Winter sports away from the slopes

The fascinating natural scenery in the Saalfelden Leogang region in Salzburger Land is ideal for cross-country skiers who can discover a network of 150 kilometres of trails. The region is one of the top cross-country skiing regions in the Alps. Not only because of the magnificent nature, but also because of the additional varied offer, which makes every form of mild winter an experience. These include, for example, the Nordic Park at the Ritzensee, romantic winter hikes through the deep snow-covered Kollingwald or even night ski tours under moonlight at the Asitz. Saalfelden Leogang is considered to be the most contrasting region of the Alps. At the foot of the “Steinernen Meer” and the “Leoganger Steinberge”, winter in the mountains is always a bit more diverse than in other regions. 

Variety and fun: Saalfelden Leogang is one of the top cross-country skiing regions in Austria

Cross-country skiing, seeing and experiencing: Saalfelden Leogang is one of the top four cross-country skiing regions in Austria. The cross-country network offers 150 kilometres of trails. Whether for beginners or professionals, from sporty to relaxed - in Saalfelden Leogang there are perfectly prepared trails with different levels of difficulty and a guaranteed snow guarantee until spring. Enjoy yourself off the trail: restaurants along the cross-country trail in Nordic Park invite you to take a culinary break to reward yourself with regional delicacies. For example, with a warming caspress dumpling soup, which provides energy for further rounds on cross-country skis. Air, sparkling snow and good cuisine – these are the criteria that undoubtedly make the Saalfelden Leogang region the top cross-country destination. 

For an intensive sports program, the 4.7 km long and varied World Cup trail around the Ritzensee is available. Here you sometimes meet famous fellow athletes. Austrian biathletes, such as Simon Eder and Julian Eberhard, train on this trail. The 4.9 km long Kollingwald trail offers a medium level of difficulty for ambitious cross-country skiers.  The youngster trains best in the Fun & Snow Park, in the cross-country skiing centre of the Nordic Park at the Ritzensee in Saalfelden. There, kids can get their first experience of the Nordic discipline on steep curves, hills and jumps. And if you still have strength in the evening and want to have fun, you can strap down the cross-country skis on the cross-country ski trail around the Ritzensee and on the high-altitude trail Grissen under floodlights until 22:00. 

Cross-country skiing puts health back on track

More than 120 years ago, the polar explorer and Nobel Peace Prize winner Fritjof Nansen declared: “Nothing stiffens the muscles so much, nothing makes the body more elastic and supple, nothing gives greater prudence and agility, nothing strengthens the will, nothing makes the sense so fresh as cross-country skiing.” So there are plenty of reasons why cross-country skiing is a suitable winter sport option and should definitely be tried. You train your fitness and are in the wonderful fresh air, surrounded by a scenically unique nature. Cross-country skiing knows practically no age limits and is easy to learn, especially for beginners. The Nordic discipline can be practiced alone or in groups – also with a sufficient safety distance and flexible at any time of the day. On the trail you set your own pace, stop at beautiful natural places and also enjoy the fantastic views and winter silence. Saalfelden Leogang makes getting into this sport easy. No less than 20 trails with lengths between 1.2 and 11.4 kilometres are ideal for the first gentle excursions into the fantastic winter landscape of this region. The use of the ski bus is also free for cross-country skiers. Safe cross-country skiing is also guaranteed this winter.  This is because when entering the cross-country ski trail and on the cross-country ski trail, the minimum distance must be maintained throughout. In addition, the restriction of one person to ten square meters on the trail applies. Team and contact sports are not allowed.

 

The magic of winter hiking and swinging in the forest 

Exercise in the fresh air is good for you and relieves stress. The magic of hiking is also a special treat in the cold season. Saalfelden Leogang offers numerous cleared paths which, with good footwear, invite you to go on an enjoyable winter hike. Along the way, you can not only enjoy the beautiful winter landscape, but also stop at extraordinary destinations to take a break and pause for a moment. For example, at the new forest swings in Kollingwald, which you can discover on the 11.8-kilometre Haidrunde, starting at the Nordic Park. The Haidrunde leads along the Ritzensee lake through the Kollingwald forest and offers an impressive view of the surrounding mountain panorama. The forest swings resemble wooden hammocks. Lying in the hiker's swing, you can look up into the treetops and into the open sky, making the heart of every nature lover beat faster. 

 

One place - countless sporting opportunities: New offers in the Nordic Park at Lake Ritzensee

Opened in 2017, the Nordic Park at Lake Ritzensee in Saalfelden offers so much fun in one place: a place where winter sports enthusiasts can try out a variety of Nordic sports. These include the extensive range of trails for cross-country skiers and biathletes, the romantic winter hikes and the Fun & Snow Park for the little ones. This season, there is a new slalom course and new steep turns and jumps to teach children cross-country skiing in a fun way. There is also a choice of classic and skating-style cross-country skiing courses for adults. Ice skating fans can do their pirouettes on the frozen Ritzensee and then reward themselves with culinary delights in one of the three restaurants in the Nordic Park. 

 

Adventures at night: ski tours by moonlight on the Asitz 

Ski pistes and cross-country ski trails inspire guests to Saalfelden Leogang during the day. But that's not all. Night ski tours are also finding new fans. There are ski tours by moonlight in the region, daily on the Biberg in Saalfelden and every Tuesday and Friday on the Asitz in Leogang. Ski touring fans can strap on their ski boots at night in complete seclusion and freedom and experience a unique ski touring evening. If you want to explore the unspoilt winter landscape away from the piste during the day, you should book a trained local ski and mountain guide. 

 

Use the WINTER experience programme free of charge with the Saalfelden Leogang Card

Even more snow adventures await guests in the Saalfelden Leogang region as part of the attractive WINTER Adventure Programme. Away from the pistes and until 2 April 2021, there is the opportunity to go on a mystical torchlight hike, a Nordic walking tour around the Ritzensee lake or a yoga walk. A snowshoe tour or a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered Kollingwald forest round off an eventful winter's day. The offers are free of charge for holders of the Saalfelden Leogang Card. You receive the card automatically when you check in at the Saalfelden Leogang Card partner hotels. It is valid from the day of arrival to the day of departure.