Welcome to the impressive and spell-binding Altenmarkt -Zauchensee, close to Salzburg, Austra.
FACTS
SEASON START & END: Early December to Late April
SKI ALTITUDE IN METRES: 1,013 m– 2,173 m
PISTES: 45 km pistes – 10 Blue pistes @ 24 km / 12 Red pistes @ 17 km / 3 Black pistes @ 4 km
LIFTS: 16 lifts – Funicular: 1 / Gondola: 3 / Chair lift: 6 / Drag Lifts: 5 / Magic Carpet: 1
SNOW: 160 Snow cannons
LIFT TICKET 2022/23 Adult Ski Pass: € 61 (1 day) / from € 264,00 (6 days) – the lift pass covers the entire Ski amadé area (5 regions & 760km of piste)
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Zauchensee-Flachauwinkl-
LANGUAGE: German
AIRPORT: Nearest airports are: Salzburg 69 km, Munich 211 km, Vienna 319 km
TRAIN: Nearest stations to Zauchensee: Altenmarkt: 10 km / Radstadt: 14 km / Bischofshofen: 35 km / Salzburg: 79 km
SKI FACTS: Very good connections with the ski bus in general / Ski in – Ski out in Zauchensee64
The Impressive town
The Ski area of Zauchensee itself does not have a main town centre, but rather a collection of hotels with a few sports shops. The nearest town is Altenmarkt, only a short 15 15-minute very beautiful drive along a twisting, tree-laden Alpine road.
The town is thriving with many hotels, shops, restaurants and bars providing some light apres ski. As the location for the famous Atomic ski factory since 1955 and who are still making skis to this day, Altenmarkt has the feel of a town that is on the map for good reason.
The valley is fairly wide so it receives a lot of sun as well. If looking for a hotel to stay at, we recommend the 4-star Hotel Kesselgrub; next door you will find an outstanding restaurant by the name of s‘Kessei run by some very promising young chefs. If looking for an evening of fun and food make the 1-hour walk, or take a taxi up to the Hochnössleralm for a night of classic local cuisine and traditional music followed by a 4km toboggan run back down to the valley, this had us in fits of laughter.
Skiing
The World Cup resort of Altenmarkt-Zauchensee is part of the larger Ski amadé ski area. The base stations sit at 1350 metres. This is the original playground of such legendary downhill skiers such as Hermann Maier and Michael Walchhofer.
Zauchensee is part of the Zauchensee-Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl ski network with 65 km of piste and 25 lifts, and last winter the Panoramalink opened giving direct access to Flachau-Wagrain-St. Johann and a combined total of 200km of skiing. However, all guests purchase the Ski amadé lift pass which provides access to 760 km of slopes across 5 ski areas.
One can either drive from Altenmarkt to Zauchensee or take the free bus. There are 16 mountain restaurants, our favourite was the Burgstallhütte, a classic Austrian Alpine hutte with cuisine to match, do not leave without sampling their Zirbenschnaps.
BEGINNERS –
The resort has a large collection of blue pistes covering the mountains, so once one starts to get the hang of their skis or snowboard then it is possible to start exploring the mountains. Blue Piste #11 Tauernkarlift provides a nice open space, great to practise your skills.
INTERMEDIATE –
The pistes in the resort are particularly well suited to the intermediate skiers. The piste Ostabfahrt 9 from the Gamskogel is a long, wide and particularly fun blue run that gently follows the undulations of the mountain; alternatively test your skills on the Gamskogel Weldcup Ladies downhill covering pistes 6, 5 & 5a; a fun ride that twists and turns its way down to Zauchensee. Also, make sure you hop over the mountain to the red and blue pistes that lead to Flauchauwinkl, #15 Highliner I & II.
ADVANCED –
There are not a huge amount of black pistes, but the #10 Tauernkar piste provides a lot of fun steep carving action. This will not stop you from enjoying the various red pistes around the mountain, this is a carving paradise.
Ecology and sustainability
– The electricity for the snow production is 100% based on sustainable sources.
– The local community centre and the event hall is set up with Photovoltaic panels.
– By 2030 Altenmarkt-Zauchensee plans to be self-sufficient with all the energy that is required by the town. The goal is to become a ‘Green Destination’.
Fact box
For more information visit Altenmarkt – Zauchensee online.
Altenmarkt/Zauchensee is located in the region of SalzburgerLand, for more information on the region including other ski resorts such as Obertauern and Leogang please visit their website online.
The Bespoke Black Book travelled with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle to get to the Austrian Alps. Book your trip with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle from as little as £87 per vehicle (up to 9 passengers) each way for a Short Stay Saver ticket (valid for 5 calendar days) or £110 per vehicle (up to 9 passengers) for a Standard ticket (for any duration).
Alternatively, travel in style with one-way £269 per vehicle (up to 9 passengers) for a Flexiplus ticket, turn up any time and get on the next available train, and access to the club lounge (for any duration). You can also take your pet for just £22 each way.
For more information or to book see online at www.eurotunnel.com.
