What is it like skiing in Saalbach Hinterglemm with kids? Saalbach Hinterglemm in winter is a beautiful land full of snow laden trees and a vista that would be perfect in a Disney movie, especially as dusk settles and the view is filled with twinkling amber lights flickering from mountainside lodges across the valley. They are the sweetest couple of towns linked together, up in the mountains where the air feels sweet and fresh and the locals nod friendly greetings as you pass. The Austrian Alps rise around the horizon, providing the perfect playground for ski loving families. We were so happy to spend a winter’s week skiing in Saalbach Hinterglemm with kids, Austria, weaving through the terrain and sampling the local food.
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How to get to Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
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We found amazing priced flights in to Salzburg from the UK. And as soon as the school holidays hit we grabbed the bags and left a very rainy Bristol for the blue skies and snow topped mountains of Austria.
We were under our own steam and easily made our way from Salzburg airport in to the city.
A quick enquiry at the information desk in the main railway station and we found ourselves running for platform six with only minutes to spare.
There’s nothing like a quick turnaround to get the blood pumping.
From there we caught the train to the resort town of Zell am See and with connections that the Continent seem to excel at we crossed under the lines, up out of the station and straight on to the bus which took us around Lake Zee and up to Saalbach and on to Hinterglemm.
It was so easy. And a great journey. Watching the landscape change from icy blue rivers through to snow laden hilltops.
Where to stay when skiing in Saalbach Hinterglemm with kids, Austria
Once in Hinterglemm we made our way up the hill to the Adler Resort, our home for the week.
This was the perfect retreat.
We had a three bedroom apartment that was warm and cosy and had all the elements you could need from a home way from home.
Looking out over the town as the light faded felt magical and we were all just so happy to be there.
Ski lessons
The next morning we headed out to Snow & Fun, the main ski school in the area to get kitted up for skiing.
They had a big shop and rental along the main road and measured us up with everything we needed to get out on the slopes.
The children were all booked in to Snow & Fun lessons too.
Most years when we ski the children head off for a couple of hours to lessons then we all meet up for lunch and spend the afternoon doing an activity. With Snow & Fun the lessons take up most of the day, starting at 10am with the children being collected at 3.30pm.
Initially I thought this sounded like a very long time but actually the kids loved it. Heading out with their instructors for a morning on the mountains, lunch in a mountain restaurant and then an afternoon skiing before being collected to chill out back at the hotel.
The children absolutely loved their lessons and went off very happily.
The youngest would be taken off in the ski school’s ski train which he thought was the best way to start the day.
When we would collect them they were full of stories of the fun they’d had. From the eight year old recounting the songs he’d been singing with his new found friends up to the 13 year old who was trying out jumps and off on distances I could only wonder at.
We were all out and about with our Alpin Cards which allow you to travel across the area on 408 piste kilometres using 121 lift facilities. So they cover a vast area.
Eating at the resort
We would then head back to the Adler Resort together to chill out in the evening.
We were on their all inclusive package which meant we would arrive back in time for afternoon tea and fill up on warming soup, cakes and hot drinks.
The children would then usually hop in to one of the Adler’s beautiful pools to burn off the last slithers of energy they had.
After that it would be time for dinner. Always a different theme in the Adler and packed full of amazing foods. Our favourite was Italian night when we would feast on pasta and pizza but we loved the local specialities too including an Alpine tart filled with local cheese and mountain herbs.
We ate very well.
Exploring Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
While the children were off skiing up a storm we would traverse some of the easier routes in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
We found the terrain slightly tricky – compared to the kids who took it all in their stride, of course.
There was plenty of time to explore too though.
We loved heading in to Saalbach and wandering through the beautiful town there with its scattering of gift shops and picturesque properties.
Hinterglemm while smaller is also so sweet. We loved trying out the different bakeries and finding cafes to sit in to warm up in.
What we thought of skiing in Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
At the end of the week Snow & Fun have a race for the children followed by an awards ceremony which was so lovely. They all came home clutching their certificates and medals.
Most of all their skiing has improved unbelievably thanks to all the hours spent out with their instructors.
We were so sad when the week came to an end, we absolutely loved the clean mountain air, the gorgeous blue skies and the sun which warmed our cheeks as we enjoyed this winter wonderland.
We caught the bus back to Zell am See, carried on with the train to Salzburg and stopped there for some food before heading in to the airport.
It was the perfect winter trip and we left feeling both invigorated and relaxed in equal measure.
Find out more about the Saalbach Hinterglemm area here and read more of our skiing features in our bumper guide to skiing with kids which includes packing lists, resort guides and all the top tips to have a great family trip. We also have a smaller post on ski resorts kids will love here.
How cute is that ski train?? We went skiing near here a few years ago – it’s a beautiful area, and great for kids.