The short answer: Ski Amadé is open from mid-December to early April. A 6-day lift pass costs from €245 per adult. Temperatures at altitude range from -10°C to -2°C in peak season. The area sits between 750 m and 2,185 m altitude. From the UK, flight time to Salzburg Airport is approximately 2 hours, followed by 30 to 75 minutes by road to the resorts.
What does the Ski Amadé ski area actually include?
Ski Amadé is one of the largest linked ski areas in the Alps. It covers 760 km of groomed pistes across five regions in the Austrian province of Salzburg: Salzburger Sportwelt, Schladming-Dachstein, Gastein, Grossarltal and Hochkönig. Together these regions include 25 individual resorts and roughly 270 lifts.
The difficulty split is well balanced. Around 40 percent of pistes are blue (easy), 40 percent are red (intermediate) and 20 percent are black (difficult). The highest point is 2,185 m at the Dachstein glacier near Schladming, which also provides the most reliable snow cover, especially in January and February.
| Region | Piste km | Highest point | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schladming-Dachstein | 230 km | 2,700 m (glacier) | All levels, beginners to experts |
| Salzburger Sportwelt | 120 km | 1,894 m | Families and intermediates |
| Gastein | 200 km | 2,686 m | Intermediates and advanced |
| Hochkönig | 120 km | 1,900 m | Mixed levels |
| Grossarltal | 90 km | 2,015 m | Beginners and families |
A single Ski Amadé lift pass gives access to all five regions. You can travel between regions by car or shuttle bus, but most resorts are not physically connected by piste to each other.
How much does a Ski Amadé lift pass cost and what does it include?
Lift pass prices vary by season period and duration. Below are the standard adult prices for the 2024/2025 season. Low season typically means early December, early January and late March. High season covers late January through mid-February.
| Pass duration | Low season (adult) | High season (adult) | Child (up to 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €50 | €62 | €31 |
| 3 days | €142 | €178 | €89 |
| 6 days | €245 | €305 | €153 |
| 7 days | €278 | €347 | €174 |
Prices are per person. The pass covers all 270 lifts across all five regions. Ski rental is not included and costs from around €25 per person per day at local hire shops. Group ski lessons with a qualified instructor start at approximately €35 per person for a half day.
Booking your pass online at least 7 days in advance typically saves 5 to 10 percent compared to buying at the lift window.
What are the best resorts in Ski Amadé for first-time visitors?
Schladming is the most well-known resort and a reliable starting point. It hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships in 1982 and 2013, so the infrastructure is well developed. The town centre has direct access to lifts and the piste network is clearly signposted.
Flachau, in the Salzburger Sportwelt region, is a strong choice for families and beginners. It sits at 925 m with ski slopes reaching up to 1,894 m and has several dedicated beginner areas at the base. The village is compact and walkable.
Bad Gastein appeals to skiers who want a livelier atmosphere combined with serious skiing. The thermal spa tradition in the Gastein valley also makes it popular for mixed-interest groups where not everyone skis every day.
Practical checklist before you travel:
- Lift pass: book online in advance for the best price
- Snow forecast: check the Salzburg region webcams and snow reports from mid-November onwards
- Getting there: Salzburg Airport (SZG) has direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh; journey time from the UK is 2 hours
- Transfer: organised shared shuttles from Salzburg Airport to most Ski Amadé resorts cost from €25 per person one way
For a full overview of ski holidays in Austria and other destinations, visit our wintersport section.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres of piste does Ski Amadé have?
Ski Amadé has 760 km of marked pistes spread across 5 regions and 25 ski resorts in the Salzburg province of Austria, served by around 270 lifts.
How much does a Ski Amadé lift pass cost?
A one-day Ski Amadé lift pass starts at approximately €50 per person for adults in low season. A 6-day pass costs from around €245 per person, with reductions for children and seniors.
When is the best time to ski in Ski Amadé?
The main ski season runs from mid-December to early April. February offers the best combination of snow reliability and good weather, with average temperatures between -5°C and 0°C at altitude.
