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Table of Contents:
How to get to Hinterglemm from Salzburg
How to get to Hinterglemm from Munich
When to travel to Hinterglemm
There are two famous Austrian ski resorts Saalbach and Hinterglemm at a distance of 4 km from each other, located in the Glemmtal valley. Both resorts are connected into a single ski area and have convenient transport links. This ski region is ideal for beginners; easy slopes predominate here, and there are also a large number of ski schools. Both Saalbach and Hinterglemm are popular ski tourism destinations.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Hinterglemm. I figured out how to get to the area, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Hinterglemm.
Tourists can visit Hinterglemm as well as Saalbach at any season of the year. The ski period lasts from December until April. The period from April to October suits best sightseeing, hiking and other summer activities. The natural landscapes in Glemmtal Valley are inspiring and picturesque all year round.
How to get to Hinterglemm
Where do you fly into to get to Hinterglemm? You can get to the valley, using public transport, shuttle bus, transfer service or a car. The nearest large city with an airport is Salzburg (95 km). There is also Munich, located a little further (177 km). Both cities have airports to fly into. You can always check the flight schedule to Salzburg or Munich on specialized services such as Aviasales and others. I often use this service as it helps me to compare different flight options and to choose an optimal one.
How to get to Hinterglemm from Salzburg
By public transport: If you plan to travel by public transport (the cheapest option), first you need to take a train to the town of Zell am See, and then to catch a regular bus # 680 directly to Saalbach-Hinterglemm area. You can check the schedule and purchase train tickets online at the Raileurope ticket service. I can recommend this online service as I use it regularly when planning upcoming trips. It has a convenient search with a lot of detailed information, including duration of a trip, departure and arrival points, number of changes, prices, etc. Buses depart from Zell am See every hour during the day. The carrier is Postbus.
By shuttle bus: Regarding shuttle buses, they run during the “high” winter season from Salzburg; the routes are direct and do not require changes. Buses depart directly from the airport terminal and take you to resorts. The shuttles run several times a day. The fare from Salzburg is about 100 euros one way.
By transfer service: You can also always order an individual transfer service. Its advantage is that it is accessible at any time of the day or night and suits for transporting ski equipment. The travel time by private transfer from Salzburg to Hinterglemm takes about 1,5 hours, and this is the fastest option to get there. You can order an individual transfer from Salzburg on the Kiwitaxi booking service and other similar ones. Based on my research, this online service has a lot of positive reviews that is why I can recommend it. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By rented car: Another way to get to the resort on your own is to rent a car upon arrival at the airport in Salzburg. This option is quite popular among tourists. The registration does not take much time; all you need is to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card to pay for the services. You can book a car in advance on the various international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Salzburg and Hinterglemm are connected with highway No. B311 (see on the map). I often use both services mentioned above when planning trips and I can confirm they have a convenient search and a lot of individual settings which help to narrow the results as you may need.
How to get to Hinterglemm from Munich
By public transport: If you choose to travel by public transport, at first you need to take a train to the town of Zell am See from Munich, and then to take a regular bus # 680 from Zell am See to Saalbach-Hinterglemm. You can check the schedule and purchase train tickets online at the Raileurope ticket service. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable throughout the whole of Europe. In my opinion, it is a very convenient service, because I can compare different routes, duration of the train journey and many other useful options. Buses depart from Zell am See every hour during the day. The carrier is Postbus.
By shuttle bus: Regarding shuttle buses, they run during the “high” winter season from Munich; the routes are direct and do not require changes. Buses depart directly from the airport terminal and take you to resorts. The shuttles run several times a day. The fare from Munich is from 240 euros for 1 adult.
By transfer service: You can also always order an individual transfer. Its advantage is that it is accessible at any time of the day or night and suits for transporting ski equipment. The travel time by private transfer from Munich to Hinterglemm takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. You can book a transfer service from Munich to Hinterglemm at the Kiwitaxi booking service or at the other similar ones. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the reviews are mostly positive so I can definitely recommend this transfer service.
By rented car: Another way to get to the resort on your own is to rent a car upon arrival at the airport in Munich. This option is quite popular among tourists. The registration does not take much time; all you need is to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card to pay for the services. You can book a car in advance on different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Munich and Hinterglemm are connected with highway No. A8 (see on the map). Both services have a convenient search and a lot of options to sort the results. I use them quite often when planning upcoming trips.
