Ski Touring in the Salzburger Saalachtal

On a different Track

Ski touring has developed into a trend sport over the last few years. More and more people are deciding to take a tour off-piste, carve their own tracks in the snow and experience the origins of skiing to the fullest.

The special attraction of ski touring is being able to consciously enjoy nature during the ascent and to appreciate special moments. Once the goal has been reached, skis are taken off and the skins removed, the bindings are altered and boots are done up tightly. “Click-clack” - the touring ski binding is fixed and the descent through the finest powder can begin. As you make short turns through the powdery snow, it's almost as though the snow-covered slopes were waiting for you and belong to you alone – an indescribable feeling. The Salzburger Saalachtal is one of the most beautiful areas for ski tourers in Salzburg province and ski tourers are always welcome at the Heutal lifts in Unken. Beginners can try out ski touring in the ski area in Heutal or even climb up to the Sattelkurvenlift. The ascent follows the edge of the piste and is permitted during the day in compliance with the rules for ski touring on the piste, to ensure conflict-free cooperation on the ski pistes. Advanced ski tourers can tackle tours to the Hochalm and the Sonntagshorn in Unken; experts are challenged on tours to the Skihörndl in the Loferer Steinberge as well as the Seehorn or the Kammerlinghorn in the Mountain Climbers' Village Weißbach.

Please bear in mind that ski touring off-piste can only be attempted with appropriate alpine experience and equipment. We recommend that beginners employ a regional mountain guide.

New 2019: From the winter season 2018/19 a newly built ski touring learning trail awaits in Heutal. Here, beginners can gain their first experiences of ski touring at a total of 7 stations. You can find more information about the ski touring learning trail in our tour portal:

ski touring learning trail

And now up on the ski touring and off you go ...

The appropriate equipment for your own skitour

You can rent or buy your touring skies and poles at the ski rental shops in the region.

Ski School Lofer Herbst Ski School Sturm Sport Stockklauser Lofer

Guided ski tours

A ski tour with the experts? Different ski tours are offered by the mountain guides of the Naturpark Weißbach, by the skischools and the outdoor providers.

Ski School Lofer Herbst Ski School Sturm Alpine Ski School Markus Hirnböck Jochen Haase mountain guide

What to consider in advance

We consider wearing a wind and waterproof jacket and hat and gloves are also compulsory. Obviously a so-called “LVS device“, an avalanche transceiver, is absolutely essential. In an emergency it helps to locate avalanche victims as quickly as possible because in such a situation every second counts. Avalanche transceivers can be hired if you don't want to buy your own straight away. There is space in every rucksack for a map of the area, either in electronic form on your mobile phone or in time-honoured tradition as a paper map.

Our ski touring checklist: what should you take with you on a ski tour?

Something to drink
Sunglasses and suncream
Hat and gloves
Avalanche transceiver
Windproof and waterproof jacket
A change of clothing
Map of the area
A cereal bar or similar to top up the energy reserves
A camera to record all the wonderful moments