Flachau

There are plenty of small stashes between the pistes and some longer sections dotted around the area, but you won’t find many steep sections and drop-offs. From the top of the Griessenkareck there’s good tree potential off the run that follows the piste down to Moadörfl-Wagrain. Tree riding is forbidden and lots of areas are roped off, which accounts for it being largely left alone. From the same start position down towards Wagrain you’ll find some wooded spots and there is a short ski-route from the Gondola mid-station to the base. Head to the other side of Wagrain towards Alpendorf and you’ll find some cool steep tree sections off the Sonntagskogel-1 chair, and some mellower stuff if you drop off the blue run.

From the top of the Sonntagskogel peak you can do a short hike and drop off the steep back to either the Sonntagskogel-1 or 2 chairs, but take it easy. There’s another ski-route from the top of the Gernkogel which starts off pretty flat. From the same point there is a long wide gulley that runs under the Gipfelbahn gondola. If you take the red-run you can head off-piste into it avoiding the steeper start. Cut back onto the piste before you hit the wooden section. It can be prone to slides so check conditions first and carry the necessary.

Freestylers who like fake hits will be in their element, but you’ll have to travel a little for it. The Alpendorf betterpark (www.betterparks.at) is located about halfway between Wagrain and Alpendorf, under the Hirschkogel Peak. It’s geared more towards the intermediate and advanced freestyler and is very well maintained. The park is split into 3 lines with plenty of space between each hit. The pro-line features a massive 22m kicker, the intermediate has two 14m kickers, and the so called beginners line 6m kickers. There are plenty of rails including a Rainbow, Wave, various Flat-downs and boxes. It cuts through the trees and is serviced by a fast chair. Over in Flachauwinkl checkout the AbsolutPark and the Burton Stash.

The majority of the pistes are cut through the trees but head to the Griessenkareck and towards Alpendorf for the massive wide areas. Even the gladed runs are very wide and you’ll find no narrow paths and flat sections anywhere. By the end of the day some of the lower sections get a little moguled but the piste-bashing is pretty exceptional. You can board continuously a good 1000m vertical from any of the mountains, and whilst there are few genuinely steep runs, there is enough to keep most rides happy.

The designated learner slopes are all serviced by tows, however the top section of Griessenkareck whilst marked as red, is not steep, and the whole of the Flachau side should be attainable by the end of your first week.