The Skiers' Guide to Schladming

Schladming is a charming Austrian ski resort nestled in the heart of the Styrian Alps. Known for its perfectly groomed pistes and extensive terrain across four interconnected mountains, it's a firm favourite among skiers of all abilities. The resort stretches from a base altitude of 745m up to 1906m, offering reliable snow conditions throughout the season.

Our users have awarded Schladming an overall rating of 4.56/5, with particularly high marks for groomed runs (4.92/5) and lift efficiency (4.80/5). The resort also scores brilliantly for beginners (5.00/5) and family friendliness (4.68/5), making it an ideal destination for groups with mixed abilities.

One Snomad community member liked that "the resort covers 4-mountain range with a wide variety of pistes suitable for absolute beginners right up to advance skiers." The constant investment in infrastructure keeps the resort competitive, with another user noting that they were "happy to see further upgrades to infrastructure" on their recent visit.

Schladming boasts 35 runs spread across its four connected mountains (Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm), with 10 beginner, 22 intermediate, and 3 advanced runs. The lift system is impressive, featuring 4 gondolas, 10 chairlifts, and 5 drag lifts, creating an efficient network that allows skiers to explore all areas with minimal fuss.

Our users consistently praise the variety of terrain and the quality of the slopes. As Peter, an advanced skier, mentions: "Brilliant resort with fantastic lift system. Well groomed slopes and variety across 4 mountains. Terrain to suit everybody."

For beginners, Hochwurzen is often highlighted as the best mountain. As one user notes, "Hochwurzen best for beginners, lots to please intermediates over the whole resort, and some more challenging runs interspersed for advanced skiers." The resort has thoughtfully placed beginner areas higher up the mountain, giving newcomers "the full mountain experience" rather than keeping them confined to the base.

More advanced skiers can tackle the World Cup run on Planai, which offers a proper challenge. While perhaps not a paradise for experts seeking extreme terrain, the resort does offer some decent off-piste opportunities (3.65/5), with one user mentioning "limited but nonetheless very good off-piste and touring terrain."

Tree skiing is a particular highlight at Schladming, scoring 4.09/5 for tree runs. As Issy, an intermediate skier, enthuses: "I particularly love the option to ski through the trees on their blue runs, it's so pretty."

Schladming scores strongly for eating out (4.32/5), with many users praising both the mountain restaurants and town eateries. The on-mountain dining options receive particular acclaim for quality and value.

Edgars, an advanced skier, noted "Many on-mountain opportunity for food and drink. All well shocked and great value." Another user praised "exceptional mountain restaurants for food and drink." This sentiment is echoed by Eva, who highlighted the "Large selection of restaurants for lunch during the day or for quick coffee and bombardinos with perfect terraces offering great views."

In town, Anna mentions there's a "choice of fancy restaurants or quick bites," catering to different budgets and preferences. Several users note that the restaurants offer authentic Austrian cuisine at reasonable prices compared to other Alpine resorts.

Sam summed up the dining scene perfectly: "plenty of Austrian charm, good food and good drink in the mountain huts." Theo was particularly impressed by the value, finding the "food on the mountain was good and surprisingly low cost."

The après-ski scene in Schladming scores an impressive 4.17/5 rating, offering a genuine Austrian party atmosphere without the overwhelming crowds of some larger resorts.

The majority of users think there are two key venues to know about. Phil, an intermediate snowboarder from the UK, recommends: "Apres is one not to be missed and the Tenne is a sure place to start off the unwinding." Anna adds more detail: "There's only one place to go for classic apres tunes (Hohenhaus Tenne) and oddly there is a pause between 7-9pm where it closes to then reopen."

For those who prefer to start their celebrations on the mountain, one user suggests the "Almrausch apres bar at the top of the mountain" which "kicks off early" before the party moves to the Tenne.

The vibe is described as authentically Austrian rather than dominated by British tourists. Katharine, an expert skier, notes there's "Not a big English crowd (which I quite like) which is something to bear in mind if that is something you want - more German, Austrian and Dutch."

Anna sums up the evening scene as offering "nice bars for a drink or two rather than to party," making Schladming ideal for those who want some lively atmosphere without the full-on party reputation of resorts like Ischgl or St Anton.

Schladming truly excels as a family destination, earning an outstanding 4.68/5 for family friendliness. The resort's layout, services, and atmosphere all contribute to making it an ideal choice for those travelling with children.

Eva, an expert skier, confirms it's a "Perfect resort to meet the needs of a multi age family. Long and wide slopes with a great selection of all levels from beginners to more demanding skiers/snowboarders."

The ski schools receive high praise with a 4.67/5 rating for ski school quality. Sherri, an advanced skier from the UK, mentions the "Great ski school with top quality instructors," which provides peace of mind for parents.

The resort's beginner-friendly terrain is particularly valuable for families, with Sabine noting it has "a wide variety of pistes suitable for absolute beginners right up to advance skiers." The fact that beginner areas are situated up the mountain rather than just at the base is appreciated by many families, giving everyone access to the best views and conditions.

Our reviewers mention that Schladming's relatively gentle pace compared to larger, more party-oriented resorts makes it perfect for family groups. As Carine confirms: "Family friendly. The Austrian spas are always high standard," adding another element that families appreciate after a day on the slopes.

Accommodation in Schladming receives an excellent 4.60/5 rating, with options to suit various preferences and budgets. The resort offers a mix of traditional hotels, apartments, and guesthouses, both in the town centre and in the surrounding areas.

Phil notes that "accommodation is plentiful and caters for families and single folk alike." This diversity is appreciated by visitors, with Sherri adding there's a "Range of accommodation to suit most budgets."

For those prioritizing slope access, Eva points out that "Accommodations possible on the slopes or near slopes too." This flexibility allows visitors to choose between the convenience of ski-in/ski-out properties or the amenities of staying in town.

The town itself has a traditional Austrian character that adds to the appeal of staying there. Preslava describes Schladming as having "a charming, traditional Austrian vibe," while Katharine mentions "the town is quite easy to get around with lots of good food options for the evenings!"

For groups wanting to spread out across the ski area, there are also accommodation options in the surrounding villages like Ramsau am Dachstein, which Ellie calls "a hidden gem" and her "favourite place in the world!"

Schladming demonstrates a solid commitment to environmental sustainability across its operations. The resort has invested heavily in efficient snowmaking technology to reduce water and energy consumption while maintaining reliable snow coverage. This is part of a broader sustainability initiative that includes energy-efficient lift systems and the use of renewable energy sources.

The area is well-connected by public transport, with regular train services to Schladming station and free ski buses connecting the various villages and lift stations, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of visitors. The resort has also implemented waste separation and recycling programs throughout its facilities.

One notable ongoing project is the protection and maintenance of the forested areas between runs, which not only enhances the skiing experience but also preserves local biodiversity and prevents erosion.