When small and intimate Altenmarkt teamed up with bigger, sporty Zauchensee, the two villages developed into one of the most enticing ski resorts in Salzburger Sportworld. Covering 82km of slopes, these good neighbours are in the heart of Ski Amadé, Austria’s giant-sized ski domain that sprawls across 760km of pistes. If you want to clock up the kilometres, just extend your ski pass to include more of Ski Amadé’s enormous domain.
Mountain magic
Start off gently on the 17km of family-friendly slopes of Altenmarkt at 842 metres altitude, where kids especially love the easy-going atmosphere of Fichtelland. If you want a challenge and fancy tackling some World Cup pistes, aim higher for the snow-sure slopes of Zauchensee. These soar up to 2,176 metres and are the tallest in Salzburger Sportworld – they’re also a favourite among freeriders.
Between Altenmarkt and Zauchensee, you’ve got an impressive 260km of cross-country ski trails to meander through, along with 47km of winter hiking trails. If you’ve always wanted to try cross-country skiing, look out for the Flying Coach, who drops by the Altenmarkt training circuit every Tuesday and Thursday morning and offers free tips and coaching. Once you’ve hung up your skis for the day, zoom down the mountain on a toboggan along one of the four exhilarating sledging runs.
Off the slopes
After a day on the slopes, indulge in a soothing session at Therme Amadé, a large spa complex with 11 pools, three water slides, plus five saunas and treatment rooms. Afterwards, take a snuggly ride in a horse-drawn carriage through snow-covered landscapes. Make time to browse the smart boutiques of Altenmarkt – including some delectable food shops selling local cheese. That should whet the appetite for a culinary tour of the resort’s restaurants, as well as a leisurely look at the food on offer at the Winter Market. If you want a closer look at the starry sky, join the weekly stargazing session at the astronomy station on the banks of Zauchensee Lake.
When Advent comes to Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, this already magical place steps up a few more gears. Stroll through the fairy-tale Advent Market, tasting all the more-ish local delicacies while being serenaded by the Advent Singers. New this winter is the Zauchensee Mountain Lake Advent, a sound-and-light spectacle that’s one of the prettiest in SalzburgerLand. Stick around for New Year’s Eve and join the celebrations as fireworks light up the night sky and live music fills the crisp, clear air.
To find out more about Austria's SalzburgerLand, visit austria.info and altenmarkt-zauchensee.at
