Riesneralm and Planneralm: 2 lesser-known ski resorts in the Schladming Dachstein region
Riesneralm and Planneralm are my secret tips for a winter ski holiday near Schladming. If you already know Planai and other famous slopes in the area and want to try a quieter part of the region during your winter holiday, take a look at these ski resorts, Riesneralm and Planneralm. Both areas are located in the Donnersbachtal valley and belong to the shared Schneebärenland area.
They are not connected to the main Schladming ski area, and you need to arrive by car from the town. The reward, however, is a significantly quieter and less busy atmosphere. Riesneralm offers more kilometers of slopes and a much larger vertical drop, while Planneralm starts at an altitude of around 1,600 meters and attracts visitors primarily with its natural snow.
TOP 10 ACCOMMODATIONS IN SCHLADMING
Riesneralm
| Riesneralm | Planneralm | |
|---|---|---|
| Slopes | approx. 32 km | approx. 16 km |
| Altitude | approx. 970–1,820 m | approx. 1,600–2,200 m |
| Character | long challenging runs + children | natural snow, intimate resort, freeride |
| Families | very good facilities | clear beginner zone |
| Ski-in/ski-out | yes | very common |
Where to stay near Riesneralm and Planneralm?
Find accommodation near Riesneralm and Planneralm using the map:
Kinderhotel Stegerhof – A more luxurious family hotel at Riesneralm
Kinderhotel Stegerhof is a highly-rated family hotel in Donnersbachwald and has an excellent location for a stay with children.
It is about 300 meters from the Riesneralm ski area, and the hotel provides a short shuttle to the lift. In suitable conditions, you can ski back almost to the hotel.
In my opinion, it’s the best choice for a family looking for a higher hotel standard who doesn’t want to load skis into the car every morning.
Kinderhotel Stegerhof
Ferienwohnung 11 Planneralm – a pleasant apartment at a good price
Ferienwohnung 11 Planneralm is a top-rated 3-bedroom apartment, ideal for a larger family with children and an interesting compromise between staying directly in the ski village and a more affordable apartment holiday.
The location at Planneralm means a very short trip to the slopes, and you also have the convenient option of starting your skiing right in this area. Prices change significantly depending on the date, so compare them for your specific week. It can be found at very favorable prices outside the main season.
Riesneralm skiing: longer slopes and a large vertical drop
Riesneralm lies above Donnersbachwald and offers approximately 32 kilometers of slopes over an area of about 80 hectares. From the highest point to the valley, you’ll cover roughly 900 meters of elevation, and there are four valley runs available.
These long descents are the reason why I would recommend Riesneralm to more experienced skiers more than Planneralm. It is also ideal for families with older children who are already looking for more interesting and longer slopes. The area isn’t huge, but thanks to the vertical drop, it doesn’t feel like a small family hill, and you can easily spend several full days of skiing here.
A big advantage is the parking right at the base station. So after arriving, you don’t have to continue by ski bus or transport your gear across the village.
Riesneralm with children
Families have an extensive children’s area at their disposal here. Covering more than five hectares, it offers several children’s lifts, an approximately 176-meter-long conveyor belt, and five practice slopes.
Riesneralm with children
For me, Riesneralm is particularly interesting for holidays with a group of friends with children, where some members want sporty skiing and others still need teaching facilities. This way, experienced parents and older children don’t have to stick to a few short blue runs all day.
For the 2026/27 season, operation is planned from November 28, 2026, to April 4, 2027, depending on snow conditions.
Riesneralm ski map
Planneralm skiing: high altitude and natural snow
Planneralm, on the other hand, is a completely different type of resort. The ski village is already at about 1,600 meters, and the runs continue up to a height of around 2,200 meters. The area is therefore heavily dependent on natural snow and benefits from its high-alpine character.
Approximately 16 kilometers of runs are available:
- Around 3 km of easy, 11 km of intermediate, and 2 km of difficult runs.
Planneralm
I recommend Planneralm to skiers who don’t need to clock up dozens of kilometers during the day but prefer high-quality natural snow, open terrain, and a quieter atmosphere. It is also interesting for freeriders, of course only with appropriate avalanche conditions and experience.
A big advantage is the layout of the mountain village itself. A large part of the accommodation stands directly on the slope or right next to it. After arriving, you can leave the car for several days and head out on skis directly from your accommodation.
Planneralm with children
For beginners, there is a gentle teaching area, children’s belts, and the themed Hexenwald. There is also a ski school in the resort. Thanks to the smaller size, parents can easily find their way around, and it’s no problem to meet up repeatedly during the day.
For the 2026/27 season, operation is planned from December 4, 2026, to April 4, 2027.
You might also be interested in:
- Schladming skiing: my winter guide to the 4 main ski areas
- Skiing in Zell am See: Schmittenhöhe, ski pass, and tips for accommodation near the slopes
- Lake Grundlsee in winter: 9 reasons why you’ll enjoy a winter holiday here
- Altaussee in winter: 6 tips on what to do and ski resorts in the area
- Schladming with children: Skiing in 3 family resorts + accommodation tips
Riesneralm or Planneralm – which ski area to choose?
If I had to choose only one area for a classic full day of skiing, I would recommend Riesneralm to most intermediate and sporty skiers. It offers double the kilometers of runs, a large vertical drop, and long descents all the way to the valley.
Planneralm, on the other hand, I would choose when there’s fresh snow, if you like smaller high-alpine areas and don’t want to deal with the crowds and bustle of large resorts. The possibility of living right by the slope is also an advantage.
Both areas are suitable for small children. Riesneralm wins with the size of its children’s world, Planneralm with its clarity.
Schneebären Card and ski passes 2026/27
Both Riesneralm and Planneralm belong to the association Schneebärenland together with Tauplitz, Loser, and Kaiserau. Together they offer approximately 128 kilometers of slopes.
At Riesneralm, a one-day ski pass in the 2026/27 season costs:
- €62 for an adult, €52.50 for youth/students, and €31.50 for a child.
- From a multi-day ski pass of 1.5 days or more, all Schneebärenland resorts can be used. The same system also works at Planneralm.
A separate seasonal Schneebären Card is then valid in all five areas, which is ideal primarily for repeat visitors, but less so for a classic week-long holiday in Schladming.
How far are Riesneralm and Planneralm from Schladming?
For Riesneralm, expect approximately 52 km and about 45 minutes of driving from Schladming under good conditions.
Planneralm is similar in terms of kilometers, but the last part of the journey is more specific. From the turn-off towards Planneralm, you still have about a 12-kilometer-long mountain road, the Plannerstraße. In winter, there may be snow here, so I recommend allowing extra time and having snow chains in the car.
Planneralm
Overall, I would count on about 50–60 minutes from Schladming depending on the road conditions, and therefore I recommend staying directly in the vicinity of these resorts, or visiting here as an experience day from another ski area.
If you only want to try both resorts for one day each, you can stay accommodated in Schladming. For two or three days of skiing, however, I think it’s more practical to move your stay directly to Donnersbachtal.
View available accommodation near Planneralm
What can you look forward to at Riesneralm and Planneralm?
Riesneralm continues to develop family attractions, including the newer Cross Ride Track, while Planneralm primarily has its concept of working with natural snow and high altitude.
So if you’re looking for an alternative to the famous Schladming, I recommend Riesneralm primarily for a classic multi-day stay and sportier slopes. Planneralm is, for me, more interesting for lovers of smaller high-alpine areas, natural snow, and ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
I hope your winter holiday turns out great!
