St. Johann Alpendorf is the premier winter destination in the Salzburgerland region of Austria. It offers unlimited skiing and activities, and is less than an hour’s drive from the historic city of Salzburg. Not only is it part of Snow Space Salzburg, but it is also part of the even larger Ski Amadé area, the 2nd largest in Europe, with 760 km of slopes.
Due to the high altitude of the slopes and efficient snowmaking facilities, it offers excellent skiing conditions from early December through to April. I was there in March for spring skiing, and there was good snow coverage. Usually, during this time of year, you have to go up high to ski, but I was still able to ski back to the hotel in the centre of Alpendorf.
Here is our guide to skiing in St. Johann Alpendorf, Salzburgerland, and why it should be your next winter holiday destination.
Cover Picture Provided By: ©JOSalzburg Austria
Spring skiing in March while staying in St Johann Alpendorf
St Johann Alpendorf im Pongau
Alpendorf ski resort is located in St. Johann, just 3 km from the main city of Pongau in the Salzburgerland region. It is one of the most accessible ski resorts in Austria and offers the quickest access to the Snow Space Salzburg ski area. The resort is a nice size, with most accommodations and restaurants within easy reach of the slopes. If you don’t want to walk or you want to visit Pongau or the other ski resorts, you can easily use the free ski bus during the winter season.
Access to the Snow Space Salzburg ski area for St Johann is via either the Alpendorf cable car or the Gernkogelbahn chairlift. Then, on your way back, it is an easy ski down via the 36 blue or red slopes. If you are driving, you can park at the Alpendorf cable car parking, which also has lockers.
St Johann Alpendorf – Snow Space Salzburg Ski area
Alpendorf is part of the Snow Space Salzburg, a high-tech winter sports destination featuring over 210 km of slopes across 12 peaks in five valleys. It is one of Austria’s five largest ski regions and is equally popular in winter and summer. The ski area comprises Flachau, Wagrain, St. Johann, and Flachauwinkl/Zauchensee.
The Snow Space Salzburg ski area is interconnected via 70 modern ski lifts, including cable cars and a gondola lift, some with seat, lumbar, and backrest heating. One of the highlights of the skiing area is the 2 World Cup ski-class slopes. Flachau has the Hermann Maier FIS World Cup run, and Zauchensee has the World Cup run. Please make sure to wear a ski helmet when skiing on these slopes. I wear one from the brand Head.
Riding the ski lifts in Snow Space Salzburg
St. Johann Alpendorf – Ski Amadé
St Johann Alpendorf is also part of the even larger Ski Amade area, known as Austria’s greatest ski paradise. It has a whopping 760 km of slopes connected by 270 ski lifts. That includes 25 resorts across 5 regions: Salzburger Sportwelt, Schladming-Dachstein, Gastein, Hochkönig, and Grossarltal. It is Europe’s second-largest ski area and one of the most diverse winter sports destinations in the Alps. The ski areas offer a varied mix of slopes with varying difficulty levels, and a 100% snow guarantee from December.
You only need one ski pass to access the whole Ski Amadé area, and if you register the card, you can track where you have skied. This is great if you are using a GoPro for skiing or snowboarding and want the names of the slopes. There is also a ski bus from Sankt Johann im Pongau and Alpendorf to all the other resorts. Access to the ski area from St Johann is the same way as Snow Space Salzburg.
The 12 Peaks Trophy
One of the highlights of staying in Sankt Johann Alpendorf and skiing is partaking in the 12 Peaks Trophy challenge. It is a special ski route that covers 12 peaks, descends 5 valleys, and traverses 46 km of slopes across 21 ski runs. You will take in some of the most beautiful peaks in the region and experience stunning panoramic views. If you complete the 12 Peaks challenge in a day, you will receive a black trophy, in two days, a red trophy or in three days, a white trophy.
