Skiing In Austria: December Wonderland Or Slushy Mess?

December is the start of winter in Austria, which means snow and skiing. The country offers more autumnal pre-season skiing options than any other country in Europe, thanks to its numerous skiable glaciers. The Hintertux Glacier, for instance, is open all year round, while the remaining seven of Austria's eight glacier ski areas are usually up and running by October.

While December is relatively early in the snow sports season, you can still find reliable snow at higher altitudes. The western city of Innsbruck is a great destination for snow sports enthusiasts, with ski areas including Mayrhofen, Zillertal, Kitzbühel, and Hafelekar-Rinne, one of the steepest ski runs in Europe.

If you're looking for a proper resort, altitude is key. The non-glacial ski resort of Obergurgl, for example, has a long history of getting its skiing open early, with the main village at an altitude of just under 2000 meters.

Skiing in Austria in December: what to expect

December is the start of winter in Austria, and the country's mountainous regions experience cold temperatures and snowfall. This makes it a popular destination for skiing and other snow sports. Here's what you can expect from a trip to Austria in December:

Weather Conditions

Austria's location in Central Europe means that its winters are cold and snowy, especially in the mountains. While snowfall in lower-lying cities like Vienna and Salzburg may be sporadic, the mountains provide reliable conditions for skiing. In December, the most dependable snow conditions can be found at higher altitudes. The easternmost Alpine country, Austria has a more continental climate than its western neighbours, resulting in colder winters that are ideal for snow preservation and snow-making.

Ski Resorts

Austria offers a variety of ski resorts to choose from, including well-known destinations such as Ischgl, Sölden, and Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The best resorts for early-season skiing in December are generally those located at higher altitudes. Here are some top picks for early-season skiing:

• Obergurgl: With a village altitude of just under 2000 meters, Obergurgl has a long history of opening its ski areas early. It offers extensive early-season terrain and good accommodation options.
• Obertauern: Located on a mountain pass, Obertauern shares a similar high altitude with Obergurgl. The ski runs start right outside the accommodations, making it convenient for skiers.
• Sölden: As one of the Tyrol's big glacier ski areas, Sölden offers a large glacier area and high altitude for early-season skiing. In December, both the glaciers and some areas above the town may be open for skiing.
• Ischgl: This high-altitude resort puts in considerable effort into its early-season offerings. It usually offers the greatest extent of skiing in Austria, with most of the action taking place in bowls high above the resort.
• Hintertux: With a year-round open glacier, Hintertux is known for its extensive and varied terrain, making it a popular choice for international ski teams during autumn.

Christmas Markets

Aside from skiing, Austria in December is also known for its charming Christmas markets. Cities like Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna, and Linz host some of the best markets, featuring concerts, handicrafts, festive food and drinks, and twinkling lights. These markets typically start in mid-November and run through the Christmas season.

Practical Considerations

Austria is a popular destination for skiing in December, so expect high prices and full hotels in ski resort areas. It is essential to book your accommodation in advance. Additionally, factor in the short daylight hours during this time of year, with the shortest day falling in late December. Despite the shorter days, there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy, such as museums, galleries, and cafes.

In summary, skiing in Austria in December offers a combination of snow-covered mountains, festive markets, and bustling cities. With a range of ski resorts to choose from and a continental climate ideal for snow, Austria is a top choice for early-season skiing and a magical winter experience.

Best ski resorts in Austria in December for beginners

Yes, you can ski in Austria in December. In fact, December is the start of winter in Austria, which means snow and skiing. While December is still relatively early in the snow sports season, you can find more reliable snow at higher altitudes.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl is widely acknowledged to be the most snow-sure entirely non-glacial ski resort in Austria, if not the Alps. The village sits at 1,930 metres, and the lifts go up to above 3,000 metres. The resort has a long history of getting its skiing open early, and its high altitude means that the runs back down from the slopes are generally available. Obergurgl has been described as ideal for beginners and intermediates.

