Snowboarding In Austria: Where To Go For Winter Adventure

Austria is a popular destination for snowboarding, with its world-class slopes, majestic Alpine scenery, and vibrant après-ski culture. The country offers endless possibilities for both beginners and seasoned boarders to carve their own adventures. From the powder-filled runs of Tirol to the thrilling parks in SalzburgerLand, Austria promises unforgettable moments on the snow.

Best snowboarding resorts in Austria

St. Anton, Tirol

St. Anton is a winter classic, often called the "cradle of Alpine skiing". Snowboarders are just as welcome as skiers in this region, with numerous slopes and powder runs. The STANTON Freestyle Park has kickers, rails, and boxes suited for different skill levels. There are 87 lifts in total, including gondolas and chairlifts, making it easy to access everything the resort has to offer.

Ski Amadé, SalzburgerLand & Styria

Ski Amadé is Austria's largest skiing resort, combining 5 regions, 25 skiing resorts, 760 km of pistes, and 270 lifts. Snowboarders can make use of all the slopes and off-piste options, which are clearly marked and suited for all skill levels. The resort is also home to 10 snow parks and 13 fun slopes, featuring half-pipes, obstacle courses, and powder snow.

Sölden, Tirol

Sölden in Tirol is known for its party scene, but it also offers ideal conditions for snowboarders who like to go off-piste. The Giggijoch mountain is suitable for freeride novices, while the Gaislachkogl mountain is recommended for experienced snowboarders only. The AREA 47 Snow Park Sölden has attracted snowboarders from all over the world with its jumps, rails, wall rides, and boxes.

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, SalzburgerLand

Skicircus offers a huge variety of snowboard-friendly slopes for all levels of ability, spreading over 270 km. Snowboarders can also access two additional ski resorts, Zell am See - Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, with the SKI ALPIN CARD, which gives access to a whopping 408 km of pistes. The Nitro Snow Park in Leogang has many obstacles, rails, and jumps, as well as Austria's largest NITRO Snowboard Test Centre.

Mayrhofen, Zillertal

Mayrhofen is known for its Vans Penken Park, which attracts snowboarders of all skill levels. Expert riders will enjoy the Penken powder routes and challenging pistes, while first-time boarders can practice on the nursery slopes. Mayrhofen also offers renowned nightlife spots and festivals such as Snowbombing and Altitude.

Lech Zürs, Vorarlberg

Lech Zürs is home to Lech Snow Park, with a dedicated pro line alongside 305 km of perfectly groomed pistes and freerides. Lech is also one of a handful of places in Austria where you can still heli-board, with the Mehlsack and Orgelscharte as the drop-off points for incredible rides.

Honorable Mentions:

• Ischgl: Plenty of wide intermediate slopes, a super-fast lift system, and full-on apres ski.
• Saalbach - Hinterglemm: Good easy freeriding, great intermediate slopes, and two excellent parks + a beginner's park.
• Axamer Lizum: A great resort for freestylers and intermediate freeriders, but can get crowded on weekends.
• Schlick 2000: A good small resort with very good powder and treeruns.
• Ski Arlberg: Amazing views, a well-laid-out ski area, and an efficient lift system.
• Ischgl-Samnaun Ski Area: Great ski area with fantastic runs and efficient lift connections.
• Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: Offers excellent ski instruction and is a great choice for families.
• Stubaier Gletscher: A beautiful glacier with a well-laid-out ski area and excellent lifts.
• Hintertuxer Gletscher: Amazing views and the opportunity to play in the snow all year round.
• Obergurgl Hochgurgl Ski Area: Features the motorcycle museum, a must-see for visitors.
• Patscherkofelbahnen: A clean and comfortable gondola ride with breathtaking views.
• Planai - Schladming: A nice skiing area with good parking and apres-ski options.

Top snowboarding areas in Austria

Austria is a haven for snowboarding enthusiasts, with its snow-capped peaks, legendary après-ski, and Austrian hospitality. Here is a list of the top snowboarding areas in the country:

St. Anton, Tirol:

St. Anton in Tirol is known as the "cradle of Alpine skiing," and it welcomes snowboarders with open arms. It offers numerous slopes, great powder runs, and easy access to 87 lifts, including gondolas and chairlifts. The STANTON Freestyle Park is a highlight for freestylers, with features for different skill levels.

Ski Amadé, SalzburgerLand & Styria:

Ski Amadé is Austria's largest skiing resort, with 760 km of pistes and 270 lifts. Snowboarders can enjoy all the slopes and off-piste options, suitable for all skill levels. The resort also boasts 10 snow parks and 13 fun slopes, offering half-pipes, obstacle courses, and powder snow.

Sölden, Tirol:

Sölden is known for its vibrant party scene, but it's also a top snowboarding destination. Snowboarders will find ideal conditions for off-piste adventures, with the Giggijoch mountain suitable for novices and the Gaislachkogl mountain offering a challenge for experienced boarders. The AREA 47 Snow Park Sölden attracts snowboarders from around the world with its ever-changing features.