You will also receive a special surprise, but you have to complete the challenge before you find out what it is. The entry point of the 12 Peaks Tour in Flachau is Spicejet 1. However, you can start from any point along the ski route. If you are starting from St. Johann Alpendorf, the suggested starting point is the 36 Alpendorf Gondola. Remember to wear warm gloves. I have Leki women’s ski gloves. They are a little pricey, but fantastic for keeping the cold out.
12 Peaks Trophy Snow Space Salzburg Ski area
One of the most accessible ski resorts in Austria
Alpendorf is easily accessible by car, train, or bus, thanks to its location, making it an ideal destination for a day’s skiing or a weekend winter break, especially from Salzburg. It has direct train access from major cities, the drive is mainly on motorways, and Salzburg is only 53 km away. The resort is so accessible that several types of public transport run daily during the winter season to service the area.
How to experience the best of Salzburg in one or two days before or after your Austrian ski trip.
Salzburg Airport to St. Johann
If you are flying, the closest airport is Salzburg International, which is less than an hour’s transfer to St Johann in Alependorf. Several airlines, such as BA and Easyjet, offer direct flights from the UK to Salzburg weekly, which takes an hour and 55 minutes. Compare flights and prices on TravelSupermarket for the best deal for the ski season.
Trains from Austria or Germany
There are many direct train services from both large and small cities in Austria and Germany to St. Johann im Pongau. From the station, there is a free ski bus that takes skiers and snowboarders the short distance (3 km) directly to Alpendorf. The ski bus is scheduled to arrive at the same time as the train, so guests don’t have to wait in the cold. European trains can be pre-booked on RailEurope for selected days and times.
Free skibus to get around St Johann Alepndorf
There is a free ski bus that covers all 25 ski resorts in the Ski Amadé area. It is served by seven routes, all marked with a different colour. The main depot stations all have car parking and ski lockers. St Johann’s bus depot is at Valley Station, Alpendorf Gondola.
The lockers are located in the parking area and are open daily from 8 a.m. to around 6 p.m. during winter. Ski lockers can be hired as small or group equipment for a day or a week. Here is the ski bus map line for St Johann Alpendorf, linking the other resorts in the Snow Space Salzburg ski area.
Ski tour in Snow Space Salzburg © JOSalzburg
Free ski pass
When you purchase a 6-day ski pass during “Ladies Week” in mid-March, you get a second one free. This offer is open to all genders and is valid throughout the Ski Amadé ski paradise. You don’t just get a free ski pass; one person from the two can get 1 day of ski guiding. This is a great option if you are on a budget, as you can split the one ski pass between two people and save money.
This winter season, “Ladies’ Week” will be held mid-March. Here is the link to see what events will be held during this time, such as the Prosecco morning. Here are 11 more great tips for saving money skiing.
Combine a ski holiday with a city break to Salzburg city
One of the best things about skiing in St Johann Alpendorf is that you can combine it with a trip to Salzburg city. The city is the birthplace of Mozart and offers historical sites and well-known landmarks, such as Hohensalzburg Fortress. Being only 38 miles from the Salzburg centre means you could even take a break from your ski vacation for a day trip.
If you don’t drive, you can take the direct train from St. Johann Im Pongau to Salzburg Hbf with Austrian Railways (ÖBB), which runs every hour. I spent a couple of days in the city after skiing in the Snow Space Salzburg ski area, and it was a great addition. Here are 10 Top Historical sites to see in Salzburg that can easily be done in 2 days.
Hohensalzburg Fortress at night – Best things to do in Salzburg, Austria
Additional Information for skiing in Sankt Johann Alpendorf
Ski Rental in St Johann Alpendorf
When looking for ski rental in St Johann Alpendort, I suggest Snoworld, a Snowboard and ski equipment shop. It is located directly under the Hotel Sonnhof, on the slopes of Snow Space Salzburg. Due to its access to the slopes, you don’t have to carry your equipment far to go skiing. If you rent for 7 days, you pay for 6. Children get free equipment rental when both parents rent.
