0
Hochkoenig Ski Resort
Named after the tallest mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Hochkönig region is made up of three villages: Mühlbach to the east, Maria Alm to the west and Dienten between them, as well as the small settlements of Hinterthal and Hinterreit.
The scenery is spectacular – meadows merge into the foothills of the cragged Hochkönig, Mandlwande and Steinernes Meer and the grass-topped Pinzgau Mountains roll into the horizon.
All bases are wonderfully traditional, with sloping chalet rooves, narrow streets and tall church steeples. The mining of copper and iron ore forged the character of the area over thousands of years, before winter and summer tourism took to the scene.
With the Hochkönig lift pass in hand, you’ve access to the 120km of pistes that link the three villages – nearly half suited to beginners and improvers, and just under 40% for intermediates. If all that still leaves you hungry, the area belongs to the mighty Ski amadé region. Here, one pass covers 760km of terrain including the nearby resorts of Flachau, Filzmoos, Alpendorf and the Dachstein glacier, which is just over an hour’s drive away.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Salzburg, Austria
Established: 1980’s
Open: December - April
Downhill: 112km
View our detailed Hochkoenig snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Hochkoenig snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Salzburg (SLZ) | 1h15, 70km |
| Innsbruck (INN) | 2h10, 140km |
|
|
| Top Altitude: | 1921m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 800m |
| Resort Altitude: | 860m, 1071m, 800m |
| Longest run: | 6.5km |
| Slope Orientation: | |
| Vertical Drop: | 6700m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
|
|
| Downhill Runs: | 112km |
| Beginner slopes: | 46% |
| Intermediate: | 37% |
| Advanced slopes: | 17% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €46 (adult 1 day - Hochkönig region) |
| Nearby resorts: Maria Alm | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Hochkoenig
All three villages have swift access to the ski area as well as their own ski schools and beginner runs, where learners can pick up the basics in a safe environment.
Hochkönig has more blues than any other piste, including the area’s longest run back to Mühlbach which totals 6.5km, a lovely tree-lined trail from Wastlhohe towards Dieten and a scenic slope from Aberg-Langeck above Maria Alm.
But those who get to really explore are red run skiers, who can make use of all the links from one end of the region to the other. To really clock up the miles, do the Königstour or Kingstour, which covers a whopping 32km of pistes and five peaks, over a 6700m difference in altitude.
You’ll find black pistes scattered around when it comes to upping the ante, the longest being Ostabfahrt into Mühlbach and another forking off the red Gabuhel run into Hinterthal. There are some good ungroomed routes from Aberg-Langeck and a local guide will be able to take you further afield for a perfectly powdery descent (the runs from the Arlberg gondola are some of our favourites).
Freestylers will want to be based in Mühlbach for the 1.8km Blue Tomato Kings Park. If you’re at an earlier stage of your shredding career, head to the Natrun beginners park at Maria Alm or the Schönanger Funslope.
If you prefer skinny skis, there are 40km of cross country trails.
Hochkoenig Apres Ski
On previous seasons, the Hochkönig card (handed out in certain hotels and shops) has allowed free access to night skiing, the Mühlbach Mining Museum and the Mittersill National Park Museum – plus given discounts off the indoor tennis court in Dienten as well as horse-drawn sleigh rides and the bowling alley in Mühlbach.
Each village has its share of bars, but generally the après is more relaxed than wild. In Mühlbach, the Österreichalm has an umbrella bar and sun terrace, as well as a brilliant restaurant serving seasonal, organic meals. We like the Karbachalm too, for live music and local beers. Der Bachwirt in Maria Alm hosts a piste-side party from 4-7pm throughout the winter. In Dienten, there’s a nice outdoor terrace at Gabühelhütte for sunny days and Die Deantnerin’s popular for pizza and drinks. Bründlstadl has a sun terrace and fireplaces indoors, and hosts live music events in the evenings.
There’s a brilliant range of restaurants to choose between. If you want to try some local cuisine, order dumplings at tiergartenalm in Mühlbach, schnitzel at Almer Bauernkastn in Maria Alm or kaiserschmarrn and Schapps at Dienten’s Gruenegg Alm.
The locals make a big effort to welcome vegetarians and vegans - Steinbockalm in Maria Alm, Zachhofalm in Dienten and Karbachalm in Mühlbach are particularly good in this department.Best time to go
Best time to ski Hochkoenig
Best time to visit & ski Hochkoenig
A whopping 92% of the slopes here are backed up by snowmaking machines, which helps keep as much of the ski area skiable as possible throughout the winter. Previous seasons have featured early morning programs, to let you enjoy the freshest conditions before they’re skied out. Most years, the season runs from the start of the December to mid-April, though in milder winters you might find partial closure at the beginning or end of the season. The good news is that the Ski amadé pass covers the Dachstein glacier, where the white stuff is some of the best quality in the Alps.
Peak Dates
Advent is a major event on the lead up to Christmas in Hochkönig. Dienten celebrates a mountain Advent in the town centre, with market stalls and singing (don’t miss the famously good fruit cake here!). In Mühlbach, past years have seen beautiful light displays and guided hikes through winter landscapes. Maria Alm really pushes the boat out, with light displays in and around the churches and a market with horse drawn rides and local musicians playing.
Torchlight processions and gala dinners usually take place to celebrate the New Year in Hochkönig. Spend the week feasting on traditional Austrian cuisine, and make the most of the short lift queues to explore the whole area.
Kids clubs, fun slopes, friendly bars and cosy restaurants make for a brilliant Half term in Hochkönig, whether you’re here with the family, as a couple or together with a bunch of friends.
Children can look out for the Easter bunny, who often makes an appearance on the mountains over Easter in Hochkönig – leaving a trail of Easter Eggs along the Königstour. Lift passes for under 15’s have been free at this time of year on previous seasons, making the week much more affordable for families.
Families in Hochkoenig
The whole area gives families a warm welcome both on and off the mountain.
While learners practice the basics with the Schneewutzel kids club, mini shredders can learn to freestyle at the Natrun Beginners Park while more experienced teens enjoy the Blue Tomato Kings Park. The Funslope Schönanger’s a great one to enjoy together, kitted out with curves, waves and small jumps.
Last time we checked, anyone under 6 years old qualified for a free ski pass, with the offer being extended to under fifteens on school holiday weeks like Easter.
GroupsGroup Holidays Hochkoenig
If your group want a traditional resort with a relaxed atmosphere, the Hochkönig area might be just the ticket. It doesn’t have the wild après ski parties of the big Alpine resorts, but it doesn’t have the price tag either – with food, drink and accommodation being quite a lot cheaper than you’d find elsewhere. Each of the villages has a few bars to choose between when the lifts close, with favourites being Der Bachwirt in Maria Alm, Mühlbach’s Karbachalm and Bründlstadl in Dienten.
When it comes to the mountains, there’s oodles to explore in the local linked area, not to mention the Ski amadé which totals 760km of pistes. Intermediates and above can tackle the Königstour together, and on a powder day, there are some awesome freeride runs from the Arlberg lift for experts.
© 2024 SNO Group Ltd • company no. 5995288 • VAT no. 946 9394 63 SNO, Apsley House, 176 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 2SH.
| why log in? |
Save Wish List view on any device
Share Holidays choose with friends
020 7770 6888
