Leslie Massey
Austria is one of the world's great skiing destinations, with ski areas to suit every taste, from small, intimate centres perfect for beginners to some of the world's biggest areas, always equipped with fast, comfortable lifts. The country's ski resorts usually open in November, with some remaining open all year round. However, the opening of ski resorts in Austria has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, with some facilities remaining closed and various health and safety measures in place.
When do Austrian ski resorts open?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Summer skiing | Generally hard/icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon. |
| Summer skiing | Open from early September onwards, depending on the weather. |
| Summer skiing | Glacier closure due to hot summers or bad weather. |
| Winter skiing | Open from November through to May. |
| Winter skiing | Some resorts open as early as the end of November. |
| Winter skiing | Some resorts open in December. |
| Covid-related restrictions | A health pass is required to prove vaccination or recent recovery to access ski lifts. |
| Covid-related restrictions | Holidaymakers must wear an FFP2 mask on lifts and in lift queues. |
| Covid-related restrictions | Après-ski bars and nightclubs were not permitted to reopen until at least 9 January 2022. |
| Covid-related restrictions | Restaurants had a curfew of 11 pm. |
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What You'll Learn
Most Austrian ski resorts open in December
Austria is one of the world's great skiing destinations, with ski areas to suit every taste, from small, intimate centres perfect for beginners to some of the world's biggest areas. The country also boasts impressive high-altitude glacier ski areas, offering the opportunity to ski from as early as November through to May.
Some Austrian ski resorts are open all year round, including the Kitzsteinhorn glacier ski area, which is usually open 365 days a year. Zell, Kaprun's larger and livelier neighbour, also tends to keep its slopes open all year round, although most years see them skiable in May, June and July, then closed for a couple of months to prepare for winter. The Stubai glacier ski area is another option for year-round skiing, usually closing in June and reopening in mid-September.
Summer skiing in Austria is generally hard and icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon, so many people ski for a few hours in the morning and then relax in the afternoon or take in the local sights.
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Some higher resorts open in November
While the winter season in Austrian ski resorts usually begins in December, some higher resorts open as early as November.
Austria is one of the world's top ski destinations, with ski areas to suit every taste. The country offers small, intimate centres perfect for beginners, as well as some of the world's biggest ski areas, with fast, comfortable lifts to get you up the slopes.
Austria also boasts impressive high-altitude glacier ski areas, which provide the opportunity to ski from as early as November through to May. The Stubai glacier ski area, for example, usually closes in June and then opens up again in mid-September. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier, located in the province of Salzburg, also tends to stay open well into the summer and then reopens in late September for the autumn season.
If you're looking for a ski holiday in November, the Obertauern ski resort is one to consider. In 2024, the resort is scheduled to open on 22 November, with a ski opening set for 28 November.
It's important to note that, while some Austrian ski resorts open as early as November, not all dates for the 2024/25 winter season may be available yet, and specific opening dates can vary depending on weather conditions.
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Peak season is late December to early March
The peak season for Austrian ski resorts is late December to early March. This period sees the highest anticipation and excitement among winter sports enthusiasts, with resorts celebrating major events, concerts, and sporting highlights.
During this time, ski resorts in Austria offer extensive ski areas, modern cable cars, perfectly groomed pistes, and breathtaking mountain views. The country's impressive high-altitude glacier ski areas provide opportunities for skiing from as early as November through to May, with some resorts offering skiing all year round.
For those seeking a large resort with a lively atmosphere, Zell is a popular choice. Zell provides superb access to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier's ski area, boasting 15km of scenic, snowy runs. While the slopes are typically skiable in May, June, and July, most years see them open all year round.
Another renowned glacier resort is Sölden, located near the end of the Ötz valley. Sölden offers stunning views and a mix of undemanding runs, attracting national teams for training and ski instructor courses. The area usually opens the competitive season in Europe with a World Cup race in the autumn.
