Altenmarkt

Altenmarkt is only 44 miles from the city of Salzburg and is one of the regular stops in a popular program that includes staying in the historic city and busing an hour or so each day to a different resort in Salzburgerland. But if skiers stay in Altenmarkt, they can get caught up in the ambiance of a rustic village, pay less, and have lots of skiing right at hand.

A picturesque village with an onion-dome church and a number of good family run hotels and pensions. An excellent snow record. In addition, there is extensive snowmaking in the area, particularly at Zauchensee, where many national teams train in early winter. Although the altitude of Altenmarkt is only 856 metres most of the skiing is from Zauchensee at 1350 metres and skiing goes up to 2240 metres. Cross-country skiing in the Amade area is excellent. Precious little queuing. A variety of good mountain restaurants. Three competing ski schools. Good shopping. Steffner factory outlet. Atomic factory - good value if you want to buy skis. Non-skiers will enjoy the cultural activities of Salzburg, an hour away by road or rail.

Altenmarkt and Zauchensee are spoken of in the same breath, even though they are several kilometers apart. The old market name of the former suggests a charming village, which it is. The latter is a purpose-built ski resort with slopeside accommodations.

They are marketed together as one of the leading venues in a region known for its large selection of places to ski. The region is called Skiverband Amade and it includes Sportwelt Amade, Sportregion Schladming-Ramsau, Gastein Valley, Dorfgastein-Grossarltal, and Hochцnig

The vast region has 533 miles of prepared slopes and 270 lifts. Verticals over 4,000 feet and two-to three-mile runs, plus boundless acres of deep powder, satisfy downhill skiers and snowboarders.