I Took On "The Challenge": My 65km Ski Circuit Adventure at Saalbach Hinterglemm

The morning light cast a golden glow across the Skicircus at Saalbach Hinterglemm as I prepared for what lay ahead. Among serious skiers and riders, this circuit has achieved legendary status, outranking famous routes like the Sellaronda, White Ring, and King's Tour through its sheer ambition and scale. When locals call it "the most demanding ski circuit in the Alps," they aren't exaggerating—65 kilometres of skiing awaits, connecting 32 lifts and gondolas with a staggering 12,400 metres of vertical descent, all designed to be completed within seven hours. As I contemplated the average gradient of 191m per kilometre, I knew today would push my limits in all the right ways.

I rose early from my hotel in Kaprun, departing at 6:30am with the ski circuit dominating my thoughts. The Ski World Championships had blessed me with early 8am lift access, and by the time the morning sun had fully crested the mountains, I was already clipping into my bindings at the Schattberg gondola base. The date—February 6th, 2025—would soon be etched in my memory alongside a profound sense of accomplishment.

My journey began promptly at 8am, taking the impressive Schattberg X-press gondola (A1+A2) up to the mountain's summit. From there, I swooped down slopes 3 and 2a, feeling the crisp morning air as I carved first tracks into the freshly groomed snow. The early start meant empty pistes—a luxury that wouldn't last as the day progressed. Next came the Schönleitenbahn lifts (I1+I2), which delivered me to slope 162, a gentle blue run perfect for warming up my legs for the day ahead.

The morning progressed with methodical precision as I continued through the northeastern sector of the resort. The Polten 8er (I4) carried me upward before I descended on slope 222, then on to the Muldenbahn 8er (L6), which offered spectacular views as I traversed slopes 215, 212, and 211. By 9:30am, I had reached the Steinbergbahn (L3+L4), marking my transition toward Leogang.

The Leogang sector greeted me with the impressive Asitzgipfelbahn 8er (L5) and its panoramic views from the top of slope 218. The Asitzkogelbahn 8er (L7) followed, leading me down slopes 222 and 164 with their wide, sweeping turns that allowed me to build confidence and speed. Returning toward Saalbach via the Schönleiten 6er (I3) and slope 166, I caught myself smiling—one sector down, and my rhythm was building.

By mid-morning, I reached the Panorama 6er (H4), aptly named for its breathtaking Alpine views. Slopes 160 and 153a carried me toward the Bernkogelbahn (G1) and then the Bernkogel 6er (G2), where slope 148 provided a thrilling red run with enough pitch to get my heart racing. The Reiter-Ost 6er (D6) marked my transition toward Fieberbrunn as I navigated slopes 87 and 125, feeling the burn in my thighs but pushing onward.

The TirolS lift (E5) transported me into new territory as the clock approached noon. The Reckmoos Süd (E4) and Reckmoos Nord (E1) lifts followed in quick succession, leading me down slope 121 and then 109, each offering different terrain that kept the journey interesting. The quirky Maiskopflift (F8) and slope 105 provided a brief technical challenge before I reached the Streuböden lifts (F1+F2) and slope 110.

Perfect bluebird skies provided exceptional visibility as I traced the official route with meticulous attention. What makes this circuit particularly clever is its balanced combination of difficulty levels—60% blue runs for flow, 35% red runs for challenge, and 5% black runs for those heart-pumping moments—creating an experience accessible to solid intermediate skiers while still engaging experts with technical sections that demand focus and skill.

By 12:30pm, I'd reached Fieberbrunn, having completed nearly half the circuit. Here I permitted myself the only real break of the day—just long enough for a quick beer and chocolate bar at a mountain restaurant to replenish my energy reserves. Twenty minutes later, I was back on course, tackling the Reckmoos Nord lifts (E1+E2) and slope 122a, then the Hochhörndl 4er (E3) which delivered me to slopes 122, 123, and 124—a series of blues that allowed me to find my rhythm again after the brief rest.

