Skiing In Austria: Are The Resorts Open?

Austria is home to some of the biggest and best ski resorts in the world. The largest ski area in the country is Arlberg, which boasts 305km of downhill skiing and is famed as the birthplace of the sport. However, the pandemic has taken its toll on the country's ski sector, with resorts becoming 'ghost towns' due to lockdown restrictions. But now, as restrictions lift, Austrian ski resorts are reopening to those who are fully vaccinated. So, which Austrian ski resorts are currently open?

Austrian ski resorts usually open in October, November and December

Austrian ski resorts usually open in October, November, and December, with the majority of resorts opening around October. The highest elevation areas, such as Mölltaler Gletscher, Kitzsteinhorn, and Kaunertaler Gletscher, start spinning their lifts for visitors as early as October.

In November, some resorts begin their season in full swing, with Hintertoder/Pyhrn Priel and Wurzeralm/Spital am Pyhrn Priel offering daily operations and Obertauern starting the season on November 22.

By December, most Austrian ski resorts are open for business. Annaberg, Hochkar, Lackenhof am Ötscher, Mönichkirchen-Mariensee, Krippenstein Dachstein/Obertraun, and St. Corona/Wechsel are among the resorts that open in December.

The opening of the ski resorts is weather-dependent, and snow conditions may impact the operating dates.

Some Austrian ski resorts are open all year

Austria is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. The biggest ski area in Austria is the Arlberg, which is famed as the birthplace of skiing. The area boasts 305km of downhill skiing, with a wealth of varied runs to suit every skier.

While most Austrian ski resorts are seasonal, some remain open all year. For example, the Hintertux Glacier, which currently has 61% of its slopes open, offers skiing 365 days a year. The Moelltal, Pitztal, Kaunertal, and Stubai Glaciers are also currently open for skiing, with 7%, 45%, 47%, and 50% of their slopes open, respectively.

Austrian ski resorts were open during the pandemic, but they were described as 'ghost towns' as only locals could make day trips to the slopes. In recent years, Austrian ski resorts have also opened during lockdown for those who are fully vaccinated, with restrictions in place such as curfews, mandatory FFP2 masks, and health passes.

Austria has over 400 ski resorts

Austria is a popular destination for skiing, with over 400 ski resorts across the country. The biggest ski area in Austria is Arlberg, which is also famed as the birthplace of skiing. The area boasts 305km of downhill skiing, with a wealth of varied runs to suit every skier. The area is covered by one lift pass, and the state-of-the-art lift system makes it easy to get around. Arlberg is also one of Austria's most snow-sure ski resorts, thanks to its altitude, which reaches 2,811m.

The second-biggest ski resort in Austria is SkiWelt, found in the Tyrol region. SkiWelt connects a number of picturesque ski resorts, including Ellmau, Söll, and Westendorf, and offers 284km of pistes to explore. SkiWelt is a great destination for families and intermediates, with a variety of wide, gentle pistes.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm is another one of the largest ski resorts in Austria, with a total of 270km of pistes. The ski area is fantastic for intermediates, with plenty of blues and reds to choose between, and challenging terrain for advanced skiers on the north-facing side.

Ischgl, one of the most popular Austrian ski resorts, has a long ski season and high-altitude slopes reaching up to 2,900m. In total, the resort is home to 240km of pistes, with a good mix of blues, reds, and blacks available for all standards of skiers.

Other top ski resorts in Austria include Kitzbühel, St. Anton, Lech, Mayrhofen, Obergurgl, and Sölden, each offering its unique features, facilities, and experiences.

While the number of open ski resorts in Austria varies throughout the year, currently, there are at least 16 open ski resorts, including Gurgl, KitzSki, Kitzsteinhorn, Moelltal Glacier, and Hintertuxer Glacier.

Austrian ski resorts are relatively cheap

Austria is known for its relatively inexpensive ski resorts, offering great value for money. The country may not have many cheap ski resorts per se, but prices tend to be lower than in France or Switzerland for most elements of your ski holiday.

Lift Passes

Lift passes in Austria are often cheaper than in other European ski destinations. The price of a day ticket during the main season in Austria can be as low as €2, while a 5-star ski resort pass can cost as little as €15.21 per star. In comparison, French resorts tend to charge children a high percentage of the adult price from ages 4-5, while Austrian resorts usually offer free skiing to children up to ages 5-6.

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Austrian ski resorts offer a range of options to suit different budgets. You can find small 3-star hotels, self-catered apartments, and even 5-star luxury resorts. The cost of accommodation can also be reduced by staying in neighbouring villages with easy bus access to the main ski resorts, such as St. Jacob or Pettneau near St. Anton.

Food and Drinks

Eating out in Austrian ski resorts is relatively affordable, with restaurants serving hearty meals at reasonable prices. For example, in Kirchberg, pizzas start at €7, and Chinese food can be found for under €15. Additionally, there are plenty of supermarkets like Lidl and Mpreis that offer low prices for those who prefer to cook their own meals.

Ski Lessons

Ski lessons in Austria tend to be significantly cheaper than in France, with a savings of around €100. This makes it an excellent destination for beginners and intermediate skiers looking to improve their skills without breaking the bank.

Overall Value

Overall, Austrian ski resorts offer a high standard of facilities and services at more reasonable prices than some other European destinations. The combination of varied terrain, efficient lift systems, charming villages, and lively après-ski makes Austria a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly ski holiday without compromising on quality.

Austrian ski resorts are easy to get to

Austria's ski resorts are also easy to reach thanks to the increase in cheap flight connections to airports like Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, and Klagenfurt. This makes it simple for travellers to experience the country's winter lifestyle, which includes serious powder highs and oompah-pop-fuelled apres-ski.

Once you arrive in Austria, you'll find that many of the ski resorts are easily accessible from the airports and offer a range of transport options to get you to your destination. For example, Innsbruck Airport is just 90 minutes away from the ski resort of Obergurgl, which offers peaceful, wide-open pistes and a charming, relaxed atmosphere.

In addition, the Ski Plus City Pass in Innsbruck provides access to 13 nearby ski areas, as well as museums and other attractions in the city. This pass includes bus travel, making it convenient to explore the various resorts surrounding the city.

Another easily accessible ski resort in Austria is Zell am See-Kaprun, which is a popular choice for families. This resort is known for its beautiful scenery, with a large freshwater lake and the glacial peak of the Kitzsteinhorn creating a stunning backdrop.

With a range of transport options and easily accessible locations, Austrian ski resorts offer a convenient and enjoyable experience for skiers of all levels.

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