Learn to ski in Schladming

Located 1hrs drive from Salzburg and nestled between the Schladminger Tauern and the Dachstein mountain ranges, the ski resort of Schladming is known all over the world for having hosted the 2013 Alpine World Ski Championships. Both the annual ski opening in December and the famous Nightrace World Cup, in which the world’s slalom elite compete for the title, draw thousands to the Styrian Enns Valley.

Schladming is the center of the Schladming-Dachstein ski alliance, which stretches over a total of 9 mountains and is one of the largest skiing areas within Europe. At the heart of the ski association is the “4 mountains ski area”, consisting of the ski areas around Hauser Kaibling (2015m), the Planai (1906m), the Hochwurzen (1850m) and the Reiteralm (1860m).

The resort offers 123km of pistes, 46,5km being blue and 68km marked red.

Ski lessons for beginners in Schladming

From Schladming, ski fans have direct access to the Planai and the Hochwurzen slopes, which are both recommended for beginners. Ski schools in Schladming offer lessons to skiers aged 3yrs and upwards, lessons lasting between 2, 3 or 4hrs, depending on the ski school. Some ski schools in Schladming offer lessons with included equipment rental, and the meeting point for lessons is generally directly directly by the ski school.

Lessons for first-time skiers start with the primary techniques of the snowplough, glide and braking. These first moves are taught on the flattest slopes within the resort, to ensure a learning environment that is as stress-free as possible. Once the basics have been well-established, lessons progress to slopes with a slight incline and the snowplough turn is introduced.

The ski schools in Schladming take their beginners with previous skiing experience directly to blue slopes, where the first moves are refreshed before the focus switches to parallel skiing.

Kids’ ski lessons in Schladming

Kids aged 3yrs and upwards can have their first ski lessons in Schladming. Some ski schools in Schladming offer lesson packages with included equipment hire or lunch care.

Beginner lessons for young skiers take place at Hopsiland, which is the highest “Ski Kindergarten” area in Styria. The ski-loving rabbit Hopsi became famous as the mascot of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 1982 and 2013 and now helps young learners make their first moves - the snowplough, glide and brake - on the slopes.

The ski schools in Schladming take their young skiers with previous experience directly to slopes that match their ability - whether blue, red or even black. The focus of lessons is on optimising technique and posture, and introducing more challenging skiing styles, such as carving or even off-piste techniques.

The two Planai lifts within Schladming access plenty of red runs, which are ideal for continuing to work on technique after lessons. The ski schools in Schladming recommend the Reiteralm slopes for families who are looking for different slopes to practise on: The Reiteralm has slopes for all levels, from green to black.

Ski lesson prices in Schladming

Ski schools in Schladming offer group and private ski and snowboard lessons for all levels. The prices shown are the lowest price per lesson within the season and do not include equipment rental or extras:

	Kids ski lessons	Adults ski lessons	Snowboard lessons
Group	from 42€/4hrs	from 46€/4hrs	from 48€/2,5hrs
Private	from 64€	from 64€	from 66€

The best ski schools in Schladming

Skischule Hopl

The experienced Hopl team offers group and private ski lessons, plus group powder skiing lessons in English & German.

Meeting point kids & powder skiing: Directly at Hopsi-land.

Meeting point adults: At the ski school office.

CheckYeti customers reviews: Kids friendly, beginner friendly, experienced

Ski School Tritscher

Ski school Tritcher offers group and private ski and snowboard lessons for all ages, plus private freeriding lessons for adults. Instruction is given in English, German, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Russian, Hungarian, Croatian & Slovak.

Meeting point: Directly at Hopsi-land or at the ski school office.

Meeting point private lessons: Arranged individually.

CheckYeti customers reviews: Experienced, beginner friendly, patient

BoardStars Snowboardschule

BoardStars offers group and private snowboard and freestyle snowboarding lessons, including lessons for young snowboarders under 9yrs. Instruction is given in English & German.

Meeting point group lessons: At the BoardStars station, next to the Kellseralm, at the Lärchkogel lift base station.

Meeting point private lessons: Arranged individually.

CheckYeti customers reviews: Beginner friendly, experienced, patient

What makes ski lessons in Schladming special

Alongside the annual highlights such as the Nightrace and the Ennstal Classic, Schladming offers a variety of winter events, such as the weekly ski show, which is performed by instructors from the local ski schools.

The 15,000m² Superpark Planai is a paradise for freestyling fans with 34 obstacles for all freestyling abilities, including jibs, boxes, kickers, rails and tubes.

The 7km long Hochwurzen run is one of the Alps' longest toboggan runs and offers tobogganing fun both in the day and also floodlit at night, from 19:00-21:30. Tickets can be bought for a single run, or for the entire evening.