30 km
950 m - 1820 m
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Test report Donnersbachwald/Riesneralm
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Donnersbachwald/Riesneralm
Total result: 3.8 out of 5 stars
Test Donnersbachwald/Riesneralm
The review Donnersbachwald/Riesneralm was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Donnersbachwald/Riesneralm
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The Riesneralm ski resort is not one of the largest ski resorts. It is however a nice resort that offers 30 km of slopes and a lot of freeriding space.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
870 m (Valley 950 m - Mountain 1820 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
5
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 1
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 1
The Riesneralm ski resort has runs of all difficulty levels. There are also many deep snow variations. Every run has a special feature and its own number. The Riesneralm is a high altitude ski area with long runs and American conditions.
Runs/slopes
Total 30 km
Easy
15 km
(50 %)Intermediate
12 km
(40 %)Difficult
3 km
(10 %)
Longest run
7 km
Run location
just above tree line, under tree line
The entire ski resort is accessible with modern chair lifts. The highlight is the new 6-person Panorama lift with bubbles. In the children's area in the valley, there are t-bars and magic carpets.
Number of ski lifts
5
Total capacity
6880 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
4.8 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
3
1
1
Additional
3
Thanks to the location and the 100% snow-making capability, the ski resort is considered snow reliable.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
140 Snow canons
100 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2009/2010
123 Days open
123 Days when valley run open
123 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
The Riesneralm has also received the Styrian Slope Quality Seal
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The resort is accessed via a mountain road that leads to Donnersbachwald. The parking lots are directly at the valley station and the children's ski area.
Access via A9 Pyhrn Autobahn, Ausfahrt Liezen
- Riesneralmbahn (Robin Hood) (Donnersbachwald), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 39 km · approx. 35 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Access via A10 Tauernautobahn, Ausfahrt 63 Altenmarkt
- Riesneralmbahn (Robin Hood) (Donnersbachwald), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 84 km · approx. 69 Minutes driving time
Roads: Highway, Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. The lifts could be described better though.
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. The lifts could be described better though.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There is new sign-posting on the Riesneralm. It is easy to find your way in the ski resort.
There is new sign-posting on the Riesneralm. It is easy to find your way in the ski resort.
The ski resort makes a clean and well-maintained impression.
They practice soft tourism and restrict skiing in the forest protection zones. There is a ski bus for the region and its guests.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
Photos
The staff at the Riesneralm is very motivated and supportive.
There are cozy restaurants distributed throughout the ski resort. Whether at the valley station or up on the mountain, you can find a good place to eat at the Riesneralm.
8 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Mountain hut tip
-
Oxenalm
At the Panorama lift
A unique sun terrace with a panorama view of the Moersbachtal and the cozy huts guarantee a good atmosphere. Homemade specialties and afterwards, Après ski with cool drinks and good music.
-
Skihütte Steer
At the valley station
The ski hut spoils the guests with regional, Styrian delicacies.
Photos
It is more calm on the Riesneralm. A nice drink in the Hochsitz Lounge, or a bit more of a party atmosphere at the Riesnertreff umbrella bar and the O-Bar at the valley station.
-
Schirmbar Riesnertreff
At the valley station
Where everyone meets - in the Riesnertreff umbrella bar. Après ski atmosphere and culinary treats.
-
O-Bar
At the valley station
Over 140 different cocktails and cozy lounge area
There are some accommodations at the valley station. One of the slopes leads to the Hotel Stegerhof. The local train takes you back to the valley station again.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are some accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Donnersbachwald
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Evaluation criteria for special interests
The first Austrian children's ski area is found at the Riesneralm ski resort with the longest magic carpet in Austria. Playhouse, adventure obstacle course and full-day care are only some of the highlights for the kids.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Children's toilets
Special tips for children
-
First Austrian children's ski area
The kids can play and ski on over 6 hectares of slope surface and 5 different runs.
Beginners can start in the children's ski area (first in Austria) and then move on to the forest run (Waldabfahrt) on the mountain. All ski lifts on the mountain can be accessed by easy runs, so the beginners can explore the entire ski resort without limitations. There is also the 5 star Ski School Snow Magic Academy.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Ski schools on-site
- Magic Snow Academy
The ski school that's been awarded 5 stars
Photos
There are 2 long and attractive difficult slopes. The highlight is the huge freeriding area in the ski resort.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- many freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 30 km
Difficult
3 km
(10 %)Most difficult run
-
Europe Cup slope · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 595 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There is currently no funpark. This is in the planning stages though.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- many freeride / deep snow areas
Offering snow parks
- No snow park/ fun park
- No halfpipe
Photos
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 18 km
The tracks are located in the valley and lead past the village of Donnersbachwald.
Photos
Conclusion
Children's ski area with its own parking lot, all runs lead to the valley station, family-friendly, very good for beginners
Krispen lift (Little John) without bubbles
Test Report issued on 2011-01-28
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