Set against the Dachstein mountain range, the medical town of Schladming provides access to four linked mountains in addition to numerous smaller areas, providing both varied and snowsure skiing.
One slope may be rather like another here, but with its four linked mountains Schladming offers the keen intermediate a real sense of travelling around on the snow. A medieval town, dating back to 1322 offers a solid valley-town ambience makes it a pleasant change from the Austrian rustic-village norm. A mix of old and new developments provide contrasting images.
The old town of Schladming sits at the foot of Planai, one of four linked ski mountains. It has a long skiing tradition: the town has hosted many World Cup races and in 2013 hosted the World Championships, triggering lots of new construction. At the foot of the next mountain to the west, Hochwurzen, is Rohrmoos - a quiet, scattered satellite village set on an elevated slope that forms a giant nursery area. To the east is the small, attractively rustic village of Haus, at the foot of the highest of the four mountains, Hauser Kaibling. Timetabled 'efficient' free ski-buses link the villages and lift bases.
A night-bus runs until late (not cheap). The multi-day lift pass also covers many other resorts in the region, easily reached by car, possibly by bus. There are direct trains from Salzburg, so Schladming makes an excellent short break destination.
