularly suitable for new skiers, offering wide, quiet slopes that are less intimidating than the busier Planai sector. Ski schools throughout the resort provide both group and private lessons, with English-speaking instructors readily available.

Intermediate skiers will appreciate the four-mountain layout, allowing for varied skiing each day. Red runs form the majority of the terrain, offering long, groomed descents ideal for smooth turns. The traverse from Planai to Hochwurzen is a highlight, featuring varied terrain from steeper pitches to cruising sections. Confident intermediates may wish to try the World Cup run on Planai, which, while steep in parts, is manageable for those comfortable on red runs.

For advanced and expert skiers, Schladming's steepest terrain is found on Planai, including the FIS World Cup downhill course, open to the public when not hosting races. The black runs here are typically steep, often mogulled, and genuinely demanding. Hauser Kaibling also features challenging steep sections, particularly on its shaded northern flanks where snow conditions tend to remain firm. Accessible off-piste options are available across the four mountains, especially in the gullies between Planai and Hochwurzen. Further opportunities for high-altitude touring and freeride terrain exist at the Dachstein glacier area, accessible from nearby Ramsau.