The Stubai Valley is another convenient glacier area, located close to Innsbruck and its airport. The Stubai glacier ski area typically closes in June and reopens in mid-September, catering to skiers eager to hit the slopes before the official winter season.
During the peak season, Austrian ski resorts offer a range of accommodations, from cosy mountain chalets to large, traditional hotels. Visitors can also indulge in delicious dining experiences, with cozy mountain huts scattered throughout the ski areas. The resorts cater to beginners and returning skiers, providing extensive ski areas and modern cable cars for a comfortable and accessible experience.
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The end of the season is generally late March or April
The end of the ski season in Austria varies by resort, with some closing in early April and others in late July. However, the end of the season is generally in late March or April.
For example, the Mittersill-Hollersbach-Stuhlfelden/Kitz Ski area is open from 7 December 2021 to 6 April 2022. The Snow Space Salzburg (Flachau/St. Johann/Wagrain) area is also open from 8 December 2021 to 7 April 2022.
Some resorts close later in the year. The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn area is open from 29 November 2021 to 21 April 2022.
A few resorts remain open even later. The Dachstein Glacier is usually open for eleven months of the year, often closing in October and reopening in September. The Stubai glacier ski area, which doesn't "do" spring closing, typically closes in June and reopens in mid-September.
Some Austrian ski resorts are open all year round. Zell and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier's ski area are usually skiable in May, June, and July, and sometimes stay open all year round. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier, above Kaprun, generally stays open well into the summer and closes in July before reopening in September for the autumn season.
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Some Austrian resorts offer skiing year-round
While Austrian ski resorts typically open in December, some Austrian resorts offer skiing year-round.
Austria has a fine set of skiable glaciers, and all kinds of bases to ski them from. While they aren’t usually skiable in the height of summer, they do stay open far longer than other resorts, with fabulous ski conditions at the beginning and end of the winter season.
The Hintertux glacier, for example, is just 30 minutes from Mayrhofen and offers 365 days of skiing a year. It has glorious views stretching to the Großglockner and the Dolomites, and a medley of runs to choose from, including beginner blues, long reds, and testing blacks.
Kaprun, Austria’s first resort to have glacier skiing, is at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn, the only skiable glacier in Salzbergerland. Its slopes tend to stay open until the end of July, closing for a couple of months due to weather or maintenance before reopening in September. Zell, Kaprun's larger and livelier neighbour, also offers year-round skiing.
Sölden, located near the end of the Ötz valley, is another of Austria's glacier resorts. With a high altitude and links to two glaciers, Sölden has some of Austria's most reliable snow and offers almost year-round skiing. It is usually open from September through June, weather permitting.
The Stubai glacier ski area, meanwhile, is one of the most convenient glacier areas, as it is not far from Innsbruck and its airport. It usually closes in June and reopens in mid-September. Neustift, the closest resort to the Stubai glacier, is reachable in about 20 minutes by car. It usually runs until early July and reopens in September.
The Pitztal slopes are another glacier ski area, located at the end of the long valley to the south of the main Inn valley in the Tyrol. They are only open from mid-September onwards, so they offer 'late summer' skiing.
Innsbruck, a city that most people fly into to reach the Austrian Alps, has emerged as a skiing destination in its own right. The Ski Plus City Pass, introduced in 2019, offers access to 13 of the closest ski areas, as well as 22 of the city's museums and other attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian ski resorts tend to open around November and close around April or May, depending on the weather. Some ski resorts are open all year round.
A health pass, FFP2 mask, and proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 are required to enter Austrian ski resorts. Some facilities, such as après-ski bars and nightclubs, may remain closed under national rules.
Some large Austrian ski resorts include Ischgl, Sölden, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Obergurgl, and Lech.
Austria's family ski resorts offer accommodation on the piste and extensive ski areas with modern cable cars. Perfectly groomed pistes and breathtaking mountains await parents, teenagers, and children.
