Crazy Austrian happy hour then night skiing from the Bergeralm to the Hinterhag in Saalbach. Madness

A visit to the Bergeralm is one of the highlights of my many ski trips to the Saalbach Hinterglem region.

Saalbach is one of the premier ski resorts in Europe and the happy hour at the Bergeralm, a mile or so up the mountain, is the perfect way to start your Apres Ski before descending to one of the numerous bars in around the town of Saalbach itself.

Not only are two drinks the price of one, at around 5pm , the piste bashers head up from the village giving you a perfectly bashed run home - often in the dark (so a head torch is a good idea).

Once you approach the town you have a choice of bars including the Maisalm and the famous Hinterhag at the top of the nursery slope with live music playing all of the corny stuff visitors to Austria expect and usually love.

The Hinterhag winds down towards 7.30pm so those with the energy, capability and coordination can ski the final slope to further bars to carry on the evening.

Be warned, happy hour at the Bergeralm starts at 3.30pm so if you have made it to 7.30pm at the Hinterhag Alm your assessment of your own ability may not be as accurate as you think.

Taxis back to the town are available but the run down the nursery slope is a great wake up call if you can actually find your skis and put them on.