- Details
- Written by: Roger Fulton
- Last Updated: 30 Nov 2023
Part of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn - one of the largest ski areas of Austria - Leogang offers the best of both worlds: a delightful little village with excellent nursery slopes, and the option of a huge lift-linked ski area, suiting all standards, on the doorstep.
As the full name implies, it’s made up of four distinct resort centres, each of which brings something unique to the table. Together they boast an incredible 270km of pistes, served by 70 modern lifts, and with more than more than 60 cosy ski huts, numerous snow parks, a freeride park, floodlit slopes and toboggan runs, making this one of the most diverse ski areas in the Alps.
A traditional valley village, Leogang is fairly quiet, making it a great choice for families and novices. There are traditional non-skiing activities such as scenic winter walking routes and cross-country skiing trails, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and a new mile-long Flying Fox zip wire which reaches speeds of up to 80mph.
Leogang - Ski Map & Pistes:
Leogang’s local ski area is around 28km of north-facing, mostly intermediate-friendly slopes. Once on the Asitz mountain, you have the choice of enjoying the huge sunny bowl above the trees that lies between Leogang's skiing and the Saalbach Huinterglemm sector, or taking one of the wonderful long runs back down through the trees on north-facing slopes to Leogang itself. Leogang's local skiing is seen as some of the best that there is in the region, and may be enough for beginners who will enjoy the few small areas served by half a dozen lifts right next to the village. Freestylers will head for the Nitro snowpark located between the Muldenbahn and the Asitzgipfelbahn chair. From the Easy Park and the Kicker Line to the Pro Line, there is something for all abilities here.
The Leogang Circuit is a great way to discover the local slopes. Taking roughly 2.5hrs to complete, it's 100% on blue runs, with 11 lifts, and covers 26km, with wonderful mountain views along the way.
However, for intermediate and advanced skiers the big attraction here is the possibility of either racking up huge mileage or seeking out the excellent powder fields elsewhere in the Skicircus, in particular above Fieberbrunn. With 270 kilometres of ski slopes, the Skicircus is certainly one of the largest ski areas in Austria, with 140 km blue, 112 km red and 18 km of black slopes. With 70 cableways and lifts, numerous snow parks, a freeride park, floodlit slopes and toboggan runs, the Skicircus skiing region is one of the most diverse and best ski areas in the Alps, with masses of cruisey runs for intermediate skiers to get stuck into , served by one of the best lift systems anywhere.
One of the undoubted highlights of the wider ski area is The Challenge – a 65km ski circuit taking you around the whole Skicircus in around seven hours. Clocking up 32 lifts and 12,400m in height along the way, it’s probably the longest of its kind in the Alps. You can also top up the mileage with a Ski Alpin lift pass that gives you access to the slopes of Zell am See and Kaprun, making an available ski area of 407km.
Leogang - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:
In general, if you're looking to hit the powder, you're better off staying in Fieberbrunn or maybe Hinterglemm, as the most extensive freeride areas are that side of the Skicircus. Fieberbrunn, in particular, trades extensively on its status as a 'Freeride Mekka'. The slopes of the 2,119m Wildseeloder have ideal snow conditions for off-piste skiing and snowboarding: it's a ski area with wild contours and extensive powder slopes. That said, there is a designated freeride park at the Muldenbahn in Leogang with various obstacles and kickers integrated into the natural terrain, providing lots of fun on deep snow slopes.
The Steinberg Ski Touring Route is a highlight here: a moderately pitched beginner ski tour (approx. 1000 vertical metres, 2.5 hours) it does have some more challenging sections by the Steinbergbahn piste. Start is at the Steinbergbahn bottom lift station, finish is at the Asitzbahn top lift station. Descent is on prepared pistes.
Leogang - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:
Leogang (and the nearby hamlet of Saalfelden) boast a total of 14 Gault Millau toques - spread over just seven restaurants. This has earnt them the tag "Village of toques". The toques, or chef's hats, awarded by Gault Millau, are Austria's equivalent of the Michelin stars. Four of the toques are held by the restaurant at the Hotel Kirchenwirt, an historic 4-star hotel dating back to 1326.
Much of the après ski begins up on the mountain at one of the area's many excellent ski huts - especially the B3 cafe bar or the Riederalm. Down in the village the Kralleralm combines fine dining with being the general off-the-slopes meeting point for locals and visitors alike. Up on the mountain, the Steinadler is popular, while the best après spot is quite possibly the Hendl Fischerei Mountain Club, which provides an abundance of food, music, drink and views!
Off-slope fun normally continues with toboganning, rafting or sleigh rides, a couple of late night spots in the hotels are usually open past midnight, sometimes with music.
Leogang - Ski Hire:
There's plenty of choice for ski and snowboard hire in Leogang, including Sport 2000, Sport Mitterer and Bründl Sports in nearby Saalfelden.
Leogang - Ski School:
From first turns to finishing touches – the ski schools in Leogang offer ski courses for children and instruction for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Try Ski School Deisenberger, Ski Coach Brandstätter or Skiszene Altenberger.
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