Apres-Ski In Austria: What's Open This Season?

Austria is known for its apres-ski, with St. Anton am Arlberg widely considered to be the country's top destination for post-ski drinks and dancing. The Mooserwirt and Krazy Kangaruh are two of the most popular bars, with the former selling more beer than any other bar in Austria, and the latter being known as the original home of apres-ski in St. Anton. The Trofana Alm in Ischgl is another popular spot, with DJs and boisterous parties every day. While some may prefer a more relaxed apres-ski experience, with a quiet bar and cocktails, St. Anton's lively atmosphere, loud music, and shots of Jägermeister are sure to be a hit for those looking to party.

Après-ski in St. Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg is a charming ski resort considered the epicentre of winter sports by many. It is a unique and stunning recreation destination for the whole family, with excellent snow conditions and state-of-the-art cable cars and lifts.

St. Anton is also known for its lively après-ski scene. The resort is home to two legendary bars, The MooserWirt and The Krazy Kanguruh, both of which gained fame in the 60s. The MooserWirt was named the 'mother of all après-ski bars' by Playboy, with space around and on top of tables completely taken from 4 pm. Krazy Kanguruh is equally animated, with world-class skiers like owner Mario Matt partying with guests. Other bars to visit include Postkeller Piccadilly and Post Keller, which often host live music. Expect to dance on tables and stay out into the early hours of the morning.

If you're looking for a more relaxed après-ski experience, there are also cosy ski huts where you can warm up with a cup of Jägertee or mulled wine while enjoying the stunning mountain views. The cuisine is traditional, tasty, and filling, with dishes such as Tiroler Gröstl and Kärntner Kasnudeln.

Après-ski in Saalbach

Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a top ski resort in the Alps, offering one of the largest ski areas in Austria. With 270 kilometres of ski slopes, it caters to beginners, families, and experts. The resort also offers a range of winter activities for skiers and non-skiers alike.

When it comes to après-ski, Saalbach-Hinterglemm has the perfect blend of lively and relaxed spots. If you're in Saalbach, the party usually starts at Hinethag Alm, followed by Bauer's Schi-Alm in town. Zum Turm, a bar converted from a medieval jail, is another unique spot for a drink. The nightlife in Hinterglemm is more low-key; the Hintehag is a fun, relaxed, and goat-themed bar.

The resort also offers a range of dining options, from traditional ski huts to more upscale restaurants. Ski huts serve traditional dishes such as Tiroler Gröstl, Kärntner Kasnudeln, and Kaiserschmarren. For a more elegant dining experience, there are stylish spots like the ice Q gourmet restaurant in Sölden.

In addition to its après-ski offerings, Saalbach-Hinterglemm provides a convenient "Ski in - Ski out" experience, with accommodation located close to the ski area. This means you can start skiing right from your doorstep and even ski directly back to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Best ski resorts in Austria for beginners

Alpbach

Located in the SkiJuwel ski area, Alpbach is a charming ski resort with a good choice of ski schools and instructors. The village and slopes offer spectacular views, and there's 29km of blue runs to enjoy. The locals are welcoming, and there's a nice selection of bars and restaurants.

Ellmau

Part of the SkiWelt ski area, Ellmau is perfect for first-time skiers, with 122km of blue runs and fantastic beginner area facilities. The village is relaxed, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. With a full SkiWelt ski pass, you can access 284km of pistes.

Kaprun

Kaprun is a quiet mountain village with slopes suited to beginners. There are 57km of blue runs, over 30 places to eat, and plenty of bars. Kaprun also has an ice arena and offers tubing and tobogganing.

Lech

Lech has something for all abilities, but it makes this list thanks to its dedicated nursery slopes and excellent piste preparation. There are 133km of easy rolling blue runs, and the resort offers incredible luxury accommodation with breathtaking mountain views.

Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen has 60km of blue runs and dedicated learning areas. Beginners can head to Pepis Kinderland and Übungsland Penken at the top of the Penkenbahn. The village has maintained its traditional alpine charm, and there are lively après bars alongside more relaxed spots.

Niederau-Oberau

Linked to neighbouring Alpbach, Niederau-Oberau has ideal nursery slopes and is located in the beautiful Wildschonau Valley. There are 26km of blue slopes and a good choice of bars, restaurants, and shops in the village.

Obergurgl

Towards the end of the Otz Valley, Obergurgl has dedicated nursery slopes and easy terrain, making it one of the best resorts for beginners. It's also one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, with an altitude of 1,930m-3,080m, ensuring good snow conditions. The town has a tranquil atmosphere with minimal traffic, and there's a good selection of restaurants, bars, and accommodation.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Hinterglemm, in particular, has excellent facilities for beginners, with nursery slopes in the village and 140km of blue runs on the mountain. The blue runs from Zwolferkogel towards Hinterglemm are ideal for cruising. Neighbouring Saalbach also offers some great blue runs.

Seefeld

Seefeld is quiet and has a good range of gentle terrain, with 19km of easy blue runs. The nursery slopes are easily accessible from the main village, and the resort offers stylish accommodation and a mix of traditional architecture and modern facilities.

Sölden

Down the road from Obergurgl, Sölden has a majority of blue runs, with 74km to explore. There's a vast selection of cruisy blue runs in the Giggijoch area, and a longer scenic blue descends from the 3370m peak of the Schwarze Schneid. There are plenty of off-slope activities, including a James Bond installation.

