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There’s a saying in travel: if you want to see the sights, pick up a guidebook; but if you want to discover what makes a place special, you have to ask a local. We think this is especially true for skiing. Even the most detailed piste maps can’t accurately convey how runs connect, and they almost always leave out details like where to find the best off-piste.
Restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor can be hit or miss, and while Google Maps is handy, its knife and fork icons can’t capture the true atmosphere of a café or tell you if the DJ playing on a specific night is worth listening to. With this in mind, when we set out to put together a guide to the highlights of St. Johann in Salzburg, we went straight to an expert. Not only does she explain (far better than any website ever could) what makes her hometown special, her answers also convey something of the joy of living in St. Johann in Salzburg — a sensation the Austrians like to call Lebensgefühl.
Katharina Huber has been living in the town of St. Johann for the last three years. After initially moving there for work, she quickly fell in love with the cultural capital of Salzburg thanks to its proximity to the mountains. It only takes her five minutes to get from the office to the slopes, so she’s spent the last few winters spending as much time as possible up on the mountain exploring Snow Space Salzburg which combines the resorts of Flachau, Wagrain and St. Johann. Here she shares her top tips on where to go and what to do.
St. Johann in Salzburg in numbers
Ski area: 210km of pistes
Altitude range: 800m - 2,200m
Resort height: 800m
St. Johann is good for:
St. Johann offers easy access to the Snow Space Salzburg with its extensive lift system providing all the variety of skiing you could need. Families will find plenty to entertain and take care of them, with plenty of off slope activities, welcoming hotels and wide range of restaurants.
Did you know?
St. Johann has a great public transport system which is free throughout the town for both locals and tourists, making it incredible easy to get around.
So Katharina, tell us what’s so special about St. Johann?
I’d say the proximity of the town to the mountains is what makes St. Johann kind of unique. It’s a small but bustling town located in the centre of SalzburgerLand. It’s only around 60 km from the German border which means travelling here is pretty much hassle-free – great for families. Plus, 90% of slopes are blue and red runs and they are always in immaculate condition.
Where would you go to ski first on a powder day? Obergassalmbahn lift is a good insider tip. This is where most people meet on powder days it gives you lots of options for riding from the top. There’s also amazing ski touring around here, the resort is a great springboard if you’re keen to access backcountry terrain.
Which piste is your favourite and why?
I love the Stegbachlift T-bar lift. It takes you towards the Hirschkogel. There’s very little traffic on the piste, so you can go at your own pace and make your own tracks in the snow - usually all by yourself!
Where would you stop for a mid-morning coffee?
I would have a coffee at the Buchauhütte or Gernkogel, because the sun shines here first. The coffee tastes like a real coffee house and I usually treat myself to a traditional farmer’s doughnut, which are homemade there fresh every day.
What’s the best restaurant for lunch on the mountain?
Traditional ski hut cuisine is available at the Gernkogelalm and also at the Kreistenalm. The Schniztel on the Gernkogelalm is simply a dream. If you prefer something sweeter and like yeast dumplings or pancakes, the Kreistenalm is the place to be.
Where’s the best skiing when the visibility is bad?
It improves a lot down in the trees and it’s a bit better on the Buchaubahn, but I always prefer to drink a hot chocolate in one of the cozy little huts and wait for it to clear.
Your favourite place for an apres-ski drink?
A classic evening for me looks like this: I swing off the slopes and go to the Oberforsthofalm first, where I like to drink a nice cup of mulled wine, it’s really good here. Then it’s off to the Butz and Stingl or the Tenne, where it’s a real party. If you want to go apres-ski but prefer a quieter experience, the Hotel Stern is a great place to relax after a long day on the mountain.
Find out more about this charming ski resort at josalzburg.com