Where to stay in Hinterglemm
To enjoy the slopes in the Glemmtal Valley, it is best to stay in Saalbach or Hinterglemm (the resorts are connected by a free bus service). The towns are located so conveniently that the idea of “ski to door” is fully realized here. When booking, you need to take into account that local resorts are very popular among tourists, so it is better to look for accommodation in advance.
Based on my research, the most popular types of accommodation in Saalbach-Hinterglemm are the so-called Alpine-style chalets. Please note there are not many standard hotels and they are often already occupied so it is wise to book a room in advance, at least 2-4 months before going to Hinterglemm. Here are some of them:
Hotel Saalbacher Hof 4* – the hotel has a good location in the pedestrian area of the resort; the nearest ski lift is 50 m from the hotel. The hotel spa area features an indoor pool with a waterfall, 3 saunas and a relaxation room with waterbeds. In summer, the hotel is surrounded by a garden; in winter, there is an ice-skating rink. The hotel has a restaurant and a children’s playground. Guests can stay in rooms of varying categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Public parking on site is provided for an additional fee. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Rental of ski equipment, sale of ski passes, ski storage is also available;
THOMSN-Alpine Rock Hotel 4* – this apart-hotel is located in the center of Hinterglemm, 200 meters from the nearest ski lifts. The hotel has a sauna, a gym and a relaxation area. There is also a restaurant and a lounge area with a fireplace. You can stay in rooms of varying categories, including family rooms. Breakfast, depending on the room type, may be included or paid separately. Some rooms have views of the mountains; some have views of the forest. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. A room for storing skis and luggage is available at the reception;
Hotel Kohlmais 4* – the hotel has a picturesque location, not far from the resort center and ski lifts. The hotel has a spa area with an indoor pool, a sauna and a steam bath. There is also a restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of varying categories. Breakfast or half board is offered. Wi-Fi is provided in the hotel rooms free of charge. Free public parking is available on site. There is also an ATM and storage area for luggage and skis at the hotel. Ski passes are sold at the front desk;
Hotel am Rieterkogel 4* – the hotel is located in the center of Hinterglemm, close to the ski lift. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar; There is a spa area with a sauna, a steam bath and an infrared cabin. You can also relax in the hotel cafe with a panoramic terrace. Guests can stay in rooms of varying categories, including family rooms. Some rooms have balconies. Breakfast or half board is offered. Wi-Fi is available in public areas free of charge. Free public parking is provided on site. Ski passes are sold at the front desk, and ski storage area is also available;
Avenida Mountains Lodges Saalbach 4* – the hotel is located 1,5 km from the resort center and offers its guests to stay in studios or apartments. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. Some rooms have mountain views. Breakfast is included in the price, and the apartments have their own kitchen area. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is available on site. Ski storage is available at the reception. During the summer, the hotel has a garden with a terrace for relaxation.
What to do in Hinterglemm
Hinterglemm is a classic ski resort and an ideal place for beginners. The total length of the trails is more than 200 km, most of which are reserved for easy-level trails. After some research, I figured out that the valley is served by 50 lifts of various types. The resort has 9+ more ski schools, including a children’s department, and this is another reason why beginners feel especially comfortable in Hinterglemm.
Hinterglemm is also considered to be a snowboard-friendly resort. After examining some information, I discovered that there are 3 snow parks, an illuminated fan park and halfpipes. There are also opportunities for night skiing. As for cross-country skiing, about 10 km of trail belongs to it. Freeride opportunities are limited and Hinterglemm as a resort is not exactly suitable for extreme skiing. Ski pass prices vary depending on the period.
In addition to skiing, Hinterglemm also offers other traditional winter activities. For example, there is a lighted ice-skating rink, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, and sauna services. Winter sport in Hinterglemm includes sledding and tobogganing. Summer sport includes hiking and canyoning. In my opinion, the evening life of the resort is also very fancy and is not limited only to bars and restaurants. Here you can have fun all night long in discos and nightclubs. Also, various events like costume carnivals are often organized in Hinterglemm, which is also considered to be the highlight of the resort.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Austria, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Leo-setä
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…