Early ski opening at Schladming-Dachstein

This weekend sees one of the earliest non-glacier ski openings of the year, as Schladming -Dachstein prepares to open its slopes a whole month earlier than planned. The resort’s winter opening celebration has been moved to 26 October 2007 following early snowfalls. Just one hour from Salzburg, Ski amadé comprises 5 top ski regions and 25 resorts and offers unbeatable value for money.

Originally the resort was set to open on 24 November, along with the other Ski amadé resorts including Salzburger Sportwelt, Gastein, Hochkönig and the Großarltal. But early snowfalls and continuing low temperatures in combination with high-end snowmaking facilities on Planai have ensured an excellent snow cover of at least 30cm all the way down to middle station, making it possibe to open the season this weekend already.

Ski amadé is Austria’s largest network of ski lifts with 860 kilometres of slopes. The good infrastructure has been highly praised and the Styrian showpiece mountain Planai was chosen as the best skiing region in Europe by the Daily Mail. 270 lifts carry winter sports enthusiasts to elevations as high as 2,700 metres above sea level (around 8,858 ft.). Along the slopes’ edge, 200 ski lodges and restaurants make for truly inviting refreshment stops.

Apart from the early opening, Schladming-Dachstein is also making headlines with the announcement that Pink will be playing an exclusive one-off concert at the Planai Stadium on December 8. Tickets and packages for the event can be booked at Schladming-Dachstein Tourism by emailing incoming@Schladming.at.

Unbeatable value for money

Ski amadé’s B&B + Ski package includes 7 nights in superior category private accommodation and a 6-day ski pass from ?216per person (valid until 21 December, then again from 5 January to 2 February and again from 22 March to the end of the season).

For more information on Schladming-Dachstein and Ski amadé, visit Skiamade.com.