Obertauern

Obertauern is one of the most easterly major ski resorts in the Alps, which means it has a more continental climate and lower average temperatures in winter. This results in a better chance of early season snowfall sticking around. Obertauern combines its impressive natural snowfall with comprehensive artificial snow coverage, making it one of the safer bets for snow-sure early-season skiing. Obertauern has been described as ideal for beginners and intermediates.

Sölden

Sölden is one of the most snow-sure early-season ski resorts in Austria. While the natural snowfall may not be especially high, the resort offers excellent snow preservation thanks to its high average skiing height and central Alpine location. Sölden has been described as ideal for intermediates.

Ischgl

Ischgl is a high-altitude resort that goes to huge lengths to open as much terrain as possible right from its official opening in late November. For the first few weeks of the season, it usually offers the greatest extent of skiing in Austria, thanks to its high average altitude. Ischgl has been described as ideal for intermediates and advanced skiers/boarders.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is an excellent destination in December for snow sports enthusiasts and those who prefer more gentle pursuits. The Nordkette Cable Car takes passengers to the city's ski fields. Ski areas near Innsbruck include Mayrhofen, Zillertal, Kitzbühel, and Hafelekar-Rinne, one of the steepest ski runs in Europe. Innsbruck has been described as ideal for beginners.

Zauberg Semmering

Zauberg Semmering is a relatively small ski area just a 75-minute drive from Vienna or reachable on the Semmeringbahn mountain railway. The skiing at Zauberg Semmering is best suited to beginners and intermediate skiers. There's also a freestyle park, night skiing, ice skating, sledding, and more.

Best ski resorts in Austria in December for intermediates

Yes, you can ski in Austria in December. In fact, December is the start of winter in Austria, which means snow and skiing. While December is still relatively early in the snow sports season, you can find more reliable snow at higher altitudes.

Ischgl

Located in the vast ski region of Tyrol, Ischgl offers intermediates an impressive 240 km of slopes, with 47 km of blue runs and 150 km of red pistes. The area has 42 lifts that interlink the runs perfectly, with 12 high-speed chairlifts and three gondolas, allowing for easy navigation around the mountain. If you enjoy lively nightlife, Ischgl also boasts fantastic bars and clubs.

Kitzbühel

Arguably one of the most famous ski resorts in Austria, Kitzbühel is fantastic for intermediate skiers. Despite being home to one of the most challenging ski runs in the world, the Streif, Kitzbühel offers great terrain for mid-level skiers. You can explore 234 km of slopes, with 106 km of blues and 66 km of reds. The resort skiing reaches 2,000 m, ensuring great snow reliability throughout the season. Kitzbühel offers a good combination of lively bars and traditional alpine charm.

Kühtai

Despite being a relatively small ski resort, Kühtai is one of the best options for intermediates in Austria. It offers 46 km of slopes, with 9 km of blues and 26 km of reds. Kühtai's unique remote location and high altitude provide reliable conditions throughout the ski season. Kühtai is an excellent choice for those seeking a peaceful ski experience.

Lech

Lech is part of the amazing Arlberg ski area, which offers a vast amount of terrain for intermediates. You can access an impressive 305 km of slopes, with 133 km of blues and 135 km of reds. Due to its location and high-altitude skiing, Lech experiences high snowfall throughout the season. The resort has a reputation for luxury ski accommodation and a stylish vibe. Fun fact: it was also the filming location for the second Bridget Jones' Diary film.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl, towards the end of the beautiful Otztal Valley, offers ideal skiing conditions for intermediate skiers. You can explore a total of 110 km, with 35 km of blues and 55 km of reds. Obergurgl has great links to the neighbouring ski resort of Hochgurgl. Most of the ski hotels are ski-in ski-out, providing easy access to the lifts and slopes. The resort skiing reaches up to 3,080 m high, ensuring very reliable snow conditions.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

The combined ski resorts of Saalbach-Hinterglemm offer intermediates 270 km of slopes, with 140 km of blues and 112 km of reds. Saalbach-Hinterglemm has the highest proportion of fast lifts of any major ski resort in the world, allowing for easy navigation around the mountain. The town itself has a vibrant, lively atmosphere with plenty of bars and restaurants to visit after skiing.

