The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hochkönig operates between 800 and 1,900 metres, delivering 120 kilometres of marked piste across a vertical drop of 1,100 metres — one of the largest self-contained ski areas in the Salzburg region. The legendary Königstour ski circuit links six peaks and 35 kilometres of continuous downhill skiing in a single day, recognised as one of the best ski circuits in the Alps since its launch in 2012. Eight additional kilometres of marked ski routes extend the off-piste offering for confident skiers. The resort is part of the Ski amadé network, giving pass holders access to 760 kilometres of pistes across five Salzburg ski regions on multi-day tickets.
Terrain divides into 43% beginner, 34% intermediate and 23% advanced across 63 marked runs, with the longest single descent stretching 9 kilometres. Wide, perfectly groomed carving slopes through larch forest dominate the mid-mountain, whilst the 1-kilometre Hochmaist descent provides the steepest challenge. The Blue Tomato Kings Park at Aberg features tables, rails and kickers for freestyle riders, complemented by the Funslope Schönanger with its Skimovie speed-tracking run and the dedicated Family Run for progressing skiers. Extensive freeride terrain above the treeline rewards powder hunters after fresh snowfall on the north-facing Hochkönig slopes.
Maria Alm retains an authentic Salzburger Land village character with a baroque parish church, timber-clad farmhouses and a pace of life that reflects a genuine local community rather than a purpose-built resort. Over 30 traditional mountain huts serve regional Salzburg cuisine across the ski area, and the Culinary Königstour route combines skiing with curated gastronomic stops at selected huts. Beginner areas at Natrun, Hintermoos and the village nursery slopes allow first-timers to learn independently from the main gondola network, whilst the Marlies Schild training course offers structured improvement for developing intermediates.
Adult day passes start from €73 in shoulder season and €78.50 during peak weeks, with children (6-15) paying €36.50 to €39.50 and youth €55 to €59. Prices shown are based on the most recently published 2025-26 rates; 2026-27 pricing uses Ski amadé dynamic online pricing and will be confirmed ahead of the season opening. Children born 2021 or later ski free with a Minicard when accompanied by an adult. The resort suits families and intermediates seeking wide, well-groomed terrain with genuine Alpine village atmosphere, whilst advanced skiers will find enough challenge on the Hochmaist, Wastlhöhe mogul slope and the Königstour's varied descent profiles.
1100m
Vertical
63
Runs
120 km
Piste
2m
Annual snow
Ski Amadé
Pass
The Terrain
63 runs across 120 km of piste
Hochkönig spreads 63 runs across 120 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 43%, with 27 beginner runs to find your feet and 14 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
63
runs
63 runs across 4 grades
Beginner27 runs · 43%
Intermediate21 runs · 34%
Advanced14 runs · 23%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Hochkönig
The 2026-27 season is scheduled to run from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, with operating hours from 08:30 to 16:00 daily. The resort traditionally opens the first weekend of December with shoulder-season pricing through mid-December, before peak rates apply from late December through early April. Hochkönig's north-facing aspects and extensive snowmaking — covering the majority of the key piste network — deliver reliable conditions from opening day through the spring closure, making it one of the more snow-sure non-glacier areas in the Salzburg region.
Annual snowfall averages 172 centimetres at resort level, with substantially more accumulation on the upper slopes above 1,600 metres where north-facing terrain retains snow well into April. December typically delivers the heaviest monthly totals, followed by consistent accumulation through January and February. Comprehensive snowmaking installations with reservoirs and modern piste-grooming equipment ensure groomed conditions across the key runs even during natural snow gaps, supporting the resort's reputation as one of the most reliable ski areas in the Pongau district.
Early December offers the best value with shoulder-season pricing and quiet slopes as the full 120-kilometre network opens progressively. Christmas and New Year bring peak-season crowds but also the fullest hut and event programme across all three villages. January and February deliver the coldest temperatures and best powder conditions on the Königstour's upper slopes and freeride routes. March is the sweet spot for many regulars: long sunny days, firm morning corduroy on the wide pistes and soft afternoon snow, with the full circuit typically operational through to the April closing weekend.
The Ski Challenge Hochkönig race series runs throughout the season for recreational competitors, whilst the Culinary Königstour combines the classic ski circuit with stops at selected mountain huts serving regional specialities. Night skiing on the floodlit Natrun slopes in Maria Alm extends the ski day into the evening on selected dates. Spring skiing on the upper Aberg and Hochmais terrain remains possible through the scheduled 4 April closing date, with end-of-season events in the villages of Maria Alm, Dienten and Mühlbach marking the transition to summer hiking season on the Königweg long-distance trail.