The afternoon journey continued through the TirolS lift (E6) again, this time leading me down slopes 80, 81, and 82 toward the Hasenauer 8er (D2). As I descended slopes 73 and 58, I could feel fatigue setting in, but the halfway point was well behind me now. The Spieleck 6er (C2) carried me up to slopes 52, 51, and 50a, marking my entry into the Hinterglemm sector. The imposing 12er NORD (B4) followed, with slopes 30 and 31a offering some of the steepest descents of the day.

As the afternoon sun cast longer shadows across the slopes, I pushed through the Zehner 6er (B5) lifts, navigating slopes 31, 30, and 37 with increasingly tired legs. The Westgipfelbahn (A3+A4) marked the beginning of the final stretch, with slopes 7 and 4 guiding me toward the last lift—the Limberg 8er (A5). As I descended slopes 1, 1b, and 1a, I could see the finish line approaching. After approximately seven hours of nearly continuous movement, I glided back into the Schattberg base around 3pm, exhausted yet filled with the unique satisfaction that comes from conquering something truly formidable.

The map os Saalbach showing the official route.

The flexibility of "The Challenge" adds to its appeal—skiers can begin at any lift on the circuit, provided they cover all 32 designated lifts along the route. Before setting off, I'd registered with the SkiLine app, which silently tracked my progress throughout the day. Several hours after my triumphant finish, the confirmation arrived via email complete with a QR code. When presented at the ticket window, this digital proof of accomplishment earned me a special military-style cup emblazoned with the resort slogan—a modest but meaningful token that now occupies a place of honour in my office, a daily reminder of boundaries pushed and conquered.

For those considering "The Challenge," understand that this isn't a day for leisurely slope-side lunches or extended photo sessions. The seven-hour timeframe demands commitment and continuous movement. Scenic vistas must be appreciated in passing, and sunbathing will need to wait for another day. Yet with adequate preparation, reasonable skiing ability, and cooperative weather, "The Challenge" delivers an unparalleled way to experience the vast splendour of the Saalbach Hinterglemm ski area in one epic, unforgettable day.

As the afternoon shadows lengthened, I returned to my car, exchanged my ski gear for casual clothes, and made my way to an Italian restaurant in Saalbach. There, over a plate of perfectly prepared pasta, I reflected on what I'd accomplished—not just completing a ski circuit, but conquering one of Austria's greatest alpine challenges. The satisfaction of achievement blended perfectly with the flavours of dinner, creating the perfect conclusion to an extraordinary day on the slopes.

The Official Route

For those looking to attempt "The Challenge," here's the official route with all 32 lifts and connecting slopes:

1. A1+A2 Schattberg X-press, slopes 3 & 2a
2. I1+I2 Schönleitenbahn, slope 162
3. I4 Polten 8er, slope 222
4. L6 Muldenbahn 8er, slopes 215, 212 & 211
5. L3+L4 Steinbergbahn, slope 212
6. L5 Asitzgipfelbahn 8er, slope 218
7. L7 Asitzkogelbahn 8er, slopes 222 & 164
8. I3 Schönleiten 6er, slope 166
9. H4 Panorama 6er, slopes 160 & 153a
10. G1 Bernkogelbahn, slope 146
11. G2 Bernkogel 6er, slope 148
12. D6 Reiter-Ost 6er, slopes 87 & 125
13. E5 TirolS
14. E4 Reckmoos Süd, slope 121
15. E1 Reckmoos Nord, slope 109
16. F8 Maiskopflift, slope 105
17. F1+F2 Streuböden, slope 110
18. E1+E2 Reckmoos Nord, slope 122a
19. E3 Hochhörndl 4er, slopes 122, 123 & 124
20. E6 TirolS, slopes 80, 81 & 82
21. D2 Hasenauer 8er, slopes 73 & 58
22. C2 Spieleck 6er, slopes 52, 51 & 50a
23. B4 12er NORD, slopes 30 & 31a
24. B5 Zehner 6er, slopes 31, 30 & 37
25. A3+A4 Westgipfelbahn, slopes 7 & 4
26. 26. A5 Limberg 8er, slopes 1, 1b & 1a