This resort includes not just the village of Saalbach proper (the largest locally, with the most hotels and businesses), but also nearby Hinterglemm in the next valley over (also with good après-ski, as well as being a bit more family friendly), and Fieberbrunn (large, sprawling, and also family-oriented) over the state border in Tirol. It was just a couple of years ago that these three were linked by high-tech gondola to create a total 270 km (168 mi.) of pistes and 68 lifts.

These resorts now all share an extensive ski circuit with wide and mainly intermediate pistes, reliable snow cover, and an ultra-modern lift system. As well as being great for intermediates, the off-piste - particularly around Fieberbrunn - is excellent. This is one of the venues for the Swatch Freeride World Tour in March. Saalbach is also a good destination for people who just want to ski to lunch, with some excellent mountain eateries to be found throughout the whole area.

Gateway: Salzburg (90 minutes).

Read more in our post 7 of Austria´s Best Winter Resorts.

Pyty