Hochkönig: Skiing paradise in Salzburg
Our first steps on skis are already a few weeks away and since we started, we already skied down several black slopes and made our first steps off-piste – and we love it! 🙂 The area around the Hochkönig mountain range is one of the prime destinations for piste and off-pise skiing in the region Pinzgau in Salzburger Land/Austria, which we already visited several times in summer, among others for the Grossglockner Ultratrail and some Via Ferrata action above Kaprun. When we got invited for a winter weekend full of snow and skiing and to attend the Fridge Festival, a music and freestyle festival in the region, we didn’t think twice!
Over 120 kilometers of slopes connect the beautiful mountain villages Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach around the Hochkönig mountain range.
We are more than lucky with the snow conditions: When we arrive at our residence for the weekend from 13th to 15th January, comfortable andy stylish Hotel Eder in Maria Alm, it is dumping! Almost 40 cm of fresh snow overnight and no end in sight, we are able to ski real fresh powder for the first time. 🙂 Due to the snowfall and the limited visibility (unfortunately no panoramic views…), the slopes are empty and we enjoy a full day skiing on untouched slopes and through winter wonderland forests.
Our first real “freeride trials” are so much fun and even if we are stuck in the snow for quite a lot of times, we are already in love with the backcountry part of skiing, which we definitely want to develop further. 🙂
Fridge Festival & Wellness at Hotel Eder in Maria Alm
Somehow exhausted but happy we get back to the hotel and catch some hours of rest before the big event in the evening. Hotel Eder in Maria Alm ist stylish and cosy at the same time and has a great wellness area with an out- and indoor pool, several saunas and a cool indoor garden for resting and relaxation.
Not only do we have a great place to stay in the middle of where it all happens, but also is Hotel Eder one of the Pre-party spots of the Fridge Festival. 🙂 At the Preparty we meet the like-minded bloggerin Leonie-Rachel, who we are in tune with from the very beginning and together we are ready for an evening full of big-air stunts and music!
The main Fridge Festival itself takes part in Hinterthal, where a big snow ramp and festival stage is build up. Next to music acts as Dame, Borgore and Alan Walker, it continues snowing and we dance the night away under a lot of snowflakes and the flashlights from the festival stage.
Second snow day: Freeride areas at Hochkönig
Tired but full of thirst for action we are off to the mountains for the second ski day. The snowfall stopped overnight and the sun is out – so we are. 🙂
The Hochkönig offers a variety of signposted freeride slopes and areas and we are brave enough to try the intermediate ones. Some sections are tricky and we crash quite some times, but manage to avoid major injuries. 😉
The conditions are almost perfect and our confidence grows – we want more freeskiing! 🙂
The second day is less snowy, but not less fun and after a lunch break at the lovely “Dirndlalm”, this nearly perfect weekend is already over and we have to say goodbye to this beautiful part of the Northern Alps.
Thanks so much Hochkönig, we will be back for sure! 🙂
In friendly cooperation with Hochkönig Toursim and Fridge Festival. More information: www.hochkoenig.at und www.fridge-festival.at – thank you!
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