Schladming-Dachstein is part of Ski amadé and is best known for downhill skiing. However, there are some trails available in the area if the snow conditions are right, and if you are staying in nearby Ramsau a visit to explore a couple of tracks is a nice way of seeing a different part of the Dachstein area.

Schladming Cross Country Ski Routes

The Schladming-Untertal: The Kristallloipe

A classic cross country trail along the Untertal valley, flanked by the impressive mountains of the Schladming Tauern range.

The track starts at Hinkerbrücke bridge where the information displays for the XC tracks are located. From there the trail takes you into Untertal valley and back to your starting point and is 13.5 kms in length. There are also alternative starting points:

• Starting point: Tettermoor (at the wooden lookout tower "Wild Waters")
• Starting point: Waldhäuslalm inn
• Starting point: Weisse Wand inn

From Schladming take the L722 to Rohrmoos, and at the roundabout in Rohrmoos turn left onto the L723 into the direction of Untertal. Follow the road for about 5 km to the Hinkerbrücke car park.  On public transport www.planaibus.at - take the from Schladming or Rohrmoos to one of these bus stops in Untertal valley:

• Hinkerbrücke bridge - XC trailhead
• Gasthof Tetter inn
• Waldhäuslalm inn

Starting from the Hinkerbrücke trailhead, the cross-country ski trail climbs quite steeply toward the Gasthof Tetter inn (closed on Mondays). After a short descent into the Tettermoor, the trail winds through scenic moorland, passing an alternative entry point near the wooden observation tower—part of the "Wilde Wasser" (Wild Waters) summer themed trail. In this section, the Tettermoor skating track runs alongside the "Kristallloipe" (Crystal Trail).

Following a brief stretch through the woods, you arrive at the Waldhäuslalm, which offers parking and an entry point (closed Sundays and Mondays in winter). Another short wooded section leads you out onto the meadows heading toward the Sondlalm. From this point on, the "Almenrunde" (Alpine Pasture Circuit) skating track joins the Kristallloipe. At the Sulzberg bridge, just past the Sondlalm, the loop of the classic Kristallloipe begins. Bearing right—along a path that doubles as the "Wilde Wasser" summer hiking trail—the track takes you through several wooded sections until you reach the area near the Angereralm (no refreshments available), where the trail begins to climb more noticeably.

After a short ascent, the terrain levels out and begins a gentle descent. You will then complete a loop across the meadows of the Granglalm before crossing a bridge toward the Riesachfall-Seeleiten summer parking area. From here, the trail follows the Untertalbach stream down the valley, passing the bridge near the Angereralm. Shortly after, you reach the Gasthaus Weiße Wand inn (closed on Tuesdays). Continuing further down the valley, you arrive back at the Sulzberg bridge, from where you follow the familiar route back to your starting point.