Saalbach and Hinterglemm are two Austrian villages that combine to form one Alpine resort – the first is more traditional with plenty of nightlife, the other a quieter, more laid-back village ideal. Saalbach-Hinterglemm sits at an altitude of 1,000m, which, combined with a 200km total of marked runs makes it ideal for those of all levels (beginners are well advised to start with the nicely even gradient of piste 152). If you want to be assured of comprehensive snow cover, visit in early or midwinter; come spring, the slopes above Leogang are the most reliable.
Hotel Wiesergut
Open-plan rooms with locally-sourced timber ceilings, distressed stone walls, natural stone, granite, exposed concrete, freestanding tubs and beds made up with crisp white linen that look directly onto the snow through wall-sized windows, bring the outside in. It’s contemporary yet rustic, with a kitchen garden and resident cows and chickens to supply herbs, veg, milk and eggs to the dining room’s service of family recipes. A Finnish sauna, a steam bath and an inside-outside pool with mountain views allow guests to fully unwind, as does the flaming fire beside which seats are arranged in the hotel’s Bauhaus Lounge.
Avenida Mountain Lodges
A modern take on the classic Alpine chalet, Avenida Mountain Lodges features a stone and timber exterior, with a comfortably furnished elevated terrace for drinks with a view. Guests are accommodated in individually furnished studios or apartments, all of which have a balcony or a terrace and benefit from a free garage parking spot. It’s just 1,500 m from the centre of Saalbach where you can find plenty of apres activity, but there’s also an on-site restaurant, Rosso, as well as a bar, a relaxation area and a sauna with infrared seats.