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, SalzburgerLand:

Skicircus offers a vast array of snowboard-friendly slopes for all levels, spanning 270 km. The SKI ALPIN CARD provides access to additional ski resorts, including Zell am See - Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, for a total of 408 km of pistes. Snowboarders seeking thrills can visit the Nitro Snow Park in Leogang, which features obstacles, rails, jumps, and Austria's largest NITRO Snowboard Test Centre.

Vorarlberg, Austria's Westernmost Province:

Vorarlberg is ideal for those seeking smaller ski regions away from the hustle and bustle of large resorts. The Montafon Snow Park, close to the Swiss border, is one of the best terrain parks in the Alps, with approximately 40 obstacles catering to all skill levels. The Crystal Ground Snow Park in Kleinwalsertal offers creative setups and nighttime rides every Wednesday.

Other notable mentions include Mayrhofen, Axamer Lizum, Schlick 2000, and Ischgl-Samnaun Ski Area.

Snowboarding in Tirol

St. Anton in Tirol is a winter classic, often regarded as the "cradle of Alpine skiing". Snowboarders are just as welcome in this region as skiers, with numerous slopes and great powder runs to explore. The region boasts a total of 87 lifts, including gondolas and chairlifts, which provide easy access to the mountain. The STANTON Freestyle Park is a highlight for freestyle enthusiasts, with kickers, rails, and boxes suited for different skill levels. For a break from the action, the Rendl terrace offers bars and restaurants with stunning views of the park.

Sölden in Tirol is another popular destination for snowboarders, especially those who enjoy off-piste riding. The Giggijoch mountain caters to freeride novices with its moderately steep terrain, while the Gaislachkogl mountain is recommended for experienced snowboarders. Both locations feature freeride checkpoints with important information on weather conditions and avalanche hazards. The AREA 47 Snow Park Sölden attracts snowboarders from around the world with its ever-changing jumps, rails, wall rides, and boxes suitable for all skill levels.

Tirol is home to over 80 ski areas and approximately 3,400 kilometres of skiable terrain, offering some of the most epic trails and thrilling rides in the world. The region boasts some of the largest ski resorts in Austria, as well as hidden gems that are family-friendly and offer great snow conditions. With state-of-the-art ski lifts and a dedication to excellence, Tirol's resorts exceed expectations. The region also has over 390 ski school learning programmes, terrain parks with rails, kickers, and superpipes, and five glacier ski resorts with pistes open up to 12 months a year.

Snowboarding in SalzburgerLand

SalzburgerLand is a dream destination for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. It offers a wide range of ski areas, diverse slopes, and modern lifts, making it a winter sports paradise.

Ski Amadé

Just a stone's throw (60 km / 37 mi) from the city of Salzburg, you’ll find Ski Amadé, Austria’s largest skiing resort. It combines 5 regions, 25 skiing resorts, 760 km (472 mi) of pistes, and 270 lifts. Snowboarders can make full use of all the slopes and off-piste options, which are clearly marked and suitable for all skill levels. Ski Amadé is also home to 10 snow parks and 13 fun slopes, featuring half-pipes, obstacle courses, and amazing powder.

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, SalzburgerLand

At the Skicircus, you’ll find a huge variety of snowboard-friendly slopes for all levels of ability, spreading over 270 km (168 mi). The SKI ALPIN CARD gives you access to two additional ski resorts, Zell am See - Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, as well as a whopping 408 km (254 mi) of pistes.

Flachau, Wagrain-Kleinarl, St. Johann, Radstadt, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Eben, and Filzmoos

The Salzburg Sportwelt, with holiday destinations like Flachau, Wagrain-Kleinarl, St. Johann, Radstadt, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Eben, and Filzmoos, offers a magical experience on skis and boards. The region boasts 210 kilometers of slopes, with something for everyone, from sunny slopes to deep powder.

Snowboarding in Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost province, is a great snowboarding destination. It is a small but fine federal state located in the westernmost corner of Austria, boasting 8 snow parks across 45 ski resorts.

Vorarlberg is a great choice for snowboarders looking to stay away from the hustle and bustle of large resorts. The region offers a range of snowboarding options, from well-known spots like Lech Zürs and the Montafon Snow Park to lesser-known areas such as Brandnertal, Diedamskopf, Kleinwalsertal, Fellhorn, Schröcken am Arlberg, and Zürs am Arlberg.

The Montafon Snow Park, close to the Swiss border, is one of the best terrain parks in the Alps, featuring approximately 40 obstacles catering to all skill levels. The Crystal Ground Snow Park in Kleinwalsertal is also worth a visit, known for its creative and ever-changing setups. It offers nighttime rides every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm.

Lech Zürs is another popular destination, with the Lech Snow Park offering a dedicated pro line alongside 305 km (190 mi) of perfectly groomed pistes and endless freerides.

For those seeking a more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, the Gargellen Ski Area is a great option. It offers a well-pisted ski area with a good selection of varied runs suitable for beginners to experienced skiers.

Vorarlberg truly has something for every snowboarder, with its mix of well-known and hidden gem resorts, diverse terrain, modern facilities, and stunning Alpine scenery.

Frequently asked questions