Located on the banks of the River Enns in the Austrian province of Styria, Schladming is a historic mining town. It was settled by Alpine Slavs in the 12th century and has transformed into a bustling winter sports resort, with beautifully preserved wooden buildings clustered within its historic core.
Things to do in Schladming
Occupying a historic wooden house that once served as a miners’ hospital and a home for widows is the Stadtmuseum Schladming, which details the industrial and cultural heritage of the area. Learn about the silver, lead and copper ores that have been mined here since Celtic times and discover how the town developed into a winter sports hub for hosting championship events.
In the winter months, you can take advantage of the ski slopes that descend the Planai, with blue runs that are ideal for beginners and black slopes catering to advanced skiers. Experienced boardriders will find plenty of challenges at Hochwurzen, which also boasts a seven-kilometre-long toboggan run. Not far from Schladming is the ski resort of Rieteralm, which is renowned for its reliable snow.
Once the snow melts, the surrounding mountains offer a picturesque backdrop for climbing and hiking, with a highlight being the Alpinsteig Trail that connects to Lake Riesachsee. You can soak up the valley views from the 1,656-metre-high Preintalerhütte Mountain Hut or explore the family-friendly Wild Waters Theme Trail. Once you’ve built up an appetite, head to the Restaurant Landalm to feast on traditional Austrian mountain fare.
Getting around Schladming
Schladming is just over an hour’s drive from Salzburg and Salzburg Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Schladming railway station and buses travel through the town. Cable cars ascend to the surrounding ski slopes.