landmark
Planai
The primary ski mountain in town. Take the main gondola from the center straight to the summit for racing runs and mountain huts.
Ask ParleyAustria
Schladming
Four alpine peaks, copper mining roots, and year-round trails.
introduction
Overview
Schladming is a former mining hub in Styria built around four connected ski mountains. Local buses and cable cars link the town directly to 123 kilometers of slopes and extensive summer hiking paths. You get immediate access to high alpine terrain without the pricing of luxury Western Austrian resorts.
Rail connectivity
Direct intercity trains run from Salzburg to Schladming station in 90 minutes. You can walk from the platform to the Planai gondola base in ten minutes.
Schladming Sommercard
Over 1,000 local hosts include the Sommercard with overnight stays from May to October. It grants free daily rides on local buses and mountain cable cars.
Ski Amadé discounts
Buying multi-day ski passes online ahead of time reduces ticket prices by up to 15 percent. Base lift queues at Planai peak around 09:00.
Schladming
User:Stemonitis · CC BY-SA 2.5
Rohrmoos — Elevated alpine shelf directly above town with ski-in, ski-out hotel access.
Ewald Gabardi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Pichl — Quiet valley village centered around the Reiteralm ski access base.
Ewald Gabardi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Haus im Ennstal — Traditional Styrian mountain village at the foot of Hauser Kaibling.
Tourismusverband Haus-Aich-Goessenberg. Original uploader was Chris.steger at de.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Styrian salads served with local pumpkin seed oil.
Christian Michelides · CC BY-SA 4.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Hauser Kaibling
The highest point of the four-mountain ski circuit at 2,015 meters. It offers open alpine bowl skiing and fast lift connections.
Ask Parley
landmark
Wilde Wasser Trail
A hiking path along alpine streams in Rohrmoos-Untertal. Walk across suspended bridges right beside falling mountain cascades.
Ask Parley
landmark
Dachstein Glacier
High-altitude glacier landscape overlooking the Enns Valley. Access requires advance cable car reservations in peak seasons.
Ask Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Rohrmoos
Elevated alpine shelf directly above town with ski-in, ski-out hotel access.
Slope AccessPanoramasQuiet Nights
Trade-offRequires a steep bus ride or drive to reach the valley floor after lift hours.
NearbyHochwurzen cable car, Wilde Wasser trailheads.
Ask ParleyPichl
Quiet valley village centered around the Reiteralm ski access base.
Ski AccessPeaceful BaseCycling
Trade-offLimited restaurant choices outside of hotel dining rooms.
NearbyReiteralm gondola, Enns river cycle path.
Ask ParleyHaus im Ennstal
Traditional Styrian mountain village at the foot of Hauser Kaibling.
Family SkiingVillage VibeGolf
Trade-offTen minutes by train or bus from Schladming nightlife.
NearbyHauser Kaibling gondola, Ennstal golf course.
Ask ParleyTown Centre
Compact, walkable historic core filled with sport shops, bakeries, and direct lift access.
DiningGondola BaseTransit Hub
Trade-offTraffic concentrates around the main street during morning and evening ski lift changes.
NearbyPlanai cable car base, Hauptplatz, main train station.
Ask Parleyfood
Ennstal Cheese and Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
Local menus rely heavily on Styrian agriculture and alpine dairy production. Steirerkas is a crumbly, pungent sour-milk cheese unique to local high-altitude huts. Chefs serve it crumbled over buttered rye bread or folded into hot Kasnocken noodles. Salads arrive coated in dark, nutty Styrian pumpkin seed oil.
Styrian salads served with local pumpkin seed oil.
Christian Michelides · CC BY-SA 4.0- Order Steirerkas
Try local sour-milk cheese at rustic alpine huts (Almen) along the hiking trails rather than modern hotel dining rooms.
- Cash on mountain huts
High-altitude mountain huts often lack stable cellular coverage. Keep cash ready for food and drinks on the slopes.
history
A short history
Schladming grew as a rich mining settlement in the Middle Ages, extracting silver, lead, and copper from the Schladminger Tauern mountains. The town gained city rights in 1322. Local miners joined the German Peasants' War in 1525, leading to heavy destruction by ducal forces. Mining declined by the 19th century, but the arrival of the Ennstal Railway in 1875 transformed the valley into a winter sports center.
