Flachau
Flachau is tucked away in the eastern Alps in the St. Johann am Pongau area of the Austrian state of Salzburg. Even if it has been smelting iron since the 19th century, its winter sports facilities—which are a part of Ski Amadé, the biggest ski area network in Europe—are its most well-known characteristic right now.
Ski Amadé is a cooperative of 28 ski resorts that can be accessible with a single ski pass. It has 760 kilometers of slopes and 270 ski lifts. Flachau, with its 17 ski lifts and 65 kilometers of easy to difficult slopes, is one of the network’s most well-known resorts. Flachau is the hometown of the renowned Austrian skier Hermann Maier, who took home two gold medals from the Olympics and four world titles. A challenging incline that hosts the annual FIS Alpine Ski World Cup slalom competition is named after him.
Flachau is a winter hiker’s, snowboarder’s, and cross-country skier’s paradise as well. There are forty km of cross-country ski tracks, ten kilometers of winter hiking paths, and a snow park with half-pipes, rails and jumps. For those seeking something different, Flachau also offers ice skating, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and tobogganing.
Flachau is another amazing place to taste and learn about Austrian cuisine. There are plenty of restaurants and shelters both on and off the slopes serving regional delicacies like Kaiserschmarrn (chopped-up pancakes with jam) and Kasnocken (cheesy potato dumplings). Flachau is also well-known for its thriving après-ski scene, which includes clubs and pubs that serve drinks and play music long into the night. One of the busiest places is the Hofstadtl tavern, where a little ski lift takes beer to the balcony.
Hidden gem of the Alps, Flachau offers a variety of winter sports and entertainment options to suit all interests and skill levels. Situated easily from Salzburg, it is only 50 minutes distant by car or public transit and has an amazing scenery of snow-covered mountains and woodlands. Flachau is the best place for everyone who want to experience the Austrian winter beauty.
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Geography Of Flachau
Flachau is a municipality in the upper Enns valley of the Salzburg state, situated 920 meters above sea level in the St. Johann im Pongau region. 117.25 square kilometers make up its area, and various municipalities abut it. Mountain ranges of the Salzburg Slate Alps and the Niedere Tauern encircle Flachau in the Alpine area. At 2,051 metres, the Lackenkogel is the highest point in the municipality. Notable mountains in addition are Grießenkareck, Rossbrand, and Griessenkar.
The longest river that rises and finishes inside Austria, the Enns, crosses Flachau and runs from west to east. Several smaller streams, both man-made and natural lakes, and an average of 142 days of snowfall annually are features of the municipality.
In Flachau, the winters are chilly while the summers are pleasant continental. Averaging 1,182 mm of precipitation and 6.4 °C of temperature year. August is the warmest month and January the coldest. Flachau is conveniently reachable by air, train, and road.
Flachau has everything from rocky cliffs and steep slopes to level fields and pastures. The Enns glacier sculpted the glacial valley, which has meadows, farms, and communities on its bottom during the previous ice age. To the south of the valley lie the Radstädter Tauern, and to the north the Salzburg Slate Alps.
Weather & Climate In Flachau
Flachau changes each spring when the snow melts and flowers start to bloom. 7.5 °C is the average temperature for this season; highs reach 14.8 °C and lows fall to 0.2 °C. At 251 mm, springtime brings primarily rain. There’s 75% humidity and 4.6 km/h average wind speed.
Warm and bright summers in Flachau enable the native plants and animals to flourish. Over this season, the average temperature is 15.4 °C, with highs of 22.3 °C and lows of 8.5 °C. At 381 mm of precipitation, summertime brings sporadic thunderstorms and showers. There’s 72% humidity and 4.9 km/h average wind speed.
Flachau’s autumn is a time of warm ambiances and brilliant hues. The average temperature falls to 8.8 °C when the leaves change and the air is crisp; highs reach 15.1 °C and lows reach 2.5 °C. Fall produces 246 mm of precipitation, much of it is mist and fog. There’s 79% humidity and 4.4 km/h average wind speed.
Flachau becomes a mystical winter wonderland in the winter. Winter offers chilly and snowy weather with an average temperature of -1.9 °C, highs of 2.6 °C and lows of -6.4 °C. This season, 217 mm of precipitation has fallen, the most of it as snow. There is 80% humidity and 4.2 km/h average wind speed.
