Skiing In Austria: April Options

If you're looking for a spot of late-season skiing, Austria has plenty of resorts that stay open until late spring. In fact, some resorts in the Austrian Tyrol are even open for summer skiing. So, if you're planning a trip for April, here are some of the best places to find snow in Austria.

Obergurgl and Hochgurgl: Two of the highest resorts in Austria, with skiing until early May

Obergurgl and Hochgurgl are two of the highest resorts in Austria, with skiing until early May. The ski area is located at the end of the Ötztal Valley, with the village of Obergurgl situated at 1,930 metres above sea level and the mountain village of Hochgurgl at 2,150 metres. The ski resort boasts pistes reaching altitudes of over 3,000 metres, with north-facing slopes stretching from 1,800 to 3,080 metres. This high altitude means excellent snow conditions from November to May, with the ski season often starting in mid-November.

The Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area has a capacious lift system that efficiently transports skiers, meaning that lift queues are rare. The two villages are connected by the Top-Express cable car, and there are state-of-the-art lifts leaving from both villages. The ski area offers a wide range of slopes for all levels of difficulty, from beginners to intermediates and advanced skiers.

Obergurgl and Hochgurgl also offer a variety of off-slope activities and amenities. There is a fun park, plenty of off-piste freeriding, night skiing, and a selection of cosy huts, restaurants, and bars. The Top Mountain Star restaurant, perched at 3,080 metres above sea level, offers breathtaking views of the Dolomites and the Ötztal Alps. The ski resorts cater to those seeking a luxury ski holiday, with charming and upmarket accommodation options.

The ski season in Obergurgl and Hochgurgl typically lasts until late April, with the resorts offering some of the latest ski seasons in Austria. In 2025, the ski season is planned to end on April 27.

Ischgl: Extensive skiing above 2000m, with reliable snow cover until early May

Ischgl is a great choice for a late-season ski trip to Austria. While its resort height may be modest, and it has no glacier, most of your day will be spent above the mid-stations. Ischgl has the greatest extent of skiing above 2000m in Austria. This means you can enjoy extensive skiing with super-reliable snow cover, right through until the resort closes in early May.

Ischgl is known for its reliable snow cover, and you can avoid the slushy lower runs home by taking one of the three efficient lifts back to base. The Top of the Mountain Concert is a great way to round off the season, with previous performers including the Black Eyed Peas.

Ischgl is also a good choice if you are an intermediate skier, with plenty of slopes to choose from. If you are a beginner, you may prefer Obergurgl, which is widely considered the most reliable entirely non-glacial resort in the Alps.

Other resorts offering late-season skiing in Austria include Sölden, Lech, Mayrhofen/Hintertux, and Obertauern.

Sölden: Two glaciers guarantee good snow, with skiing into summer

Sölden is one of the main glacier resorts in the Tyrol and offers summer skiing later in the year. Sölden is livelier than its neighbour Obergurgl and hosts the two-day Electric Mountain Festival from April 4-5. The final winter date is April 28, after which the resort switches into spring season mode with a reduced ski area (glacier only) and tickets available until May 4.

Sölden's big draws are its two glaciers, which guarantee an extensive area of good snow, even in a poor year. There is also plenty of high non-glacial skiing, making Sölden an excellent choice for a late-season trip. The runs home are likely to be worn or patchy by spring, but you can always catch a lift down.

Tirol's five glaciers offer great skiing at over 3,000m. Most ski resorts in Tirol stay open until Easter, with those high in the mountains often extending the season beyond that. Springtime skiing is a unique pleasure: warm sunshine, soft snow and good vibes. You can hit the slopes in the morning, have a long lunch, then chill out on the terrace.

The ultimate guarantee of good snow is a glacier, and across the Alps, high-mountain glaciers offer guaranteed snow and skiing all year round. Glacier skiing isn't just skiing on ice – the ice prevents the snow from melting fast, ensuring non-stop good powder. Skiing on glaciers during the summer and winter is different from skiing on regular slopes, but with a little preparation, you can decide whether it's right for you.

Summer skiing is warmer and more relaxed, combining skiing in the mornings with enjoying the sunny mountains in the afternoons. It's also a great way to ensure you don't get rusty between winter ski holidays – glaciers in the Alps are used by snow sports teams worldwide for summer training.

Lech: The snowiest major ski area in the Alps, with cover until the end of April

Lech is a snow-sure ski resort in Austria, with cover usually guaranteed until the end of April. It is widely considered the snowiest major ski area in the Alps, and one of the best places for late-season skiing.

Lech's ski area does not reach glacial heights, but its base altitude is high enough to ensure good snow cover throughout the season. The resort typically plans to close around April 22, and in some years, there has been over 4m of snow above Lech at this time.

The ski area in Lech does not suffer from the same issues with slushy runs in the afternoon as some higher resorts, but morning skiing is still the best time to hit the slopes in spring. The focus on morning skiing means you can spend your afternoons relaxing on the terrace, enjoying the spring sunshine.

Lech has a good reputation for late-season skiing, and its long runs are well-suited to experienced skiers. The resort also has two major ski schools offering a full range of courses, from beginners to off-piste and ski touring.

Accommodation in Lech can be expensive, but there are some good options in nearby Stuben, which is only a fraction of the price and has excellent snow conditions.

Obertauern: High-level, non-glacial resort at 1750m, often open until May

Obertauern is a high-level, non-glacial ski resort in the province of Salzburg, Austria. At an altitude of 1750m, it is usually open until the beginning of May, with the ski area planning to stay open until 1 May in 2025.

Obertauern is a good option for late-season skiing, with a good reputation in this regard. However, it is worth noting that, as with all high resorts, bad weather can cause problems with wind and lack of visibility. The ski runs are relatively short in comparison to other resorts, such as St Anton.

One user on the Snowheads forum said they had "enjoyed some fabulous days there skiing the Tauern-Runde (a route that leads you around the high-level bowl so that you are always facing the sun)".

Another user, who had been to Obertauern with their family, said:

> "I've been to other resorts with family and always find myself comparing them to St Anton (well Oberlech to be more precise) and they always fall well short. I'm guessing that you're all fairly experienced skiers, in which case St Anton ticks the boxes. I was very happy staying in Stuben this year with the family, especially as it's a fraction of the price of St Anton and especially Oberlech. Snow in Stuben is excellent too."

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