Ski Amade
Ski Amade is Austria's biggest lift pass: one ticket covering around 760 km of pistes and 270 lifts across five separate ski regions in Salzburg and Styria. It is the intermediate's dream, immaculate grooming, huge mileage and lively villages like Flachau and Schladming. Just be clear eyed: the five areas are not all linked by lift, much of the skiing sits below 2,000 m, and there are no serious steeps here.
Last reviewed May 2026
Five regions, one giant pass
Ski Amade is not a single ski area but a marketing and pricing alliance of five neighboring regions in the Salzburg and Styria provinces of eastern Austria, sold on one lift pass. At around 760 km of pistes served by roughly 270 lifts, it is the largest single ticket in Austria and one of the largest in the Alps. The catch worth knowing up front is that the five regions are mostly connected by ski bus and road rather than by lift, so it is best thought of as a region to tour by base, not a single linked circuit.
The five regions are the Salzburger Sportwelt around Flachau and Wagrain, the largest and most central with its own big linked area; Schladming Dachstein, anchored by the World Cup town of Schladming and its four mountain area; the Gastein valley, with Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein and Dorfgastein plus thermal spas; the Hochkonig area linking Maria Alm, Dienten and Muhlbach in one long ski safari; and quiet, scenic Grossarl, which links by lift into Dorfgastein.
Where to base yourself
Six sensible bases across the five regions, each with a different job. Here is the straight read on the skiing, who each suits and the verdict, so you can match the base to your group.
| Base | Local skiing | Best for | The verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flachau | Around 120 km linked Salzburger Sportwelt | Families and intermediates wanting the biggest linked area | The central all rounder: huge cruising, World Cup pedigree and easy motorway access; the obvious first base for the pass. |
| Schladming | Around 120 km across four linked mountains | Intermediates, night skiers and lively evenings | A proper World Cup town with four connected peaks and Europe's best floodlit skiing; the most urban, energetic base. |
| Wagrain | Around 120 km linked Salzburger Sportwelt | Families wanting a central, calmer Sportwelt base | Linked to Flachau and Alpendorf, more village feel and a touch quieter; excellent for families chasing mileage. |
| Bad Hofgastein | Around 80 km in the Gastein valley | Intermediates who want skiing plus thermal spas | The Gastein valley's best ski and spa combination; long descents above a handsome spa town, quietly excellent. |
| Maria Alm | Around 120 km on the Hochkonig ski safari | Intermediates who love a point to point tour | Gateway to the Hochkonig safari, a long chain of villages skied end to end; charming, sunny and underrated. |
| Grossarl | Around 80 km linked with Dorfgastein | Families wanting quiet, scenic, snow sure skiing | The peaceful insider pick: a pretty valley linked by lift into Dorfgastein, with calm slopes and few crowds. |
If linked mileage is the priority, base in the Salzburger Sportwelt around Flachau and Wagrain or in Schladming; if you want skiing plus thermal spas, the Gastein valley wins. For the wider national picture, start with our Austria country guide, and compare nearby Salzburger Land options.
Is Ski Amade right for you?
Come here if you are an intermediate, a family or a group who values mileage, grooming and a good night out over steeps and high altitude. The skiing is overwhelmingly blue and red, beautifully maintained, and there is simply more of it on one pass than almost anywhere in Austria. Flachau and Schladming deliver big linked cruising and the liveliest apres ski, Schladming offers the best floodlit night skiing in the Alps, and the Gastein valley adds world class thermal spas for rest days. Beginners are well served too, with gentle nursery areas in every region.
Skip Ski Amade, or at least temper expectations, if you ski for steeps, off piste or high alpine scenery. Most of the terrain sits below 2,000 m, so snow can suffer in warm or lean spells despite excellent snowmaking, and the genuine black terrain is limited. The five regions also are not all lift linked, so chasing the full 760 km means ski bus rides and a car helps. Experts will enjoy a varied week but should not expect the challenge of St Anton or the altitude of Obergurgl.
Getting there and getting around
Salzburg is the natural airport, around 45 minutes to 1h 30m to most of the regions, with Munich a further but well connected alternative at around 2 to 2h 30m. The areas sit close to the Tauern motorway, so driving is easy and a car is genuinely useful for hopping between the five regions on one pass. Rail also works well, with stations at Schladming, Bischofshofen and in the Gastein valley, leaving short ski bus connections to the lifts.
The Ski Amade day pass runs around $65 to $75, covering all five regions and 270 lifts, which is strong value given the scale, and multi day rates lower the daily cost further. A comfortable week typically lands in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, cheaper than the marquee western Austrian or Swiss names for comparable comfort. One caution for early or late season trips: with much of the skiing below 2,000 m, lean on the higher sectors and the excellent snowmaking, and treat December and April as snowmaking dependent.
Book the extras and save
Lift passes, airport transfers and lessons are where a trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.
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How big is Ski Amade?
Ski Amade covers around 760 km of pistes served by roughly 270 lifts across five regions, sold on one lift pass. It is the largest single ticket in Austria. The five regions are mostly connected by ski bus and road rather than by lift, so it is best skied by choosing a base rather than as one linked circuit.
Which Ski Amade resort is best?
For most groups, Flachau or Schladming: each has around 120 km of linked local skiing, lively villages and easy access, and Schladming adds the best floodlit night skiing in the Alps. The Gastein valley wins if you want skiing plus thermal spas, and Grossarl or Maria Alm suit families seeking quieter, scenic slopes.
Are the Ski Amade regions linked by lift?
Mostly no. Within each region the slopes are linked, for example Flachau with Wagrain in the Salzburger Sportwelt, or the Hochkonig safari from Maria Alm. But the five regions themselves are connected by ski bus and road, so touring the full 760 km means some bus rides, and a car is genuinely useful.
Is Ski Amade snow sure?
It is reliable through the core season thanks to extensive snowmaking, but much of the terrain sits below 2,000 m, so warm or lean spells can affect cover. January and February are the safe months, and the higher sectors hold best. For early December or April trips, lean on the upper slopes and the snowmaking network.
Which airport is best for Ski Amade?
Salzburg, at around 45 minutes to 1h 30m to most of the regions. Munich works as a well connected alternative at around 2 to 2h 30m. The areas sit by the Tauern motorway, so driving is easy and a car helps you hop between the five regions on one pass; rail also serves Schladming and the Gastein valley.
Is Ski Amade good for beginners and families?
Very. The skiing is overwhelmingly gentle blue and red cruising, beautifully groomed, with dedicated nursery areas and good ski schools in every region. Flachau, Wagrain and Maria Alm are strong family bases, and the sheer mileage on one pass keeps improving intermediates happy for a full week.
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