Apres Ski in Saalbach

Saalbach is renowned party territory and the après-ski starts early. With 35 or more bars and over 70 restaurants, even the most committed party animals and food and drink lovers will be spoiled for choice and dancing and partying in Saalbach continues until late.

Saalbach and Hinterglem Villages

The villages of Saalbach and Hinterglemm are quite different from each other. Saalbach is generally prettier, with a maze of pedestrianised streets and packed rooftops clustered around a traditional onion-domed church.

Driving in to Saalbach, especially after dark, can be confusing. One route takes you through a curving tunnel, and it’s difficult to work out where you’re heading. You can find yourself negotiating narrow streets and driving into pedestrianised areas by mistake. The sooner you park the car somewhere the better-Saalbach is best explored on foot! As the resorts are keen to stress: “There’s unlimited fun-completely without a car: our lifts bring guests directly from the village centre up to the slopes, and the runs lead almost directly to the hotel doors.”

Hinterglemm, more sedate and spread out nearer the end of the picturesque Glemmtal Valley, is a broader canvas, dominated by large chalet-style hotels. 

Apres Ski Bars & Nightlife in Saalbach Hinterglemm 

Saalbach Hinterglemm is renowned party territory. The après-ski starts early, and for a while dovetails agreeably with the skiing. So while you are moving towards the end of the circuit, you might find that when you drop in to a bar for a quick drink en route-at the Bergstadl, for example, on the way down to Hinterglemm from Schattberg West-some skiers have already “downed tools” (but not ski boots) and are more involved in après than ski.

Among the more lively haunts in Saalbach is Bauer’s Skialm-a really popular venue at the foot of the nursery slopes, with indoor and outdoor bars and tables, and lively, eclectic music-always busy, with a multi-national ambience.

There’s dancing at the Pub (and Karaoke) and the Zum Turn, an old jail next to the church and cemetery, with a small, classy but rather pricey bar. Castello’s, at the bottom of the main street below the Saalbacherhof Hotel, gets busy when the live music starts, and there’s an entrance fee when it switches to its night-club role.

The Arena Disco has live music and special promotion nights. The Hinterhag Alm, above Saalbach’s nursery slopes, is always packed early on, with a live band, dancing on tables, in and outdoor action, gallons of glühwein, and a pulsating atmosphere. (If you’re based in Saalbach you’ll have to ski back afterwards!)

The Goass-Stall, at the bottom of the west slopes in central Hinterglemm, is obsessed with goats – real and plastic ones which “flash” the audience sporadically. In spite of (or perhaps because of) this, it’s a very popular après ski haunt, with indoor and outdoor action.

If you prefer the idea of a witch stripping to goats flashing, the Hexenhäusl is a cheap bar next to the slopes with a good atmosphere (the witch is an animated model which disrobes).

Restaurants in Saalbach Hinterglemm

The á-la-carte Heurigenstube restaurant at the Hotel Salzburg offers five-course dinners. In Saalbach, the Stamperl and the Alibi bars are especially lively. The Temptation Bar has a happy “hour” between 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Bobby’s Pub, next to the tunnel snowboard shop, is low on style, but strong on atmosphere, and always busy, with all kinds of games, including bowling, billiards, darts, table football, and computer games.

At Hinterglemm, the Harley Davidson and Bikers’ Pub, in the basement of the Hotel Zur Dorfschmiede, features a collection of immaculate Harleys and motorcycle memorabilia. Spielberghaus is three kilometres up the toboggan track, and revellers can toboggan down at 1 a.m. There’s a wonderfully lively atmosphere there, with a genuine “local” ambience. It gets very busy in mid-season, when booking is necessary. Conditions need to be good for the toboggan track to be worthwhile.

Other Activities in Saalbach Hinterglemm

Saalbach offers a variety of activities for the non-skiing guest, as well as a wide range of summer activities when the snow has gone. In addition Saalbach is well known for its 10 kilometres of cross-country tracks, including a high track on the Reiterkogel. 

Tobogganing

At least six huts around the resort offer tobogganing, but the best place to do it is in the evening on the Reiterkogel run. This is the longest course in Saalbach and is available floodlit from 6:30 to 9:00 in the evening. The cable car up is free with a valid lift pass and the cost of renting a toboggan is only 5 euros (with a 30 euro deposit).

Winter Hiking

Twice a week from January to March you can meet a guide and be shown around the mountains on the extensive walking path network. If you have not got a lift pass they will provide you with a sun pass. There is a minimum participation of 4 people. Walks depart: Tuesday 10am from the information centre in Saalbach and Thursday 10am from the information centre in Hinterglemm.

Snow Shoe Tours

The range and versatility of snow shoes is much greater than walking and between December and March there are twice weekly guided tours at the end of the Glemm valley. Tours leave every Monday and Thursday (meeting place given on booking). All equipment except hiking shoes is provided including a headlamp, poles and snowshoes. Bookings can be arranged through Hans Eder, qualified guide. Tel:+43 699 1110 5629

Icekart

Icekarting is a lot of fun! Small spiked wheels allow you to go-kart but with the added excitement of being surrounded by ice. Bookings can be made through Saalbach’s Icekart centre. Tel:+43 676 517 5630

Snowmobiling

There is a course designed for snowmobiling practice by the ‘Snowmobile City’ centre in Saalbach. Driver instruction and advice are offered for 12 euros for a 10 minute ride and children can ride as passengers. The centre is open daily from 3:00pm to 10:00pm and reservations can be made. Tel: +43 664 844 4323

Swimming

The indoor pool in Saalbach is 25 meters long and open every day until 9:00pm. In addition there is a beginner’s pool for children. Tel: +43 6541 7131

Paragliding

Tandem flights are offered for a flight around the extraordinary scenery in this wonderful valley. We advise booking through the tourist office for these flights as the companies offering the flights are Austrian.

Curling

The curling arena costs 22 euros to hire per hour which includes all equipment

Ice Skating

There is a large indoor skate arena located next to the tennis courts in Saalbach. It is open every day and costs are around 6 euros for each session per person. Tel: +43 6541 7403.