What’s on in Austria’s top ski resort, Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Perched upon peaks in the Austrian Alps, the ski resort of Skicircus is also known as Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn – but try saying that after a night of après-ski.

The lengthy name is because Skicircus is actually a triangle of neighbouring villages in western Austria. The ski area comprises Saalbach Hinterglemm and, 30 minutes’ drive north, Saalfelden and Leogang, as well as Fieberbrunn, a 20-minute bus ride from Leogang.

Together, they promise a skiing experience like no other. With cross-country skiing trails, winter walking routes and culinary huts, Skicircus is the home of laidback cool – summed up in German as lässig. Just don’t be tricked into thinking that it also translates as sleepy, as it’s also home to unmissable events such as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship – and if Skicircus attracts star skiers for that, then you know you’re on to something.

Read on to discover more about its skiing scene and off-piste activities.

Whether you’re looking for a destination for the whole family, a quality ski area for experienced skiers, a powder paradise for freestylers or a relaxed region with off-piste activities and cool winter events, Skicircus has it all.

With 270km of pistes served by 70 modern lifts, Skicircus offers ski experiences for all skiing abilities, whether you’re a pro or casual skier.

Ambitious skiers will want to tackle the longest ski circuit in the Alps, which, offers seven hours of skiing down an altitude of 12,400m.

If that’s not enough, a Ski ALPIN CARD is the gateway to two neighbouring ski areas to the south, Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun.

With a total of 408km of pistes and 121 lifts spread across the three premium ski areas, there are plenty of pistes to experience.

Meanwhile, those who prefer to take it easy can ski down gentle slopes before indulging in regional culinary delights in the skiing area’s 60 cosy huts.

Alternatively, time your visit to coincide with White Pearl Mountain Days from 22 to 31 March 2024, which takes place across the Skicircus region. As well as trying guided snowshoe hiking and mountain yoga, international DJs playing house will entertain you alongside dancers, roaming performers, jazz and soul singers and musicians on electric violins and the drums.

Après-ski fans will want to experience BERGFestival, from 8 to 10 December 2023. After making turns on Skicircus’s breathtaking pistes, stop to dance to live acts performing on stages at various huts. Highlights include the cult band SDP from Berlin, the Austrian indie rock sensation Bilderbuch, La Brass Banda and Querbeat, a collective of 13 musicians.

The following week, Rave on Snow returns, from 14 to 17 December 2023. Now in its 30th year, this edition’s line up includes the Berlin techno duo Pan Pot and the Polish electronic DJ Klaudia Gawlas.

Meanwhile, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup final will take place on Mt Zwölferkogel from 16 to 24 March 2024. Watch international athletes compete for the coveted last points of the season on 2025’s world cup course.

Global athletes will also return to Saalbach Hinterglemm for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship from 4 to 15 February 2025.

Beginners, young mini-racers and advanced skiers will find your perfect slope in Saalfelden and Leogang.

When you want a break from downhill skiing, explore the area on a winter walking route, cross-country skiing trail or by horse-drawn sleigh. You can also go ice skating alfresco or dare yourself to try a 1.6km zipline that reaches speeds of up to 80mph.

Saalfelden and Leogang host several events throughout the season, too. Asitz Music Night offers the chance to listen to live music under the inky winter sky at 1,760m altitude on Mt Asitz every Tuesday night during the 2023-2024 season.

Meanwhile, weekend visitors in January 2024 can test the latest ski gear and learn tips and tricks from experts during Skicircus Ski Test Days.

Fieberbrunn is every freeriders’ paradise. As well as numerous off-piste possibilities and countless freeride routes of varying difficulty, it’s also home to information points, checkpoints and tailored avalanche warning reports.

Freeriders keen to experience perfect powder slopes can experience a First Line event every Wednesday from 27 December to March 2024. Accompanied by local guides, First Line allows you to take the first turn on pristine slopes before anyone else before enjoying breakfast at sunrise.

No wonder, then, that Fieberbrunn’s annual Freeride World Tour attracts the world’s elite. The next edition of the competition takes place from 8 to 18 March 2024 on the gnarly north face of Mt Wildseeloder – a 610m descent which includes thrilling pitches of 70°.

Discover more about Austria’s top ski resort, Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.

Austria’s top ski resort Skicircus’s main image credit: saalbach.com and Christoph Johann