Best ski resorts in Austria in December for advanced skiers

Yes, you can ski in Austria in December. In fact, December is the start of winter in Austria, which means snow and skiing. While December is relatively early in the snow sports season, you can find more reliable snow at higher altitudes.

Ischgl

Ischgl is a resort town in western Austria's Paznaun Valley. It is one of the highest ski areas in Austria, at 4,527 feet to 9,514 feet (1,380 m to 2,900 m), so it has a long season and reliable conditions in December. The resort has one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in Europe and the world. The lift-linked Silvretta Arena ski area is large, and you can also access three neighbouring resorts (Galtür, Kappl, and See) on the same lift pass. The resort is also known for its spas, including the spectacular Silvretta Spa.

St. Anton

St. Anton in the Arlberg region is one of the world's great ski resorts, offering some of the most challenging slopes in the Alps. It is part of the vast Arlberg area, the biggest ski area in Austria, with 305km of fantastically maintained pistes and some of the best off-piste skiing in the world. The resort is also known for its infamous après-ski scene, with world-famous venues like the Mooservirt and Krazy Kanguruh.

Lech

Lech is tucked away in Austria's Arlberg region and is connected to the vast Ski Arlberg area, which includes St. Anton. The local ski area around Lech is ideal for intermediate skiers, but there are also plenty of options for advanced skiers and snowboarders in the Ski Arlberg region, including multiple snow parks and over 200km of marked, but unpisted, backcountry ski routes. Lech has a quaint, organic feel to it, with developments happening slowly over time.

Saalbach

Saalbach is centred on an attractive old Tyrolean village and is renowned for its full-on après-ski scene. It offers access to one of Austria's largest lift-linked ski areas, with 270km of pistes. Advanced skiers can find challenging terrain on the north-facing side of the ski area, such as The Nordabfahr piste, a black run with panoramic views.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl, and its twin sister Hochgurgl, is one of Austria's most snow-sure resorts due to its high altitude—the village sits at 1,930 metres, and the lifts go up to above 3,000 metres. The resort has a high-tech snow generation system and a north-west-facing orientation, which guarantees snow coverage well into May. The village itself has all the usual après-ski attractions but is still relatively quiet compared to other resorts.

Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is a Tyrolean resort best known for its historic Hahnenkamm downhill skiing race, one of the gnarliest courses on the World Cup calendar. While the terrain is varied, with plenty of options for intermediates, advanced skiers can also try out the notorious Hahnenkamm Downhill course. The village has a beautiful old-world ski town vibe, with a mix of high-end hotels and restaurants, rambunctious après-ski spots, and late-night underground dive bars.

Christmas markets in Austria in December

Yes, you can go skiing in Austria in December. December is the start of winter in Austria, and conditions are suitable for skiing, especially at higher altitudes.

December in Austria also means Christmas markets. From mid-November until the end of the year, Christmas markets spring up across the country, from small villages to cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Linz.

In Vienna, the City Hall Square is transformed into a shining fairytale land, with countless stalls offering handicrafts, tree decorations, sweets, warming drinks, and fun Christmas workshops for kids.

Salzburg's Christmas Market in the Dom and Residenzplatz is equally elegant, with traditional huts in the heart of the baroque old town.

Innsbruck's Christmas Market in the old town is accompanied by the sounds of tower brass players from the Golden Roof and the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the medieval streets.

The Linz Christmas Market, located in the heart of Austria's Upper Austria region, is a magical destination during the festive season. Set in the charming Hauptplatz (Main Square), this market beautifully combines traditional Austrian customs with the city's artistic and cultural heritage.

Outside of the cities, St. Wolfgang is one of the most charming Advent markets, where you can experience regional traditions and authentic handicrafts, with the floating red Advent candle on Lake Wolfgang in view.

In the Johannesbach Gorge near Würflach, you'll find Austria's tallest decorated Christmas tree, standing over 20 meters high. Visitors can warm themselves by open fires, admire the craftsmanship of glassblowers and blacksmiths, and enjoy regional delicacies, gingerbread, and punch.

Frequently asked questions