St Johann im Pongau / Alpendorf is a favourite with skiers due to its excellent location and proximity with Salzburg. Great skiing is available for beginners and intermediates and it is also possible to ski in the summer on the nearby Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. St Johann / Alpendorf is also part of the Amadé ski area, which offers hundreds of kilometres of slopes in the region.

The valley location of the St Johann village (650m) makes it an ideal starting point for ski trips to the surrounding peaks; Alpendorf is situated farther up the mountain at an altitude of 850m. There are many brand-name shops and over 3,700 beds available in a variety of accommodation styles.

St Johann im Pongau / Alpendorf ski resort has nearly 100kms of pisted runs, the longest of which is five kilometres. The slopes are divided into 42 per cent for beginners; 46 per cent intermediate; and 12 per cent expert. Fifty-nine lifts can handle up to 56,000 skiers per hour. There are 12kms of cross-country trails in St Johann and 220kms in the region. A snowpark is available (with half-pipe) and snowboarders can use all pistes.

Other winter activities and facilities include: curling; tobogganing; mountaineering; hiking; horse-drawn sleigh rides; natural ice-skating; mono-skiing; paragliding; indoor tennis, squash; swimming; and a fitness centre. The nightlife is lively, with a scattering of cafés, restaurants, bars and discos.

Skiing is possible from December to April, and summertime in Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, with the best deals offered before the Christmas holidays and in March.

The most practical and convenient way of getting to St Johann im Pongau / Alpendorf is to fly to Salzburg and take a bus to the city and train to the resort. Alternatively, hire a car if time is of the essence.