Söll

Another SkiWelt ski resort, Söll attracts mixed-ability groups and families. There are fantastic beginner areas and 122km of blue pistes. The north-facing slopes make it one of the most snow-sure destinations in the Alps. The village is relaxed, with a few lively bars.

Westendorf

Westendorf is built for beginners and families, with nursery slopes located near the main village. There are excellent ski schools, and 122km of blue runs to progress to. The village is small and friendly, making it easy to navigate.

The future of skiing in Europe

Austria has long been known for its vibrant party culture, with a unique blend of traditional and modern elements. The country's ski resorts offer a wide range of nightlife options, from cosy rustic huts to stylish clubs and extravagant festivals. The après-ski experience in Austria is so popular that, for some, it rivals the time spent on the slopes.

• Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: With growing concerns about climate change, the ski industry will increasingly focus on sustainability. Ski resorts will adopt more eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy sources, improving waste management, and implementing energy-efficient snowmaking systems.
• Technological Innovations: Technology will play a significant role in enhancing the ski experience. Ski resorts will leverage digital technologies to improve slope safety, provide real-time data on snow conditions, and offer interactive trail maps and ski apps. The use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality will also create new opportunities for training and entertainment.
• Year-Round Attractions: To extend their operating seasons, ski resorts will develop a diverse range of year-round activities. This includes summer adventures like hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor concerts, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the stunning alpine scenery beyond the winter months.
• Focus on Guest Experience: Ski resorts will continue to prioritize the guest experience, offering personalized services and tailored packages to meet diverse preferences. From family-friendly activities to luxurious spa retreats, resorts will strive to cater to a wide range of interests and demographics.
• Infrastructure Development: To accommodate growing visitor numbers, ski resorts will invest in infrastructure upgrades. This includes expanding and improving ski lifts, enhancing transportation networks, and developing new accommodation options, ensuring that visitors have a seamless and comfortable stay.
• Safety Measures: With the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ski resorts will continue to prioritize the health and safety of their guests and staff. This includes implementing comprehensive sanitation protocols, contact tracing measures, and capacity management strategies.
• International Appeal: Austria's ski resorts will continue to attract a diverse international clientele. By catering to different cultural preferences and offering a range of culinary and entertainment options, these resorts will solidify their reputation as world-class destinations.

In conclusion, the future of skiing in Europe, with Austria at the forefront, is bright and dynamic. The industry will adapt to emerging trends, embrace technological advancements, and focus on sustainability and guest experiences. By continuously enhancing their offerings, Austrian ski resorts will remain top destinations for skiers and holidaymakers worldwide.

The best ski resorts in Austria

St. Anton

St. Anton is one of the world's great ski resorts, with some of the most challenging slopes in the Alps. It has hosted various World Alpine Ski Championships and Ski World Cups. The village has a car-free centre and bustles with activity throughout the day and late into the night. The surrounding slopes offer an incredible amount of diversity, from the steeps of the Valluga to the gentle village slopes around Nasserein.

KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg

KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg is the best ski resort in Austria, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Kitzbühel is steeped in tradition and known for its Gemütlichkeit, which is the particular Austrian hospitality that guarantees a warm welcome. Kitzbühel hosts the famous Hahnenkamm downhill skiing race every January, where professionals reach up to 140 kmph in front of 60,000 spectators.

Ischgl

Ischgl has one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in Europe, if not the world. The lift-linked Silvretta Arena ski area is large, and you can also access three neighbouring resorts (Galtür, Kappl and See) with the same lift pass. The infamous Hotel Elizabeth, with its booming oompah trance and scantily-clad dancing girls, sums up the resort.

Lech

Lech is tucked away in Austria's Arlberg region and was once overshadowed by the massive resort of St. Anton. However, with the opening of the Flexbahn Gondola, Lech now offers access to the vast Ski Arlberg area. The local ski area around Lech is ideal for intermediate skiers, with plentiful red and blue runs. Lech also has a ton of options for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with multiple snow parks and over 200km of marked, but unpisted, backcountry ski routes.

Saalbach

Saalbach is one of Austria's most rocking resorts, centred on an attractive old Tyrolean village and renowned for its full-on après-ski. The Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang Skicircus area was recently expanded with a gondola link to Fieberbrunn, giving it the tongue-twisting moniker of Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. This is now a sizeable ski area, with over 270km of pistes.

Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is a picture-postcard resort, perfect for confident skiers, and boasts one of the Alps' great snowboarding scenes. The village is quiet by day but comes alive in the afternoons and evenings, especially when the Altitude Comedy Festival or Snowbombing rolls into town.

Obergurgl

Obergurgl, and its twin sister Hochgurgl, is one of Austria's most snow-sure resorts. The village sits at 1,930 metres, and the lifts go up to above 3,000 metres. There's also a high-tech snow generation system, and because the resort faces north-west, snow coverage is guaranteed all the way into May.

Söll

Söll is popular with beginners and is the biggest of the nine villages that make up the SkiWelt ski area. There has been significant investment in family and children’s facilities, including the Hexenwiese ski area, which is free to access, and two children’s adventure areas. The pistes are served by 90 lifts, which include a large number of gondolas, and chairlifts with heated seats.

Zell am See

Zell am See must be a contender for the most beautiful resort in Austria, set on the shores of a large freshwater lake. The village has an attractive and atmospheric old town, filled with charming boutiques and restaurants serving traditional Austrian fare. The lift pass for Zell am See offers access to Kaprun, creating one of the largest ski areas in the country, with 400 km of pistes accessible.

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