My sporty winter vacation with the Saalfelden Leogang Card

When the mountains are as white as snow, the slopes are smiling on the mountains and the scent of Christmas cookies is in the air, the time has finally come: the winter vacation in Saalfelden Leogang is just around the corner. I quickly throw another pair of warm socks into my suitcase and start my vacation full of anticipation. I am already excited about what experiences await me during my vacation in Saalfelden Leogang.

Thursday: Flying foxes on the Asitz?

Of course, my winter vacation has to start with a trip to the Asitz mountain. I put on good hiking shoes, put on my green bobble hat and off I go. With the Saalfelden Leogang Card, the ride up the mountain in the Asitz or Steinberg cable cars is even free of charge. During the approximately 15 minute ride, I have a perfect panoramic view of the Leoganger Steinberge. The largest mountain, the Birnhorn, immediately catches my eye. It's amazing what this cable car ride has to offer. Once at the top, I immediately see my next stop: the winter hiking trail to the TONspur islands. While I'm wandering with my thoughts and enjoying the scenery, I reach my destination. The wooden lounger has already been waiting for my arrival. I take a seat and let the view captivate me: snow-covered mountains, the glittering snow on the pine trees and cold, wintry air in my nose. After my movie experience, I make my way back to the Asitzbahn. I have to hurry up a bit, because I still have a lot to do today.

At the Asitzbahn middle station I can already see what awaits me: an adventure of its own league. I read "Flying Fox XXL" written in large letters. Before my excitement gets the better of me, I join the skiers and make a stop at the Stöcklalm. To prepare for such an adventure, you need something good in your stomach! I could barely decide what to eat with the large variety of food offered. A sausage soup or delicious Kasnockn after all? No, I decide to go with the sweet Kaiserschmarrn. After the delightful meal, I feel ready for my flight. With a length of 1,600 meters, a height of up to 143 meters and top speeds of up to 130 km/h, this steel cable slide is one of the fastest and longest in the world. Excitement and anticipation rushed through me. I could hardly wait to get into the harness and start my flight. The nice guide counts down from 3 until the flight starts. 3,2,1 - wuhuu. Pure speed! I feel the wind in my face. Am I really flying? This day will stay with me for a long time.

Friday: Will I hit the target?

After yesterday's flight, I now want to experience Acton on the ground for a change. At the breakfast table I skim through the 'Saalfelden Leogang Card' booklet and discover the 'Archery School No. 1' in Saalfelden. "....with a view of the Steinerne Meer, the Leoganger Steinberge and the Hochkönig", that sounds just right for me. With my Saalfelden Leogang Card, I even get a 15 percent discount on my course. That's where I have to go! A few minutes later I'm already standing next to my instructor with a bow in my hand. After a short introduction, the first arrows are shot. First on normal targets, then on animals. Don't worry, the animals are just lifelike replicas of wild animals. It is really fun to immitate my ancestors and to be on the hunt with bow and arrow. After a few practice shots, I sometimes manage a lucky shot. After almost three hours we come to the end of the unit. I'm really proud of my shooting skills and I'm happy to let the day fade out in a relaxed setting. The best way to do this is to enter the sauna world at Ritzensee. Here I can relax and easily recover, because a new adventure is already waiting for me tomorrow.

Attention, here I come!

Prior to my vacation in Saalfelden Leogang I checked out the offer of my favorite sport: cross-country skiing. The region has a spectacular variety to offer here as well. An incredible 150 kilometers of tracks await me. Will I be able to ski them all? With my skis on my shoulders, I head for the trail entrance. Click, click - and the skis are already attached to my boots. But wait, do I have a ticket? I already have it with me thanks to my Saalfelden Leogang Card. The card gives me a cross-country skiing experience for free. A perfectly maintained track is waiting for me. I can even still see the fresh grooves of the snowcat track. With big pulls I leave kilometer after kilometer behind me. I almost feel like Julia Eberhard or Simon Eder who are the two top athletes from the region. Unlike the top athletes, I now need a short break to catch my breath before I continue running back home. On the way home it even starts to snow a little. I just love winter with its little surprises!

Sunday: no pain, no gain

Today, I once again want to go to the top of the beautiful mountains. The question is: how? With a guided snowshoe hike up the Biberg mountain. I allow myself a small, additional lift. Thanks to the Saalfelden Leogang Card, the shuttle takes me free of charge to Gasthaus Huggenberg where my hike begins. In the snowshoes I feel like a dinosaur with huge feet. Despite the dinosaur feet, the 340 meters in altitude don't go by themselves. Such a hike is quite exhausting, but the view is reward enough. Arriving at the Biberg, I enjoy my last day with this dream scenery. Unfortunately, I have to go back home soon, but the experiences and memories will accompany me for a long time.

Eventful days come to an end. Mountain experiences on the Asitz, an intense and action-filled flight with the Flying Fox XXL, an eventful archery course, varied cross-country skiing trails and a demanding, but beautiful snowshoe hike up the Biberg. I am already looking forward to my next vacation in Saalfelden Leogang. The Saalfelden Leogang Card still has a lot to offer. What have you already experienced?

Photos: saalfelden-leogang.com /Michael Geißler, Moritz Ablinger, Christoph Bayer, Sportalpen, Bogensportschule No 1