Saalbach resort guide - a general overview
Saalbach is an under valued resort by UK tour operators, though it is being frequented by Brits in the know. The resort is attractive and has a lively apres ski scene and nightlife. The two sides of the valley are well linked by a good lift system and the more energetic skiers can ski the circuit. Mountain restaurants are numerous and reputed to be excellent and nursery slopes are convenient for the village accommodation. However, the slopes do not favour those just out of beginners classes, nor advanced skiers looking for challenges on piste. Having said that, the slopes are generally exceptionally wide and can cope with mixed ability groups. Another problem can be the snow on the South-facing slopes, which deteriorate when the sun appears for any length of time. Saalbach is one of Austria's major resorts and is deservedly highly rated against competitors such as Kitzbuhel and the resorts in the Ski Welt area (Ellmau, Scheffau, Soll, Westerndorf etc).
Resort stats
270km
1,000m - 2,095m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
- 6 Day Pass
- 250
Airports
- Salzburg
- 1hr 30mins
- Innsbruck
- 2hrs 15mins
1 ski chalets in Saalbach View All
4 hotels in Saalbach, Austria View All
Saalbach, Austria
Hotel Kendler
Saalbach, Austria
Hotel Saalbacherhof
Saalbach, Austria
Hotel Sonne
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great ski area for families and intermediates with wide slopes and big ski area
- Lively apres ski scene and nightlife
- Impressive lift system well inter-linked ski terrain
- Very good and plentiful mountain restaurants
Cons
- Lack of challenging, steep terrain on piste
- South-facing terrain and low slopes suffer from the sun, especially early and late season
- Village spread along the valley floor means lack of any real centre
Restaurants
Saalbach Resort Restaurants
Most restaurants are based in hotels however there are a few which are not. This includes Peter's restaurant which is at the top of the main street and serves great meat dishes cooked over hot stones. There are a few decent pizzeria's
Saalbach Mountain Restaurants
There are a plethora of mountain restaurants to choose from varying from small snack bar huts to restaurants you could spend hours sitting at. Rosswaldhutte situated by the Rosswald lift has good food with the staff wearing traditional dress. The Wildenkarkogel Hutte has a large terrace with loud music in the afternoon. There are also plenty of pizza, self-service and traditional Austrian style restaurants to choose from.
Saalbach Apres Ski
Saalbach is one of the true greats when it comes to partying. Most of the apres ski bars are packed by 4pm and the partying carries on from then until the small hours. The Hinterhagalm, immediatedly above Saalbach, is a good place to kick off the afternoon session with live bands and loud rock music. This closes at 6pm but there is no shortage of venues to stagger on to. Bauers and the Schi-alm offer more of the same. The Jack-in has the large screens and is popular on big match nights, Bobby's Pub attracts a younger crowd in search of karaoke and cheaper drinks!
Saalbach Nightlife
King's in the Berger Sporthotel and Castellos are clubs that are open late and offer the heaviest party scene. The Eva Alm and Steiners are quieter but none the less still lively. Saalbach is right up there with St Anton and Ischgl in terms of the party mood.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property
