It reminds me just how good it can be to ski with kids in the valley once they have found their feet. From about the age of 4 or 5 kids have the stamina to do so proper skiing and so longs they can turn and stop it makes for a nice day on the mountain with parents.
If you’re looking for runs in Saalbach itself there are plenty of runs on the Kholmais for intermediates. All the blues on this mountain are great for kids – but beware it can get very busy with ski school at certain hours. Our favourite in Saalbach is run 46 part way up the Bernkogel – which you can get to by chair lift 11. The lift itself can get busy but the run is long and fun and worth it – there are a couple of steep parts notably at the end but there is the option of going round these. About a third of the way down is one of my favourite huts the Westernstadl which serves fantastic western inspired food such as chilli and jacket potatoes along side Austrian favourites. The hut also has glass windows into the horses stables so you can see them while you eat. My son has christened this the family favourite slope and has been zooming round it since he was 4. When it snows the powder on this run is amazing and the slope is wide and sunny with great views.
In Hinterglemm the best runs are on the Zwolferkogel – for those with a bit of stamina 11 and 11a are the ones to go for. You can access this via cablecar 31 but a tip is to stay on the bus to stop 19 and take lift 33 the Nordbahn which never has queues. The runs are great and take you down about 2000m from the peak to the base near the ski bus stops. As a family we are happy to stay on these runs all day. At the end of a day a trip to the Hexenhausl at the bottom of 11a is a must. Manz and the team there have a fantastic witch themed bar with snacks, kids schnapps, spitting wooden statues and great drinks offers – much better value than beers on the hill. The bar appeals to all ages and is a regular party venue with the locals.