Ski Holidays in Maria Alm, Austria

• Maria Alm Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction
  Very Easy Runs	0
  Easy Runs	0
  Medium Runs	0
  Difficult Runs	0
  Toughest Run Name
  Skiable Vertical	1055m
  Number Of Lifts	23
  Top Lift Height	1900m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	2
  Swimming Pools	2
  Night Clubs	3
  Mountain Restaurants	12

• Maria Alm Piste Map+

  

• Maria Alm Transfer Times+

  Salzburg:	0 minutes
  :	0 minutes

Maria Alm offers the traditional ski holiday that almost everybody loves – a pretty village, centuries old and unspoilt, stunning scenery, snug wood-lined inns and, hopefully, deep snow.

The resort actually goes one better than the dozens of other Austrian villages that offer this combination in that it also has a big ski area, stretching over 150km (93 miles) and linking half a dozen villages together in the Hochkoning region. If that's not enough, the wider Ski Smade regional pass covers six times as much skiing again on one lift ticket, one of the world's largest area passes.

But that's a world away from little Maria Alm, most famous for its pilgrimage church in the heart of the town, which has the highest church tower (83 meters/nearly 300 feet) in the entire province of Salzburg, and was first mentioned in 1374. If you venture in you'll find beautiful murals on the walls and ceiling. There is also much gold trim and beautiful statues in the altar area with hand painted religious scenes.

Another good thing about the village is that it is easily reached from Salzburg airport, with motorways all the way to Saalfelden.

Although the local ski slopes are quite low by modern standards, in common with many other Austrian resorts such as Kitzbuhel, it has a good snow record and the eternal snows on the Kaprun glacier more than 100m higher than Maria Alm's highest lifts, are a short journey away.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  There are nursery slopes right next to the villages. As long as the snow cover is good, getting to lessons is a doddle. If not, the gondola from the edge of the village will provide a comfortable ride up to a second area in a more snow sure location up on the mountain.
  
  There's a choice of four ski schools operating in the village and this competition helps to keep standards higher than ever. Expect a one stop shop for rentals, lift tickets and lessons, with discounts when you book them all together.
  
  All kind of lessons variants are available including private and public groups and "learn to ski in three days" specials.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Intermediate skiers will enjoy travelling from village to village on trails largely below the tree line so winding through the forests.
  
  Maria Alm is at one end of the HochKonig circuit so you will travel via Hintermoos, Hinterthal and Dienten via half-a-dozen mountain peaks to Muhlbach.
  
  Almost all of the terrain is rated intermediate or easier, with trails up to six kilometres (nearly four miles) long, so this is ideal country for the relaxed intermediate recreational skier.

• Advanced+

  Although much of the pisted terrain is suited to beginners and intermediates, there are some challenging slopes.
  
  The 1.4km (three quarters of a mile) long Steile run is one of the steepest of the four blacks in the area pitching at up to 35 percent, Perme is the longest at 1.7km (just over a mile).
  
  The ski school will also be happy to take you to find the best off piste routes and high mountain ski touring options.

• Snowboarding at Maria Alm+

  There are three terrain parks in the area, suitable for all styles and all ability levels. In addition to the parks at Maria Alm and neighbouring Dienten and Mühlbach, you'll find small additional areas featuring rainbow boxes, mogul hills, easy kickers, straight boxes and more.
  
  The local Video Snowboard Snowpark at Maria Alm has a five metre high pro corner, a 12m pro kicker, five metre medium kicker, kinked rail, kinked box, down rail, snowbox with A-frame rail and straight rail and a straight box.
  
  The Porti Sport Panorama Park Dienten has two kickers, a nine metre long elephant rail, a four metre long flat rail, and a jump box the same length, as well as a seven metre long kinked box. The Fun Area Kings Park Mühlbach has a cooping box, kinked box and an A-frame box. There's also a halfpipe at Liebenaulift in Dienten.
  
  Right at the other end of the ski circuit, and across the village of Muhlbach, the Living room snowboard park on Hochkeil by the Arthurhaus lift has two rail lines, four kickers and a living room Chill-out Zone in the igloo, with live broadcasts from the park which is also equipped with sofas just like a basic living room.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Maria Alm+

  Maria Alm has a moderate range of activities off the slopes.
  
  Indoors there's a sports centre and traditional bowling as well as two hotel swimming pools at the sport Hotel Alpenland and Marco Polo Club Alpina hotel.
  
  Outdoors there's an ice rink, curling, 30km of cleared winter hiking trails, a similar amount of cross country skiing around the village and more in the wider region, a toboggan run and the chance to enjoy sleigh riding.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Maria Alm normally has a jolly apres ski scheme with some 20 or so restaurants serving traditional Alpine specialities, half a dozen bars and a couple of late night dance spots.
  
  Apres ski activities like bowling and tobogganing also add to the fun. Make sure you try at least one shot of the local rowanberry schnaps.
  

• Ski Holidays in Maria Alm suitable for Families+

  The Gästekindergarten Maria Alm run by the ski school accepts children aged from two for non-skiing fun and activities.
  
  There is also an excellent baby sitting service for children from birth, in your hotel room, but this normally needs to be reserved at least 48 hours in advance.
  
  Children aged three and over can join the ski school's ski kindergarten. The resort has increased its effort and facilities for families still further in recent years and has a new snowy monkey mascot, Schneewutzel, who oversees special family-friendly activities and events.