St Johann Alpendorf Ski Huts Restaurants
There are many excellent ski huts on the slopes in St Johann and the wider Snow Space Salzburg that offer great food and apres ski. Here are some of my favourites that I visit while on my ski holiday.
St Johann Alpendorf Restaurants
Oberforsthof Alm is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a place to eat off the slopes in Alpendorf village. It features a Panorama lounge where you can enjoy stunning views while savouring a meal and a drink. Restaurant-Bar Butz & Stingl is another great choice for après-ski or a hearty meal, conveniently located at the bottom of the Talabfahrt Alpendorf blue ski slope, right in the village.
For lunch or afternoon drinks on your way back to Alpendorf, consider stopping at SternAlm Alpendorf. This spot is situated at the top of the Gernkogelbahn chairlift in the St. Johann ski area and boasts a wonderful terrace that’s perfect for soaking up the sun, especially during the spring skiing season. In St. Johann im Pongau, I recommend Reinbachstube, a family-run restaurant serving excellent dishes.
Snow Space Salzburg Restaurants
When skiing in the wider Snow Space Salzburg area, I recommend Bergrestaurant Auhofalm, a traditional Austrian restaurant and bar popular with locals. It is located on the Flying Mozart ski run in Wagrain. Another option in Wagrain is Après-Ski Alm Kuhstall, a great spot for après-ski or a coffee. It is near the G-Link cable car and offers great views across the slopes.
Austrian Speckknödel with Sauerkraut Pork at Oberforsthof Alm
Hotels St Johann Alpendorf
Most of the accommodation in St Johann im Pongau is either on or close to the ski slopes or near the ski lifts. Options range from family-run places like Hotel Forsthof to upscale wellness hotels like Alpina Alpendorf, both of which offer ski-to-door access.
Explore prices and availability on Booking.com for hotels in the St. Johann-Alpendorf area and the wider St Johann im Pongau.
Hotel Oberforsthof
I stayed at the 4-star superior sports Hotel Oberforsthof, located across a small road from the slopes of the Alpendorf ski area. All you needed to do is cross the road, click into your skis, and ski down to the 36 Cable car Alpendorf and the 37 chair lift Gernkogelbahn. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with some featuring spas, separate lounge areas, and panoramic views.
Hotel Oberforsthof had a restaurant, bar, lounge, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa area with various saunas, and a relaxation area. It also had a gaming area, a ski and boot locker room, and an underground car park on the ground floor. Check availability and prices year-round for Hotel Oberforsthof.
Hotel Oberforsthof, St Johann, Salzburgerland – Pic provided by the Tourism office
Other ski resorts in Europe you might be interested in
If you like going on an adventure, especially across Europe and in the mountains. Here are some other skiing articles that you might be interested in.
- An affordable ski resort, Monte Bondone, Italy
- The ultimate skiing guide to Champéry, Switzerland
- Skiing and winter activities in Chatél, France
Have you been to St Johann Alpendorf and skied in the Snow Space Salzburg ski area before? Please feel free to comment below.
⇒ If you or someone you know is unsure about skiing with a Pacemaker or Defibrillator (ICD). I suggest reading this informative article on skiing with a device.
If you liked this article, please pin it for later!
Disclaimer: Even though I was a guest of Sankt Johann in the Salzburg Tourist office and Salzburgerland Tourism during my ski trip. All views are my own and based on my own experience.
Helpful links for a ski holiday in Sankt Johann
- You can check availability here for all hotels in Sankt Johann im Pongau
- I flew directly from London to Salzburg with EasyJet. Check prices and flights with Trip.com.
- If you are looking for good ski clothes, check out the Jack Wolfskin outlet online.
- Book a car from Salzburg airport to Sankt Johann Alpendorf, Salzburgerland
“This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission.” For further details, you can view our Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions or contact me directly.