Season 2026 - 2027
5 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
2 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Hochkönig, and where to stay
The Hochkönig ski region sprawls across the northern flanks of the Hochkönig massif in Salzburg's Pongau district, connecting the traditional Alpine villages of Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer, Dienten am Hochkönig and Mühlbach am Hochkönig beneath peaks rising to 2,941 metres. The name Steinernes Meer — the Stone Sea — refers to the dramatic limestone karst plateau of the Berchtesgaden Alps that forms the backdrop to every run. The ski area itself reaches 1,900 metres at the Aberg summit station, with the Hochkönig peak towering a further 1,000 metres above the highest lift-served terrain.
Maria Alm sits at 800 metres as the largest base village, with satellite hamlets at Hintermoos, Hinterthal and Aberg connected by lift and ski bus. Dienten lies 8 kilometres west at the foot of the Hochkönig's western ridge, whilst Mühlbach occupies the eastern approach at 860 metres with a rich copper-mining heritage dating to prehistoric times. Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer, the nearest town with full services, lies 6 kilometres north. The region forms one of five sectors within the Ski amadé mega-pass, alongside Salzburger Sportwelt, Schladming-Dachstein, Gastein and Großarltal.
Salzburg Airport (SZG) lies 60 kilometres northeast and approximately one hour by road via the A10 and B164 Hochkönigstraße. Munich Airport is 180 kilometres northwest via the A8 and A10, around two hours in normal conditions. Innsbruck Airport sits 150 kilometres southwest via the Felbertauern tunnel route, useful for arrivals from western Austria and Switzerland.
Bischofshofen Hauptbahnhof on the Salzburg–Villach main line lies 13 kilometres east, with regular ÖBB rail connections from Salzburg (45 minutes), Vienna (2.5 hours) and Munich (2 hours). Postbus line 620 links Bischofshofen to Maria Alm, Dienten and Mühlbach on a regular winter timetable. Free ski buses operate between all Hochkönig villages throughout the season for lift pass holders, making car-free access practical from any base village. The B164 Hochkönigstraße provides the main road access from Bischofshofen through the valley.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Hochkönig, powered by Stay22.
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Hochkönig Webcams
4 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Hochkönig's live webcams
Check live conditions across Hochkönig with 4 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Aberg Bergstation1900m
- Positioned at the Aberg mountain station at 1,900 metres, this Hochkönig webcam delivers a sweeping 360-degree panorama from the highest lift-served point in the Maria Alm sector. Monitor conditions across the Aberg-Langeck slopes, the Blue Tomato Kings Park and the dramatic limestone walls of the Hochkönig massif before riding the 8-person Abergbahn gondola.
- Natrun Bergstation1168m
- Mounted at the Natrun mountain station at 1,168 metres in Maria Alm village, this Hochkönig webcam covers the lower ski area including the Natrun beginner slopes and the base of the 10-person Natrunbahn gondola. Check this feed for village-level snow conditions and visibility before ascending to the main ski circuit via the Sonnbergbahn connection.
- Kings Cab Bergstation1750m
- Situated at the Kings Cab mountain station at 1,750 metres above Mühlbach am Hochkönig, this Hochkönig webcam surveys the Mühlbach sector of the ski area and the start of the Königstour circuit. The Kings Cab was Austria's first gondola with free Wi-Fi in every cabin — check this feed for conditions on the Fellersbach and Karbachalm slopes.
- Hochmais Bergstation1630m
- Located at the Hochmais mountain station at 1,630 metres on the Maria Alm side of the ski area, this Hochkönig webcam looks across mid-mountain terrain including the Hochmaist descent — the resort's steepest marked run. Monitor grooming and visibility on the red and black pistes connecting Maria Alm to the broader Königstour before heading up the Hochmaisbahn six-seat chair.
Hochkönig snow cams FAQ
How often do Hochkönig snow cams update?
All Hochkönig snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Hochkönig.
Which Hochkönig webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Aberg Bergstation webcam at 1,900m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Hochkönig webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Hochkönig lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Hochkönig snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Hochkönig snow cams?
Check Hochkönig webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Hochkönig lift tickets?
Use our Hochkönig webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Hochkönig webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Hochkönig snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Hochkönig intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.