This Alpine town at the foot of Planai Mountain is a key winter sports center in Styria. Its 16th-century Lutheran church and annual night slalom race draw visitors year-round.
Schladming sits between the Schladminger Tauern and Dachstein mountain ranges in Austria's Styria region. This former mining town now welcomes winter sports enthusiasts to its four interconnected ski mountains, covering 167 kilometers of slopes. As you walk through town, you'll pass the 14th-century stone gate, stop at the timber-framed Hotel Kirchenwirt from 1680, and see how the glass-walled congress center reflects the surrounding Alpine peaks.
Skiing Terrain and Infrastructure
The four interconnected mountains - Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm - form the main skiing area in Schladming. You can ski the north-facing slopes from December through April. The 2013 World Ski Championships brought new lifts with heated seats and bubble covers, reducing wait times to under 5 minutes at peak hours. You'll find plenty of red runs for intermediate skiing, while experienced skiers can venture into the tree-lined areas after fresh snowfall.
Mountain Dining
You can choose from nearly 100 mountain lodges and restaurants across the slopes. At Schladminger Hutte, at the top of the main gondola, the kitchen serves cheese-filled dumplings and venison goulash. Stop at Marchenwiese Hutte mid-mountain for traditional beef soup and apple strudel, served in rooms with carved wooden panels and checkered tablecloths. The 200-seat sun terrace at Onkel Willy's fills up during afternoon concerts, where local bands play from 2 PM to 4 PM.
Town Center and Architecture
Walk through the 14th-century stone gate to enter Schladming's car-free center, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Hotel Kirchenwirt has kept its original 1680 exterior, complete with exposed wooden beams and painted shutters. The 2012 congress center adds a modern touch with its glass walls and steel frame, while new lift stations incorporate local stone and timber in their design.
Getting There and Transportation
Drive from Salzburg Airport to Schladming in one hour via the A10 motorway. Trains depart Salzburg main station every two hours, reaching Schladming in 90 minutes. Your ski pass includes free access to the regional bus network, connecting all eight ski areas including the four main mountains and the Dachstein glacier. Buses run every 30 minutes during peak hours.
Events and Winter Activities
Each January, 50,000 people gather to watch the Night Race on the floodlit Planai slope. When you need a break from skiing, take the 7-kilometer toboggan run on Hochwurzen after dark, or ride the 10-minute gondola to the Dachstein glacier at 2,700 meters. The 2013 World Ski Championships led to expanded snowmaking systems that now cover 100% of the main slopes.
