A day as a cross-country skiing family in Saalfelden Leogang

Take the whole family on a winter holiday so that mum, dad and the kids are happy at the end. The perfect place for this: the Nordic Park at Ritzensee in Saalfelden Leogang. Whether beginner or expert, big or small, connoisseur or adventurer - everyone will find exactly what they enjoy most here. The fantastic Nordic Park Experience and Ski Marathon events in January and February 2023 are also a great way to watch and take part. Family fun is guaranteed in the Nordic Park, with a few helpful tips to go with it.

Action-packed children's day: Fun & Snow Park and puzzle rally

While the parents are out and about on the trails, the kids can let off steam in the Fun & Snow Park. Not only is pure technique taught here, cross-country skiing is learnt and practised in a fun way at over 20 stations. On cross-country skis, it's up and down, under and over: large hills, jumps and bends ensure fun and action - there's never a dull moment here. Especially as tobogganing and ice skating are also on offer in the Nordic Park.

Why is it worth learning cross-country skiing? Because you can take part in the Nordic puzzle rally on skis. There are seven stations to visit around the Ritzensee and tricky questions to answer. If you get all the answers right, you can pick up a reward at the Saalfelden tourist office. 

 

The perfect parents' day: first a sporty tour around Lake Ritzensee, then a relaxing wellness day

Parents can enjoy a sports and wellness day in the Nordic Park - the perfect combination of sport and pleasure. Austria's top biathlete Simon Eder (Olympic silver medallist 2010 in Vancouver), for whom Saalfelden Leogang is his home turf, explains why: ‘A round of cross-country skiing, enjoying nature and then back to the hotel for a fine meal or wellness. That's exactly the Nordic lifestyle. You can combine sport and pleasure perfectly.’ 

This is how a fantastic day can go: First, you choose one of the beautiful routes from the kilometre-long network of trails. For example, the 4.9-kilometre Kollingwald trail or the more challenging 4.7-kilometre WM trail around Lake Ritzensee. If you don't just want to cross-country ski, you can also try a biathlon taster course.
Afterwards, the cosy part begins: either reward yourself with a hearty meal in the Ritzensee restaurant or in the Klampfererhof or treat yourself to a soothing wellness treatment in the hotel and a warming sauna visit.

 

Event for the whole family: ski marathon and Nordic Park Experience

There's really something going on here: after a two-year break, the Saalfelden Ski Marathon will be held on 4/5 February 2023. Marathon, Skimarathon-Light for everyone and Mini-Skimarathon are on the programme and offer the best family entertainment. 

In the Saalfelden Ski Marathon, the international field of participants will compete over 42 and 21 kilometres in skating style, plus a new classic race over 14 kilometres. The Skimarathon Light is 10.5 kilometres long and, as a competition for everyone, there are no more excuses. The little ones can try their hand at the mini ski marathon.

Also a very worthwhile event: the Nordic Park Experience, which will take place twice this winter after a two-year break (22 January and 12 February 2023). Here, Nordic lifestyle is experienced around the Ritzensee lake in Saalfelden. The programme: Kids Wintergames (for children of all ages to take part in), BBQ, snow bar, music & chill-out lounge, cross-country ski test with Sport 2000 Simon and the Nordic puzzle rally. Admission is free.

 

The best tips: How to make it work with the whole family

To ensure that every member of the family enjoys the cross-country skiing experience together, here are a few tips to make the day an unforgettable experience.

1) Don't get on cross-country skis too early: Children should start their first attempt from the age of four at the earliest (preferably in classic style) to avoid frustration.

2) Focus on fun: What child likes to ski straight ahead all the time? It's clear that no master has fallen from the sky. Let them try it out, approach everything playfully. A little tip: Any sport that you play on the beach in summer can also be played on cross-country skis in winter: Frisbee, football with a ski, hockey...

3) Choose the right trail: Simply ask the experts on site and choose the best trail for you. After all, it should be a relaxed tour.

4) The right equipment: You can hire the right equipment in many sports shops in Saalfelden Leogang. 

Text: Genböck PR