Schladming Dachstein
Schladming-Dachstein: Austria's 4-mountain ski area with 123km slopes and Ski amadé from €33.50. World Cup racing heritage, 90km from Salzburg.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
134
Annual snow
4.7m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Schladming-Dachstein delivers Austria's most comprehensive 4-mountain skiing experience across 123km of interconnected terrain in Styria's largest winter sports centre, reaching 2,015m elevation across Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm. This legendary destination combines World Cup racing heritage with exceptional recreational skiing, hosting the famous Planai night race annually whilst maintaining 37% beginner, 55% intermediate, and 8% advanced terrain distribution across 95 trails. The resort's integration within the massive Ski amadé network provides access to 760km of slopes across five connected regions, positioning Schladming as a strategic base for exploring Austria's largest interconnected ski area.
The 4-mountain circuit operates seamlessly with direct slope connections between all peaks, creating natural touring routes ranging from gentle valley floor approaches to challenging summit descents exceeding 5km length. The predominantly north-facing orientation across 1,287m vertical drop ensures excellent snow preservation throughout the season, supplemented by comprehensive snowmaking across the network. Schladming's Olympic pedigree from hosting the 2013 FIS Alpine World Championships and 1993 Special Olympics World Games demonstrates the infrastructure quality, with perfectly groomed slopes maintained by professional racing standards attracting elite competitions alongside recreational skiers.
The town of Schladming provides authentic Austrian charm with pedestrianised historic centre dating to its 1322 town charter, combining traditional architecture with modern resort amenities including over 90 ski huts serving Styrian specialties. The free ski bus network eliminates car requirements whilst eight dedicated children's areas create exceptional family infrastructure across the 4-mountain circuit, with annual season-opening concerts featuring international artists creating vibrant winter atmosphere.
1287m
Vertical
95
Runs
123 km
Piste
4.7m
Annual snow
Ski Amadé
Pass
The Terrain
95 runs across 123 km of piste
Schladming-Dachstein links four mountains, Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm, into 123 kilometres of piste across 95 runs, dropping 1,287 metres from the 2,015-metre top of Hauser Kaibling to the valley at 728 metres. Intermediates take 55% of the terrain, beginners 37% and advanced skiers only 8%, with no expert pistes, so most of the circuit is groomed cruising. Hochwurzen and Reiteralm lean towards the wider, more relaxed end of that range, which makes them the easiest places to find your feet.
Planai is the mountain with the pedigree. It hosts the Nightrace, the men's World Cup slalom held under floodlights each year since 1997, and its piste is used for downhill and Super-G, with slaloms run on the steeper lower finish slope. Recreational skiers can ski the same hill, which makes Planai the obvious place on the circuit to try a World Cup venue. For serious steeps, though, the area offers few options, so advanced skiers will find it limited after a couple of days.
Terrain split
95
runs
95 runs across 4 grades
Beginner35 runs · 37%
Intermediate52 runs · 55%
Advanced8 runs · 8%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Schladming Dachstein
Schladming-Dachstein typically operates from late November through mid-April, with peak conditions occurring January through March when Styrian snowfall averaging 4m annually combines with the predominantly north-facing terrain between 728m and 2,015m elevation. The extended season length reflects reliable natural snowfall supplemented by comprehensive snowmaking infrastructure maintaining consistent coverage across the 123km network even during lean natural snowfall periods. The professional grooming standards developed through decades of World Cup race hosting ensure immaculate piste conditions throughout winter.
The north-facing orientation across Planai, Hochwurzen, and Hauser Kaibling maintains excellent snow preservation well into spring, with the elevation range providing altitude diversity for reliable coverage top to bottom. The 2013 World Championship legacy includes world-class slope maintenance with extensive grooming fleets operating nightly across the 4-mountain circuit. Weekend and Austrian holiday periods attract substantial visitor numbers from Vienna, Graz, and neighbouring regions, though the extensive terrain and modern lift capacity maintain comfortable skiing conditions throughout peak periods.
Spring skiing extends reliably through April with pleasant temperatures and softening snow creating enjoyable recreational conditions across higher elevations, whilst the famous Planai night race in January creates spectacular atmosphere with floodlit World Cup racing drawing thousands of spectators. The Ski amadé pass validity across 760km provides weather insurance, allowing skiers to explore alternative sectors if conditions vary across the five connected regions spanning Salzburg and Styria.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
4.7 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Schladming Dachstein
Daily snow reports at Schladming Dachstein go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
51 cm
Snowiest day
14 Sept 2024
42 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
472 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Schladming Dachstein, and where to stay
Situated in Styria's Enns Valley approximately 95km south of Salzburg, Schladming occupies exceptional positioning with straightforward accessibility from Austria's major cities and international airports without high mountain pass navigation. Salzburg Airport lies 95km north with transfer times around 90 minutes via the A10 Tauern motorway, whilst Munich Airport 260km northwest provides major international connections with 2.5-hour transfers. Innsbruck Airport 200km west offers alternative alpine access, with Vienna 370km east positioning Schladming within weekend reach of Austria's capital.
The exceptional rail connectivity distinguishes Schladming from many Austrian resorts, with three train stations including Schladming Hauptbahnhof, Pichl, and Haus im Ennstal providing direct services from Salzburg requiring just 90 minutes journey time. The railway infrastructure eliminates road transfer requirements for environmentally conscious travellers, with regular connections throughout the day maintaining convenient schedules. The E651 Ennstal highway provides straightforward road access from multiple directions without challenging mountain pass driving, creating accessible year-round connectivity.
The historic mining town of Schladming at 745m elevation serves as the geographical and cultural centrepiece, offering comprehensive accommodation ranging from traditional gasthofs to modern wellness hotels within walking distance of Planai gondola base station. Multiple surrounding villages including Haus im Ennstal, Rohrmoos, Pichl, and Gleiming provide alternative lodging options with direct lift access eliminating daily commutes. The Ski amadé network integration creates strategic positioning for exploring neighbouring sectors including Flachau, Zauchensee, and the Gastein Valley, with the single pass providing unprecedented touring opportunities across Salzburg and Styria's premier winter sports destinations.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Schladming Dachstein, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Schladming Dachstein's ski season?
Schladming Dachstein's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 11. That window is roughly 134 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Austria, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Schladming Dachstein have?
Schladming Dachstein lists about 123 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 95 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Schladming Dachstein?
Trail grading at Schladming Dachstein breaks down roughly as 37% beginner, 55% intermediate, 8% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Schladming Dachstein suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Schladming Dachstein have?
Schladming Dachstein operates 47 lifts across 9 lift types. The fleet includes 12 gondolas, 12 t-bars, 6 8-person chairs, 6 6-person chairs, 5 quad chairs, 3 surface lifts, 1 train, 1 aerial tram, and 1 double chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Schladming Dachstein?
Base elevation at Schladming Dachstein is about 728 m (2,388 ft), with the summit around 2,015 m (6,611 ft), giving roughly 1,287 m (4,222 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Schladming Dachstein get each season?
Schladming Dachstein averages about 472 cm (186 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Schladming Dachstein accept the Ski Amadé?
Schladming Dachstein is affiliated with the Ski Amadé. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ski Amadé, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Schladming Dachstein lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €38 to €82, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Schladming Dachstein before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 9 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Schladming Dachstein so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Schladming Dachstein have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Schladming Dachstein. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Schladming Dachstein located?
Schladming Dachstein sits in Austria, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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