In the east of the Schladming-Dachstein Region, your winter adventures are far from ending. Away from the bustling slopes of the big ski mountains, two truly special ski areas greet you in the form of the Planneralm and Riesneralm. Both unique and exceptional in their own right.
For the Reichensteiners, it was a real stroke of luck when, in 1908, they chanced upon the Planneralm. Searching for an area with excellent snow conditions, these alpine pioneers found exactly what they were looking for and, building a hut, laid the foundation stone for the ski village of today. A few mountains farther to the west – on the Riesneralm in Donnersbachwald – it would take a few more decades until the first skiers were slicing through the snow. Yet here, too, it was the pioneering efforts of a number of local visionaries that paved the way for the first lift in the 1970s.
Inconspicuous treasures
For the Reichensteiners, it was a real stroke of luck when, in 1908, they chanced upon the Planneralm. Searching for an area with excellent snow conditions, these alpine pioneers found exactly what they were looking for and, building a hut, laid the foundation stone for the ski village of today. A few mountains farther to the west – on the Riesneralm in Donnersbachwald – it would take a few more decades until the first skiers were slicing through the snow. Yet here, too, it was the pioneering efforts of a number of local visionaries that paved the way for the first lift in the 1970s.
Family Mountains
You shouldn’t expect to encounter overly full pistes at the Riesneralm. That said, the Riesneralm is also home to a ski school as well as the 1st Austrian Children’s Ski Bowl. The Planneralm is likewise very popular with families. Here, the intimacy and easy navigability of this small ski village is appreciated especially. Many families have been spending their holidays at the Planneralm for generations. One reason for this is undoubtedly the natural snow – always one of the stars of the show at Planneralm.
Due to the location of the Planneralm – in a high valley at 1600 meters above sea level, flanked by towering peaks – the winters here were always extremely snowy. Since 2020, a snowmaking infrastructure has ensured that, even at the start of the season, good snow conditions can be guaranteed without adulterating the natural character of the place. “We focus on blending the snow produced by the snowmakers with the natural snow as quickly as possible, maintaining the high quality overall”, explains Harald Waupotitsch from the Planneralm.
You can see, then, that both mountains have found a way to preserve their special character throughout the years. Innovations, solidarity, a hint of that pioneering spirit of old: All of this ensures that holidaymakers are drawn inexorably to the two ski areas year after year.