- 1322
Mining Charter
Schladming receives town rights due to prosperous silver and copper extraction in nearby valleys.
- 1525
Peasant Revolt
Local miners side with rebelling peasants. Archduke Ferdinand's forces burn the town in retaliation.
- 1875
Ennstal Railway
The opening of the railway connects Schladming to Salzburg and Graz, sparking early alpine tourism.
- 1973
World Cup Debut
Planai hosts its first FIS World Cup ski race, establishing the town as an alpine racing hub.
- 2013
World Championships
The town hosts the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, modernizing local lift infrastructure.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your base based on transport priorities. Staying in Schladming Town gives you immediate access to the train station, shops, and the Planai gondola. Rohrmoos offers direct slope access from your doorstep, while Pichl and Haus im Ennstal provide quieter surroundings near specific mountain bases.
- Avid skiersRohrmoos — Ski-in, ski-out hotels position you right on the Hochwurzen slope network.
- FamiliesHaus im Ennstal — Gentler lower slopes at Hauser Kaibling and a relaxed village atmosphere.
- Peace seekersPichl — Quiet valley setting near Reiteralm lifts with easy road access.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Hotel Schwaigerhof
Ask Parley
Alpine Boutique Hotel wollée
Ask Parley
Apart & Suiten Hotel WEIDEN
Ask Parley
Almwelt Austria
Ask Parley
Falkensteiner Hotel Schladming l 4 Star Superior
Ask Parleytransport
Getting around
Schladming sits on the main Ennstal railway line between Salzburg and Graz. Inside town, you can reach most central points on foot. Local post buses and ski buses connect the four mountain base stations efficiently.
From Salzburg Airport (SZG)
- Airport shuttle1h 15m€45–60
Shared regional transfer vans run directly from Salzburg Airport to Schladming hotels.
- Taxi1h 10m€160–200
Fixed price private taxis are cost-effective when traveling with a full ski group.
Summer hotel stays include a card valid for free travel on local RVB and Postbus routes throughout the valley.
Winter ski pass holders ride designated regional ski buses between mountain bases without extra payment.
Post-ski valley buses operate frequently until 17:00. Evening transit drops off sharply after dinner hours.
cost
What things cost
Prices reflect Schladming's status as a major Austrian ski hub, though winter costs stay below western resorts like St. Anton or Lech. Summer travel offers high value due to complimentary regional transport cards.
- 1-Day Ski Pass: €75–81
Peak winter day tickets cover all four mountains across the Ski Amadé network.
- Hut Lunch Dish: €12–18
Expect hearty portions of Kasnocken or mountain soups at alpine mid-station restaurants.
- Sommercard: €0
Included free at participating accommodations between late May and mid-October.
- Local Beer (0.5L): €4.80–5.80
Schladminger beer is brewed locally and available on tap across town.
seasonality
When to go
DEC – FEB
Peak winter ski season. Slopes are reliable and busy. Book accommodation months ahead for January's Night Race.
Crowds
Snow
MAR – APR
Longer sunlight and spring snow conditions. Lower valley trails begin clearing while high lifts remain open.
Crowds
Snow
MAY – JUN
Quiet shoulder window. Cable cars reopen for summer around late May as high alpine trails clear of snow.
Crowds
Snow
JUL – SEP
Prime summer hiking season. All lifts operate and regional bus networks run full summer timetables.
Crowds
Snow
OCT – NOV
Quiet off-season. Cable cars pause maintenance before ski season. Many hotels and restaurants close.
Crowds
Snow
practicalities
Good to know
- Reserve glacier cable cars
The Dachstein cable car requires advance online slot reservations in high summer to prevent long lines.
- Night Race crowd control
The late-January Night Race slalom draws over 40,000 spectators. Central town streets close to driving.
- Sunday store closures
Supermarkets and retail shops in town close on Sundays under Austrian commercial laws.
- Weather changes quickly
High mountain ridgelines experience swift temperature drops. Always pack waterproof layers on hikes.
- Carry cash for high huts
Elevated mountain shelters may not accept card payments due to unreliable mountain network signals.