Demographics Of Flachau
As of 2016, Flachau was an Austrian municipality with a population density of 24 persons per square kilometer. The 38.6 year median age is little higher than the 37.9 year national average. Other European and non-European populations make up a tiny percentage of the mostly ethnically and culturally German population.
Natural increase and negative net migration determine the population growth trends of Flachau. Where most settlements and infrastructure are found, in the valley, the population density is higher; in the mountainous regions, it is lower. With 19.5% of the people under 15, Flachau has a younger population than the national average of 14.4%. Most kids and teenagers are enrolled in schools, but Flachau also provides a variety of sports and leisure activities.
In Flachau, a sizable percentage of persons between the ages of 15 and 64 work in the trade, agriculture, and tourist industries. With 3.3%, their unemployment rate is lower than the 6.0% national average. Adults in Flachau enjoy a range of social and cultural activities, including the Flachau Summer Festival, the minus20degree art and architecture biennale, and the yearly Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup woman’s race.
In Flachau, the percentage of seniors is rather low—16.4% as opposed to the national average of 18.7%. Their life expectancy is high—81.7 years—and they are primarily retirees, receiving government pensions and social benefits. At 50.6% male and 49.4% female, Flachau’s gender distribution is balanced and in line with the national average.
Economy Of Flachau
A varied economy including production, services, and agriculture and forestry characterizes Flachau, a district of St. Johann im Pongau. In all, Flachau has 470 enterprises as of the 2011 census, with 333 of them being in the service industry. From 2001, there were 19% more firms; the production sector grew the fastest, at 61%.
Flachau had 1,250 people working in 2011; the service industry employed the most (968). But compared to 2001, there were 5% fewer individuals in jobs; the industry responsible for the biggest drop, at 18%, was agriculture and forestry.
In 2011, there were 100 companies in the agricultural and forestry sector, 56 of which were main businesses and 31 of which were part-time. There were 2,096 hectares of agricultural land in all, mostly used for the production of milk, meat, grains and potatoes. Furthermore, Flachau included 3,100 hectares of woodland area, which helped some farmers make money.
In Flachau, the manufacturing, mining, energy supply, and waste disposal sectors together employed 200 people. Prominent companies in this field were the gravel and sand extraction company Flachauer Schotterwerk GmbH and the timber building company Flachauer Holzbau GmbH. Within this industry were also small-scale artisan and trade enterprises.
Tourism In Flachau
Modern cable cars, 210 kilometers of slopes, and several ski area entrances are features of Flachau’s well-known ski resort, Snow Space Salzburg. It is likewise a member of the Ski Amadé network, which spans five districts and a large area of slopes and lifts. Popular in the winter, Flachau is also a summertime haven for families and outdoor enthusiasts. There are a toboggan slide, a bathing lake, a parish church, and a heritage museum among the other attractions in the community. Flachau is a destination where modernism and tradition coexist to preserve its history and culture while offering a restful and thrilling holiday.
Statistics on tourism indicate that Flachau has two primary seasons: winter and summer. As compared to the prior winter season, overnight stays, average length of stay, and tourism earnings all rise significantly during the peak season. The off-season, summer, nevertheless draws tourists with its array of outdoor pursuits like golfing, rafting, biking, hiking, and cultural events. Overnight stays, average duration of stay, and tourism earnings did, however, somewhat decline from the prior summer season.
Hotels, guesthouses, apartments, chalets and campsites are just a few of the lodging choices available in Flachau. Seasonally varying average occupancy rates apply to both private lodging and commercial businesses; wintertime rates are greater.
Contributing significantly to the employment and gross domestic product of Flachau is tourism. An analysis found that tourism contributed a sizable portion of Flachau’s GDP and jobs. Not only are direct consequences of tourism economically significant, but indirect and induced effects as well, such the money and jobs created by suppliers and users of goods and services associated to tourism.
Best Time To Visit Flachau
The three primary tourist seasons in Flachau are high, low, and shoulder. The availability, cost, and number of people affecting the local lodging, transportation, and attractions are significantly impacted by these seasons.
