Instead of carving and slopestyle: winter experiences away from the piste

Away from the ski slopes, the park offers a total of 150 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiers and biathletes, a Fun & Snow Park for children as well as various circular hiking trails, a natural ice rink and inviting restaurants. A highlight of the upcoming winter season is the big event in the Nordic Park on 10 February 2017.

To celebrate the new "Nordic Park" concept in Saalfelden Leogang, an all-day event will take place on 10 February 2017. In addition to open-air concerts, regional delicacies and a chill-out lounge, visitors will be offered a varied programme.

 

A 150-kilometre paradise for cross-country skiers and biathletes

Felix Gottwald and Simon Eder have shown how it's done: the two local professional athletes regularly use the 150-kilometre network of cross-country trails in Saalfelden Leogang for their training. "Our racing trail with a length of 4.7 kilometres is particularly suitable for professionals, as it leads through varied terrain, partly through forest and challenges the athletes accordingly," says Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik.

Hobby cross-country skiers can also enjoy their passion in the new Nordic Park: The Kollingwald trail is a little longer at 5.8 kilometres, but the level of difficulty is more moderate than the professional trail. And for those who prefer to do their laps in the moonlight, the 1.8-kilometre Ritzensee floodlit trail, which is illuminated daily until 10 p.m., is the right choice. However, the offer does not end with conventional cross-country skiing - passionate biathletes will also find more than one opportunity here to train their endurance and concentration on the trails of varying difficulty. The Saalfelden Leogang region is already considered a biathlon stronghold - the 2017 Biathlon World Championships will even be held in the neighbouring village of Hochfilzen.

 

Learn from the pros

For all those who are just discovering the appeal of cross-country skiing, taster cross-country training sessions are offered every Thursday at 7 pm during the winter season on the floodlit trail. The training sessions are supervised by Andrea Grossegger, the only Austrian biathlete ever to have won a medal at the World Championships. The coach from HSV Saalfelden, one of the most successful biathlon clubs in the country, knows how to gently introduce beginners to cross-country skiing and awaken their enthusiasm for the sport.

 

Training for children in the Fun & Snow Park

In the Fun & Snow Park, which has been specially developed for children, young athletes playfully get to grips with cross-country skiing on gentle hills and easy obstacles. Children's biathlon training sessions also take place on Wednesdays. The area is supervised by cross-country skiers from the municipality of Saalfelden and the Nordic Ski Middle School. They ensure that the programme is tailored to the needs of the children.

 

Three circular trails for hiking enthusiasts

The feeling of crackling, freshly fallen snow under the soles of your shoes while fresh mountain air flows through your lungs - in the new Nordic Park you can enjoy this feeling on three different hiking routes. The 11.8-kilometre Haidrunde is suitable for those who are particularly keen on hiking: the route leads past the wintry Ritzensee lake and through the snow-covered Kollingwald forest. The Lettingrunde with its 7.1 kilometres is easier in terms of difficulty, but just as scenic. Those who prefer a short walk will find the half-hour Ritzensee loop a welcome alternative.

 

The most "natural" ice rink in Saalfelden Leogang

The Ritzensee offers cooling in summer, in winter it transforms into the most natural ice rink in Saalfelden Leogang. So if you fancy swapping your hiking boots for ice skates, you can skate on the frozen Ritzensee until 10 pm. And if that's not enough, you can get some extra action with curling.

 

Pinzgau delicacies in three variations

A balanced and hearty meal is important for every athlete. Three restaurants in the area offer athletes what they need after an energy-sapping day in the snow: The Ritzensee restaurant serves regional and seasonal dishes, which guests can enjoy with a view of the magnificent Ritzensee lake. The 4-star Hotel Ritzenhof focuses on high-quality ingredients and also caters for guests' food intolerances when planning menus. Those who prefer a more traditional, rustic style should pay a visit to the Klampfererhof. The cosy "Stuberl" serves home-style cooking from the farm.

Marco Pointner is convinced by the new Nordic Park concept: "We are trying to combine the already excellent range of Nordic sports and make them more accessible. The Nordic Park covers the different needs of our guests. It doesn't matter whether you are a professional or amateur athlete - in the evening, everyone comes together in one of our restaurants and ends the day in a cosy atmosphere with freshly prepared dishes from the region".
cosy end to the day".  

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