Those of you who prefer to enjoy winter away from all the hustle and bustle on the pistes will come across plenty of options in Leogang. Hiking through the winter white splendour is a very special experience. Very well-tended winter hiking paths pass farmsteads, through woodlands and of course to the most remote places that tempt you to enjoy a rest in the sunshine. Winter hiking in Leogang – you don't need to go far to experience this pleasure, after all, the loveliest winter hiking paths proceed from our hotel right into the picturesque landscape in the Pinzgau.

An interesting, but also much more strenuous variant of winter hiking is "snow-shoe hiking". Here you pull on snow shoes over your winter boots so you can stomp through the powder snow over pastures and fields, and also on forest roads to natural, totally tranquil pastures in the winter and spring – and from where you often get to enjoy dreamy views.  Should you never have walked in snow-shoes before, there are hiking guides who can show you how to use snow-shoes properly and also wonderful routes and dreamy places that only hiking guides could know about.

Cross-country skiing in Leogang is all about exploring the natural surroundings, silently on a narrow track, enjoying the tranquillity. Exercise out in the fresh air is healthy too, works the heart and circulation and can be practised by people of any age. Especially attractive for you as a guest staying in the Hotel Gasthof Wachter is the opportunity to directly access the trail at the hotel. There are very well-tended trails for you to choose from in Leogang – suitable for classic style and skating variant alike.

Head with ease to the neighbouring town of Saalfelden, where you will come across "Nordic Park Saalfelden". In the Nordic Park there are more than 150 kilometres of pistes and guaranteed snow thanks to the artificially snow-covered trails. You can even ski here in the evening – a floodlit trail makes this possible.

You can ski even further via Saalfelden – for instance to Zell am See (and around the dreamily located Lake Zell), to Kaprun and on to Upper Pinzgau. Or ski into Salzburg's Saalachtal.

But you might also just want to experience something new, so why not have a go at the "Guest Biathlon" in the neighbouring town of Hochfilzen. Test your fitness while cross-country skiing and your skills while shooting. An unforgettable experience! And a tip in this regard- every year Hochfilzen invites you to the Biathlon World Cup Race – an event not to be missed!

For all those of you who would like to experience winter on two runners, in Leogang and the surrounding area some of the best-tended natural toboggan runs are available to you. When you think about fun tobogganing your mind inevitably recalls trouble-free winter days and childhood memories are awakened. Tobogganing is social and fun, providing huge joy for all ages. Head up on foot, via cable car or the shuttle services, then – after some refreshments with delicious regional treats in one of the cosy ski inns – whizz down into the valley on your sled.

The day-time toboggan run on the Asitz provides fun tobogganing daily from 13:00 – 16:00 for all the family. One particularly atmospheric experience is 'Leo’s Kufengaudi', night-time tobogganing every Tuesday and Friday, from 18:00 - 22:30. The route is floodlit, the lift provides convenient access, while the ski lodges and guest-house are open to ensure friends have a fun evening. Ski helmets, gloves and suitable footwear are generally recommended.

'Clear the lane' is the cry of tobogganing fans on the natural toboggan run on the Biberg in Saalfelden. On a terrific 6 km you get to speed down into the valley, through the many twists and turns. The joy of speed, that social get-together and last but not least, sporty activity makes sledding a real adventure for all the family. Open daily from 10:30 to 02:00. A shuttle service is available for the ascent – while those who prefer a it of exercise can head up on foot!

Guests staying in the Hotel Gasthof Wachter enjoy better: a free ski bus stops right outside our hotel and takes you to the valley station for the Asitzbahn or the Steinbergbahn. Both cable cars take you right into the middle of 'Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn'. Skiing in the Skicircus features 270 interconnected kilometres of pistes and 70 state-of-the-art cable car and lift facilities. You will find yourself in one of the biggest ski areas in Europe here.

Whether it is extra wide carving pistes, race routes, exciting Snow parks, mogul pistes, practice slopes for beginners and little piste munchkins – the variety-packed ski area inspires all winter sports fans in equal measure, whether they are skiers or snowboarders! A traditional refreshment stop in one of the many traditional and cosy ski lodges definitely ought to feature during a winter holiday in Leogang.

As a special benefit – with the "Ski ALPIN CARD", the 'Schmitten' in Zell am See ski area and the 'Kitzsteinhorn' glacier ski area in Kaprun are available too. This means that with just one ski pass, you get to enjoy 3 ski areas, with 408 kilometres of pistes and 121 lift facilities!

Should there be children or beginners with you, you can use the 'Schanteilift' in the middle of Leogang. This easy T-bar lift gives them the opportunity to learn how to ski away from all the hustle and bustle and in total tranquillity. You also have the opportunity to enjoy 'floodlit skiing' here several nights a week. Since the lift is part of the ski circus, it is also included in the ski pass. The 'Schanteilift' is just 500 m from the Hotel Gasthof Wachter!