In Flachau, June through August and December through March are its peak seasons. The village receives a flood of tourists during this period who come to take advantage of the nice weather and the abundance of activities. Perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, rafting, and paragliding, the temperature fluctuates from 11°C to 28°C. Summertime also sees the Flachau Music Festival, Flachau Bike Night, and Flachau Summer Night, among other festivals and activities.
By contrast, April through May and October through November are Flachau’s low seasons. Less tourists and cheaper costs make this time of year more peaceful. In Flachau, spring is marked by longer, brighter days, flower blooming, and temperatures ranging from 4°C to 21°C. Enjoying the fresh air, verdant surroundings, and outdoor pursuits like horseback riding, golfing, and cycling is all very possible at this time of year.
September is Flachau’s shoulder season—the month that signals the change from summer to fall. This time of year sees modest rainfall and temperatures between 4°C to 20°C. Flachau is renowned for its breathtaking autumnal beauty, when the changing leaves contrast sharply with the mountains. Discover hiking routes, museums, and sample regional food at this time of year.
Skiing aficionados in Flachau prefer winter. Great ski slopes in the community draw tourists from all across the area. Snowfall is plentiful and the wintertime temperature fluctuates from -8°C to 7°C. In Flachau, wintertime brings a range of sports including ice skating, sledding, snowboarding and skiing. Festive activities like the Flachau Night Race, Flachau Advent, and Ski Opening also abound during the season.
How To Get In Flachau
Popular Austrian destination Flachau is easily reachable by a number of transportation options. If flying is more your style, Salzburg Airport is the closest and has flights from several European locations. An other, more international-connected choice is Munich Airport. You can get to Flachau from either airport by public transport, reserved solo taxi transfer, or shared taxi transfer.
Flachau is easily reachable from many directions thanks to its handy location on the A10 Tauern motorway if you would rather drive. Car instructions to Flachau are provided whether you are traveling from Vienna, Munich, Carinthia, Italy, Slovenia, Graz, or Zell am See. The lifts’ base stations have free parking, and electric car e-charging facilities.
A hassle-free option is to take the train. Just 12 kilometers from Flachau is Radstadt, home of the closest fast train station. Trains departing Salzburg, Munich, Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, and other places run directly there. You may get to Flachau from Radstadt via public transport or cab.
All things considered, Flachau provides a range of transportation choices so that guests may arrive at this stunning location without having to deal with traffic.
Attractions & Landmarks In Flachau
Popular for snowboarding and skiing is Flachau. It is a part of the 210 kilometre ski area, Snow Space Salzburg, which has 69 contemporary cable cars and 10 ski area entrances. Snow Space Salzburg is thus among the biggest and most varied ski resorts in Austria.
Still, Flachau is more than simply a winter sports haven. Together with a wealth of sights and places to see, the community boasts a rich history and culture. A 13th-century castle that is now a cultural hub is Schloss Höch, one of the attractions. From the castle, visitors may take in the magnificent grounds, historical architecture, and breathtaking views of the mountains.
Another noteworthy site is Flachau’s parish church, Pfarre Flachau. The church, which was constructed in the Baroque style in the eighteenth century, has an exquisite organ, an interior elaborately ornamented, and an onion-shaped dome. It is also where renowned ski jumper Anton Innauer, who took home the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics, is buried.
Summertime visitors will find Badesee Flachauwinkl to be a lovely natural lake for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation. The lake has a sandy beach with a playground, volleyball field and snack bar, and the water temperature is about 23°C. Around the lake is also a lovely hiking track that connects to the neighboring Kleinarl valley.
Winter and summer toboggan runs like Rodelbahn Lucky Flitzer are sure to thrill thrill-seekers. Once reaching 1,100 meters on the toboggan lift, guests may take in the expansive vistas before sledding down the 1.1-kilometer slope at up to 40 km/h. For extra thrill, the course has tunnels, jumps, and bends.
Things To Do In Flachau
Flachau is a much sought-after ski resort in the Austrian Alps with a plethora of winter and summertime sports. With its link to Snow Space Salzburg, guests may take advantage of a 210-kilometer-long network of slopes. Slope access is made simple by the ski area’s contemporary cable cars and entrances. The 12 Peaks 5 Valleys Trophy gives those looking for a challenge the chance to ski across five valleys and summit 12 peaks in a single day.
