Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn has the longest name of any Alpine ski area, and also some of the most varied terrain. 270km of slopes, 70 lifts and 60 ski huts offer something for every kind of skier. Beginners will fall in love with the gentle, treelined blues and more challenging reds, but if you really want to test yourself, the Skicircus is also home to one of the longest and toughest ski circuit challenges.
‘Ski your limit’ is the slogan that describes ‘THE CHALLENGE’, which ranks as the ultimate ski challenge in the Alps and a demanding test for ambitious piste skiers looking to push their boundaries. This winter the Skicircus is again challenging its guests to sign up for the competition to complete this testing circuit and earn the chance to win a free week’s holiday in its end-of-season draw.
What to expect on 'THE CHALLENGE' ski route
'THE CHALLENGE' is not for the faint-hearted or the unfit! You’ll need skill, speed and stamina to complete it, as you’ll be skiing multiple resorts in one day. The stats speak for themselves: 65 km, 32 lifts, 12,400m in vertical (which is one and a half times the height of Mt Everest) and at least 6 hours’ worth of adrenalin! Due to the distances and numbers, the Skicircus Challenge Circuit is probably Europe’s most ambitious ski circuit, overshadowing the Sellaronda, The White Ring or the King’s Tour.
It takes you across one of the most diverse and extensive ski areas in Austria and is a fantastic way to experience the entire Skicircus ski area, traversing the four distinct resorts of Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn. The variety of piste you’ll encounter ensures a different experience throughout the circuit, from wide-open areas to trickier trails.
Can you ski 'THE CHALLENGE' in one day?
Absolutely. For experienced skiers, 'THE CHALLENGE' is doable within 6 hours (not counting coffee or food breaks). You’ll need an early start and you can stop off at any of the 40 or so rustic ski lodges and restaurants dotted along the route. However, a lingering lunch break, or sunbathing stops might be better postponed to another ski day, as you will be covering a lot of ground to complete this marathon before the lifts close and your race will definitely be against the clock.
It's important to note that 'THE CHALLENGE' can be started at any cable car on the route. In the end, it just matters that you ride all 32 qualifying cable cars. For a list of these go online at saalbach.com.
The route itself caters to a range of abilities, consisting of about 60% blue slopes and 35% red. But with 5% black runs too, it is recommended for experienced and fit skiers. Some parts of the circuit, such as the Zwölferkogel North run in Saalbach Hinterglemm, feature steep gradients, including one of the steepest in the region. And even cruisy blues that might be perfectly groomed in the morning can become lumpy later in the day – just when your legs are getting tired! One of the best tips for skiing 'THE CHALLENGE' is not to try to do it on your first day here. Instead, familiarise yourself with the different sectors of the circuit’s layout beforehand so you can efficiently navigate what is a huge ski area.
To take part in 'THE CHALLENGE', download the Skiline app, register for the competition and start skiing. Every successful challenger who registers in the Skiline app and signs up for the competition will receive their personal QR code after completing the Skicircus circuit. Show this at a main ticket office to claim a small reward!
Is 'The Challenge' worth it?
The three main prizes will be randomly drawn at the end of the season. First prize: a one-week stay including ski tickets for 2 persons in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. Second prize: a weekend stay including ski tickets for 2 persons. Third prize: a 6-day Skicircus ski pass.
But whether you win one of these prizes or not, 'The Challenge' remains an epic day on the slopes across the four resorts of the Skicircus.
Ski ALPIN CARD
With the Ski ALPIN CARD, the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn merges with Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and the glacier ski resort Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun to give skiers one ticket for a network of 408km of perfectly prepared slopes, up to 121 state-of-the-art facilities and access to three premium ski areas. The Ski ALPIN CARD is available as day and multi-day ticket or as a seasonal pass.