Flachau has skiing as well as the exhilarating year-round Rodelbahn Lucky Flitzer toboggan slope. In the neighborhood is also an amusement park with a variety of sports, games, and entertainment choices.
For those interested in seeing the area’s natural beauty and cultural legacy, Flachau provides trips to charming spots including the old salt mines, the Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, the village of Hallstatt, and the well-known Sound of Music locations in Salzburg. There are also cultural events such cooking workshops for apple strudel, paragliding excursions, and Mozart dinner concerts.
Beyond skiing, Flachau has wintertime funsports including snow biking and telemarking, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing. Ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and curling are other wintertime pursuits.
Summertime in Flachau provides climbing, rafting, and other exhilarating sports in addition to hiking and bike routes of all difficulty. The town also throws weekly street celebrations and provides heritage evenings and local museums as means of illuminating its past and customs. Diners can also savour the regional fare, which includes Kaiserschmarrn and Kasnocken.
Food & Drinks in Flachau
While it draws on robust foods like beef, cheese, potatoes, and bread, Flachau’s cuisine also combines flavors from nearby Germany, Italy, and Hungary. Schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn, Knödel, Gulasch and Apfelstrudel are a few of the classic foods of Flachau.
Apart from the mouthwatering regional food, Flachau has a range of eateries to suit various palates. Among these restaurants is Kaminklause, which welcomes guests to savor a glass of Burgenland wine from the hotel’s vineyard while taking in its distinctive ambiance and enthralling music. Cheese dumplings to steak and shellfish are among the many selections on the Kaminklause menu.
Popular Flachau eatery Schusterhäusl is well-known for its freshly made steaks. There is also a selection of side dishes and sauces on the Schusterhäusl menu that perfectly enhance the culinary experience. The restaurant offers a vivid selection of unusual Mediterranean specialties, embracing a broad gastronomic terrain.
Nestled in the center of après-ski culture, Hofstadl is a lively party place that easily changes from a little cabin serving traditional fare. With its legendary reputation, the venue boasts skilled DJs that blend a wide range of dancefloor and après-ski favorites. The attentive bartenders at Hofstadl pour the famous Jagatee, tap fresh beer, and create cool drinks to create the mood for a fun evening.
Flachau - Info Card
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Flachau is a municipality in the district of St. Johann im Pongau in the state of Salzburg, Austria |
| Elevation | Flachau has an average elevation of 920 m above sea level |
| Population | Flachau has a population of 2,769 as of 1 January 2020 |
| Tourism office | Flachau Tourismus, Hermann-Maier-Platz 1, 5542 Flachau, Austria |
| Postal code | Flachau has the postal code 5542 |
| Phone prefix | Flachau has the phone prefix +43 6457 |
| Area | Flachau has an area of 117.15 km |
| Established | Flachau was first mentioned in a document in 1074 as Flachowe |
| Language | Flachau is a German-speaking municipality |
| License plate | Flachau has the license plate JO (for St. Johann im Pongau district) |
| Districts & Neighborhoods | Flachau consists of 11 districts: Altenmarkt, Feuersang, Flachau, Flachauwinkl, Höch, Höchwald, Reitdorf, Reith, Schachengraben, Schwaighof and Winkl |
| Weather & Climate | Flachau has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The average annual temperature is 6.8 °C and the average annual precipitation is 1,182 mm |
| Best Time To Visit | Outdoor lovers visit Flachau all year long. The ideal time to come will rely on the things you want to do. Dec. through March is the best time of year to go skiing and snowboarding. June to September is the ideal summertime for riding and trekking. Additionally appealing for sightseeing and cultural events are the spring and fall seasons. |
| Attractions & Landmarks | The Flachau Ski World Cup, an annual women’s night slalom competition that draws elite skiers and spectators; The Absolut Park, one of the biggest and best snow parks in Europe with over 100 obstacles for freestyle snowboarders and freeskiers; the Lucky Flitzer, a 1.1 km long alpine roller coaster that operates year-round; and the Flachauwinklsee, a picturesque lake with a beach, a playground and a water ski lift are just a few of the sights and attractions that Flachau has to offer. The Flachau Parish Church is a baroque church with a unique onion dome and a rich interior; the Flachau Castle is a historic structure that dates back to the 13th century and is used for cultural activities. |
